Random Pictures

So I found these pictures on the camera and thought I'd just post them real quick.This was my first time delivering a baby where it was only Jacob and I in the delivery room. With the girls two of his sisters have always been there too so we usually get tons of pictures. Its a bit harder when its just two of you in there.

I took these last two on our second day in the hospital when it was just Abigail and I. 

As a random side note, Abigail is our hairiest baby yet. She was born with the most hair and she has hair all over her body its hilarious.

Preschool 2013

How are my babies old enough for preschool? Savannah missed the cut off for kindergarten by 12 days, its actually fine by me if she stays in preschool one more year I think it will actually be good for her. When my mom and I dropped them off the first day the girls were so excited! Excited is actually probably an understatement. Savannah has the same teacher she had last year which I was really happy about because she LOVED her! We are fans of Ms Allyson in our house. Olivia got a new teacher that was added this year and I've only heard wonderful things about her so I was pretty excited. I didn't have a hard time dropping off Savannah but I almost started balling after I dropped off Olivia. Olivia on the other hand was very excited to be in school and could care less if I left her there. She loves Ms Carol and is always thrilled to go to school and I know she has the best time. I love the girls preschool and I also love having the girls gone 3 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. Its a great time for me to go to appointments or the store and only have little Abby with me. I'm also looking forward to taking a nap one of these days since the girls school schedule goes along with Abby's afternoon nap.

A New Chapter Begins

 So this was me a week ago. 39 Weeks pregnant and heading off to my doctors appointment. I was beyond impatient to get my labor started and I had been having contractions for over a week. I felt like with this baby I was on a time schedule to have her and I needed her to come like now. Both my girls were starting school on the 13th, my parents were driving out from Maryland to come see the baby, and Jacob starts school on the 19th and I really wanted him to have some time with our newest little girl before he was gone all the time. At my appointment I was still only dilated to a 2! I was beyond disappointed about that but I was pretty much totally effaced which was awesome. My doctor offered to induce me the next day because it was the only day he was on call at the hospital. Now those of you who know me know I'm not a fan of inductions but I was so overcome with the feeling of yes do this that I agreed and we scheduled me to be induced at 5:30 the next morning. I felt calm and so peaceful about the decision, I didn't really have to do anything to get ready because I was already all ready to have this baby. My house was clean, all my freezer meals were made, mine and the girls bags were packed. Our last day as a family of 4 was spent hanging out watching TV and playing together. I got up the next morning and got myself all ready to head over to the hospital, a friend came to stay at our place till the girls woke up and then they would be off having a blast playing with friends and having a sleepover. I started having a panic attack on the way to the hospital. It was like all my memories of labor and childbirth came rushing back to me and I thought I might throw up on the 5 minute car ride to the hospital. I ended up not getting my induction started till around 8:30 and I began to remember how much I didn't like pitocin at all. They started me off slow and my contractions started coming regularly and with some intensity. I had it under control and was in my zone, I was totally proud of myself. The problem was I wasn't dilating. They upped my dose and had me go for a walk for 30 minutes around the hospital. That was all it took, when they checked me next I was almost to a 4. By now it was around 1ish, Jacob left for about 30 minutes to get some warmer clothes