My dear husband and I have been discussing what we would like to do for Lent this year. We plan to discuss these things with our spiritual directors, but I heard of this challenge over at Shower of Roses blog and it has me intrigued and actually excited about Lent. Here is a link to the challenge: 40 bags in 40 days.
Anyone else up for it? It think it's an awesome idea especially right before spring cleaning and Easter. Plus, it will help us get ready for the new baby that will come just a few short months after that. What timing!
Anyway, this is my plan to get the whole family involved. I'm going to go buy a big package of trash bags and label it 40 Bags in 40 Days. I do plan to make a chain link gauge so that we can all see our progress. Who knows when I may sneak in filling up a bag when the rest of the house is asleep? Oh, this is going to be great!
God bless,
Peklet Mom
Friday, February 5, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Sewing!
I've been taking a sewing class since mid October. I am having so much fun and learning so much! At the first class I realized nearly all of my mistakes that I'd ever made when sewing and that I had a Stinger Singer sewing machine. Well, it's now the end of January and not only have I made a lovely tiered skirt for my Gabbynot, but I'm currently working on a spring/summer nightgown. Both of which are so lovely, I am planning and working on more! I have patterns now cut for both Gabbynot and A-boo for more tiered skirts. They are both vibrant spring like fabrics, so with any luck - and many prayers - I'll have them finished by Easter. Then all I have to do is find pretty blouses and probably sweaters to go with them as Easter is again early this year, and it's likely to be cold.
I've also invested in a much better sewing machine. Now that the patterns are finally cut, I hope to break it out and really use it. Oh I am so excited! It's a Decorator's Choice Babylock and it is amazing! I was sold on it before I even went to buy it after my other experience with the Sophia model that I'm using during the class. Bye-bye Stinger Singer...
I was so grateful that my teacher decided to offer this class. Not only are we making lovely clothes, but modest clothing that my girls are really excited to wear. Plus, I hope to learn how to "doctor" a pattern to suit our modesty tastes, like lowering the lengths of skirts, raising necklines and adding fun touches here and there to really make them my own. I'm not about fancy mind boggling styles - I'm more of a simple mindset with attractive lines and details that make clothing beautiful. Hopefully, with time, we'll move onto women's clothing. I'm such a difficult person to shop for when clothing is concerned. I hope that will change though after Baby Peklet is born. I hope to say bye-bye to bulges and baby weight that has been clinging to me for far too long.
I hope to try my hand at some new curtains around the house as well as some dolly clothes that the girls have been begging for. The dolly clothes I made before leave much to be desired and I'm hoping to make some better ones now that I know better how to use a machine, read a pattern, pick material, and use the other handy tools ~ thanks to my wonderful teacher!
Though I'm pretty tired at night after the children are in bed, I am certain the sleepless nights will be coming soon and my machine in our cozy school room will soon be stitching away. I also plan to use the time on Saturdays and Sundays when school is finished for the week and chores are done. Speaking of chores, my time is up and it's time to make some dinner.
God bless,
Peklet Mom
I've also invested in a much better sewing machine. Now that the patterns are finally cut, I hope to break it out and really use it. Oh I am so excited! It's a Decorator's Choice Babylock and it is amazing! I was sold on it before I even went to buy it after my other experience with the Sophia model that I'm using during the class. Bye-bye Stinger Singer...
I was so grateful that my teacher decided to offer this class. Not only are we making lovely clothes, but modest clothing that my girls are really excited to wear. Plus, I hope to learn how to "doctor" a pattern to suit our modesty tastes, like lowering the lengths of skirts, raising necklines and adding fun touches here and there to really make them my own. I'm not about fancy mind boggling styles - I'm more of a simple mindset with attractive lines and details that make clothing beautiful. Hopefully, with time, we'll move onto women's clothing. I'm such a difficult person to shop for when clothing is concerned. I hope that will change though after Baby Peklet is born. I hope to say bye-bye to bulges and baby weight that has been clinging to me for far too long.
I hope to try my hand at some new curtains around the house as well as some dolly clothes that the girls have been begging for. The dolly clothes I made before leave much to be desired and I'm hoping to make some better ones now that I know better how to use a machine, read a pattern, pick material, and use the other handy tools ~ thanks to my wonderful teacher!
