She's Here!

Addalynn Kay arrived very quickly on February 23rd, at 3:37 a.m. She weighed 9 lbs 11 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long. We are finally home and doing well!

40 Weeks

So d-day's here, but no baby! We found out with this pregnancy (still learning) that average gestation is 41 weeks and 1 day. That means February 27th for us; if we are average, we could be more or less. At my appointment this week, we were dilated to 3 cm and 60% effaced, a big change from last week. We also learned this pregnancy that all these numbers don't have as much meaning as we previously thought, :( and every pregnancy is different. I tend to be very pessimistic so I still believe we will have a baby around the beginning of March. Dr. S on the other hand is apparently very optimistic. He told me to make my appointment for next week, but he felt I would have the baby before. This almost sent me into panic mode, but then I remembered, only God knows, and he is in complete control. This is a very hard concept for me, I tend to like to be in control, but this pregnancy I have let go. Yes, I HAVE LET GO. Hopefully, there will be no scheduled induction, no shaving my legs the moment before we go, no make-up and hair perfectly done, no picture at the back door, then mopping myself out of the house as we head to the hospital (yes, this has happened the last two times). It is a little scary and overwhelming, yet so freeing in the same sense. I am not in control, my Heavenly Father is and he will take care of me and this baby. He already has everything planned and I don't have to worry about a thing! However, this information has sent everyone else into a frenzy! Hasn't anyone heard the saying "a watched pot never boils?" Well, I feel watched and I am definitely not boiling, so I might have to turn off my phones and become a recluse after today. Just kidding, but if I am not as tactful when I am asked, "How are you feeling?" for the 1000th time in one day, don't take it personal. I'm blaming it on the hormones. ;)

Home School Day at the Capitol

This week was Home School Day at the Capitol. Dad took part of the day off and met us there. We signed up late for the event because we were not sure about the baby's plans. Since we signed up so late, we were unable to get a scheduled tour of the capitol, but the kids still enjoyed walking around at our own pace. Legislation is not something we covered in first grade, but I am sure by next year Aiden will be a little more interested.

There was a big group photo taken on the steps. I ordered a copy and I'm curious to see how it turns out. It was such a beautiful day, so we delivered our desserts, took a few pictures, then headed to the park!

The slide is the main attraction!

Just one of the multiple trips.

Austen enjoyed climbing up the steps just as much as going down the slide.

Mr. Photogenic

My goal is to get a least one natural smile out of this boy, so far it hasn't happened.

The only problem is that she knows she is just too cute.

We decided to go for a walk, and we ended up at the Nature Center. We had planned to go last fall with a special family we know, but it never worked out. The kids had a blast and the best part- free admission! (I'm sure I will have to beg them to go again.) They were able to feed the fish themselves and watch the alligator and turtle feeding.

Even Sissy didn't hold back when it came to feeding worms to the fish. Before the lady could even offer, she was helping herself to the bucket of worms.

Afternoon at the Spa

Daddy was spending the day with Uncle Beef, so I loaded up the kids and we headed to the spa. I know it sounds crazy taking three kids, but they were so well behaved! I have always had spring/summer babies and I usually treat myself to a pedicure right before they are due. I had talked myself out of it this time until I started feeling sorry for Dad (and maybe myself). I didn't want to ask him to cut my toenails and I have heard a good foot rub can start labor. Plus the weather was so spring-like I just could not resist. (We're still waiting on a baby!)

Ava was very still and quiet. I think she was waiting on her turn.

What a cute smile!

The boys were on their best behavior, thanks to Nana's i-pad. It's amazing how fast Aiden can do his math problems on it, much faster than pen and paper. I guess we will have to put it on his Christmas list. ;)

On our way to town, Aus asked where we were going. I told him we were going to get Momma's toenails painted. He had lots of questions about it. Such as "Where is the toenail place?" and "What are we going to do at the toenail place?" We had to wait in line longer than I wanted so we were there almost two hours. When we got in the van to come home, he was exhausted from waiting, that boy has so much energy! Apparently he had overheard me tell Jake about my hopes for my pedicure starting labor. As I was putting him in his seat, he looked at me very seriously and stated, "Momma, if that baby is not at the house when we get there, I am going to be so MAD." How cute, he wanted to make sure he had not wasted his day!

Home Depot at Home

The first Saturday of every month, Home Depot has a workshop for kids. It is a really neat program. All the kids get an official Home Depot apron with their name on it and every time they attend the workshop and build something, they get a new pin to put on their apron.

 Ava now refers to herself as Sissy. 

I think Sissy keeps up with the boys pretty well.

