Exciting News :-)

Lorena is going to be a big sister!  I'm currently just over 10 weeks along with Hiesterbaby.  We have been blessed to see baby's heartbeat at 6 weeks gestation, hear it again at 8 weeks, and see baby bouncing around just a few days ago at 10 weeks.  Baby waved at me at our last visit.  Can you believe we have technology to see God's miracle in a mother's womb this early?  Such an amazing sight to see baby waving at me when it is is barely an inch long and weighs less than a quarter of an ounce.  

Hiesterbaby shown at 10 weeks gestation

We are excited and happy but scared knowing my history of miscarriage and pre-term birth.  Some people suggest waiting until after the first trimester to announce a pregnancy.  Supposedly you are good to go after 12 weeks!  I have friends that have suffered miscarriages in first and second trimesters, and our nephew was taken to heaven when he was four.  And after having a preemie of our own, I have realized there really is no "safe zone."  We are just excited and ready to tell our news in hopes that people will pray for the pregnancy. With Lorena being born 12 weeks early, we are taking every precaution possible.  We did plan this pregnancy and visited the same doctor in Omaha who helped us get pregnant with Lorena.  She recommended me to a High Risk Ob/Gyn also in Omaha for my pregnancy. My first appointment with this doctor is in a few weeks

Prayers are welcomed and appreciated for this pregnancy.  A previous preterm birth is one of the biggest risk factors for having another premature baby.  In my case, the doctors didn't really know why I started pre-term labor but assumed it was due to some sort of infection.  Every pregnancy is different so we are hoping that this baby stays in full-term.  I have to admit that having another preemie is one of my biggest fears...and keeps me awake at night.  All I can do is pray and have faith in God that this time around things will be different.  

Meanwhile, things have started to get a bit busier with work.  I have thoroughly enjoyed several afternoon naps because Lorena and Hiesterbaby have been making me very tired.  Here are some pics of Lorena while I was attempting to write this blog.  She is into everything and has started climbing. 

Harvest, Update on Lorena, etc

It's been a slow few weeks in the crop insurance world in Central Kansas...and I am very thankful!  Things will pick up once harvest is complete but for now I have had some days to relax, get the house organized, catch up on book work, and hang out with Lorena.  It's been a good September and October so far.

Harvest is always a busy time for farmers and this year is no different.  We are done with soybean harvest but still have milo and corn to go.  Dan drills the wheat for his family.  We had 2 1/2 inches of rain several weeks ago which slowed down planting progress, but Dan finally finished up Sunday night.  Monday we had more rain which gave the farmers a much needed break.  Lorena and I had been spending lots of time together in the evenings so it was nice to have Dan in the house at 7:30 last night.  He had been out past 9 for weeks so I think he needed some rest too.  Dan enjoys farming so I try not to complain about the hours.  Harvest is only temporary.  But then again, I know I will never have a husband that comes in the house at 5 pm and expects supper by 5:30.  I don't think I would like to have a husband like that anyway.  Dan loves to tinker in the machine shop on rainy days and during the winter and I'm glad he can do it.  I also like my alone time and enjoy watching my tv shows (Dan likes to hog the remote control).  But the time we spend together is extra special when it happens.

Lorena is still growing up so fast and doing well!  She has four bottom teeth and three top teeth.  She has more hair and is getting blonder by the day.  She leaves a path of destruction wherever she goes.  Some of her favorite hobbies include playing in the dishwasher when I'm loading/unloading it, pulling the stuffing out of my couch cushions, chewing on my couch upholstery, pulling clothes out of the dryer, etc.  She is getting ready to walk by herself but still needs to hold onto a table or chair as she goes.  She just started clapping her hands when I say "clap Lorena" and she will wave bye to people when I tell her to wave.  We still are using a bottle.  She doesn't like a sippy cup.  I've tried all the different transition cups and she seems to hate all of them.  She refuses to be fed with a spoon so she self feeds at every meal.  She still loves cheese, crackers, bananas, noodles, graham crackers, and puffers.

Being adventurous

At the pumpkin patch

My pretty girl in purple

No more Chipotle for me!

