Elizabeth is ten weeks old already! I can't believe it, the time has flown by. We have gotten in to a pretty decent groove at home and I hope it remains so when I go back to work in a few weeks. At ten weeks Elizabeth,
* is all smiles. She is such a happy baby and smiles every time I talk to her
* loves Emma and Josh and grins whenever they are near her and follows them with her eyes when they are next to her
* is so content and hardly every cries
* loves being swaddled to sleep
* sleeps between 8-9 hours at night and takes 2 out of 3 good naps a day
* looks just like her brother and sister and it's hard to see just who she will resemble the most
* has big beautiful blue eyes just like Emma
* launches the bink out of her mouth when you give it to her and she does not want it
* loves being in a sling
* is so good at church (and is adored by all the people around us)
* is a quiet sleeper
* is still quite small and not yet out of 0-3 months clothing (unheard of for my children)
* has begun laughing at noises Eric makes at her
Elizabeth is a doll of a baby and easily loved by us all. It as been a joy having her these past 10 weeks.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Halloween (better late than never)
Halloween was such a whirlwind this year since Elizabeth was only ten days old. Emma, Josh, and I had been at Once Upon a Child back in September when Emma found an ASU cheerleaders dress that she HAD to have for Halloween. Shortly after finding that, Josh (who is obsessed with the AZ Cardinals) found a football players costume. I then got this bright idea that Elizabeth would be a football and that all I needed to do was find a brown onesie and have a friend sew some white ribbon to it. FYI, plain brown onesies are impossible to find! I looked all over (which is hard to do when you have a brand new baby at home) then finally got clever bought a white onesie, some brown dye and presto.
The evening before Halloween we went to the Hildwine's and carved pumpkins together. Emma had a blast and really got into her carving this year, Josh cared for about 10 minutes, and Elizabeth was content to sleep and eat.
This Halloween night was Josh's first experience with trick or treating and he was a bit scared. A few weeks prior his Ya-Ya and Poppi took him to Schnepf Farms for their annual Pumpkin Festival. He rode a train ride with Poppi and apparently there were scary guys on the ride and that was enough to set him off (we are still trying to convince him that no scary guys are going to get him). Every house we went to, he allowed Emma and our next door neighbor Gracey, go to the door first to ensure it was safe for him to approach. If he didn't like the look of the house, he steered clear. After about 10 houses, Josh was done but Emma was up for more. Eric and I changed places and I stayed home to pass out candy with Elizabeth and Josh. When Emma was finally done collecting her loot, she helped pass out candy too (I'm pretty sure both kids enjoyed passing out candy more than they did collecting it). We have a ton of kids in our neighborhood and they loved seeing all the different costumes. As of today we still have a gallon Ziploc bag full of candy, it's like the never ending bag! Both are excited for Halloween 2012 and are already planning their costumes.
The evening before Halloween we went to the Hildwine's and carved pumpkins together. Emma had a blast and really got into her carving this year, Josh cared for about 10 minutes, and Elizabeth was content to sleep and eat.
This Halloween night was Josh's first experience with trick or treating and he was a bit scared. A few weeks prior his Ya-Ya and Poppi took him to Schnepf Farms for their annual Pumpkin Festival. He rode a train ride with Poppi and apparently there were scary guys on the ride and that was enough to set him off (we are still trying to convince him that no scary guys are going to get him). Every house we went to, he allowed Emma and our next door neighbor Gracey, go to the door first to ensure it was safe for him to approach. If he didn't like the look of the house, he steered clear. After about 10 houses, Josh was done but Emma was up for more. Eric and I changed places and I stayed home to pass out candy with Elizabeth and Josh. When Emma was finally done collecting her loot, she helped pass out candy too (I'm pretty sure both kids enjoyed passing out candy more than they did collecting it). We have a ton of kids in our neighborhood and they loved seeing all the different costumes. As of today we still have a gallon Ziploc bag full of candy, it's like the never ending bag! Both are excited for Halloween 2012 and are already planning their costumes.
Friday, December 9, 2011
Overview
Life has been busy since the arrival of Elizabeth which has meant no time to write anything down. Here is a little overview of our lives in the past month.
Eric went back to work when Elizabeth was 3 weeks and for the last 4 plus weeks, the kids and I have been trying to figure everything out.
Elizabeth is a great sleeper at night and ranges between 6-8 straight hours at a time, so at least I don't feel like a walking zombie during the day.
Emma and Josh have been fantastic and are keeping each other company when I can't play with them.
Emma is a tremendous helper and Josh is too. They love Elizabeth but are still figuring out what a baby really is. Emma just doesn't understand why she won't stop crying sometimes (which she really only does in the car seat when she wants someone to be holding her) and Josh doesn't understand why he can't smother her with hugs and kisses.
