More pictures

It's probably the main reason you come here anyway, right? To see pictures! If there is anyone still left that visits. I know I don't post as often as I would like but they blocked us from any blogs on my work computer...not that I ever had time to read blogs...but if I did it would be at work-more down time there than at home with 2 little ones! Oh, yes I realize it is almost x-mas but I found these pics on a memory card I apparently forgot to download and I thought they were pretty cute! Tara was a butterfly, Kali was a baby jaguar, Mila was a fairy/angel, and Audrey was a lion.

Tara is looking through her binoculars!

Some pics to hold you over...

Okay, so here are some pictures until I have some more time to post. I am going back to work Monday against my better judgement (a whole other post....) so I am not sure when I will have time to update. I will try to upload more pictures in the meantime. Enjoy!


Kali is smiling and cooing a lot these days! I love it!



Just the girls!




A few from Kali's newborn pictures.

Tara being goofy with Aunt Robin. She was a great help that day with Tara and getting her to smile and laugh. She's not a fan of pictures unless they are on her terms!

Little Girls Are So Much Fun...

We thought we'd have another one!!!

We couldn't be happier about our newest additon to our family. We welcomed Kali Reese on September 21, 2009 at 10:43 am. She weighed in at 6 pounds 8 ounces and was 19 inches long.

The delivery went very well and we were able to come home the following day. Since we have been home Kali sleeps much of the day, only waking to eat and be changed. This gives me time to rest and play with big sister Tara. Tara is handling not being the only child anymore quite well so far. She always wants to know where the baby is and what she is doing. Besides picking her up from her bouncy seat within an hour of us coming home she is very gentle with her and gives her lots of kisses!

Before having Kali, I was honestly afraid I wouldn't love her as much as I did Tara, right away anyway. I have gotten to know and bond with Tara for 2 1/2 years and she is my baby. I was worried that I would always view the new baby as second in line. I was very relieved that the moment I had Kali, I was in love all over again. She is such a good baby and I couldn't be happier that Tara has a sister to grow up with. It's kind of weird but I almost love being a mom of 2 even more than 1. (not that I didn't love being a mom before, I did) I wonder what it would be like with 3....

Recent Tara-isms:

-"Daddy, you're a genious!"

- After explaining to her that we have the same middle name, she replied "That's so cool! Gimme Five!"

-"Mommy can't pick me up. Her belly hurts cuz the baby came out."

-Whenever we tell her she can't have something or tell her no, she always says "I'll do it later then." or "Later I can do it."

-"I am really strong!"

-"I am a very good climber."

Baby Update

* An ultrasound yesterday showed that baby Tencza weighs about 5 pounds 11 ounces which is 6 more ounces than Tara was when she was born at 38 weeks. I am 37 weeks now so this one might prove to be a little bit bigger. I don't see my doctor until next Friday again but she predicts the week of the 20th (a possible 21st induction but nothing certain yet) She has already told me that going full term is out of the question but 38 or 39 weeks is good. I am starting to swell quite a bit in my feet and hands so I am thinking she'll end up inducing me, especially if my BP goes up again like with Tara.

*I started work again last Tuesday. It was a little more difficult going back than I anticipated. My students seem great but my energy level is low. My back and feet are killing me by the afternoon. I am sure I should be sitting down more than I am but the first week of school is so busy, it is hard to do. Thank goodness I do not teach Kindergarten! I don't think I would have been able to go back to work. I think that next Friday (the 18th) will be my last day with students until my return from maternity leave. I am still not sure when I will be back. It's a battle I have yet to fight with "The Boss". By "The Boss", I do not mean my boss at work. Unfortunately, George thinks that I should be able to return to work six weeks after a child whom I have kept inside me for 9 months (a majority of that time not being able to see my feet or keep bodily functions in), decides to come barreling out of my special place, demands to be fed every 2 hours, does not recognize day from night, whose big sister also refuses to sleep at appropriate times without bribes and incentives, I could go on...and come to work to educate 26 innocent children whose parents have trusted that I teach them neccessary 5th grade things before moving on to middle school. I, on the other hand, feel that in order to do all of my jobs (wife, mother, teacher, friend, daughter...) I need to go back when I feel I can handle them all without completely losing it, or my job! Sorry MEN, but you will never understand what it's like to be a mom, and maybe that's okay with you, but also don't try to make decisions about things like this unless you are fully ready to be splitting the work load! I have heard a thousand times how much my wonderful husband does not like newborns so I am not sure why he would want to sign up for the night time feeding and changing part?! Needless to say it is still up for discussion according to me. He still believes he's "The Boss" and can make decisions he clearly knows nothing about. We'll see about that!

