Party of 5

We have successfully made it home and put a week in the books!  My mom left this past Saturday and Adam is home on his last 2 weeks of paternity leave.  It's just the 5 of us.  The adjustment has been pretty easy.  Kyle is a good eater and easy sleeper and the girls have been a lot of fun and very accepting of baby brother.  We feel so blessed that he has 2 big sisters.  They do a good job of keeping each other company and playing together so that we can give Kyle some attention, too.  He can pretty much sleep through anything.  The girls can get pretty rowdy and he doesn't seem to mind...yet. 

Next week they start Mother's Day Out (Yipee!!) and they are really looking forward to being back with their friends.  That means that I'll have one week where I'll have just Adam and Kyle on Tuesday and Thursday.  I'm really looking forward to it.  I get a little panicked, thinking about how am I going to get 3 kids out the door on certain mornings with clean clothes, brushed hair, breakfast fed, and lunch packed.  I think what will take the biggest hit is my house's cleanliness as well as mine.  haha.  I'll probably show up places in sweats, without a shower or a comb to my hair.  Bear with me friends.  :)

I've really been trying to cherish every moment with my newborn.  I cannot believe that this is the last time I'll be doing this.  I love holding him, nursing him, staring at him late at night during his feedings.  Adam pointed out this morning that it's almost September and before you know it, we'll be having Emilie's b-day party, trick-or-treating, heading to TX for Thanksgiving, and then celebrating Christmas and all of the sudden  it will be 2013!  (By the way, it has taken me THREE DAYS to write this blog.  Day 1, I posted the title and uploaded photos to the computer.  Day 2, picked out pictures and uploaded them to the blog.  Day 3, write these couple of paragraphs.)

Our days have been full of visitors and well wishes from everyone and we appreciate it all.  Our friend and super talented photographer, Marcie, came by and took pictures the other day of Kyle at the house.  I'm looking forward to sharing those with you.  As for now, I'll post a couple more pictures of the hospital, discharge, and coming home. 

The girls meeting Kyle for the first time. 

Emilie kept pointing to him and saying, "baby brother!" and sometimes she says his name like a creaky old door...KYYYYLLLLLEEEEE. 

Kyle bought the girls a gift for his own birthday.  He got them a princess doll and strollers, which were and still are a big hit. 

The girls enjoyed getting my the hospital bed and cuddling.  I was relieved to get out of the hospital bed.  My rear was so sore from the luxurious bed. 

This is one of my favorite pictures.  The girls are practicing giving him his pacifier.  Aubrie is coaching Emilie.  They also thought he needed another hat and stuck one on the top of his head.  Aubrie likes to walk by and give him tickles.  One time he was crying and she walked up and tickled him and talked to him and he stopped. 

The new party of 5!

I like how sometimes his pants can get hiked up really high like an old man.  I love the face he's making here.  His shirt says little brother.

He's ready to leave the hospital!  Adam and I were laughing at the pediatrician's office last week at how beat up our car seat looks.  You'll see parents come in with their new seats and fancy toys hanging for the baby to play with.  Our seat definitely looks like it's been lived in!

The girls had to check him out when he got home.

Lots of love for baby Kyle!  Dad's already watched ESPN with him and talked over some of the upcoming college football games.

Kyle likes when Adam kisses his cheek and hums.  He's been going to the Y every day to workout and takes the girls with him.  They have enjoyed getting out of the house and Kyle and I enjoy the quiet house.

Here he is sleeping in the bassinet.  It's the same bassinet I slept in as a baby.  So peaceful and sweet!  We love our new little blessing!

I hope everyone is doing well!  Love to all! Pin It Now!

It's a boy!!!

We arrived at the hospital at 5 am this morning to check in and prep for our cesarean.  Everything went well and I will pretty nervous about going through the surgery again and they rolled me back at 7 am to begin.  At 7:24, we found out that we had a baby boy!  Not only that, he was a big boy!!  He is 9 lbs, 6 ozs and measures 21 1/2 inches long!  (At first they measured him at 19 inches long, but they did his measurements again and changed it.)  He's a big boy!

