We have a DAUGHTER!!!

Finley Grace
December 28, 2009
8:51 pm
7lb, 13 oz 20 inches

She is so perfect! I can't believe I have three amazing boys and a beautiful little girl! The boys are so in love with their little sister.

In Preparation

We had a wonderful, full Christmas. I will (eventually)(maybe) post pictures. We got to see all our family that lives in town, which is a LOT with both of us being from here. It was surprisingly restful and enjoyable.

Yesterday Eric worked hard to take down the Christmas tree and all the decorations while I did laundry, dishes, and all the other monotonous, but necessary chores. The house is clean and all ready for baby.

Today Eric is finishing up his month end and year end paperwork, Silas is napping, and the boys are playing with their new toys. I'm making a gigantic batch of turkey noodle soup, washing my sheets, doing more laundry (always!), and maybe resting.

Tomorrow we head to the midwife office where we'll decide whether or not we'll be meeting our baby. If not, she said we'll wait another week. I really don't think that it will be another week before this baby is born on our own, so if not tomorrow, I guess I'll prepare to rush up to the hospital. I think tomorrow may be the day as I've been having lots of braxton hicks, the baby is really low, and I'm losing my "plug" (sorry, I know that's disgusting, but I love using my blog as a reference, so just pretend you didn't read that!). Although, we shall see!

Why Yes, I am Enormous

(almost 39 weeks)

Today I had a midwife appointment. I was 1.5 cm dilated and 70% effaced. That isn't a lot compared to what my body has done early in the past. I told her I was concerned that my body wouldn't be ready to be induced on Monday. So, I have an appointment Monday morning in the office. If there is progress then we'll go ahead with the induction and if not I'll just wait.

Don't forget to enter the Guess the Baby Stats contest!

Cutest Shepherds Ever

On Sunday Judah and Samuel were in their very first Christmas play- along with about 33 other kids. Samuel had fun at the beginning, but was done with performing by the time all the kids were supposed to come up at the end. Judah, on the other hand, stood proud in the front and center.



His brothers' number one fan!

Saturday

Today is a good day. Being a stay at home mom it seems that everyday should be the same. But, for some reason they're not. Saturdays are always special!

Last night Jenna had a little sewing lesson for Erika and I. I had so much fun learning to sew a pillow and even more fun hanging out with the girls.



The bummer was that something was wrong with my sewing machine. It was making a weird banging sound, so I had to bring it back to Joann's this morning. At first they were being difficult and saying I could only return it, get a gift card, and then try to buy one that came in at whatever price it was at. I'm glad I stood my ground because the girl ended up asking the manager about it. I got to order the same machine (which will, hopefully, be in by Monday) AND getting a $10 gift card.

I, then, went by Jenna's to pick up a few things I'm very, very excited about. A SUPER cute nursing cover (not this one, but this one is cute, too!) and a super hero cape for Silas. Judah and Samuel each have one and Silas loves trying it on, but the boys aren't always excited about that. Now he'll have one all his own!

I ran a few errands and finished pretty much all my Christmas shopping. Off to do some wrapping....I haven't even started!

Emma and Silas

Eric found the camera! I was starting to get a little nervous because you can't have a baby (or Christmas) without a camera and pictures to document it all. Although, I told Eric if we didn't find it, then I was going to get him a dslr for his Christmas gift. Maybe I still should? Definitely on the "someday" wish list.

Here are some pictures I've been wanting to share. Silas and his best buddy, Emma. Isn't she cute? And, she just so happens to have the coolest mom ever- my best buddy, Brooke.



I love, Brooke, so much and all that I have gone through the past year makes me appreciate her even more. When you lose a lot of your friends the ones you have are that much sweeter. Brooke is a true, genuine friend and not just to me- to everyone. She's such a blessing in my life and I'm so glad she's my friend!

Guess the Baby Stats

I thought it would be fun to do a little "guess the baby stats" blog giveaway. The prize may or may not include:

-Something cool made by Jenna

-Something delicious from Maisie Jane's


-A Chico Bag


-Maybe some surprises

To enter you must include ALL of this information: (I'm using a program that calculates the guesses by a point system, so don't leave something out. I just can't remember what this program is. Can someone leave the link? I can't find it!!)
-Birth date and time
-Weight
-Length
-Sex of baby

Some things you might want to know:
I have a tentative induction date of December 28th. That is, if I don't go into labor on my own before that and if my body is progressing already on it's own.
The other boys were 7lbs, 11oz, 8lbs, 9oz, and 8lbs, 4oz.
The other boys were between 19.5 and 20.5 inches long

Fun!

Last night Eric drove around to not one, not two, but THREE Redboxes to find Julie & Julia for me. I'd really wanted to see it since it was in the theater, but hadn't and because of a mixup with Netflix we'd have to wait even longer to get it. We both really enjoyed it- blogging and food two of my favorite things in a movie. What could be bad about that? I usually fall asleep each night on the couch, but I'm proud to say that I lasted through the entire movie.