*Disclaimer: The previous paragraph is not to degrade George's ability as a good dad or husband. He is both. He continues to amaze me with his patience with Tara and this could be that she has him wrapped around all 10 of her fingers. Regardless, he is great with her and she adores him. He is also very good at his job. So good, in fact, that he still has time to fly RC airplanes, shoot his new bow, play video games, and hang out with his friends. I am very proud of him for having the courage to start his own business and expand it in a way that supports his family. He has worked very hard in the last 10 years to get where he is now.

Some Pictures

I thought I would share some pictures from our busy summer. We are currently working on the baby's room and moving the office downstairs. Obviously George has to be involved in most of that as I can't be lifting and moving things. So I am left to listen to his moaning and complaining: "I hate painting" " I don't even like babies!" "Are you sure you can't help?" "Don't tell me where to put my stuff." "Why does this 'thing' need 6 places to sleep when it's only 4 pounds?"
Needless to say it's been a real treat the last week to live here! I am also trying to get ready for school and attending meetings and creating lesson plans. Thankfully my mom offered to take Tara up north for a few days so I could attend to doctor appts. and last minute prepping for work and the new baby. She literally woke up this morning singing "I'm going up north, I'm going up north" so that helped in the saying goodbye part when they came to pick her up. I know she loves it up there and asks to go all the time. I just hope I don't miss her so much that I drive up there to pick her up that will include a stop at Birch Run! That could be dangerous!

Current baby update: Last week's ultrasound baby weighed in at 4 pounds 11 ounces. So far my fluid looks great and I am starting to dilate and thin out(sorry if that's TMI for some of you). My doctor has not scheduled anything for the time being as the baby continues to be happy on the inside. As much as I want the baby to continue to grow, I am getting more and more uncomfortable and ready to be done! My doc is guessing around the 21st of September if not before!
Anyway, back to the pictures.

The six Tencza grandkids taken at Gavin's b-day party in July.


Just the girls!




Fourth of July weekend. A little snooze on the boat!

In the water with Daddy

A nice treat from the neighbor with cousin Katie.

Belly pic taken some time in July I think!

A passed out little girl.

Sitting with Olivia and Mila up north.

Up way past her bedtime because she doesn't want to miss anything!

Fishing with Uncle Christopher and Mila.

Getting sleepy! The fish aren't biting today!

Burying Mila in the sand in her new sand box.

A little picnic in the driveway after attempting the slip and slide. She didn't quite get how it was supposed to work and I couldn't exactly show her...

Best pals, Brandy and Yager. Tara loves playing with them. We had Brandy at our house while my parents went to Tennessee to see Uncle Kyle.

The pictures are a little out of order and I am waiting for Armada Fair pictures as well as some pictures of Uncle Kyle and Tara dancing at his friend's wedding. So there are some super cute ones to come!

Snapshot

While our internet is being upgraded and changed I thought I would just give a little snapshot of what we have been up to. Hopefully the new internet will be up and running shortly and I'll be able to add some pictures.

* Baby news: My placenta continues to look "old" and therefore requires weekly ultrasounds to check the fluid and bloodflow. I still attend to NST's twice a week and I have one more doc appt. before those become weekly as well. Thanks goodness it is summer and I don't have to work. I am not sure how I would fit all of this in! My doctor says she won't let me go past 39 weeks as it is highly unlikely my placenta will last that long but since I have received the steroid shots she will be happy with anything after 36 weeks. I am aiming for 38 weeks as that was how far along I was with Tara. I also want to go back to work for a week or 2 so I can spend more time at home with the new baby. Currently Baby T weighs in at 3 pounds 13 ounces.

