Watch out rainforrest... here I come!!!

Hey everyone. Sorry it took so long for me to update. Things have been pretty hectic lately. I have some new pictures as promised. No baby bump pic though as I feel it has been too soon. I dont think I'm any bigger. In these pics I think Star has gone from Butterfly to Frog. Just an opinion but I think I see frog legs in there somewhere. I have decided to keep a journal for my little Star. I got it from Goodwill today. It's blue and has little tiny stars all over it. Kind of going along with my star theme as you can tell. I plan on posting blogs and coming back a few days later to print the blog and comments then I will glue them in this journal. So back to my main rule, No negitive posts please as Star will someday read them. As promised here are the pictures:





I hope you enjoy. I had an unexpected sonogram done today, but thanks to my inability to make a scan become a jpeg you will have to wait for those.
I had a REALLY good day today. Mom and I took Chris to his birthday breakfast at Dennys which he really enjoyed (though the service could have been better), then we went to Goodwill because I made the very smart decision to buy him clothes and toys from a thrift store because he needed (and still does) clothes more than toys. Well, because my check was more than I expected it to be I decided to spoil myself a bit. Hey stay at home moms need love too!!! I found a Louis Voitton bag, Prada wallet, GUCCI bag, and I got mom a beautiful white GUESS bag. I also paid for us to get our nails done. Dont worry thrift store shopping and nails done at Wal-Mart arent killing my pocket. I was also able to buy home stuff too. Got my sister by God's graces a few things for her Mooner as well. I also found something to help with my pregnancy. I bought a rainforrest music CD. I had a suprise appointment with my Midwife today and we went over my birth plan. She is ok with the music, and btw did you know its actually good NOT to bathe your child until you leave the hospital? The fluid that is on them after they come out is good for their skin, and the longer its on the baby the better. The nurses may not like you because they will have to wear gloves when they touch your baby, but if you do the math, I think I care more about my baby's healthy skin verses the nurses having to wear gloves. Sorry, had a hormonal moment there. Also, some advice for my expectant followers: see if the doctors will let you hold your baby skin to skin (baby to breast preffered) while they give the baby their Vitiman K shot, and wait til the one hour mark to give the baby eye drops so that your little one can see you instead of a fuzzy head when you hold them. My Midwife told me today that there is something in breastmilk that acts as a painkiller to babies so, when they get that Vitiman K shot it wont be as painful for the little one. It's not like they havent been through so much already. Why not make it a little eaiser on them. Plus, if you are holding them when they get their eyedrops atleast when they go fuzzy the will know the little fuz thing they see is Mommy. Just some informaion I thought I would pass down to my expectant mothers.
I do have a prayer request. I am having some EXTREME paranoia. I dont want to go into details, but please keep me in your prayers. And for all that know about my mother issues, please pray for those too.
I'm sure everyone could use a bit of good news. I found out today that (no still dont know the gender) I will have my taxes back by the end of March. This means Tony and I are getting our own place. FINALLY YEA!!!! Just please pray everything goes okay. This lady doesnt seem to want to sell. Please ask God to put on her heart TO MAKE UP HER MIND!!! Ok, I think I'm having a bit of a hormonal attack, so I'm going now. Much love to all from the Sinks/Cottingham clan. We love you all FOREVER.

Nesting Syndrom, or Nustso Syndrom

Ok, so everything in my pregnancy seems to going pretty well. Except for a few minor details (like the only place I get any restful sleep is on the couch because I find it EXTREAMLY comfortable) it's not too much I cant deal with. Until this morning. I cant decide if I am loosing my mind or if this is completly normal. Maybe a mixture of both? Ok, here's my delima: I am on the internet looking for a pregnancy packing list (you know for the trip to the hospital) and then I got the bright idea that I would look for a "zen" labor. Something that is before, during, and after. I think the reason I chose the word "zen" is because when I think zen, I think calm and soothing. This led to furthing thinking (yes I am proof that pregnant women can still think) of wanting a "rainforrest" themed pregnancy and birth. Yes, I think thats the part where I lost my mind. I started remember tequniqes that I was taught about visulization exersizes. So then back to my packing list I decided I want rainforrest music, and I want a rose and baby's breath bouquet to help with my visulization. Is this crazy yet? I even wrote this list down under my "important pregnancy things to remember" list. If you dont think I have totally lost my mind please comment and give some ideas for some ways to relax before, during, and after. You all know I stress alot usually, so some ways to relax now couldnt hurt (I already use sleepytime tea which is good but doesnt put me to sleep) so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. By the way: Dominos update: I quit For good reasons too. They didnt know I was pregnant and they wanted me to work at night delivering pizza's in the "south end" and they where just doing a lot of bad things that I dont want to discuss (I must follow my own rules about no negitive posts) so it was just more beneficial for me and "Star" for to quit. But things are still okay. Anyway, much love to everyone from the Sinks/Cottingham clan. Love FOREVER!!!

