Our Full House

Our new arrival! Noah David Spencer

2009-07-10T17:25:00.009-05:00

Okay sorry guys that this post is so late in coming but things have been crazy here. Noah David Spencer was born on June 24, 2009 at 12:49pm. He was 8 lbs 7 ozs and 20 inches. Funny story though in the delivery room he weighed 8 lbs 5 ozs, but when they got him to the nursery he was 8lbs 7 ozs and they say that is the official weight. LOL Anyway we both came thru well. He is adorable has a wonderful head of hair. Katie absolutely adores him!! Of course, did anyone doubt that. She wants to be a little mother to him. Arabella loves him and is so sweet to him, but is insecure about his arrival and is just upset with everyone else in the world. Although she is begining to get better with this. All of his brothers adore him too. Arabella hates for him to cry. She runs around saying "crying, crying, baby crying" in her cute little girl voice. Daddy has all of a sudden become "HER" daddy. She understands that she must share me with Noah, but daddy is off limits to the baby. Cedric was able to take off from both jobs at the same time for two weeks. It was nice to have him here during this transition, something that we haven't had before. He went back to work yesterday. I was in the hospital from Wed until Sat and then came home. I enjoyed the bonding time alone with Noah in the hospital but was so glad to be home with my husband and other children. Noah had to be in a bilirubin "blanket" (more like a belt) and pluged in all day except for feedings for a week. We just got him off the blanket yesterday. My aunt nicknamed him "glow worm" since the blanket glowed under his clothes. So it has kind of stuck. LOL Well I need to go feed Noah, he is calling. Here are some photos of our first few days with Noah. Will have to add more later.

Noah Sleeping
In the OR right after he was born

Cedric ready for the OR
The girls meeting there brother for the first time
Brandon & Noah
Mommy & Noah
Nathan & Noah
Arabella & Noah
Katie & Noah
Steven & Noah The oldest & youngest
Andrew & Noah
Marshall & Noah
Sleeping
Cedric, Brandon & Noah

Katie & Noah

Swagbucks

2009-05-12T20:12:00.003-05:00

Okay my friend KimC. over at Life in a Shoe has been doing this so I finally signed up for it also. You earn "swagbucks" and them redeem them for prizes. KimC. is going for a serger. So go ahead and sign up.

Mother's Day Giveaway at 5 Mins for Mom

2009-05-09T11:48:00.002-05:00

Okay I know I am late, but I have been busy not to mention very pregnant. So today is the last day to enter so head over there right away and read the directions on how to enter and go enter all these wonderful contests. There are lots of wonderful prizes.

New Arrival Date!

2009-04-27T12:34:00.002-05:00

Well I got a call this morning from my ob's office stating that the June 22 was unavailable for my delivery. So it has been scheduled officially now for June 24. Now I hope this doesn't change. As hubby only has a week off from the one job. So Noah will now be born on a Wed.

Some Easter Photos

2009-04-15T20:40:00.009-05:00

This is the closest thing to a family photo as I could get. Katie decided it was time for church and was in the van ready to go.

Well here are some bows I made to match the girls dresses. First Katie's...
then Arabella's
Now Arabella wouldn't stand still so I had to hold her, but she had to make a face in every photo. Silly girl.
Of course Katie needs no help. She loves to pose for the camera. Only problem is to get her to be still long enough to snap the picture. She always wants to jump or repose herself. Unfortunately the sun was also a problem as it was shining right in her face.

Updates! Baby and otherwise

2009-03-18T16:04:00.004-05:00

Well it has been a while since I have updated the blog. January saw two birthdays in our family. Nathan who turned nine and Steven who turned 14. Yes 14! It is hard to believe. In February we had a new addition come into the family (no not the baby) but a big blue 15 passenger van. It is so nice to drive in a vehicle that everyone fits in and with plenty of room to move around in. March 12 Cedric and I celebrated our 15 wedding anniversary.
Well I know that I told everybody I was expecting back in Nov. Well we are having a BOY! We were a little surprised that it was a boy are happy and excited. Since I am having a scheduled c-section our dr set the day today. So our little boy will be born on June 22. We are praying that everything will work our for the best and the baby will have no problems in being born before his due date. Most of my babies have run almost 3 weeks late so for him to be born early worries me a little. Although I am trying to place it in God's hands that he will be healthy and well at birth.

Cyber Shower Party Post

2008-12-08T21:46:00.004-06:00

Sassyfrazz is having a cyber shower.

We are having some party games.
First a first photo of Daddy with the baby. This is Cedric and Arabella.

Second party game to guess the weight of her second child. My guess 9 lbs.

