Lucky 13

13 Years ago today I married the boy of my dreams...

I must be the girl of his dreams too...
Lucky me, lucky him...
4 kids later...
Life is bliss- it doesn't get much better than this.

It's been one week...

We have been home for a whole week now, and things are much better than a week ago! It was a rough weekend, but now, I am great and so is little Elaina.
On Monday, she had her first Dr. appt. She has regained all her weight and was 6lbs 6oz! Truth be told, she eats A LOT! I am happy about that because she burns more calories for me! I am down in weight- I put on 40 and have 17 left...however, the weight that remains is all shifted around, and so it will take longer now to lose the rest and hopefully get back to where I started. It is a journey, and I am eating and drinking over 100 oz of water a day and she is still taking what she wants- that is what I love- totally don't mind feeding her when she is hungry, and again, that is A LOT!!
The weather has been very nice this week too, so we have taken many walks and even made it to the last inning of Dana's baseball game yesterday. She really loves the outdoors! Her umbilical cord dried up and fell off yesterday, so we gave her a bath! WOW! Her first big cleaning after arriving...here she is BEFORE:
Did I mention, she really does not like being naked?!
Here she is during:

She did calm down, eventually, and this is how she looked in her towel afterward:
Much happier!
She was so calm a few minutes after getting her jammies on, and so content...the girls held her in their bed and I snapped these:








She slept pretty good after that bath- I am looking forward to each day getting better and better from here on out!
She is a snuggle bug and the kids are looking forward to her being more social with them- they think she's pretty boring right now, though Alex was loving this moment with her:Looks like she has her thumb, but she can't really get it just yet.
So, as for the first week, things are so good- I sort of want to slow it down in a way so she will stay little, but I know that's not possible, so I am savoring each of these moments, really savoring them.

Introducing...Elaina Blake

Before I post the entire story of her birth, I thought I would at least post some quick pics for those who haven't yet seen any of her- I will do a longer post soon- hopefully these will suffice for now.
The story is a good one- you won't want to miss out- so check back soon for the whole scoop!

Introducing our angel:
Elaina Blake
5 April 2011
6lbs 5oz
19"long
10:16am

Last minute preps...

On Monday and Tuesday, I had this surge of energy...it lasted just those two days. I washed everyone's bedding, remade beds and the girls and I organized Elaina's new room. On Tuesday, Dana put together the crib and we assembled the bedding and mattress. Here is how it will look for now...
I don't have anything on the walls, yet- I envisioned some art or her name or something, but I have nothing yet. Her room was already this purple-ish color when we moved here, so we just kept it- knowing that when she transitions out of the crib, she and Celeste will share a room, and Leah can have this one back to herself- and she wanted to keep it this color.

Ashley let us borrow this crib, and the bedding I scored at Target 75% off for a whopping $12! Makes me love it even more! The twin bed is staying in there- it can be a bed for anyone who comes to stay with us. Visitors, anyone?!

The pack and play is in our room, where she will stay for at least a couple of months- I don't like getting up all the way to go to another room when the baby is hungry in the night- so next to me is where she will be. You can see that Celeste's baby Lola has been lounging in there recently, keeping it occupied until Miss Elaina arrives. It is new, and man, did I not know how expensive they are!! I got it on clearance, but it was still steep- but look how cute it is, and it matches her stroller- so all is good.





On Wednesday, my 37 week appointment, I was dilated to a 2, and 50% effaced. I have had contractions for the last 3 days- all day. They aren't fun, but not consistent. Hopefully I can be more dilated by Wednesday this week, and then have a quick labor! Fun times, huh?! Whatever happens, happens- she will arrive sometime before the 13th or on the 13th- so bring it on!

Busy Week

Monday night was the start of our busy week here at our house. Leah had her first ever 3rd grade concert at her new school. She was very excited, and though I had to sit far away, I am sure I could hear her singing loud and proud! It was so fun to see her so excited for this concert. Alex was able to get up close and snapped these for me. She was in the very front (surprising due to her size, huh?!).

Wednesday, Celeste had pre-school Spring pictures. She missed the "real" school picture day back in October, so I took these beforehand in case the ones they took didn't turn out. This is her Easter dress she chose- she looks good in blue too!Then last night was Alex's cross over to Boy Scouts, and the annual Pinewood Derby. Exciting!!
He actually didn't make a new car this year- he decided to use a car that he won 1st place with back in 2008, his first year in Scouts! Well, it must be a lucky car, because last night he was the big winner again! 1st place! To be honest, I think it made it better just knowing he is out of Cub Scouts and now on to Boy Scouts, with the older kids! He also received 14 Webelos pins for all the work he did this past year. He walked across the Arrow of Light and is now officially a Boy Scout! We are so proud of him, and thanks to good leaders, he has stuck with it!
You would think, or hope I suppose that would be the end to our busy week...but no, at 8am this morning, Leah had a pancake breakfast at school for her 3rd quarter achievements! So, bright and early today we headed there- I didn't take any pictures- I am wiped out! Now I am relaxing and looking forward to relaxing more this weekend and upcoming week of Spring Break! It might just be the last break I have before the 13th!!

