Announcing Our New Arrival -

Oh happy day!

Little Elyssa is here at last.

She came without parade or much fuss,

but come she did, and fairly fast.

7 lbs. 5 oz.

20" long

She had a little jaundice on day 3 and had to be under the bili lights for a while.



Here she is today. She is 5 days old!

- Our Littlest Sweetie -

The Unexplained -

Before you read this, scroll down to the next entry. I've posted twice today.

You would think that the day I get off of bed rest would be uneventful, but yesterday pushed me to my limit!

When my husband got home from work, we loaded the family up and took the kids to G's baseball closing ceremonies where he was presented his participation medal. Hurray for G! We hadn't eaten dinner yet and I was hungry. Upon arriving home, I hadn't even gotten into the house yet, and my four year old (little B) started screaming on the front steps. One look at his chin and I knew we were headed to the doctor's for stitches (who put that snow sled on our cement steps anyway?). DH and I loaded up little B and left the kids at home with my father-in-law (thank goodness he was there)! Did I mention that we hadn't eaten dinner?

While little B was screaming and getting stitched up, I was holding his legs steady while DH was holding his head. The room was hot and the surgical light was hot and DH still had his jacket on. Suddenly, DH starts walking out of the exam room and the Physician's Assistant told the nurse to follow him. He managed to get to another exam room before he passed out! Luckily he was sitting in a chair when he lost consciousness and the nurse was right there with him.

After little B finished getting stitches, we went to check on DH. He was pale white! We spent an hour longer waiting for his color to return. Yikes! We got home around 9:00 at night and yes, I was still hungry. Thankfully, my father-in-law had dinner warmed and ready for us.

SO - how does a man who has seen me through 5 baby deliveries and has remained calm when the kids are bleeding or throwing up suddenly pass out while his son gets stitches? Here's my theory - he was HUNGRY! Also, the room was hot and he was wearing a jacket. He probably locked his knees the whole time he was holding little B's head too. Did I mention that he had given blood the day before?

Here's a bit of interesting coincidence - Both times little B has needed stitches, my father-in-law just happened to be at our home. Thank goodness for little miracles!

Hopefully my second day off of bed rest will be much less eventful! Let's see, we have dentist appointments, an ultrasound, a birthday party, piano lessons, and scouts. I think we can manage.

It's Official

I am 36 weeks, dilated to a 4, 50% effaced, and no longer on bed rest! Yay! Now I can start getting ready for this baby. I've got a nursery to decorate and some serious organizing to get done.

Thanks everyone for helping me out during the bed rest. Thanks especially to my Father-in-law who came and stayed most days and kept the kids happy, changed countless diapers, and did the housework like a champ! I always knew you had it in you!

On another note - Here are some pictures from our latest excursion to Black Rock -

The kids made it to the top for the first time!

Here's the crew just before sunset -
The sunset was beautiful!

The BASEMENT

Before sheet rock -After the sheet rock -

Boo and G in their alien spacesuits at Camp Invention -

35 Weeks!

I made it to 35 weeks gestation. I am also happy to say that our little girl has moved on her own and is no longer breech. One more week until they let me get off bed rest. I've had a great deal of time to get some reading done.

The basement is looking great! We'll be ready for paint soon.

34 Weeks and Holding -

I've made it to 34 weeks. Just two more weeks to go! Also, this little baby girl is breech at the moment, so hopefully she turns soon. Thanks everyone for your encouragement and especially your help! Dinners and babysitting have been much appreciated.

School is out! Yep - school ended yesterday. Any ideas on how to keep 5 kids happy and helpful for the summer months?

I'm done home schooling!!!! Those two years of school with my oldest passed so quickly. It was hard at times and sometimes frustrating but overall worth it! I feel like he is in a better place then he was two years ago. It has been fun having him home all the time and watching him learn and grow.

The dry wall is almost finished! Our basement is looking so good! By next week, the mudding and taping should be finished. Then my DH will paint and hang doors and all that fun stuff. Anyone know a good place to buy carpet?