This is part talking about the party prep.
I always try to make the girls birthdays extra special, my mom always did that for my brother and I. My birthday was something I always looked forward to, I want that for the girls too.

Supply’s ~ Thank goodness for the dollar store! I purchased (all matching Princess theme) plates, cups, cutlery, birthday banner, centerpiece and goodie bags. As well as all the princess goodies to go in those bags.
Cake ~ I am making a doll cake. Yup the cake is the dress with a doll’s upper body out the top of the cake. I’ve baked the cake and will be decorating it tonight.
Punch~ I’ve purchased the punch fixings, and now am doing something ‘fun’. I’m cutting up citrus fruit (lime,lemon and oranges) to freeze into a giant ice cube to put in the punch bowl. Still have to do that….
Wands~ I came across a tutu wand on a blog and thought it would be so much fun.. it is fun, but not when I’m down to crunch time. I was supposed to do all these crafts last week…uh huh. I hope I can get them done in time. I’ll take pics.
Tutu ~ I decided to make Joy a tutu for her birthday… I cut the elastic to big, so I just need to fix that and it’s done.
Present ~ her gift has been purchased just have to wrap it…well stuff it in a gift bag as we are out of wrapping paper.
Flower balls ~ I have a cake pop book. I decided to attempt one, NOT for eating…no no for decoration… silly me! I’ve cut close to 200 flowers in each of three colours (Pink, yellow and blue). I’m going to glue them onto Styrofoam balls I’ve painted light green. Oh and stick them onto a stick, tie a bow on each stick and put them in a vase for decoration. I’ll post pics. I’ve cut the flowers and painted the balls..that’s it so far. Have to do the stick and glue the flowers on as well as their ‘pearl’ centers. I’m doing these last so if I run out of time oh well.

I’m also currently blogging instead of cleaning, wand making, ball doing etc etc..

Oh and my brother turned 30 at the end of April so I decided to make him his own cake (gluten free, cupcakes actually), it’s baked and I’ll decorate it tonight when I do Joy’s cake (his will be simple).

Guess I should get my butt in gear. I’ll post pics of all the prep work/finished work next. Here is a picture of the flowers made out of fondant I did ~

I’ve been itching to do a blog post, one on each of my children actually. However it is something I want to put some thought into…. I don’t have that time! Here is a quick update on our lives ~ all typed one handed as I have a sleeping baby on me (don’t dare and try to put him down).

Jacob~ He’s my little chunker. He was supposed to have his 8week check up last week but the Dr. cancelled so we go in on Tuesday. He’s a gassy baby. He only poops once every 4ish days, and generally is fussier after. I’ve got him on some probiotics to help, will see. When he is not screaming in pain from gas he’s full of smiles and very content. This morning he laid in the crib cooing at the mobile for a good half hour! He’s also a very warm baby, spends his day in nothing more than a short sleeved onsie ~ if that.

Olivia ~ she’s decided she’s going to be sassy like her sister… fun… Actually she does everything her sister does, she’s like a mirror. Even if she sees Joy do something that gets her disciplined she does it right after. Her 3 favorite  things are bugging/mirroring Joy, ‘snuggling’ Jacob, and pretending she’s a puppy dog!

Joy turns 4 in just 9 sleeps! We are having her party the Saturday before, I decided to make some tutu pom wands… silly me. It’ll be a fun princess theme. Where did the time go? I just had her! She’s grown up so much. We also have her in speech therapy, what a smartie! Every new sound we learn she figures out how to say in the first 2 minutes of class then does it perfectly for the rest of the hour! I catch her at home forgetting to say them properly but she’s doing great! Next class is also our last and she’ll be learning SH, which is the hardest for her.

Some fun things Joys said recently ~ “Daddy, fome time I need you to leave me alone” (that was before she learned the s sound), Orlund asked her where his baby went and she replied “I ran away”, And on Sunday Grandma said she couldn’t keep up because she’s old and Joy said “Poppa’s old too”.

Orlund and I are doing good, trying to get stuff done around the house. Life is just so busy. I’m also trying to work out every week day, doing pretty good. I’m also watching what I eat. Week 1 was good, dropped 3lbs and 1″ off my waist. Week 2 not so good, ate out 2 days and missed 2 days working out. I didn’t lose anything. I’m not really to concerned about my weight, I can lose that later. I want to ensure I can still Breast feed Jacob for as long as he needs. That being said I find I have more energy if I work out and therefore get way more done

Guess it’s about time to update you on our lives since my last post. (the last post I wrote Mar 3 not 4th like it say’s).