*Tara continues to amaze me everyday with her language and interpretations of things. The other day my FIL was over and he asked her if she was ready for the new baby. Her reply: "I think I will get my bathing suit and go up north!" Too funny! She is getting better at trying new food or we are making her eat what we eat for dinner or no popcicle, cookie, cake, etc....whatever...I was tired of making different dinners for her every night and remembered that I am the MOM so I am the boss. It's amazing how easy it is to forget that just to save an argument! I have learned to pick my battles in life and in parenting.

*I am enjoying my time at home being a mom and tending to the house. I am growing more tired as the scale keeps climbing but I am thankful for the mild summer. (until this week that is!) I need to get in my classroom to set that up in the next few weeks. School will be here before we know it! I am a little bummed we didn't get to do more vacations this summer with Tara but luckily she is happy just playing outside on her swingset or going to visit friends. Maybe next year we can squeeze in a few more getaways and perhaps one just for mom and dad!

FYI (I got this from another blog I read and had to post it on mine as well.)

http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/121/3/619

Check out this website on car seat safety.

Here is another one that hits a little closer to home. http://www.kyledavidmiller.org/
It's very sad but could have possibly been avoided had he been in a 5-point harness car seat.
Mommy Katie says it a lot better here. http://hoytbabyblog.blogspot.com/2009_07_01_archive.html
This is where I learned of the information. Where would we be without the Internet people!

Needless to say I think I will be keeping Tara in a 5-point harness as long as I can. Also, since she only weighs 24 pounds I think it will be safer for her anyway.

Catching up with July fun!


Some art projects that Tara enjoys doing.

Here she is painting a birdhouse for Papa Tencza for Father's Day. She really liked purple so I hope the birds do too!

Here she is finger painting. I did a close up of how exactly how dirty she lets herself get!

She is very particular to use one finger at a time and once all 5 fingers have paint on them I have to wash them! She does not like getting dirty at all!

She's a master at polkadots!

Yes, I let her drink from the outside faucet. Come on, we've all done it, if not from the hose too!

She really enjoyed it!

Baby Update:

At my OB office they always do an ultrasound at 17-20 weeks and then again at 32 weeks. At Tara's 32 week ultrasound the doc noticed that her stomach was small compared to her head. What this meant was that the placenta was not working 100% and it was like she was on a diet! Talk about girls starting earlier and earlier with weight issues! Jeez! She explained that our bodies do the same thing when we diet - our stomach shrinks. There is really nothing you can do to prevent it or help it. With Tara I had another ultrasound at 36 weeks and then again 2 days before she was born. In those 2 weeks she had only gained like 6 ounces if I remember correctly. That's only 3 ounces a week where most babies are gaining 8-16 ounces. So because of that history I had an ultrasound with this one at 28 weeks and it was in the 10th percentile for size. My doctor decided to take early precautions and give me steroids to develop the lungs in case the placenta is not fully working and the baby needs to come out early than planned. I also have NST's twice a week and will have ultrasounds bi-weekly to check the fluid and growth. I am hoping to know more after my next ultrasound and doc appointment. My last appt. was kind of crazy and it seemed things were happening so fast I really didn't know what questions to ask. So of course I looked it up on the internet to find out more info. I could have done without that I think! I was finding women who delivered as early as 31 weeks b/c their fluid was low and/or the baby wasn't growing. I will be 31 weeks next week! Yikes! I feel pretty good that I won't be going that early as the fluid wasn't a problem with Tara. I also spoke to the nurse who gave me the steroid injection and her all 3 of her daughter's babies had this placenta problem. They were delivered at 36, 35, and 34 weeks but are all happy and healthy now. She explained how the doctor figures that if they are not being fed inside you then they are better off outside where they can get nourishment. I also hate feeling like I am somehow starving my baby and forcing it to be on a diet! I am the one who could stand to lose a few pounds! I know that it isn't my fault but it's still difficult to feel helpless when it comes to your kids. You mom's know what I am talking about!

All for now-more to come!

