A New Do

Addie got her first haircut! Her hair is . . .ummm, kinda crazy. Let's just say it's super curly! It looks cute when I first do it: wet it,brush it and then put a clip or bow in- mainly to keep it out of her eyes. But after an hour or so it gets kind of wild and sassy! I have been struggling with what to do with it. I haven't wanted to cut it, for fear of loosing the curls, but I knew something must be done. You should see it when she wakes up- whoa.

So after my mom had her when Carter was born, she gently suggested that maybe we should trim it. I panicked a little at first, but after some serious soul searching, I realized that she was right, it was time. It had gotten really long- in fact, when I rinsed it out after washing it in the bath, it reached the middle of her back. The ends were a little stringy and thin. We decided to go for it and I am so glad. I couldn't have been happier with the results. My mom just trimmed up the ends and it looks so much better. It actually made it even curlier! (although the result after sleeping is still the same- a bad case of bed head!) Addison was thrilled with the procedure and I think she already enjoys being pampered!



Done!

Thanks Grammy- good job!

"Are we crazy?"

Those were my last words as we walked through the gates of Disneyland yesterday, with our 4 kids in tow. Yes, we took all 4 to Disneyland. Crazy you think? Read on to find out the answer.

Aaron and Jake's annual passes expire in a couple weeks so we figured we would try to get one more trip in and since Aaron goes back to work tomorrow (sigh)- yesterday was the day. We decided to go at 9 am and didn't get on our first ride until 1:00 pm. It took us 4 hours to get everybody ready, dressed, fed, drive there, park, renew mine and Tyler's passes, wait in line and get onto an actual ride. Wow! We did have fun though and the kids enjoyed themselves, which is all that matters. . .right?? We stayed until 4 and then when Addison started hitting anyone who came within a foot of her and throwing popcorn at people, we decided that was our cue to leave. No nap for a 2 year old is not the best idea.

So the answer. . . yes, we are crazy, but there's something to be said for being spontaneous! We had a fun family day and wore ourselves out. At least everyone slept good last night, even little Carter was exhausted after all our fun!

I was DETERMINED to get a family picture- even though the kids were not happy about it. I had to document taking our 9 day old newborn to Disneyland!


We saw Kelsey Grammar there! Just as I was taking the picture the retard in the yellow shirt walked right in front of me. Kelsey is the one in the yellow shirt and jeans behind the knucklehead in the yellow shirt. His wife is the one with the blonde hair just to the right.



We stopped to listen to the firemens band on Main St. and when they told the kids to dance, Addie was the only one to take them up on it. She was lovin' it and especially all the clapping after!


Jake found a little friend while waiting for the tram. Jake took good care of him- for about an hour and then he put hum on timeout, where I think he still is. Poor Sam.

Our Saturday

We were up and at it early this morning. Tyler had his first T-ball game. Aaron is the coach and Jake is his "assistant." We all went to support our boys, even my Dad came to cheer Ty on. I was so busy with the baby, Addie and the "assistant" that I only got one picture of our athlete on the field. i'll do better next time.
The handsome coach- reflecting on the game.

Way too late- the popsicle cart came around. Note to self: popsicles keep naughty children busy for a long time!
Then we wandered over to the park for the kids to wear themselves out- um, I mean play and have fun. Carter was a doll and slept most of the time.

I've been a couch potato the rest of the day- sitting on the couch messing with my blog design and nursing. Boys have been outside with Dad all afternoon, doing what? Who knows?? But they are busy and happy and that's good for me. Time to feed again, better go!

P.S. Some of you asked about Carter's kidneys and I realized I never addressed that in the last post. He urinated within the first hour, so the pediatrician took that as a great sign and pretty much said we don't need to worry. I was so relieved, but a little bit frustrated that they made such a big deal out of it during the pregnancy and then after he was born they kind of threw it aside like it was no big deal. I sure would have like to know that 3 months ago after I was told the news and cried all afternoon. Having said that, it is great news and he's fine. I think our pediatrician will do an ultrasound, just to follow up. Thank you for all your prayers and sweet comments.

Carter Craig

Sorry, the days have gotten away from me. Thank you, certain impatient people (Karen) for prodding me into getting this post up. I gotta be quick though- Aaron's got the big boys at the 4 wheel/off roading store and the 2 little ones are sleeping!

So, I went in Wed. night for the foley bulb and I was still just 1/2 cm. It went in fine and that night there were a few contractions and some cramps, but nothing too bad. My in-laws come into town and we all (Mom, Dad, Ani, Matt, kids, Megan, Mike, Carl and Debbie) went to Bad to the Bone BBQ for dinner and then back to my parents house for dessert. Aaron had arranged for everyone to gather together so I could get a blessing. It was really neat and he specifically blessed Carter, through me, that his kidney's would be okay and not need any further treatment or attention. We got to bed around 10:30 and got a decents nights sleep, thank you Ambien! We woke up Thursday morning around 6am, showered (the foley bulb had come out!) and Aaron and I got to the hospital around 7:00. I got checked in, changed and settled in my room. Dr came and checked me and was very pleased to report that I was dilated to a 4 and 90% effaced. He was able to break my water right away and I heard him telling the nurse to be prepared because he thought I would go really fast. That was just before 7:30 and I heard him say he guessed it would be around 10:30. One thing that was stressing me out was that my Dr. had an emergency surgery at 11:15 that morning. So he said if I wanted him to deliver, I would have to go before 11 or wait until 1.

