This one you can see what her eye color is right now...dark blue!
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
"Newborn Photo Shoot"
I have the title in quotations because I am not a photographer. But, with this baby, I wanted to try my hand at a mini photo shoot. Mostly I wanted to make sure I got some cute pictures of her in two outfits. #1 a little crocheted dress that I wore when I was a baby and #2 a little cover-up from the Philippines that my Mom wore.
Pre-School!
This year we decided to put Eli into a preschool, to help get him ready for Kindergarten next year (HOLY COW!!! When did that happen?)
We are doing a preschool that is 3 days a week, for 2 hours each time. It is a Co-Op, so parents are expected to help out in the classroom, with fundraising, etc. I get a little break before I start helping, since I just had a baby. :)
He was so excited to go on his first day, and he loves it still! He is always anxious to go to Preschool!
We are doing a preschool that is 3 days a week, for 2 hours each time. It is a Co-Op, so parents are expected to help out in the classroom, with fundraising, etc. I get a little break before I start helping, since I just had a baby. :)
He was so excited to go on his first day, and he loves it still! He is always anxious to go to Preschool!
Saturday, September 19, 2015
Pictures from the Hospital
My friend Wendy gave me an amazing Baby Shower gift--a mini session at the hospital when Charlotte was born. As a side note, it was good thing she came to do pictures when she did, since Wendy ended up in the hospital that night to have her baby too! Our babies share the same birthday!
Anyway, here are some of the photos she took. They are just gorgeous!
Anyway, here are some of the photos she took. They are just gorgeous!
Um... This little boy's eyes! Oh my goodness!!! I can't get over them!
Charlotte's Birth Story
I know I have at least a few people interested in the details of Charlotte's birth. So, this is for them. :)
For those who didn't see my facebook posts, I was pretty much done being pregnant weeks before Charlotte was due. It was a hot summer; I was tired, uncomfortable and on edge. But, she stayed in and she came out healthy, which is really what matters. My doctor wouldn't induce me until I was 40 weeks, so I scheduled an induction for my due date, September 2.
My doctor stripped my membranes the week before my due date, thinking it would help put me into labor earlier. It didn't work. So a few days later at my "40 week" appointment (September 1) she stripped my membranes again and we set up the induction for the next morning (5 AM!!!). At my appointment I was dilated to about 2.5-3 (not nearly as far along as I hoped since I was at a 5 with Tanner at this point).
To be honest, the idea of getting induced kinda freaked me out, since I had never done it before. So after my doctor appointment, I was determined to not sit down. I had a ton to do anyway to get ready for having the baby the next day and I got to work! I cleaned and scrubbed my kitchen (floors included), meal planned and went grocery shopping. For dinner that night I made a double batch so that I could freeze the second batch for a meal for us for later. At 6 that night I had to go and sign Eli up for pre-school. By the time dinner was finally on the table it was about 7:30, and I realized I felt my first contraction. I had spent so many weeks wondering if what I was feeling was "the real deal" that I doubted these contractions for a long time.
We had dinner, put the boys to bed and all the while I started timing my contractions. About 1 minute long and about 5 minutes apart, ish. Still, I wasn't thoroughly convinced. My sister-in-law Shonda called, so I had to stop my timing and we chatted for a while. I mentioned I was having contractions and it totally freaked her out that I was just nonchalantly chatting to her on the phone, since she knows how fast I can go, having been there for Tanner's birth.
After our phone call I started timing contractions again. And they were consistent--1 minute or so and anywhere from 3-6 minutes apart. Still, I doubted. Finally at about 9:30 I decided it was "go time". I called my visiting teacher who lives a few houses down to come and sit with the boys. Mom was on her way, but I didn't think we should wait for her.
At about 10 we get to the hospital and start getting checked in. When they check me to make sure I am in labor I am already between a 6-7 (YAY!) and they said we aren't going anywhere. Time to have this baby!
For those curious, YES I got my epidural this time! I made sure to request it right away so they got me on fluids right away. My doctor wanted to break my water and see if we could have the baby sooner, but I said "Nope! I want the epidural", which my doctor was fine with. So finally at about 11:30 the anesthesiologist comes in and I get my epidural--nothing too exciting there. My doctor gave me time for it to kick in and then at about 12:15 am she came in to break my water (dilated to a 7).