March 4th 2am I woke up with contractions and we were headed to the hospital by 4am. We arrived and I was already 8cm with a bulging bag of waters. Due to my quick delivery with Olivia everyone assumed that baby would arrive 30minutes after my water broke. The Dr arrived right away (we were all shocked) and broke my water. He had to jump out of the way as my water shot out at him ~ Orlund said it was like a fire hose! lol.  My labour was going great and I was able to talk and joke between contractions and just breath through them when they hit. The nurse and Dr commented on how this was exactly the kind of labour they wouldn’t want teenagers to see (they’d think it easy). Eventually I laid down on my side to see if baby would be able to drop lower without catching on any cervix that was left. I asked for the laughing gas as I knew contractions are worse laying down. That stuff is crazy! The nurse mentioned that she’d never seen it work before, right as I took my first breath of it… Now she’s seen it work. She asked if I take much medication, which I don’t, so she figures that’s why it works for me. Orlund again had a wonderful time laughing at me and the nurse joined in as well. My pinky fingers would go numb and so did my face. It was weird, and so me being ‘high’ and trying to feel my face made for many laughs by all. Sometime around 7am they had me kneel on the bed leaning over the back of it (raised like a chair). That kick started the real pain! It felt like an eternity and I was exhausted. Shift change happened and my Dr also came in. Finally I’d had enough and jumped around and announced “I’m done! I’m pushing!”. Luckily baby dropped that exact same time so I really was ready to push. His head was already crowning with the first push. 12minutes of pushing, small episiotomy and baby arrived!

Jacob Hugh Norstrom
8lbs 7oz 20″long
March 4, 2012 @ 7:50am

He had the cord wrapped around his neck 3 times so he came out a very dark purple. However once the cord was unwrapped he let out a hearty cry which was followed by a big sigh from all the nurses/Dr. Apparently Jacob’s heart rate had also dropped to 50bpm so they were all figuring he’d need some assistance upon delivery. He didn’t. He was perfect!

We were discharged the following evening, I pretty much told the Dr to get me out of there.
Life has been crazy since. and I’ve learned so much ~ for example ~ boys can get yeast infections, and I learned how to treat that. How to change a diaper without getting peed on. That just because your last two didn’t spit up or need burping doesn’t mean your 3rd wont!

People always ask me if he’s a good baby. I always say yes. He cry’s most the day, spits up often, doesn’t let me put him down during the day and doesn’t sleep longer than the odd 5 hours at night ~ but he’s not ‘bad’, not like he’s doing it on purpose. Orlund tells me that’s not what people mean, they mean is he easy. But I just can’t bring myself to say he’s not good. If they want to know if he’s an easy baby I’d say “not really” but he’s not bad.

The girls? Well. They are adjusting. It’s been hard on them, to outsiders you’d think they’ve adjusted well. However at home they act like hormonal teenagers going through PMS. Lots of sass and attitude. But we are working together and trying to get more one on one time so they don’t feel like mommy is all about the baby.

I’ve found having #3 to be the most difficult adjustment. Just that the delivery wasn’t as easy as I’d figured it would be, and the recovery also took longer. I’m getting older and I could sure tell this time. Orlund say’s it’s been the easiest for him, however I do everything for Jacob (mostly) and he’s a very needy baby which just wears me down. I love him and wouldn’t change the fact we had him, just being honest. I find it more difficult this time sitting and nursing him when I see all that needs to be done. I’d gotten so good at keeping the house clean before he arrived that now it drives me nuts that I can’t get it all done, and I just sit nursing and see all that needs to be done, which is frustrating at times. It’s a lot different this time. Orlund is great and I honestly couldn’t do it without him.

Well there’s been a lot more that’s happened since he’s arrived. Many good things too. But this is all the time I have to write as the kids are loosing it. I’ll leave you with another picture of my adorable little man (just a few days ago).

Figure since I have not much else to do I’d do an update on my pregnancy…

How far along? 40weeks + 5days (Sunday)
Total weight gain/loss: Up 20ish pounds. (total)
Maternity clothes? Don’t even fit anymore…. my belly is just SO big!
Stretch marks? *crying* Yes… With the girls I got ones just very low, and very few. Now I’m getting them all around my belly button.
Sleep not happening, except for an hour a day at nap time (if I’m lucky). Baby seems to have decided that he now likes to be awake at night instead of daytime…. And when he moves he gives me contractions so my nights are filled with me trying to determine if he’s just being a stinker or if he’s on his way out.
Best moment this week Losing my Plug (ooo, yummy). But it means something *could* happen soon.
Movement He has slowed down in his movements actually, well so far as kicking. He likes to prop his feet on my ribs then push his head down into my bladder and well…’delivery’ location. *hence all the contractions.
Food cravings nothing really… I wouldn’t feel like eating except I get really nauseous if I don’t.
Gender Boy
Labor Signs Just the plug and random contractions.
Belly Button in or out? starting to make it’s way out, although I don’t know how it could there’s no skin left to go out
What I miss sleeping on my belly. Not having to pee every 5 minutes.
What I am looking forward to What do you think??? Baby to arrive!
Milestones I’ve yet again made it past my due date without going completely insane…. just a little insane.

