Jade's Birthday

Today Jade turns 10yrs old. I am very excited for her. She can't wait to grow up. I remember that feeling. She had a friend over for her b-day and her friend's name is also Jade. It wouldn't be her party without the Jade's being together!! She has a High School Musical cake and we're having chicken tacos-her choice. It's low key, since she won't have a huge party until she's 12.

In honor of Jade, here are 10 things I love about her!!

1. Jade has a great sense of humor. She has an infectious laugh that comes bubbling out of her when you hit her funny bone.

2. Jade has a great sense of style that has been fun to see her develope.

3. Jade doesn't quite know how to handle it when Robert teases her, so she kind of gets embarrassed and says " Daaaad!"

4. Jade is very passionate about her friends. That is commendable.

5. Jade is tactful. She knows when to keep her mouth shut!

6. She is fairly well coordinated.

7. When Jade is focused on something, there is no sidetracking her.

8. Jade has done well with her Primary goals.

9. Jade comes to scripture study every morning with a good attitude!

10. Jade is beautiful, inside and out!

Gavin

i love this picture of Gavin. Lisa, My good friend came to visit me in the hospital and she took it for me. It is so dreamy. I could just eat him. I didn't think I looked good at all in the earlier post. So I added this one of me so you can see that I did pull it together and put some make-up on!! (Although, it's not that flattering!) I will try and get some updated ones on here of the kids with the baby at home!

settling in

We are settling into a routine -I think. Or shall I say, I HOPE?!?! The first few days at home were kind of rough. The Baby was born with some sucking issues-due to being born early. But we have perserveered and I think he is now gonna be a successful nurser. The last few days have been much better, in the eating area. He is a pretty content baby, That is so nice!! he smiles already at us and seems to be very aware when we talk to him.

I promised an update on his birth -so here goes.

I had a regular Dr. appointment on Monday, and the weekend before I had this feeling that I wouldn't be going home from this appointment. I think I could just tell how horrible I was feeling. I actually got ready for church thinking "I won't be going again for a few weeks" . So I went to the appointment and sure enough I was sent over to the hospital for 'observation'. Robert was with me and he got me all settled in and watched as the many drugs were hooked up! He left to get the kids settled in for the night and to be back in the morning -hoping that the specialist would allow me to go home with some drugs for a few weeks. Tuesday morning the Dr. came in and we decided that an induction was the best bet. I was a 3 already and had come into the hospital on Monday with contractions anyway. So they 'officially' started me. I called Robert and he was sitting at the table with the kids. I told him what had been decided and he told the kids. They let out a cheer of jubilation-ignorance is bliss I think! He put it into gear and got the kids off to school and my visiting teacher (Sis. Burgur) who is a major blessing to our lives, came over to watch the little ones. Robert got to the hospital with my 'stuff' and we settled in for the day. I was suprised at how bad I felt at this point. I had a really bad migraine that had started in the night- due to the pre-eclampsia so they gave me pain killer for it. That caused me to start vomiting, so on came the Zofran to help with the nausea. I was on Magnesium Sulfate and that stuff is horrible. the nurse warned me that is was gonna make me feel bad-but I had no idea that i would feel emotionally bad too. So on came the weepy, pregnant woman. But I have to say the nurses were top notch and Robert was the perfect supportive husband. I have a lot of gratitude for him and his support. Because of the type of drugs I was on. I was not allowed out of bed and that complicated things. fast forward 10 hours and I am finally a 9. YEA!! but that lasted for 2 hours. Gavin wouldn't complete due to his arms being raised above his head. They thought at first that it was his cord around his neck, and that we needed to get things moving along. so they had me just go ahead and start pushing. Which ended up being a good thing. Also, the Magnesium will soften all joints and tendons as well as muscles. So I think that probably helped with the whole arm above the head thing. Gavin was born and everything turned out fine with him. He has a bruise that runs along his wrist to his elbow. Due to it being raised. But otherwise he's good. I was in the hospital a few more days to monitor my progress. I had another day of drugs and another to monitor how I would come down off of the drugs, but I think things are settling back to 'normal'. I feel better and better everyday, Robert commented yesterday how nice it was to have his wife back- I loved to hear that. This sounds like a horrible birth. It wasn't what I had envisioned but I am so glad it turned out well. I think I was feeling so bad before that being induced had become a relief. I started flushing water immediatly after the birth and the swelling has gone way down. I can wear shoes (I have been wearing house slippers everywhere because nothing fit). I have lost at least 20 pounds of WATER!! YEA!!!! This actually turned out to be a great experience and I have learned alot through these last few weeks. Thank you to my friend who visited and brought meals and goodies!! WE appreciate it. It's always nice to feel loved and remembered!