At this point I tried to take a nap (David full on fell asleep). But after not too long, I started to feel some pressure/pain, and could feel the need to push. I talked my nurse and she kinda doubted me but I asked her to check me anyway. Sure enough, I was ready to push. Mind you, this was about 12:45-12:50. It wasn't quite the mad dash to get the room ready as it was with Tanner, but things still had to move along quickly. I had to almost yell to wake David up and tell him it was time to have a baby. :)
They got the room ready, and then the doctor told me to wait for the next contraction to push (that was annoying. I wanted to push now!). But I managed to wait and after 4 pushes, she was born! A perfect 7 pounds 12 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long. She is our sweet angel.
So for the whole pregnancy I was convinced her name would be Elita Ruth. But when she was born, I realized she was not Elita and it broke my heart. I kept trying and trying to make Elita fit her, and it didn't. David liked the name Sarah right when she was born, and for a while we were going to name her Sarah Ruth. But I just didn't feel right about that name either. Finally, shortly before we leave the hospital, we settled on Charlotte. I love the name and David calls her Little Lottie. :) And it really does fit her. Charlotte Ruth is the perfect addition to our little family.
For those who didn't see my facebook posts, I was pretty much done being pregnant weeks before Charlotte was due. It was a hot summer; I was tired, uncomfortable and on edge. But, she stayed in and she came out healthy, which is really what matters. My doctor wouldn't induce me until I was 40 weeks, so I scheduled an induction for my due date, September 2.
My doctor stripped my membranes the week before my due date, thinking it would help put me into labor earlier. It didn't work. So a few days later at my "40 week" appointment (September 1) she stripped my membranes again and we set up the induction for the next morning (5 AM!!!). At my appointment I was dilated to about 2.5-3 (not nearly as far along as I hoped since I was at a 5 with Tanner at this point).
To be honest, the idea of getting induced kinda freaked me out, since I had never done it before. So after my doctor appointment, I was determined to not sit down. I had a ton to do anyway to get ready for having the baby the next day and I got to work! I cleaned and scrubbed my kitchen (floors included), meal planned and went grocery shopping. For dinner that night I made a double batch so that I could freeze the second batch for a meal for us for later. At 6 that night I had to go and sign Eli up for pre-school. By the time dinner was finally on the table it was about 7:30, and I realized I felt my first contraction. I had spent so many weeks wondering if what I was feeling was "the real deal" that I doubted these contractions for a long time.
We had dinner, put the boys to bed and all the while I started timing my contractions. About 1 minute long and about 5 minutes apart, ish. Still, I wasn't thoroughly convinced. My sister-in-law Shonda called, so I had to stop my timing and we chatted for a while. I mentioned I was having contractions and it totally freaked her out that I was just nonchalantly chatting to her on the phone, since she knows how fast I can go, having been there for Tanner's birth.
After our phone call I started timing contractions again. And they were consistent--1 minute or so and anywhere from 3-6 minutes apart. Still, I doubted. Finally at about 9:30 I decided it was "go time". I called my visiting teacher who lives a few houses down to come and sit with the boys. Mom was on her way, but I didn't think we should wait for her.
At about 10 we get to the hospital and start getting checked in. When they check me to make sure I am in labor I am already between a 6-7 (YAY!) and they said we aren't going anywhere. Time to have this baby!
For those curious, YES I got my epidural this time! I made sure to request it right away so they got me on fluids right away. My doctor wanted to break my water and see if we could have the baby sooner, but I said "Nope! I want the epidural", which my doctor was fine with. So finally at about 11:30 the anesthesiologist comes in and I get my epidural--nothing too exciting there. My doctor gave me time for it to kick in and then at about 12:15 am she came in to break my water (dilated to a 7).
