Pumpkin Patch

I know just about EVERY mom who has a blog, has a post about her kids at the pumpkin patch, so bear with me. My kids are quite cute!

Unhindered Running

Hebrews 12:1 says "Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us and let us run with endurance the race which is set before us."

My 3 year old son, Eli, goes to preschool.  He loves it.  Eli is a social butterfly.  He likes the kids and he loves his teachers.  When he walked into the room today he saw Ms. Becky, yelled hi, dropped his backpack off his shoulders in one swift motion and ran across the room to give her a hug.

Seeing him cast the burden of his backpack aside so he could get where he was going as quickly as possible made me think of Hebrews 12.  I need to be that single-minded in my pursuit of Christ.  Not letting anything stop me.

A child's joy reminds me to seek Christ.  That is a finer thing!

End of an Era

School starts tomorrow.  Yes, on August 12.  I know, what were they thinking???

Where did summer go?

Watching Eli feed ducks!

Feeding ducks!

We had much fun this summer, but I am sad it's over.

Eli's Birth Story: 3 Years Late

I wrote this in my journal for Eli shortly after he was born and have planned to blog it for over a year.  :)  Enjoy!

Eli Andrew Zsiga was born at 2:09 pm on Tuesday, July 9, 2007.  He was over 2 weeks past my due date, but can never use that as an excuse!  My pregnancy was pretty good.  I didn't get too sick and I wasn't miserable.

I was schedule for an induction on the morning of the 24th (my 2nd since I had gone in a week earlier and decided I wanted to wait for Eli to come on his own.).  I started bleeding about midnight and called the hospital at 3:15am when I was still bleeding.  They said to come on in a few hours early.  I was having mild contractions and was given Cytotec and hooked up to some fluids and antibiotics (for strep b) on the IV.  About 10:30am I got Pitocin to speed up labor,  I was dilated to 3cm all morning until noon when the doctor decided to break my water.  At 12:45 I was dilated to a 7.  I got up just before 2pm to go to the bathroom and when I came back I felt like I had to push.  The nurse had said to let her know if I did.

The doctor came back in, said I was ready and everyone rushed around getting things ready. (The rapid progression was not expected after it had taken hours to get past 3cm.) I tried to push during the first contraction and I had some trouble.  I couldn't figure out how to push.  I did some panicking and decided I was done.  :)  The nurses coached me and I did better on the second contraction.  On the third contraction I was told to push until the baby came (Eli's heart rate was dropping and they wanted him out.).  I pushed and pushed and pushed.

Then Eli came out in one swift motion and was skinny and not breathing.  His throat was stuff with birth stuff (you don't want to know ;).  The nurses took Eli and put a tube down his throat to suck the gunk out.  Then he was better and breathing!  Andy did not get to cut the umbilical cord because Eli was not breathing, which was sad, but it was more important to have a healthy baby!

weeks old

3 years old

You can read Carmody's birth story here!

Playing Preschool

Eli and I do school work several days a week.  He loves it and I think he may be learning something :)  Sometimes we do Hooked of Phonics Kindergarten curriculum (don't be impressed, he is just learning the alphabet right now!), we use flashcards to practice colors, shapes, and counting, a Kumon workbook that helps him learn to write and draw, it also is good for number practice.  We have a sticker workbook with a transportation theme.  Our newest activity is magazine cut and paste to learn colors and practice motor skills.  After we finish colors, on to letters and munbers!

Here Eli is getting ready to glue

Working hard!

Perfect placement is key!

Here is the finished product- YELLOW

Happy Birthday to Eli!

Eli's 3rd birthday was last weekend and he had a great time at the Track, riding go-karts, bumper boats and bumper cars and playing mini-golf!

Opening his helicopter from Uncle Luke

Bike from Grandpa and Nana, now to figure out how to pedal...




A Wii game from Papa and Grandma- Mario Cart and Toy Story!

Blowing out the candles on his dirt pudding birthday cake.

Eating a worm!

Bath Time

The kids love to take baths together. They laugh the whole time. Carmody thinks Eli is the best thing ever. He relishes in the role of big brother. :)

The Myth of the Perfect Mother

A book I am reading.