Church is a struggle with 3 but we have made it every week.
Sophie (our dog) is majorly neglected right now but someone has to be and she is it.
All my Christmas shopping is done and somehow I have already managed to wrap almost everything.
Christmas cards are done and mailed.
Eric has been able to get out a few times to hunt and I have been able to get out a few times for time with girlfriends.
This week I start working out again (I always dread it when I haven't been doing it but know once I get back in the swing of things, I will love it again.)
We had out annual gingerbread party for the kids and though it was a smaller crowd this year, had a great time.
Well, I'm sure there is a bunch of other stuff but honestly my mommy brain can't remember much more than this. It's a small miracle if dinner is made when Eric gets home from work (which I must say, has been happening more frequently than not) and if the house isn't a complete disaster. Things can only get easier from here, or so I'm told!
Eric went back to work when Elizabeth was 3 weeks and for the last 4 plus weeks, the kids and I have been trying to figure everything out.
Elizabeth is a great sleeper at night and ranges between 6-8 straight hours at a time, so at least I don't feel like a walking zombie during the day.
Emma and Josh have been fantastic and are keeping each other company when I can't play with them.
Emma is a tremendous helper and Josh is too. They love Elizabeth but are still figuring out what a baby really is. Emma just doesn't understand why she won't stop crying sometimes (which she really only does in the car seat when she wants someone to be holding her) and Josh doesn't understand why he can't smother her with hugs and kisses.
Church is a struggle with 3 but we have made it every week.
Sophie (our dog) is majorly neglected right now but someone has to be and she is it.
All my Christmas shopping is done and somehow I have already managed to wrap almost everything.
Christmas cards are done and mailed.
Eric has been able to get out a few times to hunt and I have been able to get out a few times for time with girlfriends.
This week I start working out again (I always dread it when I haven't been doing it but know once I get back in the swing of things, I will love it again.)
We had out annual gingerbread party for the kids and though it was a smaller crowd this year, had a great time.
Well, I'm sure there is a bunch of other stuff but honestly my mommy brain can't remember much more than this. It's a small miracle if dinner is made when Eric gets home from work (which I must say, has been happening more frequently than not) and if the house isn't a complete disaster. Things can only get easier from here, or so I'm told!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Big sis, big bro
Emma and Josh got to meet Elizabeth the morning after she was born. Both were very excited to finally meet their new little sister. They came bringing cute cards they had made for me and Elizabeth had gotten them a present too, new water bottles (I still remember going to the hospital to see my mom and the present Danielle got for me when she was born so I wanted to continue this tradition with my own family).
Emma was the first to greet Elizabeth and ask to feed and hold her, Josh was a bit more timid but warmed up quickly. Both took turns meeting her and spent their time bonding with first holds, cuddles, and kisses. Sibling love is an incredible gift and it was a blessing watching the interaction between my 3 children. I pray that they will forever be each others best friends and will always have one and another to hold on to.
Emma was the first to greet Elizabeth and ask to feed and hold her, Josh was a bit more timid but warmed up quickly. Both took turns meeting her and spent their time bonding with first holds, cuddles, and kisses. Sibling love is an incredible gift and it was a blessing watching the interaction between my 3 children. I pray that they will forever be each others best friends and will always have one and another to hold on to.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Elizabeth Joy
After what seemed like the longest pregnancy ever, Elizabeth finally arrived on Friday, October 21. She made a quick entrance in to this world, only 5 hours after being induced. While driving home from working a full day and being completely relieved that I'd made it through two big meetings that week, I realized I hadn't really felt the baby move all day. I decided to call my doctor's office and let them know. They obviously needed something to do there so I was told to come down to be monitored, so Eric and I dropped the kids off with my parents and headed over. After a rough start, Elizabeth's heart rate finally started acting like it was supposed to but I agreed to an ultrasound just to be sure. Mostly because we didn't realize my amniotic fluid was so low with Josh at 38 weeks until we did an ultrasound. Turned out my fluid was on the low side again (not as low as with Josh) and with the decreased fetal movement, the doctor in the office recommended induction. He consulted with my doctor and soon we were headed to Mercy Gilbert for the dreaded induction.
I was bound and determined to make this a better experience than I had with Josh and was happy I had learned a few things last time. First, don't eat anything before receiving the medication. Second, be very adamant that I didn't want to be offered an epidural (it's very easy to be talked in to one when you're in a ton of pain). Third and once again, don't eat anything!