At this point I tried to take a nap (David full on fell asleep). But after not too long, I started to feel some pressure/pain, and could feel the need to push. I talked my nurse and she kinda doubted me but I asked her to check me anyway. Sure enough, I was ready to push. Mind you, this was about 12:45-12:50. It wasn't quite the mad dash to get the room ready as it was with Tanner, but things still had to move along quickly. I had to almost yell to wake David up and tell him it was time to have a baby. :)
They got the room ready, and then the doctor told me to wait for the next contraction to push (that was annoying. I wanted to push now!). But I managed to wait and after 4 pushes, she was born! A perfect 7 pounds 12 ounces and 19 1/4 inches long. She is our sweet angel.
So for the whole pregnancy I was convinced her name would be Elita Ruth. But when she was born, I realized she was not Elita and it broke my heart. I kept trying and trying to make Elita fit her, and it didn't. David liked the name Sarah right when she was born, and for a while we were going to name her Sarah Ruth. But I just didn't feel right about that name either. Finally, shortly before we leave the hospital, we settled on Charlotte. I love the name and David calls her Little Lottie. :) And it really does fit her. Charlotte Ruth is the perfect addition to our little family.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
It Pays to Ask Questions
Hello again! Another post about loan payoff.
We have two loan servicers--one from the government where the majority of David's Dental School loans came from, and one through his school. For the government one, making extra payments on any particular loan is easy. You just select a loan, specify how much extra you want to pay on that loan and you're done! Easy! It will make using our debt snowball, and paying off individual loans a much easier/cleaner process.
From his school we had two loans: a Perkins loan and a Health Professions Loan. They both have the lowest interest rate and he had a apply for the Health Professions one. Anyway, there is no easy way to make extra payments on either loan, separately. A couple weeks ago, when I made a large payment toward loans, my intent was the completely pay off the Perkins loan. So, I made a payment of the minimum payment for the Health Professions loan, and the payoff amount for the Perkins loan. Thinking that would be all there was to it, I went on my merry way.
Well, a few days later I checked the status of that payment, only to get somewhat annoyed. Rather than pay off the Perkins loan, like I wanted, the servicer divided the extra payment between my two loans. So each loan was significantly less (good), but we didn't have one completely paid off (bad). I wanted to be able to use the Perkins loan minimum payment in our debt snowball, and instead I was left with a smaller principle to pay, but still having to make loans and a much smaller snowball.
So, I asked questions. The servicer has an online customer service chat feature. I used it. I asked the customer service rep if there was a way to reallocate the funds I had already paid, or if there was a way to specify where extra payments go in the future. Turns out, she was able to create a work order for a supervisor to reallocate the funds where I wanted them to go. Booyah! The next day, it was done! So, rather than just 3 loans paid off, with a tiny snowball, we have 4 loans paid off, and a larger snowball amount to work with! It is a small start, but it is a start! It pays to ask questions. :)
We have two loan servicers--one from the government where the majority of David's Dental School loans came from, and one through his school. For the government one, making extra payments on any particular loan is easy. You just select a loan, specify how much extra you want to pay on that loan and you're done! Easy! It will make using our debt snowball, and paying off individual loans a much easier/cleaner process.
From his school we had two loans: a Perkins loan and a Health Professions Loan. They both have the lowest interest rate and he had a apply for the Health Professions one. Anyway, there is no easy way to make extra payments on either loan, separately. A couple weeks ago, when I made a large payment toward loans, my intent was the completely pay off the Perkins loan. So, I made a payment of the minimum payment for the Health Professions loan, and the payoff amount for the Perkins loan. Thinking that would be all there was to it, I went on my merry way.
Well, a few days later I checked the status of that payment, only to get somewhat annoyed. Rather than pay off the Perkins loan, like I wanted, the servicer divided the extra payment between my two loans. So each loan was significantly less (good), but we didn't have one completely paid off (bad). I wanted to be able to use the Perkins loan minimum payment in our debt snowball, and instead I was left with a smaller principle to pay, but still having to make loans and a much smaller snowball.
So, I asked questions. The servicer has an online customer service chat feature. I used it. I asked the customer service rep if there was a way to reallocate the funds I had already paid, or if there was a way to specify where extra payments go in the future. Turns out, she was able to create a work order for a supervisor to reallocate the funds where I wanted them to go. Booyah! The next day, it was done! So, rather than just 3 loans paid off, with a tiny snowball, we have 4 loans paid off, and a larger snowball amount to work with! It is a small start, but it is a start! It pays to ask questions. :)
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
A Major Setback and a Small Step Forward
Here we go. Post #2 on our Student Loan Payoff Saga.
