Deja vu

This morning, left to her own defenses, little Lou Lou single-handedly took on a whole box of Puffs.


We were mighty proud of her for taking on the challenge. She is doing a wonderful job of following in the footsteps of her not so much bigger sister who, just last April, tackled her own box.

Since she has already mastered the unrolling of numerous rolls of t.p., we have no idea what particular paper product her next training exercise will involve...

Babies don't keep.

One year ago, tonight, I was lying the hospital trying to enjoy the free movies through contractions. Tomorrow morning my littlest will be one year old. It seems like this year went SOSOSOOSO fast. It feels like only a few days ago I was pregnant.

Today, while Addison slept, I played peekaboo and chase with Nora for a long while in the living room. She is so full of joy... and the giggles:) I adore her. I don't know where the time went this past year. She was just a tiny baby in my arms and now she is a little line-backer pushing her way to the front of the action. I studied her face her dark eyes and her chubby cheeks and I thought to myself how much longer do I have with her? How many more rockabye nights? How many more games of peekaboo? Not enough, I fear.

Every time I look at her, or anyone of my children I am reminded of how blessed I am. In the same moment my heart aches with the responsibility I have been trusted to. Last Sunday, Pastor reminded us of our responsibility as parents, as adults in society. He spoke from these verses.


And Jesus called a little child to Him,
set him in the midst of them, and said,
"Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and
become as little children, you will by no means
enter the kingdom of heaven.
Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child
is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoever receives one little child
like this in My name receives Me.

But whoever causes one of these little ones
who believe in Me to sin,
it would be better for him
if a millstone were hung around his neck,
and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
Matthew 18:2-6 New King James Version

Did ya catch that last part? Train up a child...what a responsibility? I have a lot of work to do.

I finally moved the crib out of our room. I am almost too embarrassed to write that, I never kept a crib in our room longer than the first few months with the older kids and with Addison and Nora we just waited too long. Dad is working nights this week so I thought I would put the girls in a room together and see what happens. Tonight is the first night. I put them both to bed, we prayed and I turned the light off. They gabbed a bit, it was so cute, and then silence. I hope the quiet means the night will go smoothly.

Listen to me mommies, they do grow up fast, too fast. Hold them tight while you can:)

I am thankful for all four of my beautiful little blessings, but tonight I am thinking about my little Lou Lou. Thank you, Lord, for Nora. Thank you for helping her grow (even if it seems like it is happening too fast)and for keeping her healthy and so adorably giggly and happy. Please bless her tonight in her 'new' room. Be with her and comfort her. She is an amazing and special blessing to our family. Help me teach her about Jesus so that she, too, can enjoy the gift of heaven. In your Holy Name, Amen.

I need whatever the generic brand of Calgon is...

This whole mobile baby thing is too much.

So far today she;

• spilled my coffee
• tossed apples around (we picked at mom's yesterday and I had them in a bucket)
• ate cucumbers (another bucket by the door)
• opened a bottle of sunscreen and squeezed it out (her sister helped with this one)
• emptied my purse and unwrapped all the Trident pieces (those orbit containers are the only way to go, babies can't open them...)
• smooshed her face into the screen door several times
• pulled her sisters hair and bit my toe
• pushed open the doors to her siblings' rooms and wreaked havoc

Now tell me, how am I ever going to get the pickles done and the apples peeled?

I want to tie them both up.

Just called dad to vent and he is flying to Ann Arbor today. Wish it was me...I need a bubble bath.

Gotta go, niether of them is in view, which means T.R.O.U.B.L.E.

I see you, Nora Lou

She slept

all night long!

I am sure it had nothing to do with;

• us not getting to bed before 10pm in a week
• a nice soothing bath before bed
• the constant hum of the fan all night
• eating small meals all day and going to bed on a pretty satisfied tummy (we tried a bun soaked in barbeque at the ballgame-yum)

I, of course, did not (sleep all night long, that is). I was checking on her every couple of hours not being able to hear her breathing noises over the sound of the fan.

Scratching the itch.

Hi, pretty Baby!

Last night I had heartburn. Heartburn makes me think of pregnancy.
A couple of nights ago Ad fell asleep in daddy's arms. He said, "I wonder how many more times this is gonna happen? Not too many more, I fear."
Pastor's wife is 37 weeks pregnant. She looks beautiful. She is all a glow.
Nora is getting up on all fours. She is so close to crawling, we can all taste it.
There is something amazing about babies. They are so miraculous. The pregnancy itself is something so wonderfully awesome. It's hard to put into words (and the excuse to wear elastic waistband pants is pretty cool, too).
Then there is the birth and those first 6 months of joyful learning and no sleep.
I think Ry and I are realizing this is the last of babies.
It is sort of a hard pill to swallow.

Sink Bath

Naked Baby Alert!

Splish Splash

Guess who decided it was time for her bath?

Other appropriate titles considered for this post include;

• How to make your older brother really mad.

• How to scare the dickens out of your mom and your dad.