My list of prizes I'd most like to win:
1. See my designs
2. Gift certificate Chesapeake Ribbons
3. Cushie Pushie
4. My mommy's bracelet gift certificate
5. AhGooBaby

Christmas Giveaway at Five mins for Mom

2008-11-28T03:30:00.001-06:00

Five Mins for Mom is having a Christmas giveaway with all kinds of goodies to give away. But you have to hurry as the last day to sign up is Nov. 28, 2008 at 12 EST.

SO go check things out and maybe you will win something.

BBM Package

2008-11-05T11:50:00.002-06:00

My BBM (Blogging By Mail) partner was Courtney at Cooking Up a Family. She sent a lovely package. She sent me 3 votive candles, a box of Stash decafe Vanilla Chai Tea, some halloween colored sprinkles, a bag of Apple Pancake mix, M&M Christmas Cookies in a Jar and Halloween Smores in a Jar. Those jar look so wonderful! Can wait to cook them up. I love the idea of the Apple Pancakes. I know the tea will be well enjoyed can't wait to try it out. She send a lovely card with a short note. Thank yo so much Courtney it is a very nice package and it will be enjoyed.

A New Addition

2008-11-02T06:41:00.002-06:00

There are babies everywhere, no at least pregnant mommies everywhere. Several woman from church, friends, family and even some blog friends. Well it must be very contaigious because I am pregnant too. It appears the baby should be due somewhere around the 4th of July. We are truly excited and thankful to God for this new little blessing.

I am now a Gold Canyon Demonstrator

2008-11-01T04:56:00.004-05:00

Okay, yes I am still working on my boutique on-line store and hope to have it up and running soon, but I have decided to also sell Gold Canyon Candles. I have always loved candles but never burned them much as I never was satisfied with the amount of fragrance. Earlier this year a friend of mine held a Gold Canyon Party. The demonstrator was also a friend. I fell in love with these candles. When I got my order home and lit them they were wonderful. The scents were strong and beautiful. I was happy with every scent I selected. They burn evenly and I was completely hooked. Well I went to an open house at that demonstrators home and she talked to me about selling Gold Canyon myself (she had seen where I had looked becoming a demonstrator on her website). So after talking to my hubby I decided to jump in.
So if you would like to order some Gold Canyon candles you can order from my website. Just click here and it will take you over to my site. I maybe a little crazy but I think I will enjoy this.

Pink Tag & Giveaway

2008-10-16T14:59:00.005-05:00

Our 2 Peas in a Pod are having a giveaway for 2 pairs of pink earrings. To enter follow the link above.

The rules for the tag are to take pictures and post on your blog~ 5 Pink items you use daily. Then tag at least 3 other people with the Tag and Giveaway information.

1. My pink mug

2. My daughter Katie all pretty in pink

3. My daughter Arabella Pretty in Pink

4. Pretty Pink clippies for my girls hair that I make

5. Pretty pink bows that I make for my girls

I tag the following people:
1. Mother Hen
2. Kim @ In a Shoe
3. Stephanie @ the Greenhouse

Labor Day meme

2008-09-01T15:11:00.004-05:00

In honor of memorial day, http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/08/laborious.html has posted a labor day meme. Now I found it over at Kim's In a Shoe Blog. I have blogged my birth stories before and you can find them here.
To play along, just copy the questions to your own post and go leave your link with Mr. Linky at Shannon’s place. Please take a moment to leave your link here in the comments too - I would love to read your post!

How long were your labors?

1. well braxton hicks contractions started at 6 months until I went into labor. This one was 3 weeks late so almost 4 months. Now actual active painful labor was about 7-8 hours.
2. again had Braxton Hicks from about 7 months. He was only 1 week late. Actual active painful labor was about 7 hours.
3. Okay with this one I was in active labor for 25 hours (1 of those was pushing).
4. This labor was 52 mins from start to finish. Only about the last 32 mins were excruciatingly painful. Pitocin with no epidural!
5. Well I went to 10 cm with hardly a contraction I could feel. Then when I they said I could push I had no huge to push. So they broke my water and then I had about 10 hours of really painful contracts (because he wouldn't turn his head) before having a c-section because the dr's wouldn't consider anything else.
6. 32 hours of active strong painful labor. Again before having a c-section.
7. Seemed like almost 60 days of labor. I was having pre-labor and labor symptoms that I had never experienced before. Never actually went into labor (I always go late and the dr wouldn't let me go too late) So had another c-section.

How did you know you were in labor?