baby

Gavin Robert was born on Tuesday, September 16, 2008. @6:43pm. He weighed in at 8lbs 12 oz. I was induced because of some complications with blood pressure and had been in the hospital for a day prior to being induced. By far it was the hardest labor. He was 3 weeks early and a good sized boy at that!! He would have been over 10lb had I gone to term so this was a good thing in the long run. I am finally home today and I'll up date you all later with the details as I'm to tired now to give the run down!! He's cute, He's soft and I think all the kids in the house are in LOVE!! so it's all good, (so far) -oh, and Mom, I think he's gonna have--- BROWN EYES!!--- YEA!!

life

Brock is so cute. Since the kids have gone back to school I have really enjoyed him. He just hangs out with me and is my buddy most days. Today he said, "Mom, you have beautiful eyes!" Now that's how you make a girl smile. He gave me a big smooch and continued to play. He's a good boy!!

Brynlee started band this week. she is playing the flute. She has enjoyed it so far, I hope this will continue. Jade started the strings program. she is playing the violin. Her program is only one day a week and she seems to like it, too. I hope their enjoyment for music continues. I always loved to play in the band and did for 8 years. I think they could get alot out of it, if they continue. Anyway, just thought I would give a check up on the family.

I'm still here. And I'm grumpy. This is the longest pregnancy to date!! ( or it seems to be) I don't know what to say to the Dr. when he says is everything ok? and I'm like -ya it's fine, and he says- what's going on? Well, i'm perpetually grumpy, do I have to be happy? do I have to have a smile on my face? well, I don't! I feel miserable and just done. SO I'm not happy. I'm swollen, to the max, I have 10lbs of water in my legs alone and it doesn't feel nice!! but I'm done complaining now and for the record, I was nice to the DR. I didn't vent. -just in the car on the way home. When Robert had a good laugh at me!! Although-hearing him laugh, did make me feel better. It's nice to find some hunor in it!!

Ultrasound

Yesterday I had another ultrasound. It was quite interesting, Robert went with me and we got to see fun stuff like the baby 'practice' breathing. Also, they estimate that he is 7 lbs. It's what Robert and I guessed it would be. (we were betting on the baby's weight) I went for 7lb 3 oz. and Robert guessed 6lb 10oz. so I guess he split it down the middle. It's kinda funny too, because both Robert and I listened to what the DR. had to say, heard the same words, and came out of the meeting with completely different opinions!! That's a little scary. I'm not sure if it's the difference between how men and women listen or if the Dr. wasn't clear. I thought the dr. was saying that my due date will stay the same Robert came away with another perspective -one where the Dr. has decided that my due date is September 27. So now I officially don't KNOW how pregnant I am. Am I 35 1/2 or 36 1/2? Had I realized this sooner I would have asked, but we didn't have out little 'conversation' until we were in the car and disagreeing (sp?) over what was said. I go again on Monday. I'll have to look retarded now, and ask the nurse- So, how pregnant am I? (and stupid, for not knowing already!)I guess I don't know that it matters that much if I go into labor on my own (which I never really have) because after 37 weeks your considered full term and they let you deliver, if your in labor. So I am now praying that I can just go into labor on my own and avoid another induction.-Although, I'm getting pretty desperate, it might mean I would do anything to get out of this predicament- It wouldn't be the first time!!

Labor Day

Well, I am loving the weather this week. It's definitly colder. It's kinda nice. I like the crisp air. I like the chill, it lends to jackets and I tend to like jackets. It's the whole layering thing. LOVE, IT. We spent our Labor Day weekend just hangin' out. I loved it. We did take the kids to see Kung Fu Panda. They really enjoyed it. I think Alexa even liked it. Lots of fun action and all that. The guy to my left and the guy behind me were really into it and gave great belly laughs all the way through. If any of you have heard my brother Lee's laugh, then you know what kind of laugh I am talking about. I think Robert even laughed. I was amused. It's not really my kind of humor. But then again. It's a kids movie and I rarely get into those. They are really for the kiddos. But that's ok. I think maybe I am rubbing off on the Bryn and Jade. They both liked it but not enough to really belly laugh and they both commented on the people around us. Very interesting. Makes me wonder how much of our personalities is genetic and how much environmental? very interesting indeed. Anyhow. Just planning on mopping the front room. Very grand plans today! :-) Have a good one-all!!