"Froggy Bottom"
"Moo Cow"
"Sunday Best"For sweet friends who gave the Prince these sweet outfits!
We're enjoying them!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Princess #3 is 4!!
Well, she's been 4 for about a week now. And now thanks to the latest addition to the family, she looks huge, like a kid instead of a toddler.
This year has been a challenging one for the King and I as we learned how to parent her. I have come full circle on several beliefs I had about raising children that I never thought I would budge on thanks to her personality. One being, that outfits must match in order to be out in public, two being that panties must fit, three being that some children (Princess #3) have a real need for personal space (beyond the norm), and if it's not respected have real anxiety. So many more, but sleep deprivation takes hold. She has stretched my patience beyond what I thought I could bear and has stretched my heart with compassion for her real fears and panics.
She is such a sweet girl. We are so blessed to be her parents. I can't wait to see how she will grow and change this year, she has so much this past year. Right now, she wants to be a Mommy and feed her babies like Mama does (awwww).
We love you Princess!
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Happiness Is . . .
. . . waking up and seeing your ankle bones again. Even if it was just a temporary sighting, I am happy to know that they still exist!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Sister LOVE
Princess #3 has taken to rubbing her cheeks on the Prince's soft head ever so gently. Can't say as I blame her, there really is nothing softer or sweeter on earth. She also has taken to kissing him (on his clothes, Mama), which I think is so precious. Of all the girls she was the one I was most concerned with adjusting to this new family member, but she has really taken his presence in stride, even better than her older sibs. It's special to see how much she loves him already.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
We Are In LOVE
One week has passed already since our little man entered the world. Sigh.
Here we are one week ago, just before leaving for the hospital. . .
And here we are now. . .
Here we are one week ago, just before leaving for the hospital. . .
And here we are now. . .
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Recovery Road
So, now that I've done babies both traditional ways (the king says I've done it more than two ways-sunny side up, face down, c/s, premature), I have to say it's a toss up as to which I'd recommend. The end result stays the same, which makes us forget the recovery road that we have to journey on after said result.
Yesterday I wrote that recovery was hellish with this one, but after thinking about it, it is not really any more or less than it was with each of the girls. It's just different, and I can do different. Today is totally better. Way less pain, way more mobility than yesterday. It's amazing the difference 24 hours can make.
The Prince continues to do well. He's figuring out the nursing thing, much to my happiness. He's very "chill" to quote Gwen Stefani, hopefully that personality trait will continue throughout his life. He's going to need it to balance out the estrogen in his family. I can hear the king talking to him about checking accounts, trips out to Daddy's shop, and bike rides in the summer and all kinds of things that the Prince has to look forward to. I love to hear those happy conversations.
My heart is so full it could burst!
Yesterday I wrote that recovery was hellish with this one, but after thinking about it, it is not really any more or less than it was with each of the girls. It's just different, and I can do different. Today is totally better. Way less pain, way more mobility than yesterday. It's amazing the difference 24 hours can make.
The Prince continues to do well. He's figuring out the nursing thing, much to my happiness. He's very "chill" to quote Gwen Stefani, hopefully that personality trait will continue throughout his life. He's going to need it to balance out the estrogen in his family. I can hear the king talking to him about checking accounts, trips out to Daddy's shop, and bike rides in the summer and all kinds of things that the Prince has to look forward to. I love to hear those happy conversations.
My heart is so full it could burst!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Happy Birthday!
I'm going to break from protocol just this once to introduce my son!!
Cade Judah was born at 1:26 pm, Wednesday, February 11th. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 inches long!! A nice big boy! The c-section went better than I could have imagined, recovery is hellish (sorry there is just no nice word for it), my baby boy is amazing and so beautiful. God has blessed the castle once again!!
Turns out that it was God's hand in keeping him breech. Not only for his size, but also because his cord was wrapped around his torso several times, making a traditional birth very dangerous!
Our computer died, so posting may be sporadic here for a while.
Here are a couple photos of Prince Stubborn. . .thank you for coming along this journey with me!!
Cade Judah was born at 1:26 pm, Wednesday, February 11th. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 inches long!! A nice big boy! The c-section went better than I could have imagined, recovery is hellish (sorry there is just no nice word for it), my baby boy is amazing and so beautiful. God has blessed the castle once again!!
Turns out that it was God's hand in keeping him breech. Not only for his size, but also because his cord was wrapped around his torso several times, making a traditional birth very dangerous!
Our computer died, so posting may be sporadic here for a while.