Just an update

Hey everyone!! For all those who prayed for me that court went well, thank you so much. Apparently, my failure to appear was for driving on a suspended licence. OUCH! Well, they let me get away with a $275 fine, and 1 year of conditional probation. For all those who dont know, all this means is that I dont have to report to anyone, make sure I pay my fine, and dont get into any trouble for a year and I will be okay. So thankfully all is good. Thank you again for all those that prayed, and THANK YOU GOD!!! I do have a prayer request. My mom isnt doing so well right now. She just has a lot on her shoulders, sadly given to her by mostly her adopted chidren. She has such a big heart, and she is always thinking of other people, that she forgets to think about herself. Just pray for her that all will be okay. Baby update (of course) I have a sonogram appointment on Tuesday at the Womens Pregnancy Center (not my doctor), and they are hoping to be able to tell me the gender. Though I'm not getting my hopes up. If you look over to the right of the screen you will see I posted a new poll. I want to know if my "fans", as I have come to call you, would like to know the gender of my baby. More yes' and I will more than likely tell you, though everyone that knows me knows I have a pretty big mouth, and it is VERY HARD for me to keep a secret like this. But let me know by your vote. If you would rather wait vote no, and the more no's I will honor your wishes. Well, thats all for now. I will post after my sonogram appointment, and hopefully have pictures. Vote on the poll!!! Much love to everyone!!! And mom, if you read this I love you FOREVER!!!!

Just a note

I just made my birth plan on a wonderful website and thought I would share the website with you for all the expectant mothers. www.earthmamaangelbaby.com. Wonderful place. Very helpful. Just a thought!!

Baby Bump take #1

Well, as I promised for all the mothers that "require" it here is baby bump picture number uno:

Hope you all like it. My hunch is that there is a little boy in there. Why you may ask? Well, when I was speghetti sauced with Tristin and Chris I was HUGE!!! When I was speghetti sauced with Jordin I didnt get very big at all. In fact I was so small with her that if you didnt already know me and how tiny I am you never would have guessed I was prego at all!!!
An update on work: Dont worry I'm still taking it easy, but to let you know: THAT PLACE IS NUTS!!! I wouldnt recomend eating at the Dominos on Western if I was you. Why? They dont know anything about CLEANING!!! The only two cleaning supplies in that entire place is dish soap and dish sanitizer!!! Nothing that actually cleans. Dont ask me what they clean the floors with because honestly there isnt anything to clean them with so I havent a clue if they use ANYTHING besides WATER!! I do have plans to go in there myself and completly clean the you know what out of it! Plus I will see what I can do about getting the manager to order CORPORATE REQUIRED cleaning supplies. Until then DONT EAT THERE!!!
Believe it or not though thats not the worst. What is, is how completly unprofessional the management acts. I cant believe it. I hope I do become manager because I will be making A LOT of changes!!! Just please pray for my sanity.
Speaking of prayer a quick thanks. The other day when I was having a rough time at work I was able to make one quick phone call and have someone pray for me over the phone no questions asked. This person keeps proving more and more that they will be there for me no matter what, and I want to give a "shout out" and a quick thanks. This person would be my mother. Becky Traxler. I love you mom, thanks for being there for me in my time of nutsness.
Anyway, I am working hard keeping my stress level low, and making sure I take all the lovely pills the doctors say I need to take. I am one pill shy (Tums 2 every day) but on payday I will have it. Thats it for now. I will keep posting, and I love everyone very much. For all those who visit my blog please dont forget to become a member of my blog community. When this is all over I want to send personalized thanks to my followers, and I dont want anyone to miss out on that. Also, please keep voting on my polls. I am very intrested in what everyone thinks. So I am sending much love FOREVER from the Sinks/Cottingham Clan. Thanks for following!!!! I'll update more after Valentines Day!!!

