Million Dollar Ears

Collin is having ear troubles AGAIN! The poor boy is fighting an infection in his right ear and we are going to the ENT this afternoon.We have been using drops at home that haven't really helped. Just a recap if you have forgotten Collin is not yet 3 years old , he has had tubes surgical placed 3 times already. Collin knows the office too well and has the same reaction most dogs have when going to the vet. He is okay till we get back to the exam room and then the crying starts and he tries to flee the building. But I want my lil' boy in tip top shape for when he meets his little brother. I hope the good Lord remembers my request for Hudson to have healthy ears.

Nesting on bedrest

You might wonder how one person gets out the nesting urge while on bedrest. This is the plus side to having older kids. Today at my house it is a cleaning day. Deep cleaning like inside windows,window sills, doors and door facings. Along with the normal activities like vacuuming, sweeping, mopping and laundry.

It feels good to see some progress and getting the house ready for the new little one. I do wish it was something I can do myself but being up and about too long leads to contractions. So I just have to be happy with the job my little helpers can do.

Please don't feel sorry for them they lived a pretty charmed life most of the time. The girls will be at Girl scout Day camp all week and the boys will enjoy not being bothered and playing video games without the sisters.

Oh and it seems Brian might be nesting too. He worked out in the yard today without me nagging him to do so. He and Logan were busy trimming, mowing,using the blower and they treated the yard for weeds and bugs. So all in all it was a pretty successful day.

Doctor's Appointment

Today I had my OB appointment. I am close to 36 weeks now. I saw a doctor I haven't seen this pregnancy. Of course he knew nothing about me or my situation. My weight was down almost 2 pounds. Blood pressure was normal. He listened to the heartbeat, measured the belly and asked if I had any problems.

I gave a brief run down about what happen Friday and the contractions. I told him how the side pain is worse when sitting or standing and how the contractions start up then too. He didn't seem overly concerned he told me to just rest till next Friday when I will be 37 weeks and considered full term. I tried to explain my fears about the effect of contractions on my poor worn out uterus but he just brushed it off and said if anything changes don't hesitate to call.

So thats the news for now. I am just hanging out in bed for another week unless something changes. I am very greatful to my family and best friend for helping care for the kids while Brian is out of town. Time passes so slowly without the chaos of them running around. But I know the kids are being taken care of and are having a good time and I am thankful for that.

Coming Home Outfit

Collin in the Coming Home Outfit

We have a tradition that we started 12 years ago when Logan was born. The boys have all worn Brian's Feltman Brothers baby blue bubble suit home from the hospital. And the girls all wore my coming home gown that is white with tiny pink rose buds but it didn't hold up as well over the years like Brian's has.

Since I am trying to pack up the hospital bag I had the girls on the search for where I stored the boy outfit. After much digging they found it! Yippee!
The blanket in the picture was also used by all our boys. It was handmade and cross-stitched by my sister in laws Mom, Florence. It was a gift at Logan's baby shower and I have always adored it. I hope to have it for my future baby grandsons to use someday.

Ticking Time Bomb

I am beginning to feel like a human ticking time bomb. Within the last week we got the pleasure of going to Labor & Delivery not just once but twice. Sunday nights visit was for a migraine headache and Friday nights was for horrible right side pain. While hooked up to the monitors the nurse noticed I was having regular contractions 4 minutes apart. They did increase in intensity and were getting a bit uncomfortable before they decided to give me a shot to make them fizzle out.

I have decided to go ahead and pack a bag with the hopes if I am prepared we won't need it and we'll have a July 16th birthday after all. I think my uterus is waving a white flag declaring that it is ready for retirement. For now I am told the take it easy and rest, 2 things that are hard to do when you have 5 other kids but I will try.

Happy Anniversary

Ron and Kay pictured at the top and Larry and Daphne pictured at the bottom.




Brian and I realized an interesting thing early on in our relationship that our parents were all married on the same day but 1 year different June 19th. Larry and Daphne will celebrate their 38th Anniversary today and Ron and Kay will celebrate their 37th Anniversary.

Our parents have been amazing examples of love and commitment through thick and thin. They have lived the vows,through sickness and health, for richer or for poorer, in sadness and in joy. Somehow through it all coming out the other side stronger and closer to each other.

When Brian and I married 13 years ago we had a realistic idea of marriage. We didn't think everyday would be a cake walk but we knew we could overcome anything just as our parents have done.

Today I want congratulate you all on your many years together. It is my hope that you have each other for many years to come and that you find pride in the family that surrounds you. We love you all!

Fun with picutres

Collin and I (and some others) had fun with my computer one night. Some neat photos in here. Click the one below to see more.