Though I'm pretty tired at night after the children are in bed, I am certain the sleepless nights will be coming soon and my machine in our cozy school room will soon be stitching away. I also plan to use the time on Saturdays and Sundays when school is finished for the week and chores are done. Speaking of chores, my time is up and it's time to make some dinner.
God bless,
Peklet Mom
Friday, January 22, 2010
Time of Adjustment
Hello dear readers:
Okay so the past two weeks have been a true test for me, but definitely blessings. Many things have been going on and I'll try to talk about them in a logical order. Looking back, it all seems logical, but whether it will come out that way... we'll see.
First up, Baby Peklet is doing really well! I'm at 16.5 weeks and starting to feel the flutters of this little one. It is so amazing and beautiful, Deo Gratias!
Next up, I'm still sick. However, it is a good sign that all is going well for me. My doctor put me on Zofran (a safe anti nausea drug). My pharmacist, who is wonderful, said to me the first time I picked it up, "Have you ever been on this before?" To which I replied, "No." She said with a smile, "You are going to feel so much better. This drug has taken the fear out of chemo-therapy, since most cancer patients on chemo experience severe nausea after their treatments." I was skeptical as I had tried everything but this and had had no luck. Still I smiled, thanked her and went on my way. Needless to say, it did help. I was still sick first thing in the morning and if I didn't eat, the nausea came back with no mercy. Once I ate something though (very small portions), the nausea would subside. It has gotten even better recently in that I'm not nauseated all day, even when I do get hungry. Now, I'm still getting sick in the mornings and just feeling hungry. I do need to pay attention to that for several reasons, which I'll get to later, but if I don't eat - then I will be sick.
On to the next point... I had my glucose tolerance test done a week ago Monday. Well, my numbers were too high after the 1 hour test. My doctor looked at my 1 hour numbers from earlier tests and this one was higher. So, he referred me to a class to talk about gestational diabetes management. I must be honest and say that I wasn't too excited about it, but I went and hoped that I would glean something to help me this time around. I'll say too that the 2 other times I've had this, I've been able to manage it with diet and exercise and just a small amount of medication. Now, I am on a super strict diet, pricking my fingers 4 times a day, and getting regular exercise. It's working! Deo Gratias. My numbers after eating have been great! The only thing I cannot seem to get under control are my fasting numbers. Here is the reason that the dietician and nurse told me at the class. Pregnant women, especially at night and early morning hours release a huge amount of hormones and cause the blood sugar to rise. When I test my sugars in the morning it is always too high. That said, I'm betting I'll be put on medication for those numbers because I have no way of keeping them in control otherwise. It's been a fun couple of weeks just getting back into the groove of this routine. I'm eating healthier and I am exercising more.
Next up, the exercise plan.... I have made a resolution to exercise for just 10 minutes after each meal. Ten minutes is not that long and I can get in 30 minutes of exercise in total for the day! It's not overly rigorous and I'm not doing it to lose weight, but rather, help my blood glucose levels. The kids don't mind Mom heading downstairs to get on the elliptical for just a few minutes. Any longer than that, and they'd be beating down the door. Plus, I throw in a load of laundry and bang! the day is going better already. The point to the exercise after my meals is that when a person, especially a pregnant diabetic, exercises, the body works better at getting the glucose into my cells and not all going to the baby. Now you may ask, why can't the baby have glucose - isn't that something they need to grow? The answer is yes, however, they cannot have too much. When the baby gets too much they get too big and get used to getting that much glucose. When they are born, their glucose levels drop and sometimes, it's tough to regulate. Also both mom and baby are at risk for many complications during and after delivery if during the pregnancy the baby gets too big. I'd rather not go there, so I'm going to do everything I can to have a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery.
All this being said, it's not easy. Please keep us in your prayers. I'm going to have bad days, and I'm going to get frustrated, but knowing that all this is for the good of me and especially my baby, it's totally worth it. I think, even if my numbers had not come back high, I would still be doing this. It's really good and I'm feeling so much better! Thanks in advance for your prayers.
In the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Peklet Mom
Okay so the past two weeks have been a true test for me, but definitely blessings. Many things have been going on and I'll try to talk about them in a logical order. Looking back, it all seems logical, but whether it will come out that way... we'll see.
First up, Baby Peklet is doing really well! I'm at 16.5 weeks and starting to feel the flutters of this little one. It is so amazing and beautiful, Deo Gratias!