Here are a couple photos of Prince Stubborn. . .thank you for coming along this journey with me!!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Shock and Awe
So, great news! Baby's birthday will most likely be tomorrow! And I didn't have to be bossy to get what I wanted-it was just handed to me on a silver platter. It was amazing how quickly everything fell into place, almost like Someone had this in mind all along. Hmmm.
My appointment started much like last week's, office running late, me not making eye contact with the number on the scale, nurse concerned, midwife hurried through exam, and then she said well, this baby doesn't want to turn, so what doctor do you want for a c-section. I said whoever can do it the soonest, as in this week. Next thing you know, I'm ushered into Dr's office, he looks at my chart, does a double take and says, your 9 lb baby was how early, we need to get this baby out this week, how does Wednesday work? Wednesday is fine I managed to choke out over the pounding of my heart.
I'm incredulous. I am so blessed. I am giddy. I told the king that it feels like the giddiness you have once you realize the stick has two lines-partly out of fear and partly of pure joy. Granted, this whole end of the pregnancy thing has not gone according to my plan, but I plan to learn from this experience. God doesn't have to answer my every prayer my way. He's not a vending machine, I am relearning.
The princess' to say the very least, are to the moon about meeting their brother. It's been great to talk about stuff that I've put off talking about, since everything has been so unknown. Today, we swaddled Princess #3's panda and talked about how babies like to be held and touched. We talked about why mama has to have surgery and how babies have soft heads. We looked at his tiny clothes and all got excited that we get to dress him in his little button-downs very soon!
Thank you for your kind comments and encouragement throughout this journey. Lord willing, the next post will introduce our son!
My appointment started much like last week's, office running late, me not making eye contact with the number on the scale, nurse concerned, midwife hurried through exam, and then she said well, this baby doesn't want to turn, so what doctor do you want for a c-section. I said whoever can do it the soonest, as in this week. Next thing you know, I'm ushered into Dr's office, he looks at my chart, does a double take and says, your 9 lb baby was how early, we need to get this baby out this week, how does Wednesday work? Wednesday is fine I managed to choke out over the pounding of my heart.
I'm incredulous. I am so blessed. I am giddy. I told the king that it feels like the giddiness you have once you realize the stick has two lines-partly out of fear and partly of pure joy. Granted, this whole end of the pregnancy thing has not gone according to my plan, but I plan to learn from this experience. God doesn't have to answer my every prayer my way. He's not a vending machine, I am relearning.
The princess' to say the very least, are to the moon about meeting their brother. It's been great to talk about stuff that I've put off talking about, since everything has been so unknown. Today, we swaddled Princess #3's panda and talked about how babies like to be held and touched. We talked about why mama has to have surgery and how babies have soft heads. We looked at his tiny clothes and all got excited that we get to dress him in his little button-downs very soon!
Thank you for your kind comments and encouragement throughout this journey. Lord willing, the next post will introduce our son!
Monday, February 09, 2009
Still Hoping
So despite my week-ago meltdown, last week went surprisingly well. We kept up with our little routine, as I tried not to get my hopes up with every contraction, and I just held on to really the only hope that I have at this point: he has to come out eventually!
Last night, however, I felt my faith falter. It had been a good weekend (hey, any weekend where your husband does all the nesting that you want done is good, right?), and I was in good spirits, then I started thinking. Dangerous. Deep down in my heart of hearts I wanted this baby to come before today, and I really thought that God would honor that wish.
My Dad is headed back to Canada for another few weeks tomorrow early, and I really wanted him to meet his first grand-SON (the first boy born into our family) freshly hatched. I didn't realize how much until last night when I realized that the contractions that had been coming so consistently had decided to take a break. And I got frustrated. And felt out of control.
It's back to my same old problem: I am the oldest. I am the boss. I know what's best for me and all of you. That's right-I said all of you, and it really would be in your best interest to just accept that fact!! And somehow I have to relinquish that part of who I am in order to be right with God (pretty much hourly), because He really is the oldest and the boss and knows what's best for me and all of you.
I hate not being the boss.
On the positive side (I hope), I have an appointment with my midwife this afternoon. I am praying for the boldness to tell her what I want and what I feel would be best for my family. Here I go again being the boss. . .
Last night, however, I felt my faith falter. It had been a good weekend (hey, any weekend where your husband does all the nesting that you want done is good, right?), and I was in good spirits, then I started thinking. Dangerous. Deep down in my heart of hearts I wanted this baby to come before today, and I really thought that God would honor that wish.