Random Pics

My Godaughter Katie and her momma came over for a playdate and I got some cute pics of the girls together.

My nieces Mila and Audrey came over one day while their parents went shopping and girls played in the wheat. Audrey had fun riding the tricycle.

I tried to get some cute shots of Tara in the new skirts I got but she hates her picture taken!

This is when she first put it on so the only reason she looks happy is because she loves being a girly girl and twirling in dresses!

Big Girl!

A couple of other blogs I follow also recently wrote about potty training so I guess this is right on track! I knew I wanted to start training as soon as I was out of work. It was perfect timing with having all summer off and the new baby arriving sometime in late September. My goal was to have only one in diapers at a time. It looks very possible that I will get my way on this one. I followed a potty training method that a friend of my sister-in-law used on her 2 year old. It has worked beautifully but I have to say that potty training is right up there on my "crappy things people don't tell you about having kids" list along with the newborn stage. I remember being nervous about bringing Tara out of the house when she was really little. I was scared I would forget something important like a bottle (which I did do once but luckily first on our to-do list was Babies R Us) or a pacifier or that she would start crying uncontrollably and I wouldn't know how to make her stop. I remember the very first trip I took out of the house with her. I decided that the furthest I could go was 26 mile road which is about 25 minutes away, give or take a few. I wanted to go to Target and Kohl's. I swear Target calls for me if I don't visit it at least once a week! Well, Target went smoothly but before I went to Kohl's I needed to feed her. It is probably the end of March by now so it was still quite cold. I sat in the back of the durango to feed my less than one month old who weighs 6 or 7 pounds. As many of you know, as soon as you feed a newborn you find yourself also changing them. She was so small that I could change her on my lap. Bad time for a blowout! I had to change her clothes now. By this point, I am sweating from all the moving and changing and hoping no one is watching me. We get in to Kohl's safely and about a half hour in, she wants to eat again! I found a changing room that was empty and fed her. I am not even sure I bought anything! It seemed like a big hassle to take her out of the house to accomplish nothing. Of course things got easier once I got a handle on it. Okay, why am I telling you this?? Oh yeah, after potty training I felt quite the same nervousness to go out of the house. ( I am still getting used to this) What if she poops her pants in the middle of the store and it's the messy kind?? What if she pees in her car seat? What if she has to go while we are in transit and there is no where to stop? All of these things run through my head and you know what? She is actually BETTER when we are out and tells me when she has to go and everything! I am sure there will be days that are not so good and one of those terrible things that I mentioned happens but for now I can say I feel pretty good about taking her out. Of course I keep a potty chair in the back of the care, pack plenty of extra clothes, and I put a lap pad in her car seat just for ease of mind. Okay, that was a really long post about potty training, sorry.

Here are some pictures of when I straightened Tara's hair by blow drying it. Needless to say she looks completely different. But don't worry, her hair is exactly the oppposite of mine. Within an hour, her curls were coming back and after naptime they were here to stay! My hair after being curled is straight within an hour! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted but I don't think I will be wasting my time blow drying it anytime soon. Besides, I like the curl better. It is something I always wish I had so I will enjoy hers!




You can see here the curl making it's way back in!

Catching up!

It has been a long time since the last post so I am going to try to catch up as best I can. I thought I would be able to keep up with this but the end of the school year is so busy I found it low on the priority list and then of course summer started.

In May we took Tara to the zoo and she absolutely loved it! I think I have George talked in to going to the Toledo zoo which I hear is awesome! Hopefully that trip will be sooner than later as my belly continues to grow and my normal activities continue to be lessened and more difficult.

Ready to go!
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On our way.
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The butterfly house was Tara's favorite.
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She also loved the water fountain.


Tara enjoyed stopping to the smell the flowers. Probably something we could all learn from!

The end of the trip was spent riding in style!

This is just a random picture from the park in Allenton. She is still not a fan of swings but enjoyed it for a little bit.

As promised, a belly pic. This is at 17 weeks so yes it is a little behind! I will share my latest one as soon as I take it! I have lots more to share including my 2nd row, NKOTB concert!!! Stay tuned!