There… that’s it…
I have come to the realization that baby is coming soon, and sooner by the minute. It’s a bit scary to think of it all, so I don’t.. well lets be honest a pregnant woman can forget things easily so as long as I don’t (see just forgot what I was saying) dwell on it I forget about what’s all to come… (that wasn’t exactly it but close enough). LOL.
***Oh and I’m officially done work now!! March 1st was my last day. I’m sure with the teachers going on strike they wish I was still working…but nope I’m enjoying being “off”.

I would prefer to be leaping in joy over the arrival of my little monkey…. but that is yet to happen.

One of my friends just delivered her second daughter this past Friday. I am arranging meals for her, I called her yesterday to review just when she wanted the meals brought to her. She’s having a bit of a rough time. Baby is cluster feeding and not letting her put her down at night. There is a lot more but basically it reminded me of just what I’m headed into! Babies are babies for such a very short time you really do forget about all that goes with having a newborn.

Still no real signs of labour and the Dr said even though baby is engaged he’s still really high so he doesn’t expect much to be happening soon. I have another apt booked for Monday and at that appointment we’ll talk about when to schedule the induction…. I’m not planning on being induced! No thank you… gotta get this show on the road. Orlund’s brother is heading to Las Vegas today for 5 days. my goal is to have this baby before he’s back! Come on baby!

I really want to just walk walk walk. But it’s snowing outside so I need to just walk inside. It’s do-able, just hard to get motivated to do it. I’m feeling so sluggish and slow I’m having a hard time getting going… I’m also watching my daycare boy today and tomorrow. My mom and Orlund think I’m nuts to be watching him… maybe I am, but heck I haven’t had the baby yet so it does help me get off my butt and do at least something around here!

I wish I could nest ALL the time! I never experienced the so-called ‘nesting’ phase of pregnancy. Nope I went from ‘puking my brains out’ to ‘pleasantly plump’ to ‘is this over yet?’ to having my baby in my arms. At the beginning of this pregnancy I had a bit of a drive to clean. Figured Nesting was happening and that was that. I wasn’t as ill as I was with the girls but still took my Diclectin as I just didn’t want to chance it. Well.. I’m 39weeks on Tuesday. This past week I started nesting. I’ve had an urge to get the house clean for a while now, and had the odd nesting urge surge enough I’d get something done (like freezing enough meals our freezer is too full). But I’d get maybe one thing done and be out of energy. Not this week. On Thursday I decided to get off my computer and just ‘try’ to get something done. I was behind on my weekly chores so picked up with them. Water the plants. Put a load of laundry on. Windex the mirrors. That’s it! Windex!! Apparently I just needed Windex. Let me explain. I decided to clean the main bathroom mirror. I ended up windexing the ENTIRE bathroom! scrubbed it from top to bottom (other than the shower/tub as it’s just to awkward). I even washed the base of the toilet (a job I always put off). I ended up doing our ensuite as well. Then figured I might as well scrub the lower cabinets of our Kitchen (with a tooth brush ~ just the doors). I also scrubbed the stove and the outside of the oven (windex works great for getting grease off!). I did a few other odd chores but that was the most of it.

When Orlund got home I figured he’d be so excited by my progress. (I’d also made dinner). He took the girls out to play in the beautiful white stuff that’d fallen all day long (snow).  He didn’t really notice my work. He was tired, heck it wore me out watching them play in the snow! But I was a bit sad he didn’t notice (or didn’t say anything).

