Protector

The Little Man of the house.

He is tough. He is strong.

And loves his sister very much.

When we were at the reception last weekend for Grandma Leny's funeral, the camera guy was taking pictures of Sadie who was sleeping in her car seat next to Nana. Jack was with me a few feet away talking to some family. But he kept his eye on this camera man. He kept asking me "what is that guy doing?" and I told him it was okay he was just taking pictures of Sadie. Well he didn't like it. He wanted me to get her and keep her with me. As soon as the guy stepped away, he ran over to the car seat, picked it up and started to carry it over to me. I couldn't believe it. So protective of his little sister. If someone takes her blanket or paci, he is sure to get it back for her. Saying in his ever so sweet but stern voice "This is Sadie Baby's"!
I love it.


Sadie will always have her big brother to look out for her and protect her. Whether she needs it or wants it. Watch out boys, you don't have to worry about her dad, it will be her brother that you need to watch out for!!

One Month Old

I can't believe how fast one month has flown by. And how much Sadie has already changed in that month.

She reminds us so much of Kaelyn as a baby.
Very alert and wanting attention.
She loves to be moving, whether it is in the swing, car seat or being held, she doesn't want to miss out on a thing.
She is a good sleeper at night so far, (with a few exceptions). I am just hoping in these next few weeks she will learn to sleep even longer. Mommy needs more sleep.
She is loved so much by her Big Sister and Big Brother.


They can't get enough of their "Sadie Baby". They always want to kiss her or hold her or play with her. Which makes it a little difficult when she wants to sleep. (or should I say when I want her to sleep!)

We love you so much Sadie and are such a blessing to our family! I can't wait to watch you grow up!

Easter

We had easter at the Birkhauser Ranch this year.
The kids had fun playing in Brian and Candy's huge yard.
But most of their time was spent in this swing.
Or playing ping pong.
Jack really wanted to ride one of Candy and Brian's horses, but was just a little scared when he got up on the horse which frightened the horse and Jack wanted down. I was just proud that he tried. Maybe next time.

The easter bunny even hid eggs for them to find!

Kaelyn and Jack had fun counting their eggs and seeing what candy was inside.

Even Braden and Sadie joined the fun.


We had a great Easter. Just wait till next year when all the kids will be big enough to find eggs. It will be craziness, but I can't wait!

Sadie Lena

It has already been a week. I can't believe it. A week ago today I became a mother of three.

It all started on Wednesday night when Jack asked me why I was walking like a penguin. By that time my back was in so much pain and I felt like an old women. But I never thought that I was waddling. That made my decision, I wasn't going to wait until Saturday for my induction.
The next day I went to the store and bought Castor Oil. Rich had a doctor that said to put a couple ounces on pizza, so that is what I did. I poured on 2 ounces onto my pizza for lunch. I was expecting to be in the bathroom within a few hours and then start feeling strong contractions. But never that fast. Within an hour or so I was feeling strong contractions. But nothing that I really had to stop what I was doing to breathe through them. By 3:00 everything changed. My contractions were a lot stronger and getting closer together (but I wasn't really timing them) and I wasn't having the nightmare time that I was expecting in the bathroom. What was going on? The contractions got stronger and Rich said we should call my mom and have her come over and get the kids. She showed up around 3:30-4. By that time my contractions were probably 5 minutes apart, but I didn't think that they had been that close for an hour like that should be. But we called the doctor anyway, and she said to head to the hospital.
So my mom took the kids and we headed down to Newport to go to the hospital. On the way down my contractions got so intense. I really didn't think we were going to make it. We were a few miles away and I was worried (so was Rich). He started running red lights so that we could get there. And am I glad that he did. We left our house around 4:30 and got to the hospital around 5:00. They barely hooked my up to the monitors, tried to give me an IV, but I was already dilated to a 6 by the time I showed up. I was in so much pain. Within in minutes I felt like I need to push. I was yelling for drugs but there wasn't time. I was now dilated to an 8 and they called the doctor who was on call to come into the room. As soon as he came it, I was pushing. Her head was out in 1 push and with 2 more pushes she was out.

All I could think was I can't believe that I just gave birth to my little girl with no pain meds. Seriously. And how thankful I was that I listened to my mom and husband and left when I did. I am very thankful that Rich really wanted to get a police escort to the hospital and ran as many red lights as he needed to get me there. I really didn't want to have the baby in the car.
Her nickname was Rocket Baby by the nurses and doctor. It was complete chaos!! And such a blur.