because he was freezing in my room and he needed to get some lunch. Right before he left I was also told that my doctor wanted me to be tad more dilated before I got my epidural. I always contemplate having my kids naturally but I've never had the guts to do it. I enjoy my epidurals and I enjoy child birth as much as you can because I'm drugged up. At 3:00 I was dilated to a 6 almost 7 and the anesthesiologist was called to come give me my epidural. I swear it took him FOREVER to come seriously! What I didn't know was he wasn't in the hospital so he was coming from somewhere else. After each contraction I kept thinking oh this is the last one I'll feel, he'll walk threw those doors any minute and I won't have to go threw this anymore. Remember I'm still on pitocin and its up to a 9 which is pretty high. FINALLY the anesthesiologist comes in, I'm having the worst contractions I have ever experienced out of all my labors. I am not in the zone to say the least. At one point I begged Jacob to make it stop and I told him I didn't think I could do this anymore. Jacob was amazing. He encouraged me and gave me the support I needed threw out the entire experience. (To some this next bit may be a bit graphic so you may want to skip to the pictures.) As I was sitting on the edge of the bed getting my epidural I knew something wasn't quite right. I was feeling lots of pressure like the baby was coming, I was having the most horrid contractions, and all while having a needle placed in my back. While my epidural was being placed my water broke. It was just like with Olivia and it got all over the floor and Jacob. He was a champ and didn't say a word even though I know he was totally grossed out. I kept saying I was sorry in between screaming in pain. The epidural was set and the anesthesiologist was fiddling with the dosage, I was moved to my back and I started feeling the head crown. I told the nurse who looked under my sheet and then ran out of the room. Next she come running back with a handful of nurses and my doctor. My nurse tells me how to breath and not to push. Have you ever tried to not push when your babies head is crowning? I did good following that direction but my body didn't. My doctor literally just got suited up and put his hands down there when out came my baby. I didnt' have to push at all because my body just took over and out she came. I had her at 4:02, so in about an hour I dilated 4cm and had a natural child birth since my epidural hadn't even taken effect yet. We finally decided to name her Abigail Lynn and she weighed in at 7lbs 8oz and was just over 20in long. She's perfect in every way. Jacob and I were talking afterwards and we both said how grateful we were that I had been induced because were both nervous that if my water had broke at home that I might have delivered her on the car ride over to the hospital. Whenever Jacob tells someone about my labor he says how proud of me he is and how he felt helpless watching me go threw so much. I won't lie, I'm still a bit traumatized after giving birth which is very new for me. I had nightmares the entire first night in the hospital. I'm proud of myself for doing something so hard when I wasn't prepared for it at all. Good for you women who have natural childbirths but I have no desire to do that again ever. The end result made all the pain worth it. I love looking at our beautiful new daughter, holding her, and smelling that incredible new baby smell. We're all in love with little Abigail. After she was born her jaundice levels were already quite high so she and I ended up staying in the hospital for an extra day. We were very lucky that we were able to get in under control fast and on Thursday afternoon we got to come home. At her check-up on Friday afternoon her levels were still a bit high but they were in a safe enough range for how old she was that we didn't have to take her back to the hospital. She's still doing really well so we should be out of the clear. Our chances of future children having jaundice are also high since 2 of our 3 kids have all had high levels and I also had high levels when I was born.