Kyle William Mark

They noticed right away that he had grunting and it sounded like he had fluid in his lungs, so they wanted to take him away to the nursery to monitor him.  They assured us it was common in big babies that are born cesarean because they don't go through the birthing canal, which helps push the fluid out.  So Adam left with Kyle while they finished putting Humpty Dumpty (me) back together again. 

 Adam got this shot in the hallway on the way to the nursery.  It was the first time he opened his eyes.  It turned out they took him to the transition room which is part of the NICU.  They took his vitals every 30 minutes and performed glucose tests.  He didn't do well on his first glucose tests, but his numbers went way up on every test after that. 

 There he laid in a warmer and did a lot of grunting.  They eventually flipped him over on his belly and that was supposed to help him get all the fluid out.  Meanwhile, mom would stay with me in the recovery room while Adam went back and forth between me and the baby.  It turns out they had a busy night the night before.  They had 21 cesareans!  There were no rooms available to transfer me to, so I stayed in the recovery room until 1:30 while we waited on 27 moms who were supposed to discharge today!

Look at those big feet!

 Kyle ended up having to stay in the transition room for almost 14 hours.  That means that neither Adam nor I got to hold him and no grandparent or sister got to see him for that long.  My only contact with him was when they laid him on my chest right when he was born.  I was miserable.  Your new treasure is the only thing that helps you recover from a c-section.  But it was like I didn't get my prize and I was stuck recovering without him and it was horrible.  The girls were supposed to come to the hospital and have a birthday party.  They still came to eat dinner here in the room, but didn't get to meet Kyle, they just saw pictures of him.  Adam's parents and sisters brought them here and didn't get to see him, neither.  After they had left, we found out that Kyle was doing better and he was possibly coming back to our room.  Two hours later, the nurse wheeled him into our room and we got to hold him for the first time!

 My new baby boy and I.  I was so thrilled!

 Daddy and Kyle

Tomorrow morning, the Adam's parents and sisters get to come to the hospital and meet Kyle and hold him and I cannot wait!

As for the girls?  They are still excited.  They made cupcakes last night for the new baby's birthday party and they will bring the cupcakes tomorrow so we can have a birthday party. 

Emilie was a really good taster

Aubrie was an expert sprinkler.

Thank you to everyone who sent us well wishes today!  We needed every one's encouraging words and prayers to help get us through this day.  We thank the Lord for a healthy baby boy and that we are now able to hold him in our arms and enjoy this new gift. 

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Gram is here!

I thought, "It's about time!" when mom arrived on Monday.  It meant that I could relax, let this baby come if he/she wanted to and it also meant the end was in sight.  I'm so relieved.  Obviously, my water didn't break yet.  :(  I have my final doctor appointment today and we will be going in tomorrow morning to have the baby.  I CANNOT WAIT!!

Me and the girls ready for church

The girls love going through Gram's luggage when she arrives.  Aubrie told her to pack cookies.

Not only did we find the cookies, but her rollers!



We downed some cookies and then headed outside to run off some sugar



Racing Gram down the hill.  I love Aubrie's face!

Some swim time

And Gram made Aubrie some cowboy coffee.  (A cup of milk with a splash of coffee)  She feels so important!

Adam saved some yard work for Gram to do.  Emilie did most of the helping with branch removal

My work crew

I'm so lucky to have a mom who will take out so much time to come take care of my family and I.  It also takes a lot of sacrifice from dear ol' dad as he has to fend for himself while she is away. 

Can't wait to introduce you all to the new baby!  Until then...

Love to all!

ps.  You see Petey's nose in a couple of pictures.  The big guy celebrated his 7th birthday yesterday!!  He got lots of extra love and treats, don't worry.
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Here's the skinny..bahaha

My title just cracked me up...because I'm the furthest from skinny.  I'll be honest.  I've never been 40 weeks pregnant before.  They induced me with Aubrie when I was 38 weeks and with Emilie, I went to 39 weeks.  And I must compliment Miss Emilie.  She was by far my easiest pregnancy.  I never felt huge, although she gave me my first stretch mark, and my body didn't hurt like it did this time.  I can't decide.  Is it because I'm older?  Could it be because I'm carrying a boy?  What is so different this time that is making this such a tough go?!  I can't wait to find out.  Maybe I'm carrying a 10 pound baby around!

