5 years ago

5 years ago I was 39weeks and 5 days pregnant with our second child. It was a Friday. I was scheduled to be induced after lunch. I took A to the babysitter like any other day, so that she could get her nap, etc. I went to work for half a day, met B for lunch at Wendy's, and then headed to the hospital to be induced. I had gone to the hospital the Sunday before with inconsistent contractions and was sent home after a couple of hours (despite the fact that I was already dialated 3cm and was carrying a "big" baby). The doctor on call went along with inducing me for no other reason than that my daddy was going to be out of town for the day on Saturday, and I knew that if we did not then this baby would come then. This was the same doctor who was on call Sunday night, but didn't even come to the hospital. The same one I saw in the office on Thursday (because they thought for sure I would have the baby before then). And was the same doctor on call Friday. Go figure! She REALLY did not want to induce me, but oh well, she did.
We got to the hospital around 1pm. We got paperwork filled out, and were sent to our room. When I called that morning to make sure there was room for me I asked for a specific nurse. This was a friend of mine who I cheered with in high school. Luckily, she was working and they let me have her. YIPEE! Off to a good start. By the time we started induction, I was 4cm...but I was not feeling a contraction at all. By 5pm I was 10cm and ready to go...and the doctor didn't want to deliver yet. My body was ready...too bad baby decided to play flip flop on us. Two weeks prior baby was head down, face down and ready for action. We thought this delivery would be pretty quick. Boy, were we wrong. After two hours of pushing and my epidural wearing off, the doctor decided to redo the epidural. Another 30 minutes of pushing and we were making no progress. The doctor was getting a little frazzled by this point...she was sure I was not ready (already proved that wrong), and that the baby was no more than 8 1/2 pounds. Well, exhaustion finally took over. I could not push much longer, so I let them use the suction. Two tries later and progress was being made. Only, then did they realize that baby was face up (better known as "sunny side up") and somewhat stuck. The doctor then made the comment, "I think I just broke the clavical (not sure of spelling)", and that was it for me. I was hysterical. I broke the baby and I was not pushing again. The doctor was deperate at this point. I remember her jumping on my bed and yelling at me that I had to do what she said so we could get the baby out. YES Ma'am. I did! And finally, at 7:47pm, our beautiful second daughter, R was born. She weighed 9lbs 4oz (B called it right on the dot), and was over 21 inches long. No hair whatsoever, but still just as gorgeous. We were in love. After all checks, no clavical was broken. The doctor was more spent than I was, and made the comment to me "I told you we should have delivered earlier this week". If I could have moved, I would have tackled her. She was really not expecting that big of a baby. Can you imagine if she would have not induced?

Now that chunky monkey is 5. She is skinny and finally has a head full of hair that can finally be put into a ponytail. It has taken this long. R is our comedian. She keeps us laughing. She loves to dress up and dance to High School Musical. She cannot wait to go to kindergarten and ride the bus like her big sister. She loves being the big sister too! A job that she takes very seriously.

R, we love you and are so proud of you!

Happy 5th Birthday, R!

This is R getting ready to go to school this morning. She got to be the snack leader today! She was so excited!

Beautiful day and Sidewalk Paint

Monday was such a beautiful day that the girls and I went outside after lunch and played. We blew bubbles, rode bicycles and chased M around the yard. M really loved it. This was her first time really playing in the yard with the big girls. Usually she has been outside but in the walker. This was a real treat to her. She could hardly contain herself.

Here is A with some bubbles.

Here R is blowing bubbles with M wondering what is going on.
Love the hair!
A with her bike and M getting excited.

M checking out R's bike. Boy she wishes she could ride one.

Well, if she cannot ride the bike, then she will just wear the helmet.

R posing for the camera.

A helping M back to where we can see her.

Isn't she so cute!

Once I put M down for her nap, A and R changed into shorts and tshirts. They were ready to give the sidewalk paint (birthday gifts from Mimi and Poppa) a try. Knowing that it was supposed to rain today, it was time to give it a try. They loved it, and it was very easy and washable.

And yes, it did rain today. The paint was gone in less than 30 minutes.

We had a great time enjoying the outside. We are so looking forward to Spring!

