We are now a family of 5!

When I started this blog, I thought we may only have one child. God has been so gracious to us! After four miscarriages between Blue Rock and Princess, I have had two more relatively easy pregnancies and healthy children. I am so pleased to introduce you to our 3rd born child, we'll call him Blue Knight. Knight because chess is one of his brother's favorite games and knight is one of my favorite pieces from chess. I'll start with a letter to him and will include some sweet details from my labor and delivery. Only read if you want to know his birth story. Otherwise, here's his stats: 7 lbs, 10 oz, and 20.5 inches long. He was born in the evening after almost 11 hours of labor.   

Dear Blue Knight,

This is your birth story. I want to start off with saying how happy and excited that God placed you in our family. You are welcomed with lots of love from me, Dad, your brother, and sister as well as many others, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

You were born on at 7:27 p.m. You weighed 7 lbs, 10 oz, and were 20.5 inches long. You have dark hair and blue eyes. You came 10 hours and 45 minutes after my OB broke my water. Normally I would not schedule an induction but I felt with the planning of your siblings care, that it would be fine to schedule a partial induction. It was the hardest and most exhausting and painful day of my life! But you are more than 100% worth it! After my water was broken, Dad and I did lots of walking, climbing stairs, I sat on different birthing balls, and was able to let you progress without the use of Pitocin, IV, and pain medicine. Your birth has been my hardest yet but I was so happy I was able to pull through and have another drug free labor and delivery. You are so handsome and we are so blessed!!

I ended up with a 2nd degree tear and am trying to take it easy as I recover. It took about 5-6 pushes to get you out! We arrived at the hospital at 7:30am, the doctor broke my water at 8:45am. I was having mild contractions at first so Dad and I walked and walked and climbed stairs. The nurse kept thinking I should get Pitocin to move things along. My wonderful OB recommended that we just wait it out and not have any extra medical intervention since I've had two natural births in the past. I was able to eat crackers, pudding, popcorn and a protein bar that I hid in my bag on the way to the hospital, and drink lots of water and juice. I requested no IV and was able to not have one. But that meant I had to drink lots of fluid on my own.

Since you were born so late in the evening and they said it would take about 2 hours before I could go to my room for the night, I decided to wait to let your brother and sister meet you the next morning. Plus Dad and I were exhausted! When Blue Rock came in the room to meet you for the first time, he raced to my bed and confirmed you were his brother. He asked why you were not crying. When Princess was born, she cried a whole lot at the hospital. He then asked to hold you. When Princess came over, right before Blue Rock, she wanted to hold you right away as well. She kept saying, "baby, baby. Hold hold the baby." For a 19 month old she speaks very well and can even say your name. Both kids got to hold you and kiss you. Opa and Grand C came to the hospital to meet you and so did Aunt M. We had some church friends visit us as well. We are looking forward to our friends coming by and meeting you at our house over the next few weeks.

The first night at the hospital you slept great. We were even able to swaddle you and put you in the bassinet by my bed. You did one 3.5 hour stretch of sleep. Of course a nurse came in around 4am to take 3 viles of blood from me so I didn't get to sleep that much. But you and Daddy both slept through it. We were hoping to leave the hospital soon after your 24 hour check-up. You looked great except you are a little jaundiced so they wanted to keep us another night to check your blood in the morning. We asked if we could just leave and come back in the morning. Thankfully our nurse got a hold of your doctor and she said we could go home. We were released from the hospital at 10:30 pm the next day.  Your first night home you slept well but wanted me to hold you and nurse you almost all night. From about 3:30am to 7am, you had a good stretch of sleep. Which is excellent for a newborn. You are calm and as sweet as can be!

We praise God that you are here, healthy, and part of our family. We love you, Blue Knight!

Love,
Mom

Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from Him. - Psalm 127:3

Here are some pictures from your birth and the first few days at home.

After my water broke walking the halls in the atrium at the hospital

Dad and I getting excited and thinking about your arrival!

It was great not having an IV and pole to drag around as I labored

You can labor and deliver in a hospital without being attached to things in the U.S.!

Princess looking forward to her baby brother to be out of my belly!

Blue Rock is super excited to meet his little brother

Last picture as a family of 4 and looking forward to meeting you!

You are here!

You're so handsome and perfect!

Born as the sun was going down

I have the BEST partner ever! Your Dad is the best! I couldn't get through natural childbirth without him!

My doctor who delivered you! She is awesome!

It's so nice to have a supportive medical team.

Big sister loves her baby!

Both kids love their baby!

You are blessed with a wonderful older brother and sister.

We are now a family of 5!

First bath

Getting all soapy

Bath is over! Now I'm just smiling

Friends from church

Home in my big brother's arms

Handsome sleepy boy

Getting some sun

First time we're all in the van together on the way to your first doctor's appt.

3 kids in the back, so precious and blessed!

3 days old with your doctor at your first appointment. You weighed 7 lbs, 2 oz. and are very healthy!

Baby Boy Shower!

A picture of all of us

We recently changed churches. This was not without a lot of prayer and consideration. It was a very difficult decision to make, especially given we're about to have two major changes happen. Not to mention we have some really good friends at our other church. That being said, we decided that it was something our family needed to do. We took our time and talked with our preacher and some elders and friends. We have no hard feelings toward anyone at our old church. We officially placed membership at our new church a few weeks ago, even though we had been visiting off and on since April.

