Luke's Birthday Present

I was changing Luke's diaper and Will and Jack came running in and announced they had the perfect idea for what we could get Luke for his birthday that is 2.5 months away. I asked what and they said, "A baby sister!!" 😳

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. 

Everyone Wants to Hold Baby

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.

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.

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.

Tie Blankets

Every Christmas I try and think of ways to remind and encourage our boys to think about others,  and especially about those who are struggling with either health or financial obstacles. This year I was so excited to learn of an opportunity to help some homeless children in our area that Will and Jack could physically be able to do something. A local charity hosted an event where kids could tie fleece blankets that would be distributed to homeless children. The boys learned a new skill and had fun playing and working with other kids in our community.

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.

Kindergarten Isn't Gonna Know What Hit 'Em

Jack was sooo excited to start Kindergarten. He asked everyday if it was his turn to go yet. He was really hoping he would get Mrs. Ledwell, but was placed in Mrs. Jill's class. I met her at Parent Night and knew Jack was going to love her! When I broke the news he was less than thrilled! I tried to convince him otherwise, but if you know Jack, you know that's basically pointless. He comes around when he comes around. Thankfully by the next morning, (his first day of school) he had came around.

Jack insisted they have their picture made together. Will sweetly complied. 

We loaded in the van and headed to school. Jack wanted me to walk him to his room. So with 3 boys in tow, off we went. All with good attitudes...Hallelujah!!!

Samuel wanted to be just like his big brothers and wore his backpack to school, too.

Jack and Mrs. Jill

I love milestones. I'm not usually too sentimental about things, but my heart does shed a few tears that they are growing and this time is passing quicker than I realize, but mostly I'm just so thankful that they are able to have these opportunities to learn and grow and become who they become. The experience of watching Will struggle to learn and just be a little boy gave me a new perspective. I'm so so thankful Jack gets to go and meet his sweet teacher, make new friends, and learn new things! It does help that I still have a little one to keep my attention on.

Some of us were a lot sadder about leaving Jack than others: 

So So SAD!

But he cheered up when he got to walk up the "secret passage way" to the cafeteria. 

 It won't be long!! That thought does kinda make me teary!

I was so excited to pick up the boys! Jack had a wonderful first day. He decided he loved Mrs. Jill very much and that she was "the best!" She was doing the car rider pick-up line and came over to talk to me while the boys hoped in the car. She said he had a great first day and that she was in love with him already! Well, I wasn't surprised a bit. Love that kiddo!

Preschool Grad

Jack graduated from preschool last night.

He had told me he was nervous when they first began practicing for graduation about having to be on the stage, but after a few practices, he decided he could do it, and that was that. The night of the graduation, he said the prayer before dinner. In his prayer he asked Heavenly Father to help him not be nervous and do a good job. It was sweet.

On the way to graduation something happened. MENTAL BREAKDOWN.

He informed us he would not get on the stage, and that he would be sitting with us. We did our best to alleviate his nerves, but nothing worked.

You see, when Jack decides he can't or won't do something, there is nothing you can do. There is not a thing in the world you can say, nor any amount of money you can offer--Nonna said she wasn't going higher than $20-- no delicious reward you offer for indulging in afterward that will change his mind. He is his own person.

When we arrived I took him inside hoping I could still sway him. With the rest of his friends getting their robes on, Jack refused to dress. I pleaded. He stayed firm. Back and forth, back and forth. Sigh. We went to find a seat to watch. Nonna and Pa both did their best to try and get him to change his mind, but it didn't work.

Mrs. Anne, the preschool director, came and asked Jack if he would be willing to just walk across the stage when they called his name. He wouldn't have to sing or even put on the gown or cap if he didn't want to. He willingly agreed like this was no big deal at all, and went back with his class.

He did not sing. He did put on a robe. He did not wear the cap. He did come up when they called his name. And he wants to be an Astronaut when he grows up.

Little Guy, I'm pretty sure you're going to do big things.