Friday I decided 1) I’m going to go with this ‘nesting’ urge and 2) I was going to make the house shine so he wouldn’t be able to not notice. WOW. I like nesting! I scrubbed our Kitchen spotless! Windex works great for getting that gunk off the top of your fridge ~ you know what I’m talking about, no matter how much you wipe it just doesn’t really come off… One wipe with Windex and it’s GONE! Also works great on the top of the pantry’s to get that greasy gunk off. I washed all the doors, counters, sinks, even Windex’d the top of our spice containers (boy do they gleam now!). yes. I used a lot of Windex, I’m actually out now.  I put the girls in the bath after lunch and scrubbed the kitchen floor ~ on my pregnant hands and knees! It felt good to get down there and really scrub it! (I can see the kids from the Kitchen when they are in the bath). I re-tidied the bathrooms (after a bath it needs it!). I cleaned baby’s room yet again (girls love to play in there and it keeps them happy so I let them). I cleaned the Girls room, the Entrance, Vacuumed the stairs (and all the carpets). Cleaned the Dining room, living room and even tackled our bedroom! I didn’t have time to do the toy room and office, but there’s still time…right? I also made double baked potatoes as Orlund’s parents were coming for dinner. He made the rest when he got home. He noticed the house

Today, Saturday, Orlund wanted to know if I’d like to go to McDonald’s for Breakfast ~ OH YEAH! It was great, we relaxed while the girls played. Other than that not a whole lot was done. I did wash the walls and hand rail in the stairwell. I also meal planned the week and wrote out the grocery list for Monday. But really I took the day off… although I have taken note of a bunch more walls that need a good scrub down (unfortunately our walls are a Matte finish so you can see my wipe marks…which sucks when I can’t reach all the way to the ceiling). My brother Jay is over. He’s spending the night here and I’ll be dropping him off at the airport in the morning. My mom arrives in Vancouver tomorrow night. She’s on the airplane right now (or on a layover don’t really know). I’m so excited for her to be here. I keep feeling like baby wants to come out, but I would be too stressed if my mom wasn’t here so he’s holding out… at least I hope that’s the plan. Once she’s here, COME ON OUT buddy… lol.

Although I took the day off, did take a little nap and slept great last night (as great as a 9month pregnant lady can) I can hardly keep my eyes open. So good night! (sorry about spelling/grammar. I’m never very good at it, but now I’m too tired to even read over what I’ve written).

I keep counting the sleeps that are left until Grams (my mom) comes home on my fingers with Joy. She has fun as she’s learning to count and loves my mom.
Sunday morning during Breakfast Joy started counting down on her fingers (random numbers as she can’t count down yet), then she got to 1 and held up her one finger and said “One sleep and Grams home. Yup”. Orlund and I had a good little giggle over her seriousness. I told her she was right we were getting closer, and that NEXT Sunday was when Grams would be home. Orlund’s eyes went as big as an owls and said “REALLY? already?”. I asked him about it to find out that my mom coming makes it so much more real that baby is coming soon too. That’s right, baby is coming.
I’ve noticed that my body is getting ready for baby’s arrival with the ‘increase’ in aches and pains that are only experienced at the end of a pregnancy. Fun. but exciting all the same.

I decided that I needed more room in the baby’s room so sorted through all the girls outgrown boxes and was able to get rid of just over half of the amount of boxes. Yes there are still many boxes but a whole lot less than there was. I also started to sort through all the stuff that has just been shoved into his room to be organized. It looked like an explosion had gone off. When Orlund first saw in the room he said “I sure hope the girls didn’t do that”. Nope, just me. After he found out that baby is indeed coming soon he asked me to hurry and get the room set up. I told him it would take me 30minutes to do. Today I put myself to the test and sorted through the remainder of stuff, set up the change table and just finished the room off. It took me 30minutes + a quick vacuum. I think that’s pretty impressive. so now all I need to do is fold some receiving blankets that I just finished washing and put them away (spot all ready), and change the bedding on the crib, I didn’t change it as the girls were playing in the crib and I figured might as well leave it so it’ll stay fresh.

Today once Olivia goes for her nap I’m going to tackle Orlund and my room. I figure it should only take me 30minutes as well to get all my piles off the floor (laundry and some stuff to run downstairs, as well as clearing off my dresser/vanity and night stand). Once that is done I will either take a little nap too or finish packing my hospital bag (baby stuff is in there, just nothing for me).

For those of you without Facebook I am doing a ‘poll’ to guess when baby arrives. He is due Feb 28/29, he’s already head down but not ‘engaged’. Joy was born 10days late at 8lbs 6oz and Olivia was born 7days late at 8lbs. If you’d like a chance to win a little gift give a guess at his birth date and birth weight (actually I’ll allow you to make 2 guesses).  You can make your guesses up until my due date or I go into labour.