I have a Picture :)

I went to see my new doctor Friday. I found out he has an awesome midwife that will also be helping me along with the pregnancy. Her name is Mary Tisdale. They took all my past history and really listened to all my concerns. This is a FIRST!!! I'm hoping for the best pregnancy yet! I'm thankfully no longer considered High Risk, except for the fact that I went into labor early with all the other kids. So they'll be watching for this. I can go to METHODIST and eat ALL THE FOOD I WANT :) Yippee!!!!
I'm putting up our first picture of "Star". I'm officially due Sept. 26, 2010 We saw the baby's heart!!! It was 135 bp and healthy as we can ask and hope for. My bruise is disapating which is good,too. I saw the baby's heart and HEARD the heart beat too. It was very reassuring! Dr. Kindred has the cutest business cards. I'm attaching one of his cards for two purposes...1) So you can see for yourself and agree with me naturally, and 2)If anyone is here in Peoria, I HIGHLY recommend him and here is his number. He has 9 children of his own and is a Christian!
In two weeks I'm up for a manager review at Domino's. They love me...I actually know what I'm doing and make the other's look like idiots LOL! Not to toot my own horn or anything. They do that enough for me :) The first day I was there, the manager said "it's nice to have someone that actually knows what they are doing!" I know I'm gooooood LOL. So wish me lots of luck for the manager review, and I promise I'm still taking it easy. When I become manager, I'll just make everyone else do the work LOL!!!
UPDATE: Tristin will be 3 on the 18th and we are doing a NEMO Birthday! Daddy bought him a salt water tank and we are going to "Nemo-fy it" He woke up this morning and ran staight to the tank. He put two hands up on the tank and screamed "MEEEMMMOOOOO"!! It was sooo cute.
Well, thats all for now, I have to get to work. I will be posting belly shots soon for all mothers that "require" it. Oh, just three prayer requests before I do go. Please pray that court goes well for me next week, pray that I do get the manager position, and please pray that the house and taxes go through without a hitch. The lady that is selling me my trailer is wanting to up the price by $500-$1500. I pretty much told her I can't go any higher than $2000, so please pray that everything goes off without a hitch. No pun intended. Well, thats it for now. I promise belly shot within the next few days. Much love to all from the Sinks/Cottingham clan. We love you all!!!!

Moving on up

Today was my first day of work at Dominos. I loved it. My manager comented that it was "nice to have someone in here that actually knows what their doing". Im loving it!!!! I was excited when I called Becky to check on the kids. I feel acomplished. I go to WIC tomorrow for me and Jordin and then hopefully God willing I will get my taxes done. Please pray for that all. If anyone has any cool ideas of things I could post on this blog let me know, or things you would like to see to keep you updated on "Stardust". Sorry my post is so short today, but I will update you more on Friday after I get back from my doctors appointment. Please pray for more than doubled HCG levels, and who knows I may even have pictures to post.

The Beginning

Monday, January 25th we had a scare. I was at home with the kids and all of a sudden I had lots of pain and felt almost like I was in labor. We rushed to the ER at Methodist here in Peoria, (still hate OSF LOL), then bleeding started.
I panicked (as you would figure), but after the doctor's took an ultrasound we got not conclusive evidence of a miscarriage. The baby was too small at that time to see the heart. I was only 5 weeks and 3 days pregnant. However, we did HCG blood levels which ranged in the 6000's. Two days later, the HCG levels DOUBLED, that was great! I see Dr. David Kindred, a non-abortion and great Christian doctor, on Friday, Feb. 5th to find out more. I'm sure we'll get another ultrasound soon and maybe I'll get pictures we can post very soon. The heart will be visible after 6 to 8 weeks, so I'll have to be patient. Which everyone that knows me KNOWS that will be a hard thing to do...wait!
Thankfully, I have had no further indications of a miscarriage, just a little light cramping here and there...nothing I can't handle! So, I'll post after Friday to update you on the current news of my sweet bit of stardust!
As for my new support system in Peoria I have aquired a sister this week! Amy is Becky's other adopted daughter and we have finally hit it off very well. The bigger the support system the better. She has three children, 6,7, and 10 years old. I'm planning on becoming her fashionista as well as mom's :) They all need my help LOL! I'll have Amy in American Eagle in no time :) Tony is doing much better at being a husband, and father to all of us in the Sinks-Cottingham family. That is a good thing :) He prayed for the first time in a long time when we were worried about the possible miscarriage. Please pray we all keep that up. I've had so many kisses from God this week that I know God answers prayer...NO DOUBT!
I've been thankful to God for this child, so I want a biblical name. Would you help? I'm looking for Bible names for both boys and girls ending in IN to go with TristIN, ChristIaN, and JordIN :) Keeping it IN the family LOL.(as Ben would say!)
Another prayer request, we are getting a place of our own soon YEA, but taxes are the obstacle to getting things going. Please pray for few complications with our returns. With all the moves and family changes, it's not going to be a 1040EZ this year to put it mildly :) I have a JOB. I PROMISE to take it easy. I have worked for Domino's before, and that's who hired me. So training will be a breeze. I'm blessed! Please come and go often I will be adding some fun features to show how the baby is doing...you won't wanna miss. I'll also keep updating you on the other three kids as well. Thanks for your support and no negative posts please:) Thanks