We arrived at the hospital around 5:00pm. And at 5:34pm Sadie Lena entered this world. Perfectly healthy and beautiful!
8lbs 6oz.
21 inches

She is perfect and a really easy baby! She is already a good sleeper and doesn't really cry unless she is really hungry.

Kaelyn and Jack adore her. They are constantly giving her hugs and kisses. It is the cutest thing.



Life of a mom of 3 is going very smoothly! At least so far!

So ready!

but this little one inside of me not so much. She is taking her sweet little time and enjoying herself inside my ever growing stomach. I had a check up today and was looking forward to more progress, but no. Nothing. Not a single change! I am still dilated at 1 cm and 50% effaced. But I was hoping that after a weekend of a lot of walking around, a little Wii and lots of activity that these minor contractions I was having would produce some change. I knew that they weren't really strong, but a girl can hope right.
I really wanted her to be born on Tuesday March 2nd. Not only because both Kaelyn and Jack were born on the 2nd (easier to remember when I get older), but how cool would it have been to have a 3-2-10 birthday. But NO, she didn't want to make things easy for her mommy when I get old and start to forget things.
My next appointment is on Wednesday, so hopefully she will come before that. But if not, my doctor said she will get me on the calendar for a induction. THANK GOODNESS!! I don't think I could wait anymore than another week. So lets just hope that she wants to come out this weekend so I don't have to wait.
Here is a picture that Kaelyn took of my belly. She wanted to practice taking pictures so that she can take pictures of the new baby! (Kaelyn liked to crop my head out of the pictures, she just wanted the belly).

Projects finished!!

I did it! I thought this would be a hard project, but really it was easy.
I decided to recover my infant car seat.

Before

After
I traced all the pieces of the original car seat cover. Then using the new girly fabric, I traced the new pieces out, sewed them together. Then sewed a piece of elastic around the edges to help make it stay in place. The original cover is still underneath giving it the extra padding. I loved how it turned out and can't wait for this new little girl to be in it. I still have to make the shade cover, but I will get to that.


I also made these two dresses.



If I make this one again, I would use thinner ribbon. The bows on the shoulders are a little on the big side, but it is still cute.


Then I made these onsies and burp clothes for my cousin-in-law. Super cute and easy.



Off to the next projects. Whatever they may be.

Baby Update

I haven't posted about the baby since we first found out that we were pregnant and I was so super sick. So I figured it was about time considering I am already 31 weeks along and this baby will be out soon.
I was feeling very tired and having a hard time catching my breathe. But I assumed it was just that fact that I was pregnant and had two kids to run after. But after my latest blood test the doctors found out that I was a little anemic. I started taking extra iron pills along with my prenatal pills and it has helped. So other than being huge and already very uncomfortable I am great and the baby is great. I had my check up yesterday and the baby (or my uterus) is measuring correctly and the heart rate is great! The only concern was my weight. And my doctor told me so politely "looks like you enjoyed the holidays!" I guess since my last checkup I gained some weight. A little more than she had anticipated. Okay 10 pounds in 5 weeks is a lot. I might have indulged in a few extra helpings of homemade pies and sweets, but I am pregnant and allowed too! Right! She wants me to try to only gain about a pound a week from here on out. Like I can control that. Its not like I can go on a diet or anything. Gaining weight is part of being pregnant. I guess she is just concerned that I will have a big baby.
If this baby is a girl, maybe she will come early like Kaelyn and then I don't have to worry about it. As long as she is healthy. But I have a feeling that is not going to happen. As for an induction like I had for Jack, that is out of the questions. (Being able to plan for someone to watch Kaelyn was the only reason for the induction) I had to go back to the doctor who delivered Kaelyn. (Jack's doctor doesn't deliver babies anymore) And because I had a false induction with Jack (stubborn little boy) she will not induce me unless I am at least dilated to 2cm. COME ON! That can take forever. So this could be the first pregnancy that I actually have to time my contractions! I am kind of excited about that. I never got to do that with Kaelyn or Jack. So it could be like I am having a baby for the first time.
However or whenever this baby is ready to come out I just pray that she (or he, there aren't 100% sure) is healthy!

So because I feel like I need to post a picture of me actually being pregnant and so I can remember how big I was with still so long to go, here is a picture. It is from last week, when Cory and Jennifer came over. Jen is due in about a week (hopefully sooner so she isn't so uncomfortable anymore) and I still have 7 more weeks to go.!!

Can you tell we are so thrilled to have our picture taken!!