Next up, I'm still sick. However, it is a good sign that all is going well for me. My doctor put me on Zofran (a safe anti nausea drug). My pharmacist, who is wonderful, said to me the first time I picked it up, "Have you ever been on this before?" To which I replied, "No." She said with a smile, "You are going to feel so much better. This drug has taken the fear out of chemo-therapy, since most cancer patients on chemo experience severe nausea after their treatments." I was skeptical as I had tried everything but this and had had no luck. Still I smiled, thanked her and went on my way. Needless to say, it did help. I was still sick first thing in the morning and if I didn't eat, the nausea came back with no mercy. Once I ate something though (very small portions), the nausea would subside. It has gotten even better recently in that I'm not nauseated all day, even when I do get hungry. Now, I'm still getting sick in the mornings and just feeling hungry. I do need to pay attention to that for several reasons, which I'll get to later, but if I don't eat - then I will be sick.
On to the next point... I had my glucose tolerance test done a week ago Monday. Well, my numbers were too high after the 1 hour test. My doctor looked at my 1 hour numbers from earlier tests and this one was higher. So, he referred me to a class to talk about gestational diabetes management. I must be honest and say that I wasn't too excited about it, but I went and hoped that I would glean something to help me this time around. I'll say too that the 2 other times I've had this, I've been able to manage it with diet and exercise and just a small amount of medication. Now, I am on a super strict diet, pricking my fingers 4 times a day, and getting regular exercise. It's working! Deo Gratias. My numbers after eating have been great! The only thing I cannot seem to get under control are my fasting numbers. Here is the reason that the dietician and nurse told me at the class. Pregnant women, especially at night and early morning hours release a huge amount of hormones and cause the blood sugar to rise. When I test my sugars in the morning it is always too high. That said, I'm betting I'll be put on medication for those numbers because I have no way of keeping them in control otherwise. It's been a fun couple of weeks just getting back into the groove of this routine. I'm eating healthier and I am exercising more.
Next up, the exercise plan.... I have made a resolution to exercise for just 10 minutes after each meal. Ten minutes is not that long and I can get in 30 minutes of exercise in total for the day! It's not overly rigorous and I'm not doing it to lose weight, but rather, help my blood glucose levels. The kids don't mind Mom heading downstairs to get on the elliptical for just a few minutes. Any longer than that, and they'd be beating down the door. Plus, I throw in a load of laundry and bang! the day is going better already. The point to the exercise after my meals is that when a person, especially a pregnant diabetic, exercises, the body works better at getting the glucose into my cells and not all going to the baby. Now you may ask, why can't the baby have glucose - isn't that something they need to grow? The answer is yes, however, they cannot have too much. When the baby gets too much they get too big and get used to getting that much glucose. When they are born, their glucose levels drop and sometimes, it's tough to regulate. Also both mom and baby are at risk for many complications during and after delivery if during the pregnancy the baby gets too big. I'd rather not go there, so I'm going to do everything I can to have a healthy pregnancy, labor and delivery.
All this being said, it's not easy. Please keep us in your prayers. I'm going to have bad days, and I'm going to get frustrated, but knowing that all this is for the good of me and especially my baby, it's totally worth it. I think, even if my numbers had not come back high, I would still be doing this. It's really good and I'm feeling so much better! Thanks in advance for your prayers.
In the Sacred Heart of Jesus,
Peklet Mom
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Merry Christmas!
Okay so it's still the Christmas Season until February 2, so I'm not officially late in wishing you all a very Merry Christmas. We've had a wonderful, relaxing Christmas Season so far and though I've been pregnancy sick through most of it, it really has been great!
I'm heading into the 2nd trimester, so hopefully things will be better soon. I see the doctor on Friday and so I'm praying and trusting that all is going well.
We began school yesterday after having a nearly a week and a half off. Daddy was home all that time too and it was so great! This semester is going to go well I feel. Gabbynot is eager to learn and A-boo has officially finished Kindergarten. She is so excited!!!
Both of the older girls have been a huge help to me these past 2 months when I am just not feeling up to par. They can change and dress Peanut, set and clear the table for meals, load and unload the dishwasher, help with laundry, and many more things that have been so great!
