My Kids and My Near Death Experience

Picture 1: Morgan was able to have her first "real" bath this week! I was so happy and she seemed to really enjoy the warm water.

Picture 2: Ethan put these puzzles together "all by himself". He wanted to leave them out all day so he could show daddy when he arrived home. Well, I persuaded him to just have his picture taken with them and we would show daddy later. Whew! It worked, and little brother Landon was able to tear them apart like he wanted.

Picture 3: Landon grinning (I took his picture so he wouldn't be left out!)

Yesterday I was battling for my life-the healthy, feel good one; as opposed to the so, so sick one.

It was horrible. My body ached, and I would try to read to the boys and I would sit there while my body was shaking. Landon kept looking at my and grinning since he thought it was funny. I was fine when I had medicine in me, but when it would start to wear off I was so sick. I barely was able to get in bed last night I was so cold and miserable. But I had a breakthrough!!! Sometime through the night I woke up drenched in sweat. I believe the worst is behind me and I can continue to live life to the fullest!

Last evening I had the privilege to attend a concert here at Ball State. "The 5 Browns" 3 sisters along with their two brothers play on 5 grand pianos! What talent they had. The classical music was played with incredible precision and fantastic dynamics. Some of the pieces were awesome. As I told one lady who also attended, it was so nice to see "some of the outside world" as opposed to just "my own little corner in my own little world!" With three kids right now, it was nice to have a break from that routine and enjoy some quiet time.

Mommy, Morgan & Lacy

My friend, Lacy, bought this adorable outfit for Morgan (shoes, too!) that she is wearing in this photo. So totally adorable.
This evening after Shawn got home from roofing, (yes, he worked on Saturday..but I had him at home some yesterday so he is not in the dog house..haha) we all piled in the van and went to Sam's Club, Cracker Barrel, and then continued on to Lacy's new apartment. She was having an open house and I wanted to go see her place.
She is sharing the space with a good friend of hers, which helps them both in paying for the place. Especially since Indy isn't cheap. So, we bombarded the place....it was full of people that didn't have children yet, so it was quite humorous watching them with our kids (they were laughing at themselves, so I can say that!). Picture this: Landon carrying a cup-no lid-into the living room that has plush cream carpet! Then, someone let the boys "dip" a grape into a fruit dip. What they found out was that little boys "dunk", they do not "dip". At least there were napkins to clean their fingers off!! I am laughing at their expense- I do hope they forgive me. They were all so sweet and kind to our kids and Shawn and I had a great time. It was an enjoyable evening.
Now, if I can just get Morgan to settle down so I can go to bed.......

She Shrunk, Folks!

I got a kick out of this today -
I took Morgan for her 2 week checkup this morning. She has gained weight (9lb,2oz) and the nurse practitioner said she looked great and all. Well, when the nurse was checking her length,
she said aloud, "20 1/2 inches." I was like, "What? She was 21 inches when she was born. She shrunk!" haha The nurse was quick to comment that sometimes they can't get a good estimate because they can't get the baby stretched out right. Hello! Just take the extra time to get the baby relaxed! I don't think she has osteoporosis this early in life...she should be growing instead of shrinking! heehee Anyway, I thought it was hilarious! Maybe this is normal....
I took Ethan and Landon with me to the doctor's office. They were so good, you would have thought they were angels...until Landon started showing off and hitting his head on the wall and then he started falling down thinking he was cool. But, for the record, I was proud of them. (And me, I think I kept my voice calm almost the entire time! Extra chocolate for me!)
Anyway, I told Ethan that we would make some applesauce after we got home from the doctor's. He was excited. The picture is of the boys and the applesauce they made. This is my Grandma Cessna's recipe and is absolutely delicious. Landon is starting to close his eyes when I tell him to smile. Both boys had fun making the applesauce....and I think they both will enjoy eating some! Applesauce, anyone?

Great Grandparents Say "Hello"

Earl & Betty Newton (Shawn's Mother's Parents) buzz by for a quick peek at Morgan. They couldn't stay long, but it was nice to chat with them for a few minutes.
Yesterday I survived a whole day by myself - with the three kids. I even managed to get supper on the table. Nothing pressing to do last evening, so it was a nice, relaxing time. I enjoy those. They are few and far between.
Today I was planning on doing the same (be home by myself with the kids), but due to the snow, Shawn wasn't able to roof like he had wanted to do...so...he spent some time inside today and was here to help with the kids. Ahh...what a marvelous man!

