A New Look

A couple of months ago, I decided that our living room needed a change. I had three reasons: (1) I was tired of the same thing. (2) I wanted more color. (3) The couch pillows were looking dingy (despite washing) from overuse. So...(or should I say sew?) I finally did something about it.


This is the "before" look.


And...the "after" look. I'm not even sure that I like it. Maybe it's just such an extreme change that it throws me off or maybe it really doesn't work in our living room. Perhaps it'll grow on me; I hope. It's definitely more color. And a change. And those pillows don't look dingy anymore. Mission accomplished?

On a positive note... I was pleased with my sewing, and I really like the pillows if I just look at them without taking in the whole room.

Quarantined!

What is the number one thing you do not want in your home when you have a newborn? Sick kids! (At least I can't think of something worse.) It's especially bad when those sick kids live at your house and have "wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night-gasping-for-air-despite-the-humidifier" croup!

It started with this kid. Poor guy; he'd been bored out of his mind all week because I didn't want to take the baby out of the house for fear of germs...(seems my purpose was defeated, though). Now we can't go anywhere because HE is sick. He woke up gasping for air night before last; we were thanking our lucky stars that it was the oldest child since it's least dangerous for him and he can tell us how he's feeling.

Then last night, I heard that seal-barking sound coming from their room again, but this time there were tiny cries between each series of coughs. I found Annie in her crib gasping for air and scared. We took her into the bathroom for some shower steam (did the same with Logan the night before) and she just clung to me. Her little heart was beating FAST! I'm glad the steam works so well!

We had a friend over before the sun was up to help give priesthood blessings...even Alex got one. I'm so grateful for the power of the priesthood! Then we decided that the older kids needed to stay away from the baby as much as possible, so this wonderful man took the day off and packed them down to my mom's house for the day. Jim says Annie has been clinging to him all day!

Now my focus is on keeping this child healthy. I am going to disinfect EVERYTHING today, and keep a close eye on Alex.

A Style of Her Own

Last night, Annie had made a real mess of her clothes, so when I changed her diaper I decided to leave them off until bathtime which was only 45min. away. She didn't like that, however, so she chose her own outfit and dressed herself.

I especially loved the back...

Check out those skinny legs!

Baby Alex

ANNOUNCING

Alex James
March 19, 2010 4:54pm
7 pounds, 15 ounces
20 inches

So we chose to have this baby induced on Friday. The back pain I was having almost all of the time was getting to be too much.

I've had a right before picture taken with all of our kids...couldn't stop the tradition this time. #3

All went fairly well; we discovered that he was posterior at one point and tried all sorts of positions to get him to turn. I suspect he'd been that way for weeks and that was why my back was hurting so much. I did choose to have an epidural, and thank heavens! When he was ready to appear, he still hadn't turned so I was feeling a LOT despite the epidural. I'm not sure I'm brave enough to have a baby naturally! Thankfully, he turned right at the last second, so the delivery was quick and smooth! In all, it took ten hours for our little guy to join us.


Alex was perfectly healthy and I was great as well.

He was passed around immediately. Here he is with Josh.

YESS!! I was so eager to NOT be pregnant anymore, that I think I forgot how much I enjoy holding a tiny baby. I am SO VERY attached to this little guy already! He's so sweet and so soft! I am feeling WONDERFUL too; at least ten times better!

With Terrance.

With Audrey.

He was totally exhausted not long after.

I couldn't get him to wake up to eat the first night. Even when I changed his diaper, he'd just grimace and grunt a little bit. He made little squeaking noises ALL night, so I had a hard time resting despite the wonderful chance I had.



Elisa with the baby.

Happy Daddy; he got to go home to sleep ALL BY HIMSELF that first night. I think he's the only one who was fairly rested when we came home yesterday.

"MY BABY!" I knew Annie was going to be very excited and probably not afraid to touch him, but she wouldn't let him go! When I had him next, she tried to force him out of my arms! We are having to watch her closely.

She is obsessed with keeping a hat on his head.

And he's receiving LOTS of hugs and kisses!


Logan was a little bit reluctant to hold Alex; in fact Logan was reluctant to come near me during our hospital time! He is VERY happy about the baby, though. He's been telling us that he's going to teach Alex all sorts of things: how to talk, how to walk, how to swim, how to eat, etc.

Alex sneezed and they thought it was HILARIOUS!

You have some eager playmates baby boy!

All dressed to go home.

And unhappy about it too!

Yep; we managed to fit three carseats in the back of our Focus.