First: The Setback
We found out about 2 weeks ago that we will not be receiving loan repayment from the national loan repayment program. So, we will not be receiving any loan repayment for this year. This is a major setback in our plans/goal to be done with student loans by our 10th Anniversary. Yes, we can , and will, apply again next year. But, in the mean time, the next year looks a little grimmer.
The most frustrating part is that it might have been different. There is a big long story about what happened, but I will shorten it. An error was made on our application, after the time line to fix such errors. We did not make the mistake. We feel pretty sure that if the mistake had not been made, we would have received the loan repayment help we were counting on. We have called and emailed the national loan repayment office and have been told that there is nothing that can be done to fix the error now. We are just out of luck for this year and try again next year.
Since David did not receive any loan repayment this year, it is in his contract that the company he works for will add some income to his paychecks every month, which is great. Right now we aren't sure how much that will amount to, but unfortunately, it won't match up to the tax free loan repayment we were anticipating.
Second: The Small Step Forward
I finally got up the gumption to make our first large payment on some student loans. In my last post I mentioned planning to pay $10,000 right away. I didn't do all of that amount because we have had some expenses come up that I want to make sure we can cover before draining the rest of our savings. But, I was able to fully pay off the first few smallest loans. So, YAY! A small victory for us. Once I make sure the expenses are covered, I will pay off more.
Until next time...
First: The Setback
We found out about 2 weeks ago that we will not be receiving loan repayment from the national loan repayment program. So, we will not be receiving any loan repayment for this year. This is a major setback in our plans/goal to be done with student loans by our 10th Anniversary. Yes, we can , and will, apply again next year. But, in the mean time, the next year looks a little grimmer.
The most frustrating part is that it might have been different. There is a big long story about what happened, but I will shorten it. An error was made on our application, after the time line to fix such errors. We did not make the mistake. We feel pretty sure that if the mistake had not been made, we would have received the loan repayment help we were counting on. We have called and emailed the national loan repayment office and have been told that there is nothing that can be done to fix the error now. We are just out of luck for this year and try again next year.
Since David did not receive any loan repayment this year, it is in his contract that the company he works for will add some income to his paychecks every month, which is great. Right now we aren't sure how much that will amount to, but unfortunately, it won't match up to the tax free loan repayment we were anticipating.
Second: The Small Step Forward
I finally got up the gumption to make our first large payment on some student loans. In my last post I mentioned planning to pay $10,000 right away. I didn't do all of that amount because we have had some expenses come up that I want to make sure we can cover before draining the rest of our savings. But, I was able to fully pay off the first few smallest loans. So, YAY! A small victory for us. Once I make sure the expenses are covered, I will pay off more.
Until next time...
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Eli Turns 4!!!
I can't believe that I have a 4 year old! Holy cow times flies! This year he will be in pre-school and then next year in Kindergarten! Ah!!
We decided to celebrate his actual birthday quietly, at home with his favorite dinner. Here are some photos and videos of his birthday evening.
For his party, a few days later, we had a Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party. Eli loved it!
We decided to celebrate his actual birthday quietly, at home with his favorite dinner. Here are some photos and videos of his birthday evening.
For his party, a few days later, we had a Jake and the Neverland Pirates Party. Eli loved it!
I had the kids decorate Pirate hats to wear during the party.
They had a blast decorating!
Food!
The cake. :)
One of the activities was to "Walk the Plank". Once they completed an activity, they each got Gold Doubloons for solving a Pirate Problem (like in the show :))
After walk the plank we had Captain Hook's Bean Bag Toss and Launch the Cannon (you can kinda see it in the background--they threw dart things into rings)
For the last activity, I had a treasure chest for the kids to dig through--necklaces, bracelets and gold coins were the treasures
The box was full of brown rive and black beans (not real sand)
And, they loved it!
Then they could play for a bit, before it was time for presents, cake and ice cream and food. The party was a success and Eli was thrilled! Happy 4th Birthday little man! You are getting too big too fast!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)