• How to make your mom and dad look pretty darn stupid.

Weekend Photos

Every morning Nora wakes up with both legs in one leg spot. One night she wore one of those baby bags and woke up with the zipper in the back. She isn't really that small, I think she just misses being a ball.
Maleah must have pulled Addi up the hill 100 times. I guess I would love being outside if all I had to do was sit in a sled,too.
A quick mommy forced shot that didn't turn out too bad.
Snow bunnies!
Addi is in her usual spot, she loves to eat!
Eyes wide open, I don't think they are gonna be blue.
She does this all the time, now. It cracks me up. Don't look at my messy floor :) Ahem, I think she got my junk!

clean and bright

dancin and singin and movin to the music

The other night Maleah put her headphones on Addi. She immediately began walking around and dancing. I think she walked a mile that night. My amateur videographer skills will require you to turn your monitor on its side to view most of this amazing feat. But, I think it's worth it...if you can get past my laughing, and my messy house and Maleah having to follow her around the whole time...maybe it's not worth it. Why don't you just tilt your head slightly to the left, a little more...perfect, now push the play button;)

The only photos I have of little baby Nora ALONE are of her lying in her bed. Otherwise she is always in somebody's arms and that someone (any one of the other kids) is usually hamming it up for the camera, too. So here she is all on her own...wondering what in the world all that noise is outside those four tiny walls of her bassinet?

Labor and Delivery...by the numbers

25 hours in the hospital BEFORE baby arrives
2.5 hours prepping for induction
22.5 hours of labor starting and stopping

4 shift changes of nurses
2 on call shift changes for the doctors (24 hour shifts)

1 bored out of his mind hubby who
12 times needed to "get some air" and resulted in
3 unnecessary shopping trips and who consumed
5 lbs of junk food in front of his wife who only got to eat
1 cup of chicken broth and
4 pieces of toast in
29 hours

1 book read, now I want to see the movie, (the Secret Life of Bees)
2 movies watched ; 21 and Ocean's 13

7 unsuccessful iv attempts in my hands, wrists and arms
4 infiltrated veins resulting in swelling, bruising and annoying, burning, pain
1 port FINALLY accessed
10 hours after first iv attempt

3 doses of oral induction medication
1 iv drip of pitossin
1000 mil of saline iv
1 epidural that wore off an hour before baby came

38 minutes of hard labor with no medication
1 episiotomy resulting in
9 stitches to bring a
8 lb 6 oz beautiful baby girl to
2 exhausted but blessed parents who cried an
undetermined amount of tears of joy

It's a girl...

We're home.

I have lots to say, not enough time or energy to say it.

Thanks for the prayers and for the well-wishes.

We have once again been blessed:)

Baby girl, 8lbs. 6 oz., 20 and 3/4 inches long, she is beautiful!

Born October 15th, 10:13 a.m.

D(elivery) Day!

24 hours and counting

This morning at the breakfast table my daughter asked me if I was going to breastfeed. I tried not to choke on my cold cereal as I answered her. Her face twisted into a grimace when she heard my reply. "Well, I am not breastfeeding my babies!" she said with her typical 6 going on mommy tone.

We all can't stop thinking about it. I suppose it doesn't help that I am as big as an elephant, sort of hard to hide it, you know?

People who see me out and about say things like;

• You're STILL here?
• No baby, yet, huh?
• Are you ready?

I try to smile and answer but inside I am screaming. LET'S GET OVER WITH IT ALREADY!

I spent all day Saturday packing up toddler toys and cleaning out the 'toy room' for the babies. We put the crib up in there a while back and #3 is napping in there. Now, with the toys gone, it looks like a nursery. The bassinet is out again and the bedding is washed. The infant car seat has been cleaned, again, and is ready to safely harness another little miracle for us.

Dejavu aside...this time IS different. It feels different. I can't really explain it. Maybe I am finally feeling like enough is enough instead of questioning if we are done building our family. I have never been really good at anything except maybe singing a solo in church. Making babies is something I can do. My body is able to handle these aches and pains for the miracle of life inside me. I complain about it, but I cam DO it. I feel extremely blessed. It makes it hard for me to turn it off when I know there are people out there who want so badly to have a child and for reasons only God could give us, can't.

Still, I am nervous. It is not an easy thing, labor. Fresh in my mind is the pain and the sweat and the first few moments of that baby's life when he/she takes a breath and cries. It is amazing, but emotionally draining. This will be the first time that the ob who has been with me for the birth of all my children will not at least check in on me. It will be someone new, who knows me only by the interesting name on my chart...who doesn't know about my history of bringing big babies into this world and my fear of epidural needles and my need to have my husband holding my hand the whole time and my desire to hold that baby immediately, no matter what.

We check in tomorrow morning around 9 am. I am certain the medicine for the induction will not begin until closer to noon. Twelve or so hours later we should have a bouncing baby. It is so close we can taste it. Get ready for a ride #4, we can't wait to meet you...