Better Than Hallmark

I stood in Walmart last week reading through countless Father's Day cards. First I looked at the serious sentimental type and then moved on to the jokey funny cards. Not one single card seemed to fit.

There wasn't a card thanking Dad for teaching a kid how to properly do a Rear Naked choke wrestling move. There wasn't a card showing gratitude for cleaning up a child's vomit in the middle of the night and sitting through hours of dance recitals. Nothing was mentioned about taking them camping when Dad isn't a outdoors man or the countless softball pitches thrown in spite of a good case of carpal tunnel and a bum shoulder.

I could have posted a dozen more picture of the kids with their Dad each one showing the love and commitment he offers to all of them equally. He didn't grow up dreaming of having a big family but he says he wouldn't change for the world now. My kids are blessed with a great Dad and I am lucky that I get to sit back witness the fun times they have together. There is no greater gift than time together it is priceless and I can see it in my children's faces daily. Thank you for everything you do Brian and Happy Father's Day.

Random pictures

In the first picture you should see 3 circus dogs. Oh I am only joking those dogs are my parents youngest babies. The black pug is named Belle and she fits in so perfectly with our crazy family. Belle is a recuse dog that came into the family just about a month ago. She is tiny in comparison to the other dogs but she is starting to fatten up a little. Belle was meant to be in the Fortenberry family because we are no strangers to odd medical issues and Belle came with her fair share. She has limited eye sight in one eye and the other eye she is currently battling with a eye ulcer.But through it all Belle is so laid back and content with everything. I am sure she might be bit confused why she must dress in clothes everyday after being nude for her first 5 years of life. But with her carefree attitude she humors my Mom and goes along with the other dogs.
The other dogs a Polly and Toby. Toby also a rescue has only 1 eye, he lost the other from neglect by his previous owner. It seems Toby is like most men he thinks he is still slim and trim and he tries to squeeze into small spaces often knocking things over in the process.
Polly a true princess in her own mind. She thinks if you sit down its because you want to hold her. I have to remind her often that I prefer not to wear a fur coat on my lap.


The second picture is Macy and Molly on the climbing walls at Girl Scout camp. Yes that is Molly at the very top. Macy also made it to the top. I was pretty surprised Molly made it all the way up being her legs have been her biggest problem since developing JRA 6 years ago. I am not sure where they get these athletic abilities but I am thrilled that they are able to do these things through girl scouting.
I kinda of fell into the position of being a Girl Scout leader somewhat by default several years ago. But I love the opportunity it gives to my daughters to be involved in and do things that they wouldn't do otherwise. The encouragement to go after their dreams and try new things. It was heart warming to watch our troop cheer each other on as they each tried to get to the top of the climbing walls. The sense of self and pride they get out of so many different girl scout activities is awesome. The girls are also involved in doing service projects. In this day and age kids need to be reminded that there are others in need and the world does not just revolve around them. The girls love their troop and I can see them having a bond forever.

And last this is just a cute picture of Collin. He is getting so big, most people are shocked he is only 2 going on 3 years old in September. He is enjoying summer with the big kids. He loves the water park and often just goes right up to other kids and starts talking trying to make friends. His world is about to change but I think he will be an awesome Big Brother.

Oh and 32 days left. I am getting more and more ready to have Hudson here. I think it will be nice to let someone else carry him around for a bit.

Summer has Begun

Me @ 31 weeks with the Girls

What says summer better than Bubbles and a Lollipop?


Summer is in full swing at our house. I feel the pressure to cram in as much as I possibly can before I can no longer waddle fast enough to keep up with the crew. We have already started wearing out our Water Park season pass. The kids love it there and it's fills up a whole day with fun and sun.

The spend the night calender is constantly changing. But I know they enjoy time with friends, or being at Mimi's, or Maw's, or with the cousins. Thats one of the best parts of summer, never being home. I am sticking firm that they must do chores first and rooms must be kept in order. I have already had to call home a little blond girl (not naming names of course) for leaving with her room in a state that it should have been declared a danger zone complete with the yellow tape.

As far as pregnancy goes it is moving along. I am ready for his arrival mentally but not ready for the stuff that will happen soon after his birth like the start of a new school year. They will be starting back this year on August 7th and I know it will be here way too fast.

For now I will just focus on relaxing by the pool while sipping on a few more slushies. I will be constantly reminding myself that the kids really do love each other even if it appears they are trying to drowned one another. And they will someday look back and remember all the good times and not the things that could land them in some therapy session. Overall life is good even though they are making turn gray early!Lord give me patience. :)