Well, Daddy's schedule has been a little crazy and we have not had the opportunity to go. Mom can take the kids, but the boys enjoy it much more when Dad can go. We finally got to go last Saturday but somehow I got out of the house without my camera. So, no pics! Sorry!

 Aiden- our perfectionist! He made two, and picked the better one out for himself!

Ava didn't seem to mind.

One of the men who helps out, gave us last month's activity to take home. When Daddy was at Bible Study, we were just killing time until he came home to watch Nature with us. So we tried it out, but we forgot the aprons!

 Austen has his own way of doing a project, whatever makes that sweet boy happy!

The boys quickly lost patience with Mom. I always have to read the directions, and Dad never needs them! But we were able to make 3 battery organizers. Which the boys are using to display cars/dinosaurs/whatever toy may fit!

More Snow!

Just a few pics from the snow this past week. We got between 6 and 7 inches and it was very pretty. Ava missed out on this trip outside, she was taking a much needed nap. The boys enjoyed playing, but I think they may be getting tired of it. The new has definitely worn off. I am so glad we don't see a lot of snow, my floors look awful and the van is a disaster!

Austen and Aiden playing with Dingo, Nanny's newest pet. All three had a lot of fun running, jumping and rolling in the snow. I am certain Dingo slept well that night!

Austen's interpretation of "SMILE". Maybe his mouth was frozen?

Aiden made his own snowmen this time, as you can see he is very proud of his work.

Everyday

Just an everyday picture of the kids around the house.

Their favorite place to hang out is in the kitchen. When I think about it, we really do spend a lot of time there. Three meals a day, snacks, clean-up from meals and snacks, school, and most of the time I fold the laundry on the kitchen table. I try to enforce the rule of "no toys" in the kitchen because I have tripped many times, and I don't think they should play under my feet while I'm trying to cook. But as you can tell from the pic, they believe the stick horses don't fall into the category of toys. They look so innocent and sweet, how could I ever tell them otherwise?

39 Weeks

We are 39 weeks now! Not too much longer and we will be holding our new baby. Our original due date was February 19th, but we were not real sure of our dates. Mid-pregnancy, our ultrasound was more consistent with a due date of February 13th. At 20 weeks, the doctor said we would stick with the 19th on paper, but if it looked like I was going to go over, or the baby was going to be big, he wouldn't let me go too far past the 13th. Well...

...looks BIG enough to me!

This is by far the biggest my belly has ever been! I have resorted to wearing my Dad's t-shirts around the house because nothing else is long enough. We are "measuring over again," (whatever that means, I'm pretty sure it is not an exact science) but I really do NOT want to be induced.  In fact, the doctor asked me, "how big was your biggest baby?" my response, "8 pounds and 3 ounces" (Aiden- who was plenty big enough for me). Then he asked if I was trying to set some kind of record with this one.  No, thanks! 

We would really like to go into labor on our own this time. We have been induced with the other three, which was nice to have scheduled, but not necessary. Although I did begin to question our decision this past week with a blizzard in the forecast. I knew Jake would probably stay over at work and I was a little panicky thinking about the possibility of not being able to get to the hospital! At our visit on Tuesday, Dr. S said we were not going to have a snow baby. What a relief! The baby's head is still really high and my cervix has not changed a bit.  

So, our blood pressure is great, baby sounds good, and we go back next week. When I asked how long he would let me go, Dr. S said it all depended on me and the baby. Based on how my visit was this week, he said he would not start to get nervous until March 5th. I honestly feel much better with this pregnancy than ever and I can't complain at all. My theory is that we will have a March toddler instead of a February baby!

Yard Work

I just want to clarify, when I say Jake enjoys the outdoors, this doesn't mean he is a hunter/fisherman. Although he enjoys fishing with his boys, hunting is not his cup of tea.  He can't sit still that long! He is always on the move and thinking of his next project to do. This is what he loves, getting a project done and spending time with his family. The leaves had been bothering him for a while, but he had been busy at work and helping Mom out with projects for the new baby. We had another day of beautiful weather and the outdoors were calling his name.

Aiden is giving out some "helpful" advice to his siblings.

I think Aiden was getting the raw end of the deal, I'm pretty sure Aus never returned the favor!

What!?! You want the leaves to stay in a pile?

Everyone wants to help out, no one is too small!

Just a few more years and the boys will be doing this for Jake. But until then, I know they will continue to enjoy the "tarp rides".

Pinnacle Mountain

In contrast to the previous posting about the snow, a few weeks later we were fortunate to have spring like weather at the end of January. We had to take advantage of it and Daddy had the idea of spending the day at Pinnacle Mountain. Actually, the original idea was to take the boys. But Mom was not going to be out done. "Ava and I can go" were my exact words.... Let's just say hindsight is 20/20.