My swelling got so bad that I had to PRY my rings off one night while watching the Olympics.  I had to ice my finger so it wouldn't be so fat, then I would put some baby oil on and try to pull them off.  Along with the swelling is a new collection of stretch marks.  Adam tried to convince me the first couple of weeks that I noticed them, that they were scratches.  But I knew.  It was a lovely set of stretch marks.  I mean, a pregnancy can put your self-esteem right in the toilet.  No matter how many times your friends and family tell you that you look great, you begin to not believe them. 

Well let me tell you, the first day without my wedding ring, I went to Target all by myself.  It was like vacation...it was beautiful.  After strolling around and getting my necessities, I was standing in line.  Once it was my turn to pay, I turned and faced the cashier and the man behind me said, "Woah!  You totally cannot tell you are pregnant from behind because I was checking you out!" 

I was flattered and embarrassed all at the same time.  The cashier complimented me as well and the man told me again how great I looked.  Not going to lie.  It felt good and it was a pleasant change from the normal comments I get from strangers.  Watch out Adam!  Day 1 with no wedding ring and I'm getting checked out!!  hahaha.

So, for those who read the last blog, I wasn't dilated so I didn't get to have the baby early this week.  I am all set for Friday, the 17th, unless my water breaks before then.  My mom gets here tomorrow and Adam's mom is staying in town just in case my water does break and we all have to scramble.  Adam's mom was here all last week and was a saint.  She cooked for us, watched the girls, and let me nap until my heart was content!  It was wonderful and I'm so thankful she is still on summer break and has the time to help.  This next week is my mom's turn to cook, help with the girls, and I've saved all of Adam's dress clothes for her to iron.  Aren't I sweet?!  :)

Actually, she taught me how to iron and I would sometimes iron my dad's work shirts and pants.  When I got older, I ironed other people's clothes for a little income.  It was actually a good job to have.  I would just set up the ironing board in the living room by the television and watch old movies while I ironed.  (My parents waited until I left for college to get cable tv and high speed internet.)  I still enjoy setting up the ironing board in front of my small tv in my room and popping in an old classic like Sleepless in Seatle or Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and ironing Adam's clothes. 

Adam's mom got the girls new dresses and matching purses.

They LOVED having a purse to take to church.  It drove Adam nuts waiting on them go through the house and picking out things to take in their purses.  Aubrie took chapstick, a pencil, her watch, and some stickers.  Emilie picked a fake lipstick and a mirror for hers. 

Adam told me this morning that I only have 5 days to be pregnant for the rest of my life.  I almost got sentimental, then I looked in the mirror at my stretchmarks and thought, "thank goodness!"  It's such a miracle and blessing to experience being pregnant and having a baby and I really do love it.  It is just time.  I'm ready for this baby to come and I cannot wait to see what we are having!  I'll try and post something on here once the baby comes.  I cannot wait to share the good news!  Until then, COME ON FRIDAY!!!

Love to all!
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Lights, Birthday, Action!

Thank you to all who sent me birthday wishes!  You all know how to make a girl feel loved!  I'm not the biggest birthday fan.  I'm more of a go big for Mother's Day kind of girl.  Adam always manages to go big for both my birthday and Mother's Day.  I will say, my birthday is more fun now that I have kids.  The girls get so excited.  Aubrie has been talking about it for weeks.  Adam also takes them to Target and sets them loose to pick out anything they want for mommy.  Sometimes he gives them guidance. 

This year, Aubrie got me a DVD.  A Dora the Explorer DVD.  I told her she could borrow it.  Adam guided Emilie to the kitchen section of the store and Emilie picked out an oven mitt for me.  They also got me some pink roses.  Adam's gift to me has been crossing stuff off his Honey-do list.  He's done an excellent job of getting little projects done in preparation for the baby.  That and he got me a deck box to store my outdoor furniture cushions in.  What a super guy!

