Easter 2010

The Extraordinary eggs that Robert and Miranda Colored! No tablets this year. We mixed our own colors using food coloring, vinegar, and boiling water. Lots a fun!

Easter has brought us lots of new surprises and faces to the farm.

Firstly, starting Thursday we have had six eggs hatch from our own chickens in our electric hen. Three Turken x Barred Rocks that I am eager to see what happens with their feathering. They have all hatched as Turkens, but we will have to wait to see if they end up with barred feathering. One Black Austrolop x and one Buff Orpington x and Starlight (Kentucky Speck) & Baldie (Nankin) had an egg that hatched as well - that chick is almost all black which is not what we had expected at all as the Kentucky Speck is white with splashes of black and the Nankin is brown.

Stretch!

The last egg to hatch was an unexpected surprise. Usually we hear peeping the night before, but this little one didn't let us know a thing and was in the incubator all fluffed up on Easter morning.

Following the arrival of the new little Turken Easter Morning the children hunted eggs and baskets and Robert and I let out, fed, and watered the critters.

We went to church and came back for breakfast. Miranda rolled up the crescent rolls and we had eggs, sausage and cinnamon rolls ~ Yum!

There was one more egg to find so the search was on. Miranda spotted it first. Boy that bunny is tricky! He hopped up and put it in the wreath!

Off we went to Grandpa Terry's where we all had a wonderful day. The weather was just beautiful and we visited and let the children play. They are at a great age... but then isn't every age wonderful!

When we left my dad's we came home with a new special friend. A Shih-Tzu! She looks a lot like Shi-Anne, but with less of the brindle makings on her. Where Shi had a little brindle saddle she is white. She is just precious. Little Jamie took quite a liking to her too.

Little Jamie took quite a liking to her too!

We also came home with a little piano for James. He loves to bang on it.

Our little man is growing just so fast! He 'crawls' backwards not knowing how to go forward yet. Fits snugly in 12 mo and comfortably in 18 mo cloths and he is 8 (eight) months old today! What a butterball! As a matter of fact I made up a song for him that is sung to I'm a Little Tea Pot. He is going to Love me for it later, I know... It goes like this:

I'm a little butterball, short and stout

Here are my drumsticks, here are my wings (I move his legs and arms to the song here)

When I get all steamed up then I pout

Pick me up or I will SHOUT!

Grandma Comes to Visit

Hi all!

This video starts off with our latest critter finds and an observation tank then goes into James Patrick from day 10 thru six weeks old and on to Grandma Pat's visit over Labor Day weekend.

The background music is provided by our friends Nancy and Mike Micham artistically known as "Ez and Dill". They play a variety of tunes including Traditional Irish, Irish Flute, old Children's Songs and fun songs.

Our oldest two call Mike " The funny guy" and look for them every time we get up to the monthly festival at Bakers Creek in Mansfield. Robert has even been up on stage with them ... but that is another video for another posting once we either find our charger or purchase a new one. Yep, I lost our digital camera's battery charger just before baby James was born. I have no idea what I did with it. I'm sure it will show up shortly after I purchase a new one.

Enjoy the show!

James' First Nine Days ~ A Video Diary

James Patrick's first nine days

(looks like I got a video to play ~ finally ~ it is missing some of the 'fluff' that I put in the first one with the transition etc, but at least it uploaded properly this time.)

New Baby Pictures 3-20-09

Introducing...

Baby James Patrick Semyck

ya, ya, ya... I wasn't going to find out, but it was pretty obvious when she turned the camera on to measure his legs. Well, the 'turtle' was just there. We asked if there was a 'switch' that she could turn, but there isn't. Miranda was a bit disappointed at first, but she is all for helping out no matter the fact she is getting another baby brother. She even wants him to room with her!

Well, enjoy the pictures. Just click on any image to enlarge it on your screen.

He is having a lot of fun in here playing with his umbilical cord. Seems to enjoy making it like it is a mustache.

I tell you what... these new ultra sound machines are just so amazing. We could see all four chambers of his wee heart. Which by the way is the size of a pea. Hold out your hand... from the top of his head to his wee bottom is about that size! The tech was even able to check out some 'mommy' parts as well. Pretty cool!!!

Boy parts and tootsies

And here is his arm

More tootsies (ok... so, I have something with feet)

His spine and brain also look perfect. So far so good... no signs of spina bifida, downs or anything of the like. All the measurements the tech took show he is right on target for the August 5th due date. We'll see how long I hold out.

Now, I just have to make it through the next half of this without killing Bob or falling, etc.

Smiling for the camera

Profile

Baby Doctor Visit

Update on Baby

Everything is going well.

I'm still nauseous, but what is new?

I gained 4 pounds in the last four weeks for a total of seven pounds since mid December.

We are now officially entering the second trimester. So, I'm going to start relaxing a bit more.

Dr. Tricia heard my heart murmur and felt it was a bit strong so, I went to the hospital for an Echo yesterday as well. I've always had a heart murmur, it just has been so slight that no one has raised an eyebrow at it before. Anyway, it turns out that I have two valves that are regurgitating. The tricuspid and mitral. I'm not sure what that means for now... I will find out later next week when the cardiologist returns the verdict. It may be that they are leaking so slightly that it really isn't a big deal. I'm just glad I didn't hear from Dr. Tricia yesterday evening or today. That would have meant problems.

Anyway, the websites I have read sent me into the dull drums last night, but as I just wrote... today's weather made it all 'go away'.

The most important thing is that all the baby's vitals are looking good. S/he is growing well as is my uterus (Dr. had a hard time finding the wee one as she was swimming so high... heehee).

Well, I think I have covered everything now... bye again,

Wendy

Our Newest Peanut

Baby Semyck is due July 28th / August 5th

OK.... So, Dr. Benoist (http://searchdocs.stjohns.com/Profile.asp?start=1&numrecs=10&first=&keyword=&source=default&city=&last=&clinic=St.%20John's%20Clinic-Houston&zip=&specsearch=&pict_id=4230005) said the 28th a couple of weeks ago and then today's measurements say August 5th. I am going to bet July 24th only because I usually go early. She was looking right at us most of the time (upper right pic) but then did a little dance (she is already a ballerina!) and moved to the HER side. Dr. Tricia was laughing at us because Bob kept on saying 'he' and I was saying 'she'.

Oh, and I broke my pinkie toe on my right foot yesterday! Yippee! Fun, eh? Interesting bruising. This is a 48 hrs + after the fact. The swelling in the toe has gone down a lot and look at how that bruise migrated. Only the pinkie toe actully hurts and is still quite a bit red and swollen. A lighter bruise goes down in a semi circle toward the ankle along the outside of my foot as well.