This guy is still waking up fussy from his nap each day. I, seriously, dread him waking up because I don't want to deal with the crying and screaming. Tomorrow we're taking Judah and Samuel to see Fantastic Mr. Fox and Silas is napping at my mother in law's. Hopefully he's better for her (don't worry, Ellie, I'm sure he will be- he didn't cry and scream for my mom). I don't know, but I'm definitely open for suggestions.

We had a great weekend! Besides missing "Breakfast with Santa" for the second year in a row (just like last year, when I called for tickets they said, "oh that was last week") it was perfect.

My sister in laws, brother in law, and sister in laws boyfriend were up for the weekend to celebrate Christmas because one of them has to work on Christmas day. The boys LOVE hanging out with their aunts and had lots of fun baking cookies, eating, playing hide and seek, and just hanging out.

I, also, washed and put away all the baby clothes, packed my hospital bags, and Eric set up the crib and rearranged our bedroom. Technically, I could go into labor any day, although I'm guessing I'll have the baby on my induction on the 28th. I have a lot to do from now until Christmas, so I'm sure the baby will hold out for me. :) I, also, have a very fun "guess the baby stats" contest that I'll post tomorrow.

Eric just went into the hall and said, "Silas' light is on." Whoops! No wonder he was making noise. I blame that on pregnancy!

I'm thinking of moving to NYC

to join this group.



This is seriously my dream come true!

I would post pictures, but...

I can't find my camera. So, those pictures will have to wait for later. (Hopefully, not too much later).

Today has been such a productive day. Maybe I'm nesting?

I don't want our yard to be the worst looking in the neighborhood, even though we're our own landscapers. So, I took the boys out front, gave them each their own rake and raked the lawn. I'm pretty proud of myself seeing as this is the first time I've ever raked in my life. Fortunately, it's not brain surgery, so I figured it out. Judah was an amazing help and they all enjoyed playing in the leaves when we were done. An old lady down the street even walked down to tell me how cute they are. Yes, I know! :)

I, also, set up more Christmas stuff on the mantel and around the house. It doesn't look how I wanted it (handmade and magazine-worthy), but that's ok. The projects will have to wait until next year when I'm not practically 9 months pregnant and the kids don't care either way, anyway. They're happy with our sparsely decorated tree (Eric stopped the ornament hanging after 3 broken ones) and our eclectic mix of decorations.

I've, also, done laundry (as always), dishes (also as always), vacuumed, swept (yes, those are everyday occurrences, too), and took Samuel and Silas to an early morning well-baby appointment. Samuel has eczema (which isn't surprising since Eric and I both have it) and Silas is healthy and growing just like he should- 50th percentile for both height and weight.

We bought the baby a new dresser. It's a really, really cute and from the 50s. I'm excited to get baby's stuff all washed and put away.

Tonight I'm going out to dinner with Brooke and I'm very, very excited. I don't have girls nights very often, so I'm going to fully enjoy this. And, hopefully, find my camera, so we can take a picture!

Hilarious

I saw Judah picking his nose and then he started freaking out.

Sometimes the boys freak out if they have a bloody nose or even if they THINK they have a bloody nose. So, I assumed he thought he had a bloody nose.

I told him to stop picking his nose, but he still seemed upset, so I went over to him.

He said, "I have a soft thing in my nose."

???

I saw a little thread and pulled on it. Out came a big wad of cotton.

I started to walk away, but he said there was more.

I held the nostril closed that the wad came out of and told him to blow.

Another big wad of cotton came out of the second nostril.

And, then I started laughing. Really, really hard. It must be a 5 year old thing because I remember in kindergarten I stuck a rock up my nose. I never told anyone about it and I can't remember quite how it came out.

But, it did. And, so it Judah's soft things.

Today I am...

-Listening to a constant stream of Christmas music

-Taking down the Thanksgiving decor

-Hoping Costco actually got their shipment of Christmas trees because we plan to get one today. Yay!

-Organizing and washing newborn baby clothes

-Doing lots of cleaning

-Still in my pjs

-Starting our advent calendar. (Whoops! A day late, but better late than never.)

-Starting "Operation Freezer Stash"

Boys!

Yesterday I didn't know where Judah was, so I was calling his name, "Juuuu-dahhhh." And, Silas started saying, in the same tone and inflection, "dahhh-dahhh."

In the past few days I feel like I'm watching his transformation between baby and little boy. He, also, started saying, "milk," and is wanting to copy and do everything that we're doing.

We were unloading wood from the back of Eric's truck last night and Silas was right in the middle carrying the littlest sticks, not to be left out.



Judah used to be the one who was meticulous, everything in it's place, organize the animals on the bed. Now it's Samuel. It must be a three year old thing. My sweet, sweet Samuel. "Sweet Samuel" just fits him. He loves to give hugs and kisses and cuddles and I hope he never grows out of it.



My biggest boy. And, he makes sure everyone knows he is the "biggest brother." Such a helper, such a leader, such a smart, confident boy. I love getting little glimpses of the men they will someday be.