I used to love Chipotle but then I saw their new ad campaign that demonizes American farmers and our way of life.  I actually had a burrito just a few weeks ago and I highly regret spending a dime at that restaurant.  If you haven't seen the video, please take a few minutes and watch it below.




I have shared some thoughts on facebook threads but thought I would reiterate my feelings in my blog.  Also, please read my sister's blog at http://www.cox-farm.com/dear-chipotle-i-am-the-face-of-the-industrial-producer/.  Her blog's goal is to put a face to the industrial producer that is condemned in the video.  I thought she communicated her thoughts perfectly!

The video made me want to throw up because it is full of inaccuracies and scare tactics.  The most infuriating part of it for me was seeing the "sad cows" raised in factories.  As a rancher's wife, I know how hard my husband works to keep our cows happy.  Sometimes it feels like he spends more time with them than he does with Lorena and me!  They are fed a healthy ration of corn, hay, and other crops harvested from our fields.  They graze on lush pastures 6 months of the year.  During the winter, the cows getting ready to have babies are our top priority.  The calves born each spring are our paycheck for the year.  Therefore, we do everything in our power to keep the momma cows safe and make sure each calf is born healthy.  Yes, these calves may be given some hormones to help them grow strong, and yes, they may be given antibiotics and medicine to stay healthy.  But the consumer has to realize that everything we do is to keep the cattle healthy and "happy."  Unhealthy cows = unhappy cows = unprofitable ranchers = unhappy ranchers.  Makes sense right?

The video suggests that cattle are grown in factories.  The only time cattle are taken to a factory is for processing.  The media has turned the word "processed" into a dirty word. Yes, there are some types of meat that probably shouldn't be eaten.  Some chicken cuts are turned into nuggets and hot dogs are made from such a hodgepodge of different types of animals that I tend to steer clear of them.  This commercial suggests that all meat is made into these processed products. ALL animals must be "processed" before they hit the store and reach the consumers plate. Processed means humanely slaughtered, cut into the different cuts that people enjoy, and safely packaged and either frozen or refrigerated and taken to the store. This "process" is not evil. Even our own farm raised beef calves have to be processed. We load the calf into a trailer, and take it to the processing plant an hour away where it is slaughtered, cut the way we like it, and ready for pick up in about a week. We are very fortunate since we know exactly where our meat comes from.  I think it is important for consumers to know where food comes from, but these ridiculous ad campaigns from companies like Chipotle couldn't be further from the truth.

My only hope is that American consumers are smart enough to realize the lies in this campaign. If you have any questions please ask a real farmer or rancher and we will try our best to answer your questions. Farmers care most about raising their animals the right way and take great pride in the "process" of knowing quality meat will end up on someone's dinner plate. I just can't see how this advertisement does anything but condemn American Farmers who provide food for the world. 




Sad Cows

Oh my, processed beef! 

Evil factory farmers



1st Birthday

Lorena's first birthday has come and gone.  It just doesn't seem real that she can be 1 year old.  We had a big party at the house for her several weekends ago.  She got way too many presents and got to have her first cupcake!  My favorite is chocolate so that is what I decided she should try...

Excited for her party!

 

cake made by me with guidance from the ladies of Our Daily Bread

Dwayne and Uncle Danny frying fish

with Aunt Addie



Passed out after the party with Aunt Maria

 

hanging with her Illinois cousins Henry and Max

Lorena continues to reach her milestones.  We had our one year NICU follow up visit on September 10.  They were very impressed with her progress.  The doctor said he wished all preemies turned out as well as Lorena.  The nurse then chimed in and said that babies like her are the reason they don't get depressed coming to work everyday.  We have been so blessed with Lorena's progress.  I realize that all preemies have struggles and that it isn't right to compare them.  It almost makes me feel guilty that she has done well but I know I just need to be thankful for what God has given us.  She weighed 23.8 pounds and was 28 3/4 inches long.  She is in 18 month clothes.  We also got to see some of the doctors and nurses that cared for her.  They were amazed at her weight, big blue eyes, blonde hair, and tan complexion.  I'm weird, but I really enjoy these return trips to the NICU.  I'm just glad I can take Lorena with me when we leave.

