that explains a lot!

It's no secret this pregnancy has really taken a toll on me. I've been exhausted and barely keeping up with my family and responsibilities, not to mention all the friends I have that think I hate them due to my lack of social interaction.

In July I asked my doctor about my fatigue, as it has been more than I experienced with the other pregnancies. The nurse and doctor each have four kids and assured me that it was quite normal to be much more tired with the 4th baby. After all, I'm chasing 3 other kids around and keeping up with a lot more. I accepted that answer and went on feeling yucky.

Last week I had routine blood work done including my glucose test. My glucose test came abck fine, but the complete blood work was done. I got a call the next day that I have extremely low iron levels and need to start immediately on supplements to keep me from becoming completely anemic.

I asked if this could be related to why I have been so fatigued and had trouble completing everyday tasks and was given the answer of a most definite yes. I was so glad to hear it wasn't in my head!

I looked up the symptoms of iron deficiency and found:

fatigue
shortness of breath
trouble Catching breath
dizziness (have had several near fainting dizzy spells)
headaches
irritability
trouble concentrating
etc...

I have been having every symptom I found on every web site where I read about it.
I am not glad that I am borderline anemic. I am however glad that I have a possible solution to improve how I've been feeling. So the plan for the rest of this pregnancy . . . PUMP SOME IRON, of course!

bummed

The end of summer is always such a downer for me. I love my kids company and would love to have them around all the time. I miss them when they are at school and really wish I had it in me to home school them this year. I was soooo close to doing it, but decided it just wouldn't be fair to them right now. They are such bright kids and deserve to have the full attention of a teacher. I am the first to admit that I don't have that full attention to give right now.
So, off to school they go tomorrow. I'll secretly wipe the tears from my eyes and smile and cheer them on, because I know that this is the path that's best for us right now.

I sure hope those teachers recognize the precious little packages we're entrusting to them. I hope they see their strengths and give them the love and support they deserve. I hope my kids have a great year at school!

Pueblo park fun

The kids and I enjoyed our visit to the Pueblo park this summer with Grandma Kathy, Uncle Rob and Annabelle. The rides are always a fun treat and the weather was nice for some running and playing. We got in some soccer playing, frisbee throwing, running races and regular old playing at the park together.

Brooke started off the rides with a fast moving, spinning ride. She and Annabelle loved it so much that they decided to go again. That turned out to be not such a great idea and she spent the rest of the evening feeling a little under the weather... :-(
Austin and Cam had lots of fun riding rides and particularly liked the little roller coaster that they went in 3 times in a row.

Always a pleasure to have the company of Rob & Annabelle!

Cameron was in heaven with so many little rides that were geared toward kids just his size!

Cam loves his Ubcle "Wob." Hey, what's not to love??

Rob entertained us with his acrobatics on the grass in the park.

The kids had a great time hanging out with Grandma! Thanks for a fun outing Grandma.

We love you!

4th of July Camping

We actually slept in a "cabin" but this camping trip was one of our best ever... it consisted of a little . . .

fire cooking, four wheeler riding, marshmallow roasting, dirt digging, fish catching, rock climbing, lake swimming, dog walking, fire chatting, animal watching, firework watching, out house using, stick collecting, moth swatting, bear looking, fresh air breathing, tree carving, stump sitting, picnicing, delicious food eating and lots of great family bonding time.

Turkey Tracks. . . thanks for your hospitality.

We hope to come back soon.

Fun times visiting

We sure had a wonderful time visiting in Colorado this summer. Just a few little shots of some of our favorite times with Ry & Mels fam. . . . Brooke and Mel canoeing the blue lake

Cam with Mel on our fabulous beach day, so great, the kids didn't want to leave. They had lots of fun building castles in the sand. Too bad the battery died before we could get any great pics of their creations. It was beautiful weather and great company which made for an all around very nice day!

Ryan and Mel introduced us to our very first drive in movie! It was a fun time and we enjoyed the first show a lot. We saw Toy Story 3... which was a great movie. We had fun making lots and lots of popcorn to bring with us. Austin might have eaten a little too much of it, since the evening ended with him puking out the window of the car and begging to go home. :-( Poor guy. We sure had lots of fun anyway though!

Brooke loved looking through the hair books with her "Auntie Watermelon" and coming up with just the perfect style. It was a great little date and she is thrilled with her new hair cut!

Also on the list of fun . . Elitch gardens, trampoline jumping, rock band jamming, hide and seek playing, crazy frog singing, boat building, and lots of quality time with some of our favorite people ever...

Thanks for all the fun Smith Fam, we miss you guys!!