Another ‘thing’. My Daycare boy’s dad asked me when dropping him off last time if Sol hits a lot while here. I said no. he went on to tell me about a trip the family had just taken. I guess whenever Sol was with other kids he was hitting them and hitting his parents/brother. They had to get a room in the back corner of the hotel because he was so noisy, and they even had people complain because of his noise. I guess he was also jumping off the beds, getting into everything (coffee etc) and unrolling all the toilet paper. And both the boys wake up so early (5am) that their mom took them and drove around trying to find somewhere to buy a cup of coffee. That’s just crazy to me. His dad said he wished he could see what he’s like when he’s here.  Got me to thinking. They must not have strict rules at home, or at least don’t enforce them. I have set rules, they don’t change. No jumping on/off furniture. It’s our rule at home, at friends and pretty much anywhere. I know the boys are allowed to do that at home, so why wouldn’t they when out? makes me realize just how important having the same rules when at home and when out are to have. Our kids always know what’s expected of them, it never changes (of course it adapts to different situations). They try to stretch the limits, test us and are just kids, but they know when not to push and when to stop it. When we go to a hotel, go out of town, we want to relax. I can’t imagine that Sol’s dad or mom got much relaxing in (especially not together).  Sol knows my rules and honestly behaves just like one of my kids would. Sure sometimes he doesn’t like the rule so will ask for his mom/dad or to go home, but all daycare kids do that once in a while. He plays with them without hitting or hurting the girls (of course the occasional scrap arises but that’s to be expected). I honestly think his dad would be beyond shocked to see how calm, rule abiding he is when he’s here. And honestly it’s not like I did anything special, I was just always consistent. If I told him/reminded him of the rules and he chose to break them again (within a reasonable time frame) I’d put him in time out or if he hurt someone I might give his hand a smack. But really it was usually just a matter of reminding him of the rules and making sure I stuck to the same ones I always have. And the rules are the same for all the kids.

Well that’s my update for now. Oh and also Orlund told me to stop making/freezing meals because we don’t have enough room in the freezer anymore Never thought that day would come. LOL. Well I’d better get Livi down for her nap.

Olivia calls her blanket “Ning Ning”. Just a few minutes ago she came up to me and said “Ning Ning”
“you want your blanket, where is it?”
“I dunno”
“It’s downstairs in your bed, you want to go get it?”
“uh huh”
“okay well the gate is open, go down and get it”
“No, Daddy”
“Daddy’s at work”
“Oh, Doy”
“Joy do you want to get Olivia’s blanket for her?”
“no”
“Olivia, Joy doesn’t want to go get it”
“Mommy”
“No, you go get it”
“Okay”…….
A few minutes later Olivia came back upstairs with her blanket, we clapped and cheered that she went and got it. She then told me “Ning Ning Happy”
“Your blanket is happy? Because you went and got it?”
“uh huh”.

Olivia with her "Ning Ning"

Okay it’s official my kids melt my heart. And light up my life.
I think God gives us children to teach us. Teach us of His love He has for us (His Children), Teach us about true Faith and purity. Teach us to pray with all our hearts for another. And to teach us that we really do need to rely on Him.

After those first few nights of endless trips up and down the stairs I’m happy to say the girls have started sleeping through the night! Which isn’t just a first for their new room, it’s a first EVER! For both of them on the same night anyway.. Olivia has woken up a couple times for another bottle around 11pm, which is normal for her and we are usually just settling in for the night anyway.

I love waking up to hearing the girls greeting one another “Good morning baby-eyah” Joy shouts “Hi” Olivia answers. With that their door creaks open and they make their way upstairs, I’m usually still in bed and pretend to be asleep. Soon I feel a cold little hand touch my arm, I open my eyes to see Olivia with her crazy morning hair smiling at me “Hi” she whispers “Good morning Love, did you have a good sleep?” I ask “yup….. poop” she responds pointing to her bum (which doesn’t necessarily mean she’s pooped, just that her diaper is full). Joy waits by the door, “Good morning Joy” I say glancing over at her “Good morning Mommy!” she excitedly answers then starts rambling on and on about whatever. It truly is a great way to wake up

I’m finally getting the itch to get all the baby stuff together and organized. Actually it’s past my bedtime at the moment however I need to wait until the dryer is done before going to bed. I like to sleep with the dishwasher going (soothing) but not the dryer. Once the buzzer goes I will have washed/dried 2 loads of new born baby clothing. Actually it’s all the newborn, 0-3month and 3 month clothing we have. I’ve been very blessed in receiving many items of clothing for a boy (mostly in those 3 sizes). I’m part of a mom group (privately) on facebook with mom’s that are all due in March (or like me and just before March). There have been 5 babies born already! (2 sets of twins). Makes me realize I really don’t have much time left to get organized!! I’m considered ‘full term’ on Tuesday! But this baby has to hold on until mom comes home, she arrives home on Feb 19th (pm)…. that’s just 15sleeps away

Well I think that’s it for this post…. Have a wonderful night!