I have to say, some of the ladies in our Sunday school class really know how to make a new person feel welcome. They threw me a baby shower last night at Blue Mesa. The main things I needed were diapers, wipes, and baby boy clothes. I was gifted some really cute boy clothes. Although I told them, just going out to dinner would be fine with me as I didn't expect a shower, especially since this was my 3rd baby and most of these ladies don't know me very well. My friend who coordinated everything said that every baby deserves a shower and they like to do something for every baby. So sweet!  I really enjoyed getting together with everyone and having a nice dinner out. My sister, step-mother, and cousin came too. I've been really enjoying getting to know everyone better and look forward to watching our kids grow up together. 

Me and my lovely hostess

Me and my sister

34.5 Weeks with Baby #3!

34.5 Week!

After writing the title of this blog, I was pondering on whether or not I should change the title to Baby #7, since he's really my 7th pregnancy. But for people who don't know me, he'll be known as our 3rd child so I'm going to leave it. I wish miscarriages didn't happen. I wish I had my other four babies here as well. With that being said, I am so thankful for this baby and am really looking forward to meeting him! Children are such precious gifts from God. Here's the update on our babe!

He's measuring big, 37 weeks, 5 days! He weighs approximately 6 lbs, 7 oz. My OB changed my due date down by 5 days. She said you really can't change it more than a week even though I've been measuring at least 2 weeks ahead for the past few months.

Some really good news, he's turned! I pray that he stays that way! I've gone to the chiropractor two times and I've felt him horizontal but wasn't sure if he made the transition downward. My fluid levels look great, his umbilical cord looks wonderful, and he is as handsome as can be! We are getting excited and ready to meet him. Since my due date has changed to August 21st, my doctor said that if he's not born by then, she would induce me if I wanted. She said at 38 weeks she could strip my membranes if I wanted. She did that with Princess and she was born in the 38th week. Considering his size, I would have no problem with that. Although we still have quite a bit to do before his arrival. My husband and I did make some great progress in his room this past weekend. I also got his bedding in the mail today and picked up a few decorations at Hobby Lobby. Our guest room/junk room has had a complete transformation. The really cool part about it is that we're slowly not going to have any "junk" room since we're using all of our house. I don't want junk in the playroom, I don't want junk in the dining room or office. Definitely no junk in the living room or kitchen. Although we somehow always seem to accumulate random things. I think overall we are both getting better and letting go of things. Once everything is completed, I'll share pictures of the nursery.

Big sister and I by our garden

How far along? 34 weeks, 5 days

Baby’s size? 6 lbs, 7 oz, measuring 37 weeks, 5 days

Total weight gain/loss: I have gained 28 lbs! Seems pretty average, a pound per week.

Maternity clothes? Yes! And sadly all of my maternity shorts are starting to feel to snug. =/

Stretch marks? No new ones for this pregnancy that I can see.

Sleep: Not great. I'm getting to the very uncomfortable stage but am so tired I usually fall asleep pretty fast. Although I have to get up to go to the restroom at least once or Grace comes in our room in the middle of the night and wakes us up. 

Best moment this week: Seeing my baby's sweet face in the sonogram!
 
Miss Anything? Sleep and my pre-pregnancy body. 

Movement: He moves constantly.

Food cravings: Nothing particularly, just hungry and I honestly get kind of tired of eating now.

Anything making you queasy or sick: No.

Gender: Boy!!

Labor Signs: I've started having some contractions.

Symptoms: Fatigue, big belly, baby movements, and early contractions.

Belly Button in or out? In but will poke out if I cough or laugh.

Wedding rings on or off? On!

Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy and blessed!

Looking forward to: Meeting my son.

Please pray for: A healthy baby and pregnancy.

Princess is 18 months old!

Squeezing out lime juice

Dear Princess,

You are now 18 months old! Everyday you bring smiles to our faces and fill our home with love and joy. You are a very happy girl, love to learn, funny, love to dance, and enjoy playing with your brother as well as taking things from him and running away!

You 18 month check-up went very well. You are ahead intellectually and physically. You don't have any signs of learning problems which is a big blessing. You can almost jump on both feet from the ground. You enjoy climbing on things and rocking. You are getting faster at running. And now you like me fixing your hair in pig tails. Also when we get a camera out to take your picture, you immediately smile! You always look so cute!

Here are your biometrics: 

32 inches long

23 lbs, 9 oz weight

47 cm head

You are in the 50-75% for height and weight. Just perfect!

You love books and we read to you often and you have picked up on lots of letters. The other morning we were sitting at the table in the kitchen and a box of LIFE cereal was on the table. You pointed to the "I" and said, "i!" I said that's right. Then you pointed to the "e" and said, "e." Then pointed to the other letters. I asked you where the F was and the L was and you pointed to the correct letter. Although you are unable to say all of the letter sounds perfectly yet, you know a very good amount. You love playing with your Little People Zoo and can match all of the animals with their beginning letters. You also love baby dolls and like to pretend to feed them and give them drinks. You love animals and being outside. We have some bunnies that live in the backyard and you love to call them "bop bop bunnies." At night when we read as a family, after Blue Rock reads a book, you sometimes will insist on reading a book too. You'll grab one and babble along as if you're really reading it. It is so cute! You also love to wave to animals in life and in books and say in the sweetest voice ever, "hi!" You'll also point to things in books and say, "hold, hold." Meaning you want to hold the thing pictured and you'll hold your hands out to hold it. It's adorable! You are a excellent eater and love eating a wide variety of things. You also still nurse 1-3 days a day. You are super healthy and very loved! You are going to make a great big sister!

One more story. You love music and dancing. You have several toys that play songs. You love pushing the buttons to play a song and will dance around the room to the music. If I'm in the room, you'll come grab my hand to dance with you. It is so precious!

Love,
Mom

Favorite Little People Zoo Animal Game/Toy

You love your big brother!

Reading together

Sitting in big brother's chair in the van