Before we started our adventure. 

I believe there are 10 markers along the trail. Ava and I saw #2, then decided we were in over our heads.  Daddy was very patient and said we could slow down and take breaks often, but it was too much for Momma being 37+ weeks pregnant.  So, we abandoned our journey, but we didn't think it over very well. Jake decided to keep going with the boys, Ava and I were going to go shopping, so he gave me the keys to the van and they took off.  About the time they were just out of sight, I realized I didn't have a wallet with me and he had our lunch! When we have hiked the trail previously, it has taken about 2 hours. I knew the boys wouldn't want to rush back to us, but I was already getting hungry!  I called Jake on his phone, explained the dilemma and we decided I should call Nana.  Poor Nana! She bails me out a lot, I guess that's what Mom's are for! She came and picked us up and it's a good thing! The guys didn't make it home for another 4 hours.

The view from the top! They are so proud of themselves!

Daddy and his Boys

I know I have a wonderful husband and God has truly blessed me. When I think about the time Jake spends with his family, teaching and playing with his children, it warms my heart. These are the best days of our lives. I am so thankful for my husband, children and everyday I get to spend with them.

Happy Birthday Papa!

We recently celebrated Papa Bill's 70th Birthday. The party served two purposes, to celebrate Papa and send Bryan off with lots of love. We had tons of pizza and delicious carrot cake.

The boys always enjoy having their picture taken, as evidenced by the cheesy grin. 

Aiden, Bryan and Austen

Papa is definitely not one that thrives on attention, I love this picture because it shows his true feelings!

A picture of all the guys with the birthday boy. 

Uncle Keith, Poppa Kenneth, Bryan, Jake, 

Austen, Aiden and Papa Bill

And a picture of all the ladies with the birthday boy.

Nana, Ava, Aunt Cookie, Bailee, Nanny,

myself and Papa

Ava's favorite activity is eating, and she is very serious about it!

Snow!

We rarely see snow at our house. Once a year is typical, and enough snow to play in is pretty rare. We were lucky enough to get a little over 7 inches about a month ago, and the kids had a blast! It started snowing on a Sunday afternoon and snowed until early Monday morning. Church was canceled that night so the kids got to go out with Daddy and play.

Ava all bundled up and ready to play!

Aiden making the first snow angel of 2011!

Ava and Austen posing with one of the many cedar trees we have in our yard. They look beautiful in the snow!

The next day Daddy had to work and the boys were dying to make a snowman. "We can't let the snow melt!" Dad was working overtime and spending the night at work, so it was all up to Mom. Just a disclaimer- (I had never built a snowman before, 1) because this much snow is rare, 2) because I have never really enjoyed playing in the snow.  But I'll do anything for my kiddos.) Aiden came up with the idea for using grapes for the eyes and of course a baby carrot for the nose.

Our finished product, or should I say my finished product.
The kids were frozen by this point, no time for smiles!

About 3 minutes into building the snowman the kids forgot about poor Mom, who was 8 months pregnant and doing good to breathe in Daddy's coveralls! The boys were off exploring and poor Ava was trying to keep up. Every few minutes I would hear an "uh-oh" followed by that sweet voice saying, "Mom-ma".  Her legs weren't quite long enough to walk in the snow and I would turn around to find her lying flat on her back, stranded in the snow. She never cried, and would wait very patiently for Momma to come to her rescue.  Once the snowman was finished the boys were content with the results. Except for the comments such as "I bet Dad could have built a bigger one!"-Aiden and "Can I karate chop it now?"-Austen.

If At First You Don't Succeed...

So, I've tried this before, but we are going to try again! Here are some more recent pics of the kids. Their favorite place is Daddy's lap! Pretty soon he is not going to have enough room for all of them. As you can tell Daddy enjoys it too. Aus never sits still for long without falling asleep.


Ava is now 21 months old and very independent. This is a picture of her at Nana and Poppa's house at Christmas. She insists on standing in a chair to eat at the table, even though she has taken a few spills. Stubborn, maybe, but I like to call it determined!


Austen or "Aus" is now 3 1/2 years old. Wow, it goes by so fast! He is very loving and always smiling. He is always able to find a way to entertain himself. When he gets sleepy, you better cover your ears or he might try to rub them off! Just one of his sweet and unique little quirks.

Aiden is 6 1/2 going on about 30. He takes his job as big brother very serious. He is always looking out for the best interest of his younger siblings and loves them very much. Aiden is the more serious type and a little bit shy. But don't let him fool you, he can talk your ear off once he gets warmed up.

Hopefully, I will get this stuff figured out and be able to post pictures faster. Be patient, and more pics and updates to come.