Yes, I'm still huge and waiting for this baby to come.  All pictures of me are not flattering.  My bump is bulging and it's just tugging at my ribs.  I feel like I'm going to need a double hip replacement and a new pelvis once this is all over with.  At our last doctor's appointment I was hoping to get our doctor to commit to the 15th for the big day.  But because our first ultrasound contradicts our estimated due date, he cannot take the baby until the 20th at the earliest!  (Unless my water breaks or I'm dilated)  This was heart breaking news. 

According to our dates, which are 99% accurate, the baby is due the 19th of August.  Our doctor and latest ultrasound also show/think that the 19th is when the baby is due.  BUT, they say that the first ultrasound is the most accurate and it said that I'm not due until the 29th!!!  There is a rule that if you are having a c-section, you cannot take the baby until you are 39 weeks or more.  My doctor feels horrible and knows that I'm ready to get this baby out, but he has to cover himself and go by what the first ultrasound says, which we understand.

But I want this baby out!!!!!!!!!!

Thankfully, Adam's mom is still on summer vacation and she is going to be here this week to help wrangle children and help me around the house.  Then my mom will be here next Monday and I guess we will all just sit around and stare at my belly until this baby comes out on his/her own OR my water breaks.  Yikes!

They say the more children you have, the faster the delivery is.  I can picture it now.  My water breaks, Adam passes out, I get online and try and help mom find a flight to get here ASAP, I call his mom to come watch the girls, pack up the car, and go revive him so he can drive me to the hospital. 

Let's hope that doesn't happen. 

In the meantime, I've been enjoying my girls and I'm so amazed at how big Emilie has been getting.  She says just about anything.  Yesterday we had onion rings and when they were passed to her, she grabbed one and said, "Mmmm!  Donut!"  and then she took a bite of it and said, "Spicy donut!"  haha.

I told Adam to dress them pretty on the day of my birthday and when he got upstairs and was trying to figure out their outfits, he got frustrated and said, "Aubrie, I can't dress you like a princess like Mommy can."

She looked at him and said, "Yes you can, Daddy!  You can do whatever you want to! You can play soccer or you can play basketball!  You can even dress like a princess if you want to, Daddy!" 

After that pep talk, he said, "Thanks babe! get in here" and hugged her and she said, "Oh Daddy,!! You are so strong!!"

Let's just say he had a big head after all that!

Aubrie put Emilie in a hug/choke hold and almost rammed her head in the kitchen cabinet and said, "This is my sister, I love her so much!"

Sweet sisters!

 When we moved into our house, some of our light fixtures were brass and some were brushed nickel.  The entry way chandelier was not only brass, but only one light worked and it just needed replaced.  It wasn't really our priority and I have kept my eyes open for super deals whenever I'm at a store.  The other day we were at Lowes and I told Adam that I would like to stroll through the lights just in case.  Sure enough, we saw this brushed nickel chandelier and the price tag said $23 dollars.  I got closer and it said original price was $189 and it was marked down to $23 dollars.  We asked and it wasn't broken, not a return, it was just the floor model and they were getting in new models and wanted to get rid of it.  We snatched that puppy up! 

Great deal!  23 bucks for a chandelier!  But when it came time to call an electrician, our super cheap deal turned into a 400 for two electricians PLUS the 23 bucks for the chandelier deal.  Yuck.  So we looked into renting some scaffolding and it only cost 29 dollars.  So with some research, a pep talk from Adam's friend Andrew, he decided to rent the scaffolding and they would do it themselves.  Of course, he sent Andrew out on the 12 foot scaffolding first.  But luckily the project was easier than anticipated and they got the job done.



Andrew taking our old light down





Our new 23 dollar light



Andrew brought over his sweet little girl, Anna Sophia and we got to play with her while they worked.  She has the biggest smile and cutest cheeks!

She didn't know what to think of the girls, but the girls were pretty curious about her!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend.  I hope I'll see some "action" soon...at least before the 20th!  I'll keep you posted.
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