1. I had felt like I was in labor for so long. I guess when I made my husband get up at 6 am and call the midwife because I wasn't letting him sleep anymore while I stared at him because I was in too much pain to sleep or be comfortable.
2. I woke up at 8 am with contractions that wouldn't let me sleep and figured I was in labor.
3. I woke up at 6am and knew I was in labor.
4. When after 15 mins. of pitocin I couldn't even speak thru a contraction.
5. After I got to 10 cms. and they broke my water.
6. I thought my water had broken early in the morning but by the time the midwife got to come and check they really couldn't detect anything. Figured it was a tear way high. Had been having contractions on and off all day but they completely stopped when the midwifes came and promply started again when they left. Around 4 am in the morning when everyone was asleep and I couldn't even ready e-mail or read blogs.
7. When after having a spinal in the OR and the dr came in and said they were starting the c-section.

Where did you deliver?
Well the first 3 were all born at home. The first one in Texas the other two in Ohio (the only two born outside Texas) each in a different home. Number 4 & 5 were born in the same hospital. Number 6 & 7 were also born in a hospital but each a different one.

Drugs? If you are talking about drugs for pain, none not even when I had pitocin. That was so much more painful than the 25 hour labor.

C-section? 3 One because the child refused to turn his head (which would result in his immediate delivery) and the dr was afraid of how big he would be (I birthed a 10lb 4 oz baby at home with no drugs but the dr. would have none of it), The next one because my water had been broken for 24 hrs and we didn't know why she wasn't turning the midwifes took me in the hospital and the dr there wouldn't consider anything other than a c-section because I had one previously and told me up front if he was my dr. he never would have let me go into labor on my own. The third one we saw a dr thru out my pregnancy and she was all for me having a VBAC if I would go into labor before 1 week overdue (did I mention I almost always go over 3 weeks late). Didn't happen so ended up with a c-section.

Who delivered? The first three were delivered by a midwife (3 different midwifes) The next 3 we saw a midwife for all prenatal care but in the end a dr ended up delivering them. Number 7 was by a dr as we saw her the whole pregnancy.

Baby's Weight & Length
1. 8lbs 6 ozs., 21 1/2 inches
2. 10 lbs 4 ozs., 21 1/2 inches
3. 9 lbs 15 1/2 ozs., 22 inches
4. 8 lbs 14 ozs., 21 1/2 inches
5. 10 lbs 2 1/2 ozs., 21 3/4 inches
6. 9 lbs., 21 1/2 inches
7. 8 lbs 11 ozs., 20 1/4 inches

Summer Fun Photo Contest

2008-08-12T20:07:00.002-05:00

Hubby and kids taking a break from swimming, eating ice cream sandwitches on a hot summer Texas day.

Tutu Bows from Sparkle & Charm Boutique

2008-08-10T15:27:00.002-05:00

Aren't these just the most adorable bows. They are from Sparkle & Charm Boutique She made these darling bows for my girls. The pink one has pink crystals and the purple one has silver stars. They are so much better in person and on my girls head. If you are looking for some tutu's, bow and other things, follow the link on Sparkle & Charm and look around her online store. Her prices are reasonable and her stuff is wonderful. I can't say enough about the tutu bows as they are wonderful! Katie just loves her.

Back to School Contest

2008-08-08T10:28:00.001-05:00

5 Minutes for Mom is having a back to school contest. There are so many neat prizes. To participate click on the banner below and follow the direction.

We Have Winners

2008-08-02T03:59:00.003-05:00

Well I would like to thank everyone for all the wonderful comments that were made about my bows. Be on the look out for a post announcing the opening of my store. I wish I could give you each bows for the girls in your life but that is not possible so I decided to go ahead and draw 4 winners. The first three I will make bows for and the 4 winner I will be making clippies for. I have sent an e-mail to the winners. If I don't here from them in the next 3 days or so I will draw again. So the winner are as follows:

1. Susie G. who said

I wish you luck with your shop. You have some really pretty bows and I bet they'll sell well.

2. Wehaf who said

I would love some for my niece. Thank you

.
3. tiffannhm who said

Thank you for hosting this giveaway

4. Ginny who said

My daughters use those clippies the most. I think another cute thing is bows in sets for pig tails.

Bow Giveaway!

2008-07-28T04:40:00.002-05:00

Hello everyone from Bloggy Carnval. I am working on starting my own online store... Bella Joy Boutique, but it isn't up and running yet. I will work with the winner to come up with a few ideas of what would work for there daughter. I will accept entries until Sat. morning at midnight. Some examples of what I have done are as follows, Good Luck!

Mamanista's Cyber Shower

2008-07-17T12:42:00.003-05:00

Well Mamanista is having a cyber shower. The last day to participate is today. So if you want to play and have a chance to win a prize head over there right away.

