Hot Cooker

Will and Jack were discussing cooking this morning.

Will: The thing about ladies is that they can cook really good.
Jack: Like Nonna. She's a hot cooker.

bahahahaha day made.

Fair Trade?

I was cleaning up the kitchen this afternoon while Will was sitting in the living room holding Luke. We were talking about how sweet he is and giggling when we would hear his little noises.

I asked, "Do you think we'll have anymore babies?"

"I don't think so."

"Why not?"

"There's just too many boys here. If you have another baby, it will be a boy and we will have 7 boys including Cooper. That's just too many."

"It is a lot."

"How about we ask Aunt Julee if we can make a trade for Ceseley?"

hahahaha "Okay, and who would we trade for Ceseley?"

Not missing a beat, "Sam."

He is a bit of a threenager right now (bless his heart), so I can totally understand how he came to this conclusion.

Sunday Morning

Will asks at least 50x a day to hold Luke. Unfortunately he doesn't get to hold him that much. He is gone at school or Luke is eating or fussy, so he doesn't get near the amount of snuggling that he would like. He asked this morning and it worked out just right.

This is what Sunday morning looks like at our house right now; Little boys in underwear, cuddled under blankets, and watching veggie tales. I couldn't resist taking a picture. I wanted to remember this moment so badly. All of my boys. In one spot. Happy to be together. 

Easter Sunday

We hosted Easter dinner at our house today. Patrick took Will & Jack to church and Sam, Luke, and I stayed home. Blake and Lauren arrived first, and then Brett. We got the last minute things ready for lunch. Mom and Joe and Holly's family came a little later. Bryce's family stopped by for an egg hunt after lunch. It was so nice having everyone here. I loved it.

I love Easter and the many things it reminds me of. This was the first Easter without Grandma Miller. I thought a lot about her. A lot of my Easter memories are connected to her. I missed her a lot today. I made her ham, and even used her roasting pan. I'm so thankful for my Savior and what he has done for me that gives me the hope that one day I will see not only my Grandma again, but be with all those I love and who are so important to me.

I was really wanting a picture of me with all 4 boys today, but could never find the right time. This so did not turn out the way I had been imagining it. Me with my four boys, but this is I'm sure a much more accurate depiction of each of their personalties when it comes to picture making...Love 'em anyway!

 ALSO! Today was Luke's due date. So happy he's already here!

The Best Sound in the World

I had a check-up with my OB mid-morning on the 17th. He and I discussed a few things most importantly what his schedule would be like for the next day. I was still at a 1 and 60% effaced so it didn't appear that anything was going to change very soon. However we were heading into the weekend and my doctor was going to be going out of town until Sunday. We went ahead and scheduled an induction for the following Wednesday, the 23rd. I made sure to tell him that I go from a 7-10 in about 30 minutes and I reeeeallly didn't want to wait on him to start pushing. ;) I told him with Sam I had had to wait for him because the nurse didn't believe me when I told her that. He said we'd make sure that didn't happen this time. Good man.

I left and went to Kroger. We were hosting a glow in the dark Easter Egg Hunt on Friday and I needed to pick-up a few items, and it was St. Patrick's Day,so obviously I had to get stuff for reubens.

On my way home, Janel called and asked if I was nesting yet. Nope. I had no desire to clean anything. I'd done a pretty good job with stocking the freezer, but that was about it. We talked for a few minutes and then I had to let her go. I spent the rest of the time that I had before picking up the boys from school cuddling with Sam on my bed while he watched the Good Dinosaur, and I read photography articles. I put Sam down for a nap and headed to get the boys.

While driving home from getting the boys (about a 20 minute drive), I noticed I was having contractions, not unusual, but they felt different. I noticed they were definitely in my lower back. Crap. I called Patrick to give him a heads-up "just in case, " but told him I was going to drink some water and lie down when I got home to see if they stopped. However upon arriving home I was about to lie down when I thought, "I can't lie down. My house is a mess! If this baby is coming I have got to clean!" Thus started the cleaning marathon. I scrubbed toilets, mopped and vacuumed floors, washed windows, got all the laundry done, folded, and most of it put away, started on dinner, but my contractions became INTENSE so I had to lie down and have Patrick takeover. I had a few more intense ones and then got up to pack a hospital bag. Still hadn't done that yet, oops. I texted Mom and Holly to let them know. That I was pretty sure I was in labor and stay close to their phones.

We told the boys that I was probably going to have to go to the hospital to have the baby. They were excited and nervous, me too. We said family prayer. They asked lots of questions. So much excitement! They were worried we would just leave them at home with no one to watch them. Seriously? They have so little faith in us sometimes. Patrick promised that they were our first priority and we wouldn't leave until someone had come, whether it was Aunt Holly or Nonna and not to worry. The whole time I was thinking speak for yourself, buddy, I'm not having a baby at home, and I'm definitely getting an epidural. ;) I remember kneeling down in prayer with my 3 boys and good husband, I think Patrick offered the prayer, but I'm not certain, and I don't recall what was said. I just remember pleading with Heavenly Father that all would be well and I would return home to these boys. The older I get the scarier it some things seem.

I still hadn't heard anything from Holly at 7:30 and was starting to get nervous. I had tried calling a few times, and told myself if she doesn't call me back by 8:00, I'm calling Allison. I tried calling her one more time a little after 8 and she answered and said "Sorry!" and that she would be right over. phew. When she got here, I decided maybe I should sit down to make sure I was really in labor. I sat down and we chatted. Holly suggested I download an app to keep track of my contractions. GREAT IDEA!! We finally left close to 10. I was pretty certain I was in labor, I was just really worried they
would say go home.