Bath Time, Play Time, & Sick Time

My mom has been coming over and helping me through the day so I can be off my feet. I have already overdone it. I feel so horrible during pregnancy, that afterwards I am ready to tackle a lot more. Well, I found out the hard way this time, but am doing much better. Anyway, the LONG story SHORT :-) My mother has been a huge blessing and the first couple of pictures are of her giving Morgan a bath and dressing her. Between her house and mine, she has done a boatload of laundry - around here, changing sheets seems to be the normal thing to do every other day! haha
I couldn't resist taking a picture of Landon playing with his blocks....with a little too much showing down there! Kids bring so much laughter!
The other picture is when Ethan was really sick. We passed the time until Nana Clemens came over to help us by singing.
Thank you to those who have been concerned about Morgan. Shawn went to the doctor's today and all he has is the flu....so we think that is what has been at our house. I only have a runny nose and a fever at times. Morgan is fine so far. Luckily, it is possibly the only thing here is the flu, because when Scott and Kristina brought Makenzie home they were told to stay home and away from public places because there was something way worse than the flu going around. I am thankful some of us are on our way to recovery.....except the whining afterwards because everyone is so drugged :-) and tired is a major interruption!
~~~Have a great one~~~

Happy Valentine's Day....

....from our house to yours! Things aren't going to smoothly in the "sick department". Ethan had only been awake for 5 minutes and puked on the couch. (then again 15 minutes later..we made it to the toilet that time!) Landon had a very high fever today and Ethan seems to be doing better. Shawn is in worse shape and now I am running a fever. Please pray for us! I don't want Morgan to get sick!
Well, enough about the bad news in our life. Tonight we had our Valentine meal. I made heart shaped cornbread and cupcakes. Ham and green beans were on the menu. Mmm....scrumptious.
~~~Happy Valentine's Day~~~

In SICKNESS and in health.....

This phrase in the vows at your wedding is much harder for the women to obey than the men. The men can handle us whining but when a women hears a man complain...oh my!
Shawn has been sick since Sunday afternoon. The flu got him! He said he has never been this sick in his life. Monday evening he called his mom to see if she would take the kids overnight so he could sleep. Well, halfway through the night I spoke up: "Maybe I should have had your mom take care of you and I could have kept the boys!" Ahh....a sick man is not a good thing. Granted, he did have to listen to me throw up for how many months while I was pregnant, and then complain about back pain, etc., but.....:-) :-) :-)
We went to our church Valentine Banquet at Johnny Carino's (Italian) last evening. It was a relaxing evening. The first two pictures are from there. Do you like the "house" Shawn and I made from graham crackers and peanut butter?! Some of the couples had some great looking houses. Our roof finally collapsed, making it look like a country shack.
The picture of the boys is of them watching Hobe Sound Campmeeting. They enjoyed the music, but lost interest before the sermon. Ethan asked, "Are we in church?"
Well, I am hoping to get some sleep today. I was up for 2 hours in the night with Morgan - she did great before and after that - and Shawn was up with the boys at the same time. Ethan is running a high fever and is very sick and Landon in cutting teeth! You are more than welcome to say a pray for this household! Mommy and Morgan do NOT need to get sick!

First Sunday ~ Four Days Old

Morgan went to church this morning. We got out the door all in one piece, can you believe it? After church, my mother-in-law had fixed us a fantastic Sunday dinner. Thanks, Sheryl!

My Father's Findings

It was so nice to be able to have my dad around the hospital for the first couple days. He just brought his laptop, set it up on my table (or his lap) and "went to work". Of course, he did make time to cuddle Morgan.
Anyway, if you know my father at all, :-) then you know that he loves dates and times. So, he checks every kid I have to see whose birthday they "stole".
Let's take a look at what he has found:

January 8th, 2004/Ethan Chandler - Born on Elvis Presley's Birthday and on his Aunt Emily's!

March 29th, 2006/Landon Reese - Cy Young (famous pitcher) and Sam Walton (Wal-mart Founder)

February 6th, 2008/Sarah Morgan - Ronald Reagan and Babe Ruth
~Dad said that she just might turn out to be a combination of a Republican movie star actress and baseball player~

Hair Heaven

My mom and I had so much fun seeing what Morgan looked like with all different kinds of cute hair bows, bands and headbands....enjoy!

Morgan Has Arrived

Sarah Morgan Clemens
February 6, 2008
7:32 a.m.
8 pounds 8 ounces
21 inches in length

Yeah! We are so glad Morgan has made it safely into this world! We just got home a couple hours ago (after a quick bite to eat at Cracker Barrel!) and I have unpacked and just soaking up the quiet time until my mother-in-law brings the boys home. Shawn is out in his office trying to get some work done and Morgan is sleeping. My mother and sister were here to greet us and had a Crockpot of soup and homemade rolls rising in my kitchen! Talk about a great thing!! Thanks, mom!

12:21 a.m. on Wednesday morning I started counting contractions. After having contractions 5 minutes apart or less, (for 2 hours) I finally called the doctor. He said to come in. Luckily, I had just cleaned my house Tuesday, so everything was ready. I even made sure all the beds were made before I headed out the door. So nice to come home to a clean house.
We made it to the hospital fine and they got me all settled in...for what we thought would be awhile. 10 hours labor with Ethan, 6 hours with Landon. We were hoping for less this time.
Sure enough, every time they checked me I had dilated more each time. 4 hours and 4 pushes later, I had my baby girl in my arms. The nurse told me: 7:20 I called the doctor in. 7:25 he came and checked me and told me on the next contraction you can push. 7:32 baby Morgan was here! Ahh...what a blessing that was! A perfectly healthy baby. Her score was 9/10! She had just a little bit of blue on bottom of feet that was gone in 5 minutes.
The boys love her. Ethan said, "She looks like an angel!" He also hopped up in my hospital bed, laid back and said, "My belly's not getting bigger!" He also asked me, "Are you going to make another baby?"