My Dad is headed back to Canada for another few weeks tomorrow early, and I really wanted him to meet his first grand-SON (the first boy born into our family) freshly hatched. I didn't realize how much until last night when I realized that the contractions that had been coming so consistently had decided to take a break. And I got frustrated. And felt out of control.
It's back to my same old problem: I am the oldest. I am the boss. I know what's best for me and all of you. That's right-I said all of you, and it really would be in your best interest to just accept that fact!! And somehow I have to relinquish that part of who I am in order to be right with God (pretty much hourly), because He really is the oldest and the boss and knows what's best for me and all of you.
I hate not being the boss.
On the positive side (I hope), I have an appointment with my midwife this afternoon. I am praying for the boldness to tell her what I want and what I feel would be best for my family. Here I go again being the boss. . .
Friday, February 06, 2009
You Know You're Never Gonna . . .
. . . have the baby when they give you the lovely pink and blue non-stress test belts to just "tuck in your purse" for next time. You know the belts. How thoughtful and environmentally conscientious of them.
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Oh to be a Fairy
I am a firm believer in using the "Big Man" as my back-up as a parent. If I use Him as an ally and use His words to correct and train my kids, then I feel that I am using the right motives and words to help get at the heart of the issue at hand. My girls hate it (as did I as a child and as an adult), which to my mind reaffirms that the direction I'm coming from is right.
Anyway, one thing that we tell the girls quite often is that they truly are princesses. They are children of the only King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Usually they love being told this, but sometimes that is a lot to live up to (and don't I know it!!). So after getting in trouble for not controlling her tongue the 50 bizillionth time, Princess #2 had this to say: "I'm done being a princess. Being a princess is so hard. Why can't I be a fairy instead?"
Why indeed . . .
Anyway, one thing that we tell the girls quite often is that they truly are princesses. They are children of the only King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Usually they love being told this, but sometimes that is a lot to live up to (and don't I know it!!). So after getting in trouble for not controlling her tongue the 50 bizillionth time, Princess #2 had this to say: "I'm done being a princess. Being a princess is so hard. Why can't I be a fairy instead?"
Why indeed . . .
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Holding Pattern
After a disappointing doctor's visit yesterday, I am struggling to be content with this current birth plan. What is the current plan you ask? If I go into labor on my own, I *get* to have an unplanned, emergency c-section, unless baby turns south, which would of course be ideal, given that my alternative is, I *get* to wait until 39 weeks (next week) and then we'll casually plan the c-section sometime after that magic number. I feel like my midwife and I had a failure to communicate yesterday, which is frustrating.
Not to get all religious on you all, but please be praying along with me. I'm a hormonal wreck right now. How I feel reminds me of how I felt stuck in the hospital on bed rest with Princess #2, when I got all the post partum depression out before she was born. And the thought of not having a plan in place with this baby being breech, is freaking me out. I'm in uncharted territories here. Also please pray that my midwife will hear what I try to communicate to her at our next visit (which by the way, I'm praying we don't have to have-that he will come before Monday!!) Thanks.
The great news is that baby is doing great-obviously very happy and content where he is at. And really, you can't ask for more than that, as much as I want to.
Not to get all religious on you all, but please be praying along with me. I'm a hormonal wreck right now. How I feel reminds me of how I felt stuck in the hospital on bed rest with Princess #2, when I got all the post partum depression out before she was born. And the thought of not having a plan in place with this baby being breech, is freaking me out. I'm in uncharted territories here. Also please pray that my midwife will hear what I try to communicate to her at our next visit (which by the way, I'm praying we don't have to have-that he will come before Monday!!) Thanks.
The great news is that baby is doing great-obviously very happy and content where he is at. And really, you can't ask for more than that, as much as I want to.
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Memo
Hi Son-
Just a quick FYI: It is now February. Your birth month. You've done something that only one other of your siblings has done, made it to the month you were due. We're so proud of you and of that accomplishment and would like to tell you that face to face. Now.
Here are the directions to meet us: take your hands off your toes, continue to press your chin to your chest, and let your head float down the next time you feel Mama's tummy tighten. That should be in about 10 minutes.
You won't regret it. And you'll make us all so happy!
Love you,
Mama
Just a quick FYI: It is now February. Your birth month. You've done something that only one other of your siblings has done, made it to the month you were due. We're so proud of you and of that accomplishment and would like to tell you that face to face. Now.
Here are the directions to meet us: take your hands off your toes, continue to press your chin to your chest, and let your head float down the next time you feel Mama's tummy tighten. That should be in about 10 minutes.
You won't regret it. And you'll make us all so happy!
Love you,
Mama
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