 

Lorena is going to be very stubborn like her Daddy!  She refuses to eat baby food.  She has to pick up food with her fingers and hold her bottle by herself.  She really likes puffers, yogurt bites, oranges, applesauce, cheese, crackers, and graham crackers.  The NICU doc also suggested switching her to whole milk.  We tried this for a week but I just didn't think she had been acting like herself.  She has been fussy, spitting up milk (I can count on one hand how many times she spit up as an infant so this is very out of the ordinary), diaper rash, pimples on her face, rash on her face, cold, and cough.  The doctor found she had an ear infection and thinks she is allergic to cows milk.  This could be genetic, as Dan had to drink goat's milk as a baby since he was so allergic to dairy.  We aren't getting a goat anytime soon so hopefully soymilk does the trick.

 



Where did July go?

July has been over for seven days now and I really am still trying to figure out where it went.  This summer has seemed so crazy for us.  I have been busy with wheat claims all summer.  We were very fortunate to have wonderful wheat in our area.  However, farmers west of us had average to below average yields due to drought stress and freeze damage from the spring.  I have been spending a lot of time in Phillipsburg and Osborne this year which leads to some very long days for me.  Dan is usually pretty good to pick up the slack while I'm gone, and we have awesome help from Aunt Laura and cousin Heather.

We finished wheat harvested July 5.  Here are some pictures from 2013 harvest.

We got a Subaru Outback in March.  I love it. 

With Grandpa Ernie

with Uncle John

Proud to be a Hiesterman! :-)

Happy 4th of July.  Lorena spent her day in the wheat field with her family.

Playing on the bale

My fave

Having fun with Daddy

Moving to our last field

with Cousin Jordan

Charity's first wheat harvest

Wonderful wheat!  So blessed with a bountiful crop.

Red combine hard at work

 We were in Kansas the first two weekends of July but had parties and a lake trip.  We love going to the lake and got in one full day of boating and two nights of camping.  Lorena even stayed with us one night in our camper.  She's a trooper...we basically take her around wherever we go and she always seems to have a good time!  We traveled to Illinois July 18-21 for a friend's wedding.  Jennifer Wolf (better known as Wolfie) and Jaysen Delpiere were married July 20.  It was a wonderful day for them and we all had a great time helping them celebrate.

Also got to see our cousins and ride the Gator

Mom and Dad watched Lorena so we could stay out later at the wedding.

 Lorena has been a busy bee in July.  She figured out how to crawl and pull up on furniture in July.  Wow my floor is dusty.  Oh well, we live on a farm and there's lots of dust.  Please refer back to my post about dirt from several months ago.

Hanging out before I head off to work

Lorena also outgrew her size 12 month clothes in July (she pretty much stayed in this size for about a month and a half).  She is still on formula and has been eating so much recently.  She loves sweet potatoes, meat, applesauce, peaches, and peas.  I even made some homemade chicken baby food from some chicken breasts.  She really seems to like that.  We recently introduced some table foods like mashed potatoes, cut up bananas, pork ribs (thanks Uncle Kevin!), and ice cream in very small quantities.  She also loves Gerber puffers! She is now wearing mostly 18 month clothes.  Not sure how that happened either but she must have had a major growth spurt.  Lorena now loves to stand up and can balance herself against a toy or crib.  I can see her Dad's ornery streak in her already.

Lorena is doing great.  We go back for a 1 year NICU checkup in September.  I am so anxious for all the doctors and nurses to see her progress.  She amazes us everyday.  As always, we are very proud to be her parents. ~ Lydia

I'm Guilty

I feel guilty...it's been almost two months since I did a blog update!  I promise to try to to better in the future.  My dad has been bugging me to do another blog post so here it is Dad!

I have always had a major guilt complex.  I feel guilty for lots of reasons, sometimes I even feel guilty that I am not feeling guilty about something!  Right now I am feeling guilty for drinking a Diet Mountain Dew for a mid morning snack and for not working on paperwork for my job (I'm actually waiting on some calls back from farmers and for them to email me some documents).  I am also feeling guilty for not playing with my daughter (I hear her laughing with her Crazy Aunt Lola in the living room).  I'm supposed to be in my office working but it is hard to not go and play with them!  Must resist and try to focus.  As I was saying, I do feel guilty about not blogging for a few months.  I hate starting something and not finishing it, so like I said before, I promise to write more often.