I. need. this.

I cannot tell you if I agree theoloically with this book (I am only in the first chapter), but the few pages I have read have made me say, "Yes! Exactly! This is how I feel!"

Carla Barnhill says, "The real toll of motherhood often blindsides women who grow up believing that becoming a mother will be the greatest thing ever to happen to them. Instead of floating along in a sea of motherly bliss, many of us find ourselves conflicted, depressed, guilt-ridden, lonely, even suicidal. Sadly when these feelings begin to creep in, the last place many of us feel comfortable talking about them is in our churches."

I don't know what this lady is going to recommend, but at least someone understands me now.

Florida Fun

We were blessed to go to Florida with my parents last week over Andy's spring break. They used their timeshare to get us a 3 bedroom condo in Panama City Beach! Our room looked out over the beach and we enjoyed the sand!

Eli would not look at the camera, but the rest of us look nice!








Carmody loved the sand! She tried to eat it...

We buried Eli in the sand many times, but he only stayed under for a few seconds!

A few things...

After Andy's basketball games we often go to Arby's. Here are a couple shots from last night. Aren't my dear children beautiful?

A tip for you! Check the back of your Arby's and Wendy's reciepts. If you call and complete a survey, you will get a code for a free sandwich on your next visit. They take about 5-10 minutes. The sandwich is worth about $3. It's a good deal!





By the way... these pictures were taken with my new camera. A Sony Cybershot DSC-W290

Book Review: The Flowering Cross

I was so excited to get this book from Thomas Nelson Publishers! We checked the mail on the way home last night and there it was! I read The Flowering Cross by Beth Ryan to Eli right before bed last night. The first thing I noticed at I removed the book from the box was that the cover was textured. I liked it! This book is hardcover with nice glossy pages.

The Flowering Cross tells the story of little Katie (about 5 years old) who teaches her grouchy neighbor, Papa Jack, about God's love! She wakes up in Easter morning and visits Jack to pick his flowers for the flowering of the cross at church. Her sweet spirit and excitement is something I want my children to emulate, so I had no problem reading the book to Eli again at naptime! One great thing about this book is the 'Faith Imprint' and accompanying verse found on many of the pages. These help parents discuss the important points in the book and character qualities displayed by the Katie and her family.

The book also includes instructions for making your own flowering cross which we have not done. I think it will be a great craft project that teaches too!

I was not reimbursed for my opinion, but was provided a complimentary copy of the book. I gave my honest opinion.

Just a side note...

Today Eli told me he had to go the the bathroom! Yes! This happened TWICE yesterday as well! I am so excited! For MONTHS Eli has used the potty when I have taken him, but never tells me, so this is a BIG deal! I am thrilled! There is hope!

We've come so far since almost a year ago when We started working on being comfortable with the toilet!

'Tis the Season

...for baking!


On my computer these pictures are right side up. I don't know what happened...

We took this plate along with dinner to friends who had a baby last week!

Eli's cookies (he ate frosting off as he worked) Eli loves to help me cook. His favorites- french toast and granola. He likes to sprinkle the cinnamon and put the bread in the gooey stuff.

So fun! More baking to come!

Cheese!

She is a sweetheart! And notice the beautiful quilt Jan from church made!

It doesn't look like he enjoys my kisses, but he does!

Me and my babies!

They love each other!

A Smile so Sweet

Carmody has recently started smiling and I caught one on camera. I love that girl!

Baby smiles are a very fine thing! Visit Amy's Finer Things to see more!

Measles? Chicken Pox? Lots of Spots!

My grandparents and great aunt came to Branson this last week. We had a great time, but Eli was in the midst of a virus, so this prohibited us from going out in public. We spent time at their condo, and got take out at our house, but no fun, touristy outings because my son was covered from head to toe in horrendous, red dots! Here are a few photos...

Dad-Dad and Eli with the cane!

Carmody- she has no spots, thankfully!

Eli had no other symptoms and his rash did not seem to itch,

but it made me sad just to look at him!

Carmody's Birth Story

My due date was August 26, which came and went with no baby. This was expected because Eli was 2 and 1/2 weeks late. I was a bit more anxious to have this baby, maybe because I was chasing a crazy 2 y/o around!

