2 Year Crazy

         Last spring, I learned in a work meeting that the account that I worked with was canceling their contract and my position was being outsourced.
        When Noah was 6 months old, I was hired by this great work from home company that allowed me to be available to my children and still help support our family.  Last spring Dave had been hired in a new position and we were in a position that we were considering me quitting or going part time. It was a moment that I remember thinking that God was giving me a clear answer.  I was almost giddy because I had been mentally preparing myself for working while my boys were running wild while school was out. 

    The lay off could not have come at a better time.
 
    It gave me the opportunity to do so many things.  I was able to enjoy my children in a way that I have never been able to.  I was not stressed about a deadline or if a report/data had been wrong.  I was able to breath and SLEEP IN.  I enjoyed making dinner for my family and started thinking about how I wanted my house to look.  (I am still not a stellar decorator, but at least I was thinking about it)
   The most important and I feel pivotal life change was being able to see/feel/be a part of benevolence. My brother and sister in law last fall found out that they had been matched with a little boy from China to adopt.  This touched me on so many levels.  I have always in my heart made a commitment to helping any efforts of adoption.  Aaron and Sarah's adoption of Luke painted the most beautiful picture of how Christians can show the love of Jesus and accomplish a daunting project with grace and joy.  I saw people give money, love and prayers all for one child. 

     Meeting Luke brought it to a whole different level. 

     In a moment all the efforts became so tangible. 
     I was able to help Aaron and Sarah with this because I worked, and earned extra money.  I am not saying, that working is not stressful.  But it allowed Dave and I to have extra to give to others.  I worked so closely with Sarah and I would see how even the smallest encouragement on a hard day would make the biggest difference. Every donation, big or small was a building block of encouragement. 
     I wanted to be able to give a million building blocks, monetarily or just with my words and prayers. 
     Did I mention that this adoption was heart changing for me?!

    Shortly after I was laid off, I found out that I qualified for the Trade Act Program.  This is a government program that helps you find a new position or pays for training to assist those whose job has been outsourced.  Dave and I came to a point that we needed to make a decision on whether I would stay home and depend on Dave's salary or I would go back to school.
   This was not an easy decision and I still have my pros and cons list from it.


   We decided that I would finish my bachelors in software development.
    I am so thankful that this opportunity has opened up.  But believe me, I know what type of fire I am walking into.  I have been this busy for most of my life but my hiatus has been so nice. 

     Dave and I are very planned people.  We like to write lists, make spreadsheets and plan, plan and plan.  So in our marriage having a "fallback" is actually very assuring to us. I want to be able to work part time and volunteer my skills after I graduate.  The giving of time and money has been such a worth while effort this summer that I want to be able to do as much of it as we can.

     So please pray for us.  For the next two years, I will be going to school more than full time to finish my degree.  For the next 8 months Dave will be working full time and finishing his degree.  And for the next 2 years Oliver will be screaming in my ear that he wants more Cheetos because that is what I plan on feeding him while I go to school.   And that we all survive.  Mama could snap. 
  

1 Year Comparison

When I am out and about with all three boys, people like to tell me 2 things.
1. "Three boys?! Bless your heart"
2. " Wow, all of your boys look the same"

Now, I understand that because they are all different variations of Dave and I that they will look very similar.  But I feel each one of my gentlemen have very different characteristics.
I decided to have a look back at our 1 year mark.

Noah

Henry

Oliver

Third Child

There are many differences from the first child to the third.  Veteran mothers will tell you that you have less and less time to fill out baby books and such but you don't understand the full breadth of that until it smacks you in the face like a spoonful of baby food.
Oliver turns one today.
My third child has received one post on my blog.  And a very short one at that.  I didn't even post his birth story on the blog.
Dear Oliver, I am sorry for the delay. I promise you are ever as important and loved as Noah and Henry.  Life is just so much more fun with you that we savor more moments off the computer.

The story of Oliver.
1 year ago, I was 39 weeks pregnant.  I like to get induced at 39 weeks ever since Noah was born at 39 weeks due to high  blood pressure (aka me eating waaaaay too many Taco Bell burritos)

So I looked like this:

Yeah... I might have had a few bean burritos in this pregnancy too.  Don't gag unless you've tried it.  And if you have eaten a burrito while pregnant, you will just nod your head and remember how delicious odd foods tasted.
















On May 5, 2014 I felt like this:

You won't see me prettier...

Anyways.  I was there getting all induced.  I had started contracting on my own.  My body pretty much said... Lady, this is like groundhog's day.  We are good to go.
Auntie Sarah was there.. to basically press the nurse's button because my hands are allergic to that button and bothering the nurse.

At about 10 or 11ish I decided epidural time.   I will be the first to advocate drugs in labor.  With Noah and Henry I truly enjoyed my lovely bliss of drugs.  But 3rd time around, that epidural was probably the most burned-in-my-mind-painful-odd experience ever.  I won't go into detail (partially because I will start to shudder.)

At lunchtime Dave and Sarah were getting hungry and probably bored.  I was still a couple centimeters away from pushing. So Dave went to get lunch. Inevitably, that was the time I started feeling really sick (which is the way I know I am ready to push)  Yep! Dave was out getting lunch and I am ready to have Oliver.  Sarah called Dave and he was still checking out when he finally answered.  By the time he got back everyone was ready to deliver.

1 push later:



Yep! Doctor Higgins! Yay! Don't worry, we edited the embarrassing bits.


Oliver Aaron Schutt
Born @1:42pm
6lbs 7oz
19.75" long

Auntie Sarah cut the umbilical cord. Or more like sawed at it.  That was one fat umbilical cord, I would like to thank Taco bell for your healthy cord.

Dave wanted to name him Abraham... ahem. Nice try (for the third time)

Allison! He is already winking at her.  What a wonderful doctor and friend. I wouldn't have a baby without her.

Auntie Sarah. Sigh.  She is the baby and pregnant lady whisperer.  I love that she went out of her way to come support me.

Worth every single pound.

My gentlemen.

The year has flown by.  I can't even blink in fear that my boys will be graduating.
I am going to try and keep this blog updated more. (Maybe)
Happy Birthday Oliver!

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