Okay now for some party games.

The first game is The Ispirations Labor, birthing, pregnancy story. Well my birth stories are located here

The second game is The most fabulous nest. Here is a picture of Katie in her crib that is the closest picture I have.

The final game is for the best, worse, or funniest Advice for expectant mothers.
Well the best advice I can come up with is to keep yourself busy during those last few weeks. Now I don't mean to work yourself to exahastion, but if you keep busy you are too busy to wonder when that little baby is going to make an appearance.

The prizes that I would like to win are as follows:
1. Chesapeake Ribbons $25 gift certificate
2. Sugar Free Baby 5 of their organic cotton tank onesies
3. The Diaper Clutch one free diaper clutch
4. Jus Shar Designs crocheted baby afghan
5. My Princess Closet $25.00 gift card
6. Amanda from www.mommymandy.com sets of Mini Clips from her online boutique store Simply Sweet Bowtique
7. Signing Time! Baby Signing Time! Gift Set
8. Vanessa Younts $15.00 gift certificate to My Mommy’s Bracelets or Baby Girl Bracelets

Princess Things

2008-06-19T01:09:00.003-05:00

Head over to my other blog Princess Things to see some of the new bows I have made and received. Leave me a comment and tell me what you think. Also I am working on opening up my own web store to sell my bows and some other things. I have the domain name and the web host now just have to design the web page (a new new thing to me). Stay turned for updates.

Me? Quirky?

2008-05-20T11:55:00.003-05:00

Kim at In a Shoe has tagged me for the 6 Quirky Things meme. It’s been a while since I did a meme, so here goes. The rules:

* Link the person who tagged you.
* Mention the rules in your blog.
* Tell about six unspectacular quirks of yours.
* Tag a new set of six following bloggers by linking them:

I will tag the following people:
1. Audrey at So this is Heaven on Earth
2. Kilikina at Live Each Moment
3. Victoria at Just call my Mommy
4. Shannon at 4 Wild Boys
5. Donna at Blessings of Love
6. JD at Tripping Over Cobblestone

Now for 6 quirky things about me...

1. I butter my tortilla chips from restaurants
2. If I know the song I will sing along. On a movie, tv, radio, where ever
3. I like filing taxes (doesn't matter whos just the act of doing it), balancing the checkbook. Fun Fun Fun!
4. I enjoy playing on my sons Nintendo DS
5. I like the clothes from the 50's you know the full skirts and dresses with full skirts (you know like Donna Reed wore on her show)
6. When are vehicles are having a problem I can tell you what the problem is not. My husband will say "I think that the alternator is going out" and I will tell him no it's not the alternator. I don't know what it is but it's not the alternator. I am usually right but it drives hubby crazy.

Okay that's it. If you want to play along and I didn't tag you go ahead and leave a link to your post in comments so I can come read it.

Celebrate Scrapbook Month Party

2008-05-12T21:56:00.000-05:00

Well Scrapping Servant is hosting a party over at her blog. So go here to check it out.

So I was instructed to write a welcoming post. So hello everybody. I am a stay at home mom to 7 children. Yes, you heard right 7 children. We have 5 boys whom were all born first and then when I had figured that we would only have boys God graced us with two girls. Everyday is an adventure and I am enjoying every moment of it.

So go back and sign up and check out everyone's party post and get to know some other people out there in cyber space.

$100 Scrapbook Giveaway

2008-05-12T21:43:00.002-05:00

Growing in Grace is having a scrapbook giveaway. To learn more about it and enter go here. But hurry the contest ends May 16.

Three P's in a Pod: ~PARTY~!!! Day 1

2008-05-12T20:34:00.000-05:00

Three P's in a Pod: ~*P*A*R*T*Y*~!!! Day 1

3 Peas in a Pod Super Summer Vacation Giveaway

2008-05-12T20:18:00.002-05:00

Okay, I am a little late on this one but if you go to here you will find all the contest to enter.

For this summer I don't have alot planned we never really do. We will be going to a family reunion in June and celebrating Arabella's 1st birthday in July and Marshall's 5th birthday in Aug. Other than that I don't really have alot of plans. We will try to get some swimming in along the way and maybe a few other things too.

The four prizes that are my favorite that I would love to win are as follows:
1. Mary Kay Satin Hands
2. Chesapeake Ribbons: A Meggan Gift Set with a $15 Gift certificate
3. Be Jeweled Designs: A Photographer's Tutu in Bubbble Gum Pink
4. Daisy Layne Boutique: Win a $15 gift certificate