Our first night home was a little rough. I think our new little guy was feeling pretty sore from his circumcision, but we weren't supposed to give him anything for the pain. He fussed the ENTIRE night. Mommy and Daddy are very sleepy today. Jim and Alex napped together all morning, and I gave our other kiddos some much needed Mommy attention. Hopefully, I get my nap this afternoon while they are at church.

The Big Day

Tomorrow! I'm being induced in the morning, and I must admit to being a little nervous. I've actually been induced for every baby so far, and for different reasons each time. All went well previously, though, so we have every reason to expect things to go smoothly tomorrow. The reason we are doing this a few days early(and the reason I've been whining lately) is because I've been having serious back pain whenever I sit or lay down. It's become really difficult to do a lot of things (like walking after sitting or laying and lifting Annie). So here we go! Wish us luck!

Can I Get Bigger Than This?!

Apparently I can...at least that is what my doctor says. So much for all those hopeful contractions I've been having for the last four months (especially the last several days). I'm fairly convinced they are doing NOTHING and that if I were to actually go into labor on my own, we'd be waiting until this baby is fifteen pounds. If you are tired of my whining and decide to not read my blog until after I've had this baby, I don't blame you. My apologies.

Dinner Conversation

Last night's dinner conversation with Logan went something like this:

"Mom, what is this?"
"Taco soup, honey."
"Why did you put chips in my taco soup?"
"To make it yummy."
"Next time I don't want it yummy!"

Okay... consequently the chips were the part he really liked.

Sew Baby

Obviously, I have one thing on my mind today... Anyway, I have had two easy sewing projects that I wanted to finish before the baby was born. I did one a few weeks back, and didn't get around to the other until today.

Today's project was a sling. I've never used a baby sling, so I don't know if I'll find it comfortable, but I decided to make one since it was SO simple and SO inexpensive. I only spent $2.50 between free satin, a gift card, and free O rings from my friend Nicole. She's also the one that gave me the idea and lent me the directions. If I were to dedicate this post, it'd be to her!

I couldn't convince Jim to model it for me, and Annie had no interest in riding in it; so you get a yucky picture of me and a cute teddy bear. :) I suppose the baby is in it too, considering he was preventing me from wearing it correctly...


The whole length isn't in the picture, but I wanted to show off the fabric. I think the satin makes it look really pretty. Even Jim said it was pretty!

My other project was a nursing cover. Remember Annie's doll blankie from Christmas? This is the matching baby brother blanket.

I did put boning in it, but I don't know if I'll like it. (It might be nice to look down and see my baby, but do I really want others looking down to see my baby?!) SO, I made it in a way that I can take the boning out. I actually have two of these because a sweet friend surprised me with one that she made (and it is so cute!), and I think they'll really come in handy. I suspect I'll need a cover ALL the time now that my big boy is three and a half.

No More Excuses Kid

My bags are packed,
I'm ready to go,
I wish I were standing here outside your door (the hospital's that is)!

You Know You're In Labor When...

...???

I have no idea because I've never had a baby without the help of Pitosin. All I know is that my back and my belly and my legs and my hips have been constantly, miserably hurting for a week. Is this what pre-labor is like? It'd better be...because it's becoming really difficult to do almost anything. Maybe this kid knows I haven't packed our bags yet and he's just waiting until I do...

(If you read this, thanks for letting me whine! I just might have a husband who is tired of it...)

I'm A Big Girl Now!

We aren't actually potty training (in fact I have NO desire at this point in time) but Annie occasionally pulls down her pants and asks to sit on the "pobby". Tonight she made the request, so Jim took her to sit and smile (because she hadn't ever deposited anything). Much to our surprise, she knew what she was about; she was VERY successful, and we were saved a very messy diaper! What a big girl! I'm looking at her and wondering how we'll ever find "big girl underwear" in her tiny size when she's truly ready...

This is an old picture, but you get the idea...

Cankles

After two days of sitting in an amazing "Face to Face with Greatness" seminar in the world's most uncomfortable chairs (seriously my only complaint about the seminar), my body has relocated some fluid... I swear they aren't sprained! (Looking forward to getting my body back!)

Father Son Campouts

Who says you can't go camping with your three-year-old every weekend? Certainly not Jim. This is fast becoming an activity every Friday or Saturday night...and Logan has to get out his camping gear every time.

I really can't complain because I get a good night's rest: Logan doesn't ever wake me up in the middle of the night, and I get to sleep in because he sleeps longer when he cuddles with Daddy.