Things progressed pretty quickly after that. My petocin got started around 8:15. I was having contractions before that, but started feeling them pretty good around 8:30. The anesthesiologist came around 9 and got my epidural started. It worked great at the beginning. My legs went all warm and tingly and then I got really groggy. I just wanted to lay there with my eyes closed. My family all got there around that time, it was quite a group! Around 9:45 I started to feel my contractions again. Within a few minutes I could feel everything and it hurt. . . bad!! The nurse kept trying to get a hold of the anesthesiologist. First he was in surgery and then after, she told me that he had another emergency surgery and that he wouldn't be available for 2 hours. Nice. Pretty soon after that I started feeling like I needed to use the bathroom so everyone stepped out and they brought me a bed pan. My mother-in-law needed to get some stuff from her car downstairs so she left the building. I wasn't able to go to the bathroom so that's when my nurse decided that she better check me. Sure enough I was a 10 and 100%. In fact, I started feeling like I needed to push. She kept telling me to hold on and she started to get the room set up. I heard her call the doctor. At this point the pain was SO strong and the pressure was unbelievable! For those of you who have had kids, you know that the urge to push is not something you can control. It just happens! Aaron kept saying "Don't push, wait!" The dr. wasn't even there yet and I knew that baby was on his way out! Dr. May walked in, put his stuff on and pulled the light down and walked over to my bed. That's when I heard someone say "There's the head." I looked around and my mother-in-law was nowhere to be found. I kept saying "Where's Debbie?" I wanted to wait for her, but this baby was ready to come out and he just slipped out. Seriously, I didn't even push, he just came right out. Carter was born at 10:37 am. Debbie missed the whole thing, but luckily she got there right after. I heard the nurse say that she thought he was a big boy and she was right, he weighed 8 lbs and 15 ounces and was 20 inches long. He had a good amount of brown hair, although the least of the 4 kids. Because he came out so quickly, I tore quite a bit and since the epidural wasn't working the stitches were not very fun. I must've gotten a lot because he stitched forever! Yuck. After we were cleaned up, everyone came back in and got to love little Carter. He was wide awake for the first 2 hours. He was so sweet and calm even during all the pokes and clean up process, he just layed there looking around.

We stayed in the hospital for 2 nights and then came home on Sunday. Aaron and I took it easy the last couple days. Of course we hit up sushi and a movie before the kids came back yesterday. I even made it to the chiropractor- it felt so good. The kids came back last night and it's so nice to have everyone back together. He's been doing great. He's very content and hardly cries. He's been pretty good at night, waking up just twice to eat. Last night we got 4 solid hours, yes! Even though it's kind of nuts, I love my crazy life! Enjoy the pictures of our cute baby. We sure love him to pieces.

Carter Craig (we changed his middle name at the last minute. Craig is after my Dad.)


Proud Mommy and Daddy.




Me and my little man, taking a rest.

Our family of 6!

This is what everyone did on Saturday while I was recovering in the hospital!

Lots of kisses for Carter!


Thanks Auntie and Uncle Matt, for the cute sign!

Loves for my boys. (this was taken this morning)


Carter Craig, today at home.

He is here!

A little tease until Danielle makes a full blown post! Little Carter and Danielle are doing awesome. He is one cute baby!

THURSDAY

We have ourselves a birthday for little Carter- I am going to be induced on Thursday, April 10th at 7 am! I know many of you are thinking, yikes!- don't get induced! Let me assure you, I'm totally fine with it. I've been induced twice, with no problems and in my book, I prefer it. I can plan out where the kids will be, organize and rearrange our schedules and it takes the surprise out of it- which for me, is good. I don't like to be caught off guard, so this is perfect! Honestly, I couldn't be happier. Now I have tomorrow to get things in order, pack the last minute stuff for the kids and I can mentally prepare. I have to be at the hospital at 7, things probably won't get started until 8 or so, so I'm hoping to have a baby around noon. (at least that's the way things unfolded with Addie)Obviously, things were still the same at my appt today. I wasn't dilated anymore so since he knows my babies aren't particularly small, he suggested next Tuesday (the 14th!!) for induction. I quickly talked him into this Thursday- I had my whole speech planned out and it worked! I will go in Wednesday afternoon for a foley cathedar (just like with Addie) and then by Thursday morning, I should be dilated to a 4- which will mean a quicker labor for me. This way I will also get my epidural right away and hopefully not feel any pain. See what I mean about planning things out- I know it's a fault, but I can't help it. My hospital is an hour away, down by my parents house, so we will be leaving Wed. morning and staying the night down there.

I should get out of the hospital on Saturday and be home that night and then my mom will keep the kids for a couple nights. Aaron will be able to take a couple weeks off, so that will be a huge help. Then when he goes back to work, his mom will come out and help- she's a HUGE help, too. So I will be well taken care of for the next few weeks.

On a sentimental note, I can't wait to welcome this new, sweet spirit into our family. I have been thinking, dreaming and imagining what he'll be like for 40 weeks! I can't wait to get him into my arms and hold him and kiss his little head. Is there anything better than a newborn head?? On Sunday morning all the kids were in our bed wrestling and playing around. As I looked at all 3 of their little faces, I felt so much love for each of them. I feel so blessed- that I am able to be the mom to these kids. They are each so unique, amazing, smart and cute. I love that I am able to spend my day with these little people. Now that we are bringing another one into our home, it's truly humbling and awesome. Heavenly Father has truly blessed me and I am so thankful. To think that just 5 short years ago we didn't know if we'd be able to have kids- a lot has changed since then.

I will post pictures as soon as I can! See you in a few days!

Easter in pictures

Easter was so nice and relaxing. We had a yummy dinner at my parents house followed by an Easter Egg hunt and then a couple serious games of Ping-Pong. The day was beautiful and we all enjoyed sitting outside and visiting.


Patiently waiting for the hunt to begin.





What?? Everyone (Jacob was almost) looking at the camera at the same time??

Delicious dinner- thanks mom!

Yummy homemade cupcakes- by Auntie and Aunt Megan!


A happy girl with her 2 favorite things- her grammy and candy!