Bubba got a ton of Thomas the Train-like toys including a train table to store it all for Christmas. He is thrilled and plays with it all the time. He's talking all the time and has somehow picked up an East coast dialect. "Momma?" He asked. "Wheah ah my slippahs?" And one night when we were trying to calm the children down to sleep he retorts, "I'm a good sleepah!" Oh how he makes me laugh!
Peanut is growing so fast! It seems every time I look at her she's grown another inch. Or maybe its the hair? Her hair is so fluffy and puffy, it's amazing and there is nothing I can do about it. She won't let me put anything in it like barrettes or rubber bands... so she's just fluffy and puffy. She's talking really well and saying new words everyday. My favorite memory this Christmas of her will be her at Midnight Mass. It was a glorious Mass with several of the choirs from our church as well as an orchestra. When she heard it she said, "Muic! Muic!" and then began to wave her arms around. I didn't understand it for a bit until I figured out that she was saying music and imitating the director, directing the choirs and orchestra. Too cute!
PMKD is back at work after a nice vacation too and it does feel good to get back into our 'routine'. We're not sure about his travel this year, but are prepared that there will be some if not as much as last year. He always says though that the absolute best part of a business trip is coming home and walking through the door.
Last year was full of blessings and we are very grateful, especially to our family and friends who support us. We enjoyed New Year's Eve with friends as well as New Year's Day. A wonderful way to end and start the New Year. May God bless you all abundantly this New Year and always.
In the Infant King,
Peklet Mom
I'm heading into the 2nd trimester, so hopefully things will be better soon. I see the doctor on Friday and so I'm praying and trusting that all is going well.
We began school yesterday after having a nearly a week and a half off. Daddy was home all that time too and it was so great! This semester is going to go well I feel. Gabbynot is eager to learn and A-boo has officially finished Kindergarten. She is so excited!!!
Both of the older girls have been a huge help to me these past 2 months when I am just not feeling up to par. They can change and dress Peanut, set and clear the table for meals, load and unload the dishwasher, help with laundry, and many more things that have been so great!
Bubba got a ton of Thomas the Train-like toys including a train table to store it all for Christmas. He is thrilled and plays with it all the time. He's talking all the time and has somehow picked up an East coast dialect. "Momma?" He asked. "Wheah ah my slippahs?" And one night when we were trying to calm the children down to sleep he retorts, "I'm a good sleepah!" Oh how he makes me laugh!
Peanut is growing so fast! It seems every time I look at her she's grown another inch. Or maybe its the hair? Her hair is so fluffy and puffy, it's amazing and there is nothing I can do about it. She won't let me put anything in it like barrettes or rubber bands... so she's just fluffy and puffy. She's talking really well and saying new words everyday. My favorite memory this Christmas of her will be her at Midnight Mass. It was a glorious Mass with several of the choirs from our church as well as an orchestra. When she heard it she said, "Muic! Muic!" and then began to wave her arms around. I didn't understand it for a bit until I figured out that she was saying music and imitating the director, directing the choirs and orchestra. Too cute!
PMKD is back at work after a nice vacation too and it does feel good to get back into our 'routine'. We're not sure about his travel this year, but are prepared that there will be some if not as much as last year. He always says though that the absolute best part of a business trip is coming home and walking through the door.
Last year was full of blessings and we are very grateful, especially to our family and friends who support us. We enjoyed New Year's Eve with friends as well as New Year's Day. A wonderful way to end and start the New Year. May God bless you all abundantly this New Year and always.
In the Infant King,
Peklet Mom
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Still here... enjoying the Advent Season
Hello dear readers:
I am still here and doing fine. These last two weeks have been full of finishing up school for the year and taking care of me. I mentioned before my morning, no, perpetual sickness with this pregnancy. It has gotten better, but it still causes me to step back a bit. I eat many, very small meals throughout the day and that has helped. I've also had this odd taste for sour things this pregnancy. Lemon, lime, pickles (well not so much anymore), Granny Smith apples... I don't have much of a sweet tooth this time around which I'm sure will be a blessing. I'll take salty or sour over sweet anytime. Please pray for us.
The Peklets are wrapping up school for the year and since we started early and hit it pretty hard at the onset, we are relaxing a bit and enjoying Advent activities and preparing our home and hearts for Christmas. If all goes well, we should be done with school for the year next Wednesday. The second half of the year, should be relatively calm as I said, because we had such an awesome start this year.