20 Days and Counting...

I went to my OB this morning.
No dilation...still measuring over a week small.
Only gained a pound (seriously surprising, since I ate the entire box of Tagalongs myself, not to mention birthday cake and ice cream several times!)

Chose an induction date:

Wednesday 13 April 2011

(If not sooner on my own- which we can only hope for!)
So, wish me luck to make it to the end- it's starting to not be so fun, but I can do it!

Birthday Boy

As I mentioned before, birthdays here seem to go on for days! This was no exception. On Friday, his actual birthday, he invited his friend Justin over for pizza and then to Graeter's for yummy ice cream (expensive, I might add)...but thanks to gift cards, we paid nothing!! Loving that! Then we had presents from us: Wheel of Fortune for the Wii, Lego Ninjago, and gum from the girls! On Saturday, we took him out to dinner- his choice- Bob Evans of course! He got grilled cheese and smiley face fries- though he was still hungry- he needs to start ordering on the adult menu. Then, on Sunday, we went to my parents for cupcakes and ice cream to celebrate with Brianna for her birthday too! He got more Lego Ninjago stuff and a remote car- this boy is spoiled, I tell ya! He now has some birthday money to spend, so off we go to Target tonight to get more Lego stuff. He said he had a great birthday- I can only hope so!!

St. Patrick's Day 2011

For the 3rd year in a row, the weather on St. Patty's Day did not disappoint! It was sunny, warm, and perfect for a downtown parade! This year the parade lasted nearly an hour! Dana came for the first time ever- (but he was not the most impressed!) but still had fun. We only had Celeste and she had a great time, of course! We went to Planks' afterward for some pizza and March Madness. Next year the parade will be on Saturday, so the other kids can go too- we hope the weather is nice again!
On a side note: I have 24 days to go!!

11

Today Alex turns 11!!

Crazy, right?!
I am not old enough- and I believe I said the same thing last year, and the year before and the year before- so you get the idea! I can remember every minute of the day he was born, so at least my memory is still intact (somewhat). It was a Saturday and I was being induced. I only had mild contractions for a couple hours before I got the beloved epidural and then we just sat and sat and I slept a little while we waited for the time to come. Many people came to visit me while in labor and we laughed and passed the time easily. The longest part was the pushing- my body hadn't done that before, so it seemed to last a long time. My drill Sargent (Dana) was counting in my ear and driving me a little crazy- (he doesn't do that anymore- I made sure he counts softer now!) My 7 pound 3 oz boy came in just after 5pm and my life as a mom officially began. I cannot think of a better title in life- MOM.
Alex is a wonderful son- he truly doesn't give me much grief- only when he wants his way, or really thinks something is unjust- he is a principle fighter- much like me- which is hard sometimes. I know he will go far in life. He is loved in his classroom by all his friends and teachers- he is respectful and honest and very smart. I know he gets all that from me, too! ha!
We are very grateful Heavenly Father sent him to our house- we know we have a tremendous responsibility with this boy and we intend to do all we can to continue that work.
Tonight for his birthday, he invited his friend, Justin over for pizza and then Graeters. Then on Sunday, we will have cake and ice cream with my family and Sean and Steph's for Brianna's birthday too. Birthdays last a few days here at our house! Lucky kid!
So, Happy 11th Birthday, my Alex- I hope you know how loved, how special, how fabulous, and how happy we are you are ours!

Itsy Bitsy (her, not me!!)

So today I went to my OB for my 34 week appointment.
I don't normally ask a ton of questions...I have been through this before, ya know.
But since I only put on a pound in 2 weeks (rare, honestly!), I thought I would ask one.
I asked if I measured okay- she normally doesn't even tell me what I measure- she just says, "great", or "see you in 2"- whatever. She always tells me the heart rate- it was 150 today- pretty normal for her.
She said that I am measuring small- well, I don't look small...in fact, I am many things, but small is never an adjective for me...ever...let alone at 34 weeks...maybe when I was younger (MUCH YOUNGER- like elementary school)...
Her point: SHE is small...oh, okay- I figured- Leah was 6lbs 13oz at full term and Celeste was 6lbs 2oz full term, so another small little girl- I am okay with that!
So next appointment in 2 weeks, and we can talk about an induction date- whoo hoo!!
She is probably only about 3lbs right now, so she cannot come yet!! (as much as I am done being prego- she is not ready, nor am I...)Oh, and there is a huge shadow around my head- my hair is not that big! Short, but not that big! And I can still wear my jeans- my favorite, most fabulous jeans, but since my tummy is larger, they are much longer and they drag the ground- I don't wear them as much now. I am just happy I have something to wear that still fits after 35 pounds!! Yikes!