UPDATE 12:15 pm: Don't think we're taking it easy today. Dad is in the rafters putting insulation in. I have round steak strogonoff in the crockpot and breadsticks rising. I already cleaned out the freezer and am toasting the leftover bread to make crumbs and have apples thawing to make DeAnn's apple dessert! We had an easy bake tea party already this morning and a friend kindly took the kids for a bit so dad and I could get some 'work' done.

meccaleccahimeccahineyho

I think the baby speaks Pee Wee style. You be the judge...



*****playing this video back was complete torture for her, she kept looking all over the room trying to find the baby who was talking her language...heads up, she is as winded as her mother :)

Exposed

I love my husband...(you know where this is going, right?)

but,

he finished his 'nesting' painting project at 3 pm yesterday when we planned to leave for the boy's birthday party at 3:20. It was stressful, but the party was a success. The little guy was happy. It was plain to see.


As we unpacked the car last night, ds found a gift bag from one of the J boys and it had a button you could push to play music. We all busted a move in the kitchen until I remembered that the curtains,which usually hide our goings on, were still not put up. We partied like rock stars anyway;)

I didn't realize how much I enjoy my privacy. It's sort of scary being completely exposed to the world. We don't live in a big city or anything but the traffic here is pretty constant and the thing is EVERYBODY knows who we are. I don't mind showing my belly to the world or even announcing that I peed my pants, but when our everyday life is visible...it tends to stress me out.

In the event that our personal 'normalness' may not be all that normal is cracked up to be I would like to take this time to apologize to everyone who has driven by or will be driving by in the future to observe the following scenarios:

• my almost one year old chewing on the remote, telephone, cordless drill, phone charger, screwdriver or any other inappropriate item, these are just a few of her personal favorites
  
• my bend over technique to grab the inappropriate item or lift up the said child - spread 'em and hold the belly while attempting the grab
• any inappropriate scratching or picking
• the pile of Hershey kisses wrappers on the end table
• the pile of dishes in the sink
• the family standing instead of the more 'normal' practice of sitting around the dining table eating breakfast, lunch or dinner
  
• my get out of the chair technique, I promise you it's not pretty
• any or all of us dancing like a rock star
• the diaper change - this is about the time when I wish I had born an octopus

If you do happen to view any of the above instead of calling 911 just give a friendly honk and I'll wave you by...I am hoping the real life window viewing will end shortly when dad puts the hardware up for the curtains...preferable before the nursing season begins:)
A girl can hope, can't she?

It's all a part of the Big Plan...

Okay, I admit when the nurse called me this morning and told me that the induction date had been pushed back to the 14 of October I was completely caught off guard. I kept kicking myself for not waiting the 2 extra hours to see my doctor yesterday so I could have talked to her in person. I was angry at myself for believing her when she said that she would take me before she went on her two week vacation and not leave me to labor with a doctor I don't know from a mad scientist. I thought to myself how in the world am I going to make it another 11 days. Then I took a deep breath and prayed.

I asked God to help me relax and put this baby first and not care about aches or pains or how big of an episiotomy a 10 pound baby requires. I asked Him to give me the good health and the patience to bring this baby into the world in the safest way. I asked Him to be with my doctor and to help her make the wisest choice for my health care. I asked God to bless her vacation as I know she works hard and need some time off to relax and refresh. I thanked Him for the three blessing I have already and for the opportunity to bring a fourth one into our lives. I thanked God for the opportunity to have three birthdays in October, none of which fall on the same day, I hope:)

Then I felt much better:)

It really is better for that baby to cook a little longer anyway, right?

B is for big

Baby update number too many to count...

Ultrasound technician said the baby is measuring 8 pounds give or take (give or take what a pound, a kilo, a ton?)

I am 37 weeks tomorrow.

My doctor had an emergency c-section to attend to so I saw someone else today. Someone who was unable to schedule my induction for next week more than likely to fall exactly on my son's fifth birthday.

Waiting to hear from the doctor's office with the date of induction...

The baby's heartbeat was 161 today and the someone else that I saw, after she reminded me she had ten years experience at this sort of stuff, said it was probably a girl.

Conversation on the way to the doctor this morning went something like this.

Me "I can't wait to see the big baby on the ultrasound, what do you suppose it will look like?"

DH "It will look the same as #3 did. We had an ultrasound at 36 weeks with her, too."

Me "(GASP) We DID?"

DH "Um, yeah, you were measuring big and they wanted to see how big she was."

Me "Oh, I don't remember that. (evil snicker from DH)... I wonder what they will tell me today."

DH "Well, I suppose they are going to tell us it's a big baby and we will induce next week, just like last time. I am getting so good at this I should just be a baby doctor."

Me "Yes, honey, you are an expert. "(evil snicker from me this time)

like momma...

It's actually health food, people...Hershey's Special Dark.

Did you know you don't even have to open those little mini bars, if you hold onto it long enough and mommy isn't watching you can suck the melted chocolate right out of the foil!