I was all hooked up to the monitors by 11 and was at a 3 showing definite signs of progress since that morning. They told me they'd monitor me for an hour and then call my OB to see what he said. When they checked me again I a had dilated to a 4 so thankfully Dr. Chesney said to keep me. They started pitocin and I got my epidural shortly after that. That was painful. I have never had one that hurt, but that one...something wasn't done right. Once my contractions became more regular and painful I could definitely tell something wasn't done right. My right side was still feeling lots of the pain. The epidural had taken the edge off, but I was still feeling all the rest of it. Dr. Chesney came in and broke my water around 1 am thinking that would really speed things up. Nope. Finally around 5:30 I was feeling more pressure. They started to prepare the room and by 6 it was time for me to push. Dr. Chesney came in and made some jokes. I remember thinking it was funny but being so nervous about having a baby that I didn't really laugh or feel like talking. Isn't that weird. My fourth baby and I was on the verge of tears. I'm not sure why. I don't know if I was just scared at the idea of all that could happen, if it was the realization that this is probably my last baby and last time to do this, if it was just the final kicker in the tough pregnancy with so many scares....I'm not sure. I just remember trying really hard not to cry. I pushed maybe 5 times and we had a baby LUKE! I saw his beautiful head and heard his incredible life changing cry. Instant tears. That sound could never get old. That sound is a life driving force. The moment we live for and ache to hear while we carry and grow our babies. I don't think there is another sound that can come close to touching the meanings and feelings that accompany that incredible miraculous sound. How grateful and fortunate and blessed I have been to hear that sound.

They handed him to me. My sweet perfect boy. I kissed him. He cried. I cried. I stared at his little self. He whimpered. I prayed unceasingly in my heart prayers of thanks. FOUR BOYS! I was a little stunned, but not surprised. I'm sure that doesn't make sense. But wow. He was here after a difficult and emotional pregnancy. So thankful. And he was so cute and so tiny and so mine. 7lbs 4oz.  21 inches. He reminded me of Jack as a baby. A small but noticeable amount of dark hair. Another newborn with blue eyes...selfishly praying it'll stick. And oh so perfectly pink and healthy!

Luke meeting his big brothers

Luke, we love you. We're so happy you're here.

Stop Scum!

I actually took this before Christmas when I was trying to get the house tidied up and clean. I just got around to editing it yesterday though, so I'm counting it as my photo today for the project 365 I'm attempting to do this year.

I had been cleaning in the bathroom and little man was my shadow--complete in his batman mask and ninja turtle underwear. While mopping the floor on my hands and knees across the bathroom, I saw this. I got my pregnant self up off the floor and went to find my camera hoping the battle wouldn't cease to be over until I got my photo. Luck prevailed! and I am happy to have this moment captured so it's never forgotten. Love being a mom to little boys. I could have never imagined what fun and happiness moments like this could bring. And this picture...it's just so so Sam!

Teamwork

They are beginning to grow out of this building with blocks and cars and trucks and alll that type of playing. Makes a momma's heart a little sad when I think of all the hours they've spent on there knees and the miles and miles those trucks, rescue vehicles, and equipment have covered. It took some encouraging to "go play!" but they remembered pretty quick how to do it and why they have loved it so much.

My Favorite Boys

The boys were very helpful with cutting down some small trees and cedars, while I helped Patrick with putting up the fence. They did a great job of helping us start a fire to stay warm and clear out brush. They paused to take a little break and snuggle up with there favorite big pup.

Movie Night

The boys got the movie Inside Out for Christmas. So we invited the Blatter's over for a movie night. We made popcorn, and I tried to get rid of lots of our Christmas candy. Ella was a big help. She came and sat in my lap for a while during the movie, and I let her eat all she wanted. :) The movie was really cute and we had a fun night visiting and playing.

Tornados? In December?

We have had some crazy warm weather this December, but tornado warnings a few days before Christmas is just ludicrous. We had some strong storm fronts that moved through tonight and we grabbed the kids out of their beds and shoved them in the closet. Remarkably they slept, but we did hear the occasional elbow, leg, or head hit the wall. Kinda cracked us up. And thankfully it just rained really hard and that was it.

Science Kid

Jack loves all things science and always is wanting to do experiments. My Dad arrived yesterday to spend a few days with us to kick off his Thanksgiving visit. He brought gifts for the kids for their birthdays. Will got a Pokemon case to store his hundreds of cards, and Jack got a science experiment kit. Sam also got a little blue car that he has loved playing with.  Will put all his cards in the new case that night, but since it was a little late Jack wasn't able to do any experiments. The next morning, he didn't waste anytime recruiting Poppa J to help him build a volcano. He loved every second of it!

Scavenger Hunt

The boys have been no so patient about this "secret" I have been keeping from them! They have begged and begged for me to "just tell us!" But I stayed strong even though it was super tempting. I made a little scavenger hunt and hid them around the house to see if they could guess what the surprise was. I had them run all over the house to different rooms and find clues.

I think they were a little less than thrilled, party poopers. I think they were thinking, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, sooo about that puppy??" ;) And so it goes living with boys...so hard to get a reaction or any excitement out of them with these kinds of things.

Our Fireplace & Our Boys

Warren Co. Fair

Mom wanted to take the boys to the fair and since Will had an abbreviated day today, it seemed like it would be the best time to go. Before we went Mom had the boys help her decorate a pumpkin. The boys were a little nervous about riding the rides, but once they rode a couple they warmed up to the idea pretty quick.

Some Beach...Somewhere

Playing In The River