I found this Advent and Christmas questionnaire that I really love. If you feel like taking it, go for it, I would love to hear. However, I know we are all busy, so if you want to for fun, feel free or pass - enjoy!
My answers to come... Feel free to add any that may have been missed that are special to you this time of year. Have a blessed remaining Advent everyone!
God bless,
Peklet Mom
I am still here and doing fine. These last two weeks have been full of finishing up school for the year and taking care of me. I mentioned before my morning, no, perpetual sickness with this pregnancy. It has gotten better, but it still causes me to step back a bit. I eat many, very small meals throughout the day and that has helped. I've also had this odd taste for sour things this pregnancy. Lemon, lime, pickles (well not so much anymore), Granny Smith apples... I don't have much of a sweet tooth this time around which I'm sure will be a blessing. I'll take salty or sour over sweet anytime. Please pray for us.
The Peklets are wrapping up school for the year and since we started early and hit it pretty hard at the onset, we are relaxing a bit and enjoying Advent activities and preparing our home and hearts for Christmas. If all goes well, we should be done with school for the year next Wednesday. The second half of the year, should be relatively calm as I said, because we had such an awesome start this year.
I found this Advent and Christmas questionnaire that I really love. If you feel like taking it, go for it, I would love to hear. However, I know we are all busy, so if you want to for fun, feel free or pass - enjoy!
- Do you have an Advent Wreath in your home?
- Do you have a Jesse Tree in your home?
- Do you know/say the St. Andrew novena?
- There are two major Feasts of Our Lady during Advent, what are they?
- Do you celebrate the feast of St. Lucy? How?
- Do you say or know about the O Antiphons?
- Do you have an Advent Calendar that you use?
- When do you decorate your home for Christmas?
- Do you have a Nativity Scene?
- What color lights do you decorate your tree with?
- Do you decorate the outside of your home?
- When do you do your Christmas shopping?
- Are you an in store shopper or do you prefer internet shopping?
- Do you send out Christmas Cards?
- Do you write a year end letter about your family?
- Do you bake Christmas Cookies before or after Christmas?
- What is your favorite Christmas Cookie?
- Do you like eggnog and have your ever made your own?
- Do you travel for Christmas celebrations or stay home?
- Do you like candy canes?
- Do you know the tradition behind the candy cane?
- When do you open presents?
- Are you a delicate present opener or do you just rip the paper off?
- What Mass do you go to on Christmas?
- What is your favorite Christmas hymn or carol?
- Have you ever had a white Christmas?
- What is your favorite Christmas tradition?
- What is usually atop your Christmas tree?
- What is your traditional Christmas dinner?
- How long do your Christmas decorations stay up after December 25th?
My answers to come... Feel free to add any that may have been missed that are special to you this time of year. Have a blessed remaining Advent everyone!
God bless,
Peklet Mom
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Plans for the Fourth of July
Right now you are thinking that Peklet Mom has officially lost her marbles. Yes, it's true we have big plans already for the 4th of July 2010. No, it's not a big party, no, it's not traveling to some big event, it's not even going out and purchasing fireworks and sparklers. However the big and most wonderful God made plan is that the newest Peklet is due on the 4th of July! Now, I don't put much hope in due dates as I'm known to be overdue or being induced around the due date because of gestational diabetes. We'll just have to see when this little "firecracker" decides to make his or her entrance into the world. Either way, it's fun to think about and trust that our Good Lord knows exactly what He is doing and I'm putting my complete trust in Him. We saw the doctor today and all is looking well. Deo Gratias. Please continue to pray for us, we really appreciate it.
God bless,
Peklet Mom
God bless,
Peklet Mom
The Button Man
This weekend we had a family get-away to Kansas City, MO. We had a wonderful time visiting with friends, seeing the sites and most importantly being together as a family! We stayed at a nice hotel and by request we stayed on a high level floor so the children could have fun going up and down in the elevator. Every time we went out or came in, there was a frenzy of who would get to push the buttons outside the elevator, in the elevator and so forth. On one such occasion, Bubba pronounces that he is going to push the buttons this time because he says, "I am the Button Man!" We all have a good laugh over this and PMKD says to me "The blog writes itself..." So, here is my post to my favorite little guy, The Button Man!
God bless,
Peklet Mom
God bless,
Peklet Mom
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