I am happy to say that this experience was much better and I no longer fear being induced like I did before. I was given the medication at 6 pm and by 10 pm I was starting to have some stronger contractions. My doctor checked me at 10 pm and I was only dilated half a centimeter more than I was at 6 pm. He did reassure me that the medicine did what it was supposed to do and that I was ready for contractions to start. He decided to hold off on breaking my water or giving me pitocin, which I didn't quite understand but whatever, I'm not the doctor. He obviously knows me pretty well after having delivered my other 2 kids because by 10:30 I was asking Eric to call the nurse because I'd either peed all over myself or my water had broken. Thankfully it was my water, I was a little mortified that I had peed myself. :o) After that, it was all down hill. The contractions were relentless for the next 30 minutes and never let up. By 11:01, it was all over and Elizabeth was here. She was amazing and I was so glad that all those weeks of pregnancy had come to an end with another beautiful baby girl!
I was bound and determined to make this a better experience than I had with Josh and was happy I had learned a few things last time. First, don't eat anything before receiving the medication. Second, be very adamant that I didn't want to be offered an epidural (it's very easy to be talked in to one when you're in a ton of pain). Third and once again, don't eat anything!
I am happy to say that this experience was much better and I no longer fear being induced like I did before. I was given the medication at 6 pm and by 10 pm I was starting to have some stronger contractions. My doctor checked me at 10 pm and I was only dilated half a centimeter more than I was at 6 pm. He did reassure me that the medicine did what it was supposed to do and that I was ready for contractions to start. He decided to hold off on breaking my water or giving me pitocin, which I didn't quite understand but whatever, I'm not the doctor. He obviously knows me pretty well after having delivered my other 2 kids because by 10:30 I was asking Eric to call the nurse because I'd either peed all over myself or my water had broken. Thankfully it was my water, I was a little mortified that I had peed myself. :o) After that, it was all down hill. The contractions were relentless for the next 30 minutes and never let up. By 11:01, it was all over and Elizabeth was here. She was amazing and I was so glad that all those weeks of pregnancy had come to an end with another beautiful baby girl!
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Still waiting
Still waiting for the baby to make her grand entrance in to this world. I am 3 days away from 40 weeks and definitely ready for her to come. I'm trying not to complain too much and just be grateful that I was able to carry another child full term but as the days go by, my restraint on my whiny self lessens.
I think the hardest part right now, is working. Today I couldn't even make it a full day. I hate coming home and wasting my sick time when she isn't here yet, it just means less time together once she does come. But, I know that pushing myself to stay at work and feeling yucky all day isn't good for me, the baby, or my students. Say a prayer that this munckin comes soon or her momma might go postal.
I'm not the only one anticipating the baby's arrival. Emma is very anxious to meet her little sister and prays every night that she would come very soon so that mommy can sleep again. So sweet, little does she know, my sleepless nights won't end even when I get my body back! Josh is excited for the baby in his own way too. He likes to say hi and bye to my belly and in the last week, gave up the crib for his baby sister. Last night was the first night he was a terror but I'm praying it was just a random event and not related to being in the bed instead of the crib.
Eric is also ready for the baby to come. I think what he really wants is more than a tiny corner of the bed back. Poor guy, I toss and turn so much anymore that I doubt he's sleeping that great either. Today was the day that he picked for her arrival and he's very ready to have some time off of work to spend with the kids and I.
So here we are, waiting. Hopefully, it's not too much longer and our adventures as a family of 5 (good grief, 5) can begin!
I think the hardest part right now, is working. Today I couldn't even make it a full day. I hate coming home and wasting my sick time when she isn't here yet, it just means less time together once she does come. But, I know that pushing myself to stay at work and feeling yucky all day isn't good for me, the baby, or my students. Say a prayer that this munckin comes soon or her momma might go postal.
I'm not the only one anticipating the baby's arrival. Emma is very anxious to meet her little sister and prays every night that she would come very soon so that mommy can sleep again. So sweet, little does she know, my sleepless nights won't end even when I get my body back! Josh is excited for the baby in his own way too. He likes to say hi and bye to my belly and in the last week, gave up the crib for his baby sister. Last night was the first night he was a terror but I'm praying it was just a random event and not related to being in the bed instead of the crib.
Eric is also ready for the baby to come. I think what he really wants is more than a tiny corner of the bed back. Poor guy, I toss and turn so much anymore that I doubt he's sleeping that great either. Today was the day that he picked for her arrival and he's very ready to have some time off of work to spend with the kids and I.
So here we are, waiting. Hopefully, it's not too much longer and our adventures as a family of 5 (good grief, 5) can begin!
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Say cheese
A few weeks ago, Eric took some pictures of me and the kids. I had some great ideas in mind but didn't realize what unwilling subjects a 5 year old and a 2 and a half year old could be. Here are a few of our favorites.
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