Summer is definitely my busy time for work.  I spent 6 days in Goodland, Kansas working wheat claims over the past few months.  The drought is so severe out there, I have never seen anything like it.  Late spring freezes also killed what was left of a stand.  Here is a picture of a typical wheat field near Tribune, KS.  It doesn't even look like the field was ever planted.

Got to see Mount Sunflower.  The highest point in Kansas!

We celebrated my first Mothers Day with Dan's family.  We flew kites, ate some fried chicken, and enjoyed a few beverages.  Cindy got the old camper out for the day.  

Memorial Day Weekend was extra special because it was Kaden's Memorial Walk.  My wonderful and beautiful friend Angela drove all the way from Wisconsin to visit Lorena and participate in the walk.  She is Lorena's God Mother.  We were random roommates freshman year at U of I and we have been close ever since.  Lorena also went for her first shopping cart ride that weekend.  I was proud of myself for not freaking out about all the germs.

The next weekend Maria came to visit.  It is always great to see her.  We took Lorena to the parade at Days of 49 in Hanover and saw some friends, and even went to Lake Milford for a day.  Thanks so much to my mother in law for taking care of Lorena so we could go boating.

The next weekend was the Linn Picnic.  It is definitely the event of the year!  Linn Picnic is special to me because Dan brought me to it in 2006.  It was the first time I had ever been to Linn.  I got to meet some of his family and friends, and it was when I fell more in love with Dan and with Washington County!  Linn Picnic is always a good time.  Lorena hung in there for all 3 days, through the parade, Figure 8 Race, and Demo Derby.  Lorena also went for her first swim in the Linn Pool that weekend with our good friend Traci.

The next weekend Lorena and I made a trip to Illinois.  Lorena got to ride in the hay cutter with Aunt Maria, see lots of family and friends, and take her first ride in the Gator with Grandpa.  I also got to celebrate Julie and Wolfie's bachelorette parties!  I couldn't find the picture of Julie's, but here is a pic of me and Wolfie at the MudSling.

 The next weekend we did the Hanover Fireworks, hung out with Daddy in the shop, and then celebrated Aunt Kate's "38th" birthday (at least according to her son William).  Grandpa Ernie also gave Lorena her first ice cream.

Last weekend I traveled to Illinois for Julie and Sam's Wedding.  I got to see the usual crowd, Maria, Springer, Wolfie, Jaysen, Sam, and Julie.  It is always good to get together and celebrate!  Cindy kept Lorena once again since I thought it would be too much of a trip on her.  Dan also stayed in Kansas due to wheat harvest. I drove almost 900 miles in two days, so it was a quick trip.

Ok my head is spinning from being so busy.  Hopefully the rest of the summer will calm down.  Lorena has met several milestones since I wrote last.  Her first tooth popped through around May 3 when she was almost 8 months old.  She now has two bottom teeth and her top ones are getting ready to poke through any day.  Lorena started on level one baby food in late April and is now eating level 2 foods.  We transitioned her off preemie formula and onto regular formula.  I stopped pumping after 7 1/2 months.  I was proud of myself for making it that far.  Lorena also started crawling around the 9 month point.  She started out at an army crawl but now can lift herself and move across the room.  She is growing up way too fast.  In May we had a checkup and her PDA (heart murmur) had closed which was awesome news.  However she now has a atrial septal defect which needs to be checked every 6 months.  It is a form of heart defect that enables blood flow between the two compartments of the heart. Apparently this isn't too big of a concern but still needs some monitoring.  She also had her 9 month check up in June.  She weighed in at 20 pounds 12.4 ounces and is 28 inches long.  This puts her at the 75 percentile for weight and 50 percentile for height!  

As you can tell I've been busy with work, traveling, and taking care of Lorena.  Wheat harvest is in full swing and I also feel guilty for not helping in the field, but I know I'm needed here at home and at my job.  I have finally updated my blog so that guilt has been lifted!  Next up is my post about wheat harvest so stay tuned.  Thanks for reading as always. ~ Lydia