Cheerleading Awards

Saturday night was the night the girls had been waiting for. Awards night...or better known as the night they got their trophies. They have been so excited about getting a trophy, especially R. She even carried it to church with us on Sunday (I did convince her to leave it in the car). Here they are after the ceremony looking pleased with their first trophies.

Bowling Party Time!

We had A and R's birthday party at a nearby bowling alley on Saturday morning.

It was a BLAST! The girls had so much fun, and the parties were so easy.

The children loved getting to bowl and were awesome!

A had a Hannah Montana cake and got some wonderful presents from her friends and family.
R had a High School Musical cake (most days she wishes she was Gabriella). She also got many great gifts. She even Hannah and Miley dolls and the surf shack. She has been wanting some since A got some for Christmas.They both also got some Littlest Pet Shop toys. These are really a big hit at our house for all 3 girls. If we give M a moments of unsupervised attention, she will head to A or R's room to play with their LPS toys. We have to keep an eye on them all.

Here are R and her friends enjoying their cake.

M was worn out by the end of the party. However, she may have worn the 4 grandparents out long before. They took turns chasing her around the bowling alley. She loved getting their undivided attention for once....she doesn't get that much with so many other kiddos around.

Thank you to our family and friends for making the day special. A and R had such a great time. They thank you for sharing in the day with them.

11 months old

* Since there is not a 30th this month...we'll say she is 11months today!

M, it is hard to believe that you are 11 months old. It feels like we just brought you home from the hospital. Oh, how you have grown though, so we know that it is true!

* You got 3 more teeth this month, and all within 48 hours (for a total of 6)

* You got your first pair of "real" shoes to help you walk. They are adorable.

* You love to stick out your tongue and blow, because it makes a funny noise.

* When someone say "Awww", you will lay down on a pillow and pretend to sleep.

* You have reached the 20pound mark and are ready to face forward in your car seat. If only your age would catch up to your weight.

* You try to drink out of water bottles like your big sisters. Too bad you get all wet.

* You love to crawl all over your sisters (or whoever may be laying on the floor).

* You love when I open the garage door from inside, you laugh while the door is going up. I don't know why, but you look forward to it everyday when we leave to go pick R up from school.

* You had to go to the ER last week for a stomach bug...you threw up all that was in your tummy and then some. You had your first taste of an orange popsicle, and you LOVED it. You cried when it was gone and I threw the package away.

* You love when Daddy comes home from work. If you are awake when he comes in the door, you will smile and take off from whereever you are to get to him. So sweet!

* You are learning to wave "hello" and "bye bye". You especially love to do this first thing in the morning when I get you out of the bed. You start looking for your sisters and smile as soon as you see them. Then you start waving your arm at them. Just precious!

I cannot believe that you are just a few short weeks away from being ONE. I wish that I could make time stand still. But we would only miss out on all the fantastic stuff that is in store in the future. So, here is to 11 months. They have been wonderful. We love you very much!

So Very Tired!

Tonight after dinner we were playing a board game. About 6:30 R was laying on the floor saying how tired she was. This is not unusual since she is usually the first one of the kiddos up in the mornings, and has gone strong for about 12 hours at this point. So, we finished up the game (which she won) and headed upstairs. She brushed her teeth and Daddy read her a book while A was in the shower (she and M already had baths). I said prayers with her and put her in the bed. She was asleep in no time. About an hour and a half later B and I were watching Survivor downstairs when we hear something upstairs. B goes up to check it out, and this is what we found: R had gotten out of her bed and climbed into our bed...still sound asleep!

Isn't she sooooooo cute!!!!

Her daddy scooped her up (after I went back downstairs for the camera) and put her back in her own bed. She was none the wiser, and will not remember this in the morning.

Good night, sleep tight!

Locks of LOVE

About a year ago A heard about Locks of Love. She decided that she wanted to try to grow her hair out so that she could donate it. Then she found out that her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. A, had breast cancer AGAIN. Mrs. A is in her mid 30's and had a 7 month old at the time (this all happened during A's kindergarten year). A was sure this is what she wanted to do. Then, on Halloween we found out that B's sister, Aunt C (also in her mid 30's) has breast cancer...well this sealed the deal. A was growing her hair out to donate. So, yesterday, after waiting a LONG time for her hair to reach at least 10 inches to donate, we headed to Fantastic Sams (they sponsor Locks of Love, handle mailing the hair in for you, and the haircut if FREE), where A got her hair cut and sent it on to donate. Below are pictures of her process.