 Overall everything is going really well. I'm healing a bit slower then I did with Olivia but much faster then after Savannah. I've already gone on 2 outings which was fantastic. I go stir crazy staying in the house for too long. I don't think I have the baby blues but it is a bit easier to make me cry, I did the same thing while pregnant too though. My mom is still here visiting and will be here for another week. My dad even came out this time and got to spend 4 1/2 days with us before he flew home yesterday. The girls are totally in love with Abby and just can't seem to get enough of her, especially Savannah. Honestly I just feel so blessed that I've been able to bring 3 beautiful and healthy girls into this world. That I have an amazing husband who adores us and works so hard for us. That I have an amazing family who is willing to help me make this transition from 2 to 3 kids. I feel so lucky that I get to be a mom even on the days when my kids drive me nuts. So here is to a new chapter for our family of 5. Its definitely going to be a crazy ride but I really wouldn't have it any other way.

38 Weeks

As of today I'm 38 weeks pregnant. This pregnancy has FLOWN by! It really is crazy to think that within 2 weeks we will most likely be holding our new little girl and be a family of 5. True to form this pregnancy has been similar and oh so different from the other two. Now that I'm in the end I'm starting to feel miserable which I totally expect because if I didn't there is no way I'd be up for labor. Some of the fun things that are bugging me of late are the fact that my stomach is so big I can't stand in front of the sink to do dishes, I have to be turned to my side to be able to actually reach in the sink. I finally started swelling up, I no longer have my cute skinny ankles but I now have cankles. Its sad and depressing but what are you gonna do about it? I can't sleep at all, I get up at least 3 times every night and sometimes more. The reason for getting up? I have to pee ALL the time! I feel like I'm about to pee my pants and then I hardly go at all. This girl likes to use my bladder as a pillow or something, this requires me to pee like every hour minimum and sometimes every half hour. I'm also so big this time that I really don't fit into most of my clothes so I wear the same outfits a lot because I'm limited on what I can wear that's comfortable. I once again hate cooking. I struggle to make dinner because I get so hot cooking, I want take out all the time but I'm trying to be good. I get nauseated again, usually its if I've eaten too much crap during the day so sometimes a night I feel like I'm just going to throw up everywhere.
Well there you have it, some of the fun things that I'm feeling right now. Like I said I know we have to feel miserable at the end otherwise who in their right mind would want to go threw labor? Not me that's who! The funny part is, is that after each of the girls I remember freaking out after they were born and thinking I wasn't ready just yet and how I wished they'd staying in a little longer, lol. We are beyond excited to welcome this new little one into the world and we know she'll be here before we know it. Our whole family is excited to finally hold her and see what she looks like and who she is. When you really think about it this is such an amazing experience to go threw. To think that there is a person growing inside you, to think of how many things have to go just right to form this perfect little person. Its just such a miracle.

The BIG 3!

Where does the time go? Seriously?! Olivia just had her 3rd birthday and I still can't believe it, it feels like just yesterday we were at the hospital having her. I've been amazed watching this girl grow up the last 3 years, she is such a blessing in our home and she is always amazing me. I am so proud of all the things Olivia can do. She has made such amazing progress in all of her therapies and she is just such a joy! Olivia is one of the happiest, sweetest, most loving children I've ever met. Everyone who meets her falls in love with her. Don't' get me wrong she has her sassy moments she is 3 after all but still she is just adorable. Olivia is getting ready to start preschool in about 3 weeks with Savannah and she is so excited, she picked out a dinosaur backpack, so adorable! We've also been working on potty training. Its had its ups and downs, right now we're on a down swing and since the baby is  due in 2 weeks I'm really not worrying about it because I have way to many other things on my mind. Some of Olivia's favorite things to do are sing, dance, play with her new doll house, play cars, dinosaurs, and read books. She also has this hilarious laugh she does sometimes which is totally fake but oh so funny.
To celebrate the big day we actually had parties all weekend. We started off having cupcakes with her friends at music makers on Friday, had a very low key birthday party on Saturday, and had a small celebration with just our little family on Sunday. I had fun making so many treats and having people to share them with so I didn't eat all of them myself since I've been known to do that.

 Olivia is way into dinosaurs so we had a girly dinosaur party with lots of pink and purple two of Olivia's favorite colors.

 Doesn't Olivia just have the cutest dad ever?!

 She couldn't wait to start eating all the snacks.

We had a blast celebrating Olivia's birthday, we went on a dinosaur egg hunt and all the kids got dinosaur stickers and tattoos and a little dinosaur to take home. Olivia was so excited about all the festivities! The smile on her face when we'd sing happy birthday to her was priceless and hearing her say "WOW!" when she saw all her decorations was a great moment. We sure do love this little girl and all the joy and sweetness she brings with her.

Nesting the Third Time

 