On Thursday, September 3, I was having lots of contraction in the evening. Not painful, but consistently 7-10 minutes apart. These lasted til about 5am on Friday. Then they stopped. I was very disappointed! I had an appointment with my OB that morning followed by a non-stress test because I was past my due date. They wanted to make sure Carmody was still doing well. All was normal and nothing was happening.

I was stressed out however because I wanted to have a baby. It seemed everyone else got to have their babies! There were announcements posted on signs in town and on facebook. I cried when I read them! On Friday evening I reluctantly went to Panera Bread with the women from church and was asked numerous times why I was there! Apparently I should have had a baby! While driving there I began to once again have consistent, but unpainful contractions. These continued for hours. I ate delicious food and chatted with some wonderful ladies, then drove home to go to bed, still pregnant!

At 2 am on Saturday, I woke up still having contractions. I could not sleep through these anymore, so I got up. I flipped through TV channels, checked facebook, and read about pregnancy, labor, and birth. At 5:30 I woke Andy up and told him we needed a plan because I was pretty sure I was having a baby. He got up, dressed, and put our stuff in the car. When Eli woke up about 6:30 we got him ready and decided to go to Branson Landing and walk.

My contractions were still 7 or 8 minutes apart and we didn't want to call anyone so early in the morning on Saturday. The Landing is right next to the hospital, so it was a great place to be. Upon arrival at the Landing we discovered a 5K about to begin and we saw many people we knew. I don't think most of the people believed that I was in labor because I was so happy. I was excited to be having a baby! After walking down and back my contractions were 3 or 4 minutes apart.

Andy decided we had to leave. It was about 8:15 am and we call our friends Ryan and Adrian to ask if they would pick up Eli at the hospital. At 8:45 we were upstairs in Labor and Delivery. It was a busy morning and the three labor/delivery/recovery rooms were occupied. We waited in an NST room for some moving and cleaning to take place.

Once again, I don't think the L&D staff believed I was really in labor, because I was so happy, but when the nurse check me I was dilated to a 6, almost 7 centimeters. We moved rooms and settled in to have a baby. Both Andy and I thought it would be fast, because when I got to that point with Eli it was only an hour or so till I had a baby. It took longer this time! This was probably good because the staff was busy delivering another baby and performing an emergency c-section on a preterm baby. I hadn't progressed much and the doctor tried to break my water, but Carmody's head was blocking the way and just a bit of the waters leaked out.

My parents got in to town about 1:30 pm and that is when I stopped being happy. During "transition", going from 8 to 10 centimeters, I was in horrendous pain. I used the birthing ball some. I was also given oxygen because I was hyperventilating. I wanted to quit, but that is not possible! This birth was 'all natural' with no pitocin or pain medication. At 2:45 I was able to push and I did, but not effectivly at first. I was given instructions and tried again.

At 2:59 pm on September 5, 2009, Carmody Lynn Zsiga was born. She weighed 7 pounds 12 ounces and was 20 inches long. She was beautiful and crying! Andy was able to cut the cord, which he wasn't able to with Eli because Eli wasn't breathing right away.

Announcing...

Carmody Lynn Zsiga

She was born Saturday, September 5, 2009 at 2:59 pm. She was 7 lbs 12 oz and 20 inches long.

I plan to write her birth story soon and will post it!

This is a very fine thing! To see more visit Amy's Finer Things.

Happy Birthday!

The weekend of Eli's birthday, Andy had plans to see the Royals play the Texas Rangers (his favorite MLB team) in Kansas City. My mom planned a party for Eli since we would be there. Here are some highlights of that weekend!

Eli and Grammy (his great-grandmother) We had lunch with her and Dad-dad!

Playing the harmonica from Great-Uncle Larry. This must have been funny because both my sister, Amanda, and I are laughing.

Playing with a gift! His tee! Eli loves ball!

More ball!

Opening the cars from Aunt Amanda! He was much more excited than he seems.

Our family was wonderful to come help us celebrate Eli's 2nd birthday. He had so much fun and everyone was more than generous!