The Holidays

Here are a few pictures of the kids right before the baby came.





Summer seemed to last forever around here so when it finally dipped below 80 degrees in the house (mid-december) Sophie was dressed for camping.


All the kids were so excited when we put the decorations up this year--if it were just Matt and I, we would never bother, but it is truly magical for the kids. No one can get quite as excited about things as Ellie.



At the Christmas party, Ellie would not tell us what she was going to tell Santa, but she was having a long conversation with him and was twirling his beard while she whispered in his ear. I still don't know what she was telling him.

Coming home

My biggest worry in coming home was how Mathew was going to respond. He is jealous with his Mom and doesn't let his sisters sit on my lap so I was worried for Troy's safety. To my surprise, Mathew was thrilled with the baby. Of course he could still easily hurt him, but at least there is no ill intent--he loves Troy and is fascinated by him. All of the sudden the kids, especially Mathew, seem so much bigger.
It was such a blessing to have my parents there to help that week. Matt had a really hectic week at work so he was able to take care of business while my parents helped hold down the fort.

Baby Arrives

For some reason, the last weeks of pregnancy always seem to drag on forever. This time I was 4 days late and it felt like weeks late. My Mom arrived on a Saturday and I started having mild contractions Sunday night.

On Monday, we went to the gym and I did an hour on the elliptical. I mentioned to my mom that I'd left my water in the car and 2 women flipped around in horror--they thought I meant that my water had broken.

We went to Walmart and then McDonalds and the contractions were getting slightly stronger but still nothing consistent. By the time we got home at noon they were more consistent but we still walked Ellie to preschool (1/2 mile) and back. My Dad drove in around 3:00 and took me to the hospital. They checked me in and Matt got to the hospital around 4:30. They gave me an epidural around 7 and Troy arrived at 10.
It’s funny how each of my kids has looked so different--Troy had a head full of black hair. I was overwhelmed to see he was healthy and all had gone well.

I ended up staying 2 nights in the hospital and spent the time relaxing and listening to audiobooks. I was anxious to get home with the whole family.