Such a hard post to write

Last Tuesday night, Shawn and I met at the shopko for kids eye appts. Conner was at academic bowl and called half way through to say he was done, so Shawn left with one of the little girls and Harrison to go get him. A bit later, I hear my name paged over the store and go walking to the front and seeConner with some lady I don't know. I asked him "where's dad" and he answered "he is at jack in the box"

HUH? the lady with him explains there was an accident, someone has the baby and Shawn is bleeding. I threw the items in my hand and took off running across the parking lot. Shawn and the kids are ok.

Shawn has a big knock on his head and an abrasion . After the swelling went down, he was left with 2 big black eyes that just get worse every day. The airbags literally exploded the glasses off of shawns face. It also knocked him out for a moment.

Conner has a big lump on his head. Harrison is ok.

The airbags deployed. The car is totalled.

The other guy was totally at fault (and was in fact cited) he pulled out really fast right in front of Shawn-Shawn had the right of way and could do nothing to avoid the accident. We are very grateful that Shawn was in the lane he was in. If he had been over one lane to the left, the guy would have hit us instead, and he would have hit us right where Conner and Harrison were sitting.

Shawn doesn't remember too much of it. It is kind of a blur. His face was burning from the chemicals in the airbags...and he was coughing all night. The chemicals are very harsh. After it all happened, he immediately rolled down his window, but the kids could not breathe very well. Conner reacted so fast! As soon as it happened, he saw the powder in the car and thought it was on fire! When Shawn regained consciousness, he (Conner) was out of the car and working quickly to get everyone out!

I am so proud of how level headed he (conner) was - especially for a 12 year old that was just in an accident that serious.



Shawn went and looked at the car today. I don't think he realized how bad it was till today. The steering wheel was pushed back right where his chest was. I am so grateful that we had airbags-or there is no knowing how seriously hurt he might have been.
This is what he looks like today:






This thanksgiving, I am most thankful that my family is ok and my husband is still with us

In honor of Thanksgiving

a few fun things!

You Are Apple Pie

You're the perfect combo of comforting and traditional. You prefer things the way you've always known them. You'll admit that you're old fashioned, and you don't see anything wrong with that. Your tastes and preferences are classic. And classic never goes out of style. Those who like you crave security. People can rely on you to be true to yourself - and true to them. You're loyal, trustworthy, and comfortable in your own skin. And because of these qualities, you've definitely earned a lot of respect.

What Kind of Pie Are You?

You Are Mashed Potatoes

Oridnary, comforting, and more than a little predictable You're the glue that holds everyone together.

What Part of Thanksgiving Are You?

so the kids *update*

ok, so now that things have calmed down a bit, I can update on the family

Conner is doing well. He just got glasses this last week and his vision is getting pretty bad! He could only see about 15inches in front of him, and I don't know how he competed in gymnastics last year like that!
He was elected Student Council Representative this last week and is very excited. He also has his second Academic Bowl competition tomorrow. His team took first place last time and they are pretty excited about it. He is also a Student Ambassador and is enjoying that as well. With straight A's he is on the honor roll and his teachers are very impressed with the job I did homeschooling him. They said they wished they could clone him and have more students like him! Score 1 for the homeschooling mom! YAY!

Kaitlyn is also doing really well. She also has straight A's and is really doing well in school. She won a "responsible character" award this last week. Her teacher is impressed with her character and her willingness to help others learn and to help those that are having a hard time with making friends at school.
She is a big help to me. Everytime the baby fusses, she is right there before I can even get him! LOL

Noah is having a good time in school. He is getting almost straight A's. The one subject he is struggling in - well, that has been addressed with the teacher and should get better. She did not take the time to read his file and psych reports, so she was not giving him the assistance he needs to excel. Now that we have talked to her, it is getting better already.
He is really enjoying scouts this year and is making some friends! YES-making friends! unbelievable!

Hannah is doing good in school too. Her teacher says she enjoys having her so much in her class. She also won an award for "responsible character" Her teacher told a story of how there was a kid with a disability in her class was being teased and having a hard time getting along, and she went and tried to help him and talked to him. I am so proud of her for being such a caring person.

Alexis loves kindergarten. Every day she stands by the stove and announces to me each minute that passes until she is to leave to get on the bus! Her teacher told Shawn at conference "she doesn't have a problem expressing her opinions!" *OOPS* She is so funny.

Isabella is great. She has had a small amount of trouble adjusting to the changes with Harrison being born, but she is doing good over all. I think the hardest part is to get her to stop kissing him when he sleeps-so basically just leaving him alone!

harrison is doing well. at 2 weeks old, he is 8lb6oz! he just finished a growth spurt and it shows. he finally looks a bit healthier although none of his pants are fitting still! LOL they are all too big.
He is still struggling with some sensory stuff and has an issue with his tummy. The doctor thinks he may be having some reflux.

Will update soon with a picture of them all!

Squishy baby in his longies

These longies were knit by my best friend Stacy for Harrison. He is 12 days old in the picture (today!)

From this:



to this:

Harrison is here!!!

so I got a call Monday asking me to come in . seems they were overbooked and understaffed on wednesday so dr lowder had me come in due to how sick I was.

I had already gotten the kids on the bus but thankfully Shawn had not left yet for work.

so I called stacy to let her know and started gathering my stuff as quick as I could. I had some moments of panic as I wasn't prepared to go in that soon-I joked with Shawn that it was almost like going into labor on my own! LOL

Shawn went and picked up the kids from school and I kept getting ready and off we went to the hospital. I actually was contracting 10 min apart at that moment-maybe excitement or maybe it was supposed to be my day anyway!

We got here and due to how sick I had been (not able to really eat or drink anything without getting sick) I was totally dehydrated and they could not start my IV or draw labs. it took about 45 minutes to successfully get my IV started :( I look like a pin cushion on my arms.

they finally got results back and started the pit at about 11:15am. man-even at the low dose they were some intense pains and I just remember I would look at Stacy as it started, then close my eyes and breath silently. The nurse thought I wasn't feeling anything because I was so calm--I quickly corrected her on that misconception! LOL

They continued to increase my pit. I started to stress because dr lowder had surgery at 12:00 and I really wanted him there. I think that kept me from progressing at the time. Finally at about 12:45 or so I was at a 5. A little bit later I told stacy "that one felt different" she asked if she should call the nurse and I said "no, let me make sure with another one" it wasn’t a pushing pressure but there was a different sensation.
So 2 more contractions and I said "yeah, we better call her to check me" cause I could tell we were close
she came and checked me and said I was a stretchy 8. "you better call him NOW"
By then the feeling was getting quite intense.
Dr Lowder got there and sat down and they had my feet up in position and I remember asking them/him "are you going to even check to see if I am 10 yet???"
he just looked at me and laughed and said "jessica-the head is RIGHT HERE!!"
I laughed too and he told me to laugh again because it was pushing the baby out!

Harrison Parker was born less than 30 seconds later at 1:11pm
7lb 6oz
20 ¾ inch long
14 ¼ inch head

Nursing is going well.