My big ol' belly at 33 weeks 

I tell you this pregnancy is just so different for me! I was the sickest I've ever been, this girl of ours is so strong already that she hurts me when she kicks! Seriously people I have to do breathing exercises sometimes its ridiculous. I'm huge! Each time I have a baby I just get bigger and bigger its crazy, a plus is I can still see my ankles which is AMAZING! Nesting has also been super different for me this time around. I'm a big planner/organizer and usually I start nesting in my second trimester until I pop out my baby. Not this time...I'm actually still waiting to start the nesting thing. Don't get me wrong I totally feel the need and see the importance of getting a lot of things done but I'm just not feeling it.  I have no motivation to actually get started.  When I make myself do something I feel that wonderful sense of accomplishment but it takes a lot to motivate me. Its just so not me and it feels weird to be totally honest. I made myself go buy some things today that we'll need for when the baby comes, you know like some nursing pads and bottles and such. I've also started making freezer meals since I have no idea what to expect after this girl comes. Oh and have I mentioned we have no idea what we're naming her either?! That fact alone is killing me and so unlike the other girls. We had their names picked out before we were even pregnant and with this little girl I feel at a loss. No name gives me that overwhelming feeling of yes baby girl that is your name, that is who you are like I had with the other two. We've been calling her a name since May and I like it but I won't even commit to it enough to say it on our blog for goodness sakes. I think part of my nesting problems is I actually feel very overwhelmed about having our third now that we're almost 4 weeks away. I've slowly realized how really alone we are here. Don't get me wrong we have some wonderful friends who have made it very clear that they are more then willing to help in any way we need but the majority of our family and our closest friends all live in different states. This is a first for us and I'm realizing how I really need to be on top of as many things now as I can to save my sanity after this baby comes. Especially since Jacob starts back at school the week after my due date, that means that once he starts school he'll be gone from 5:30am-9:30pm Monday thru Friday. It makes me a bit nervous to be alone with all 3 girls that much and still remain sane and on top of things. I sound like such a Debbie downer don't I?! Its how I deal with some situations in all honestly, I try and expect the worse so that I'm either mentally prepared or so that the situation exceeds my expectations. It works for me so I keep doing it and if you know me at all you know I am typically VERY optimistic. So now you all know the truth, I'm feeling overwhelmed and a bit nervous about the changes coming up in our family. Deep down I know everything will be fine, I'm beyond excited to meet this little girl that is beating me up from the inside, and I'm so excited that our family is growing but I'm also a bit nervous. Life is full of mystery and we never quite know what's ahead, all we can do is push forward with faith, trust in ourselves and the Lord and know that all will be well.

4th of July 2013

I really do love the 4th of July! I love having an extra reminder to really reflect and think about what an amazing country we live in, how lucky we are to have the freedoms we do and to not take them for granted. We had a fairly low key 4th which was fine by me because its been so hot and I feel huge and tired a lot of the time. Jacob had the day off work so we dropped Olivia off in the morning and took Savannah to her last day of swim lessons. She was beyond excited that Jacob came and this was a fun day for her too because they did a quick practice of the things they learned and then they got certificates, otter pops, and they got to go down the big slide! We also decided to sign Savannah up for another session of swim lessons and this time Olivia and I signed up for a mommy and me class too. We start Monday and both girls are super excited. After Savannah's lessons we headed home and watched shows and hung out in the house where it was nice and cool. We went to our good friends the Johnson's for a bbq and it was so good! We visited and the girls played until it was time for fireworks. We headed over to the church where we had a perfect view of the fireworks, we were a bit further away then I would have liked and the girls weren't as interested as they were last year. It was a great show though and we all had a good time.

Then today Prescott held their annual 4th of July parade, its the second largest in the state and they weren't lying. It started at 9 and went till 12! We left at 11 because both the girls were done and Jacob and I were so hot! It was actually perfect because we missed all the traffic and we got lunch before a huge rain storm came through, I love monsoon season. We didn't tell the girls we were going to the parade till we got their and the smile on Savanna's face was priceless! Both the girls love going to things like this which I love because I always love going to parades and fairs. Jacob is less thrilled but he's a very good sport and will come along with us. Their were quite a few fire departments that came to the parade to remember the 19 firefighters that just died last week in a fire about an hour from Prescott. It was so sweet to see all the tributes that were being made to them and their families. The girls LOVED all the horses and all the candy and other fun stuff people were handing out.

(Getting ready for the parade to start.)

(Doesn't Jacob look so excited?! LOL!)

(Olivia kept hugging Jacob and rubbing his back, so tender.)

Thank you Prescott for putting on such a great parade and helping us feel such pride for our amazing country. See you again next year.