Before: her hair is so dark, but you can barely see how long it was...

Here are the ponytails they put in her hair to cut off...

First ponytail is gone...

All gone...

Getting is trimmed up...
All done...what a precious girl.

A, what you did was AWESOME! We are so proud that you chose to think of others. And you look adorable too! We are so proud of you! We love you!

p.s. Aunt C and Mrs. A, this is for you! We love you and pray that you keep kicking cancer where is hurts!

7 years ago

7 years ago yesterday (Sunday, February 18, 2001) I was 36 weeks pregnant with our first child. Despite the fact that I was the size of a house and swollen beyond recognition from my head to my toes...(I could only wear bedroom slippers because my feet were so huge)...I was a happy as could be. The baby was right where I wanted him/her to be. I remember my sister-in-law asking me "Isn't any part of you just ready to have this baby?" To which I replied "No, right now this baby is EASY, I can take him/ her with me whereever I go and I don't have to take any supplies." I should have kept my mouth closed...because only a couple of hours later my water broke. I still had 4 weeks. I was not ready. No bag packed. The house not cleaned. The nursery

was not finished. We hadn't even bought our rocking chair yet. This was not happening.

Well, yes it was. We went to the hospital just to make sure, and yes we were staying, my water had indeed broken. However, I had not even begun to dialate. We waited, and waited, and waited. Finally, around 8am (Monday, February 19th 2001) the doctor came in. I was about 2-3cm and still needed to have my water broken some more. With that out of the way, and needing some sleep, I opted for the epidural...it was GREAT. I couldn't feel a thing..not even when my leg would fall off the side of the bed. We waited some more. Around 4:30pm I finally reached 10cm and we were ready to push! YIPEEE! I was now ready. Once everyone was in place and the doctor was in the room we began. After just a few pushes, our Beautiful Baby Girl was born at 5:12pm. She was perfect. Head full of black hair, blue eyes, and she looked just like me. (smile). She was 7lb 3oz and 21 1/2 inches long. (Yes, big baby for 4 weeks early). She is named after both of her Grandmothers (just like I was). It was truly love at first sight. And we still cannot get enough of her, and we love her more and more each day!

We love you, A! Happy 7th Birthday!

We are so proud of you.

Teeth, teeth, teeth!

I know that I said a few weeks ago that it wouldn't be long.

M cut tooth #4 on Wednesday and #5 and #6 this morning.

All of them on the top. She now has 4 on the top and 2 on the bottom.

I bet A and R will keep their fingers away from M's mouth

from now on. She likes to hang on and bite down HARD.

Then she just laughs.

Also, A and R start softball practice tonight. Should be very interesting.

They are very excited. Have a great weekend.

Happy Valentine's Day...

...to my wonderful husband and 3 beautiful daughters.

I love you all very much and am blessed beyone all measures.

I hope you have a day filled with LOVE.

I Love YOU!

10 months old!

Wow, 10 months! Where did they go?

We can hardly believe that M is 10 months old.

This last month has brought many changes for our sweet girl.

1. 3 teeth now...and still counting or cutting, whichever you choose!

2. Walking...Yes, she is walking. And she is getting really good at it.

She can walk a good 30 steps sometimes without stopping or sitting.

3. She loves when A and R practice cheerleading. She will

bounce and "cheer" right along with them. I wonder where

they got this from?

4. She has sounds she makes that represents A and R's names.

She does not use them all the time, but when she does you know it.

5. She loves music, and loves when A and R sing into their High School Musical

microphones...she gets it and sings into it too.

6. She loves to pull the white tips off of our doorstops and put them in

her mouth. Therefore, if you come to our house and you don't see any,

that is why. We have taken them all off and put them up for now.

7. She goes to bed pretty well, but knows that if she fusses even a little,

you will come back and pick her up. She knows you will stay, too, if

she will only lay her head on your shoulder...so cute...how can one resist?

8. LOVES, LOVES, LOVES the biter biscuits! Yes, the ones that are

really messy and stick like cement to your face (as B says). She

can eat a whole one in about 10 minutes.

9. She is so over baby food. She would rather eat whatever we

are eating. Therefore, I am trying to add in new foods as soon as

I can so that we can have a varitey.

10. She has really gotten into the "play" thing this month. She likes to be

around all of us as much as possible, but she is really getting the hang

of playing alone for short stretches. It is so much fun to watch her

playing with her toys.

We are really enjoying all that each new day brings. God really knew what He was

doing when He chose to bless our lives with another daughter and little sister. We

look forward to many more months of new things. We love you, M!

Love, Mommy, Daddy, A and R

Cheerleading

A and R are cheering at a nearby church for their basketball league.

They absolutely LOVE it! Saturday was their first game. I

was not sure how they would do in front of a crowd. I should not

have worried. They did AWESOME! They had a blast, and looked

CUTE if I do say so myself.

Here they are waiting for the basketball teams to be called.

A is in the picture above, and R is below.
Here they are on the sideline cheering their hearts out.
They did great and are ready for their next game.

A and R, Mommy and Daddy are so proud of all that you do.

We are blessed and proud to be your parents. We love you

very much!

M's Teeth

M now has 3 teeth. You can see 2 in this picture. She

also has one of her top front teeth. After a few days of PAIN,

she is finally back to her happy self. She has several teeth just

waiting to cut through her gums. We are praying that these come

in with little to no pain! Is that too much to ask?

Also, A lost her 2nd tooth tonight. She is very excited, as she

really wants the tooth fairy to pay a visit! As with the first tooth, this

new tooth is already coming through. This made it VERY difficult for

the baby tooth to become loose enough to be ready to come out. I

finally was able to pull it out tonight after a good bit of trying.

She also has a new molar on the bottom. I think these are 6 year molars,

and she only has one so far...she will be 7 in just a couple of weeks.

Here is to lots of tooth pain in our house!

Snow! Snow! Snow!

Here is what the front of our house looked like Saturday morning.

Yipee! Snow...we are ready to play!

R enjoying the snow and throwing snowballs at A.

A posing very nicely for a picture. She was taking

a break from throwing snowballs at R.

Here is M enjoying the warmth of the house without her big

sisters around to shoo her out of the playroom. She looks so

big in her sweater that her Aunt T bought her. She
cannot decide what she wants to get into first.

And yes, she is officially walking now...9 1/2 months! Wow!

She is getting so big.

A and R enjoying the Snow

Here are R and A taking time to let me take their picture in the snow.

We have not seen snow in 3 years, so R does not remember it at all...she was just 1.

A barely remembers it. Therefore, they had a blast...except for the frozen fingers

part. Needless to say we went through many mittens and gloves in a

short amount of time. R really had her heart set on making snow

angels, but we just did not get that much snow.

Here they are attempting to make a snowman. A is above rolling what

was supposed to be the bottom. Below R is beginning to roll the head.

You can tell by the grass just how "little" snow we did get. Who care, right?

They had fun and that is all that matters.

The snowman ended up being a fort that they built with Daddy and

some neighbors, so that they could throw snowballs at each other.

As of today, the majority of the snow is gone, but the fort still stands! A and R go

and check on it every morning.

M's First Snow!

We have had snow twice in the past week. The first was not too much

and came at night, so we did not get to play too much. However, this

past Saturday we had a lot (by our standards). This is M's first time

bundled up and out in the snow. She is all smiles because she liked how it felt falling

on her face, etc.

Then B put her down so that her feet would touch.

She instantly fell to her bottom.

B scooped her back up, but you can tell that she was a

little unsure of it after that.

It was really cold, so she and I stayed inside after that! Plus, she
really didn't like having the mittens, hat, and coat all on over her clothes.
It was cute to watch her anyway!

My Girls

I know that this is not the best picture, but it is the only one of all 4 of us, not in pajamas! I love my 3 girls so much! Thank you, Lord, for blessing me with these precious daughters. I pray that I can be a great mommy and raise them to be like Jesus!

Yahoo!

It is snowing here, and has been for about 5 hours. Beautiful snow...the most beautiful I have ever seen (that I can remember), and that is not saying much at all. Hopefully, we will have some pictures to post tomorrow, but don't hold your breath! Good Night!

Happy New Year

Welcome 2008!

We want to wish you a happy, safe, and blessed

new year. We hope 2008 finds you happy, healthy

and surrounded by those you love. We know that we are!

Happy New Year!