::times 4::

What a week (and a half)!!

We had our baby girl on Monday, March 21. We went into the hospital just before 6 in the morning. By the time all the paperwork was done, blood drawn, IVs run, machines turned on, it was 6:45. We were hoping to have a baby by noon. Then, as time went on, we pushed our guesses further and further back. My dr. didn't break my water until 1ish, and by about 5 I was only 5 cm. By that time, I was just hoping she'd be born sometime that night! Then in about 45 minutes, the nurse did an exam, and started laughing. I said "what?, nu uh." She said, "you're complete." I said "stop it!!" It was funny because there were twins being delivered at the same time, and they'd been saying all along that luck would have it that I would be ready at the same time as the twins, and we were. So we had to wait a few minutes for my dr. to get done with the twins. The nurse told me not to cough! The labor was long, the epidural was not great (I blame that on the anesthesiologist), but the delivery was perfect! It was so easy and quick.

(whoa I was big!)

It was a looooong day! Chloe was my little buddy all day. We had all the kids there with us for most of the day, but the little boys got bored of the iPads and Vsmiles, so Grandma Snowman took them to her house for a while. We called her while I was waiting for my dr. to get done with the twins, and they got there right after she was born. Chloe didn't leave my side the whole day! She didn't go to school, and didn't even want to leave to have lunch. She was so excited to meet her sister.

(I love this picture. My face describes how "fun" it was to sit in a hospital bed for 12 hours. And Chloe laying by me is just precious)

And here's our girl!! As soon as she was out, I felt the best relief in my stomach! I could breathe for the first time in months! She cried right away. I asked if her cord was wrapped around her neck-I was pretty worried about that. It wasn't, by the way. When they handed her to me, she was just perfect! 10 fingers, 10 toes, and completely perfect! She has dimples-one of the very first things I noticed about her, she had lots of dark hair (especially in the back), she has the LONGEST feet (they're skinny and flat just like mine) and fingers. She is completely beautiful!




Our whole family is pretty in love with her. We all think she's beautiful and sweet and can't imagine life without her. Matt was holding her in the hospital and was a little teary eyed at the whole experience, and he said "aw, are you sure we're done? Look how sweet she is!"


There are SO many pictures of Chloe holding Baby Ava. She just can't hold her enough. She just loves her so much. She was so sad at the hospital when she had to go home with Da-da. She cried. She wanted to stay there with me. I would've let her if there had been a bed there for her (even a couch bed would've been fine), but all there was was a big recliner. She'd had a long day and needed some sleep. So she stayed while Matt took the boys home and got them bathed and in bed, and then he came back to tell us goodnight and take Chloe home. They came back the next morning-no she didn't go to school Tuesday either. She mostly stayed at the hospital with me ALL day. She even ate some of my hospital food! Anyway, she just couldn't bare being away from her new sister.




Portie is a sweet big brother. He love baby sister too. When I was holding her right after she was born, he said "Mom! She likes you!" He's learning how to be gentle and how not to prove how strong he is by lifting her up off his lap. He gives her lots of kisses and likes to touch her hair. He holds her a lot. He's pretty curious about nursing too-hmmm I guess we'll have to figure that one out.




Cooper-what a sweet boy. He calls her Bee Aevuh. He likes when she squeaks. He loves to hold her, but he tells her not to touch his foot/jammies/mumma or whatever. He talks to her a lot. He likes to honk her nose-gently. He tries to show her stuff too. He loves when she doo-doos and always wants to see her diaper. Our first morning at home, he came into our room just before 7 (which is pretty normal-he does that a lot). He cuddled up to us. Baby Ava squeaked, and he said "whassat??" I said "I don't know, what was that?" He sat up and looked in her little bassinet. I guess he forgot about her! When he saw her he said "BeeAevuh!!" It was cute.





She's a pretty good baby. I think she's the spittin' image of her big sister when she was teeny. It's so fun to look at her and watch her because she reminds me SO much of Chloe. Her stretches, squeaks...she was even "baby snake" (where she sticks her tongue out over and over) when she was born just like Chloe. Ava's hair and skin are darker, like Port's was, but other than that, she's Chloe-part 2 (we tell Chloe that a lot, and I think she likes it). She sleeps a lot. She likes to eat every 2-3 hours during the day; except for sometimes when she wants to eat an hour after her last feeding. She's not a huge fan of the binky (also like Porter). She'll take it if we really make her, but she's not a fan. She's really cuddly, and I just want to hold her all day long!

It's weird that it's already been almost 2 weeks, but at the same time, I can't believe she's only been with us for that long-it feels like she's always been here. Does that make sense? Probably not. These last 11 days have been pretty great. I feel so good! I can breathe, going to bed is relaxing and nice (even though I have to wake up and feed her about 3 times during the night), and I just feel so much happier. Matt was home all week the week she was born (which was really nice), and I've been on my own this week. It's been good though. I got the big kids everywhere they needed to go on time (for the most part), and life's been good.

I'm so thankful for my "little" family. I can't properly put into words how much they mean to me. I feel so blessed and lucky to have 4 beautiful, fun, healthy kids, and a supportive, loving husband. I'm so thankful and appreciative of the help we've gotten from family in the last week and a half. We've had lots of support and lots of visitors. Thanks, we love you all!

::hello world::

Ava Mae

8 lbs 1 oz 21 inches.

All is well :)

::wrench::

I spent most of the day today getting ready for tomorrow (having baby Ava). I cleaned the house top to bottom (which ins't easy when you're me, lately). I vacuumed, dusted, mopped all the floors, did all the laundry, laid out clothes for the kids for the next few days so Matt wouldn't have to wonder if they matched (he kinda gets stressed about that), and ironed (yes, I even ironed!). I have Baby Ava's bag all ready, carseat ready, I started to get my stuff together. I sent notes to Chloe's school and let Port's teachers know that I would be having the baby on the 16th and that grandparents would be bringing him and picking him up. We talked to the grandmas over the weekend and got everything all situated. Everthing set in motion, coming along nicely.

Then, the wrench.

Last week when I went to the dr., he did his normal exam that he does on someone at 38 weeks, and told me I was nowhere! Not a huge surprise to me. I haven't ever been anywhere close to labor outside of the hospital, really. Which is why inducing works best for us. So last week he said that hopefully I would progress a little between then and this week, and hopefully we could induce on the 16th. Given my history, I knew progress didn't have to be significant to warrant an induction on the 16th, so I was pretty sure that everything was a go-but still keeping next week in the back of my mind. So today, he let me know that tomorrow would just be too early. He didn't think my body was anywhere near ready, and also showed me my chart and a few dates that really didn't show that tomorrow would be the best choice for induction. We decided that next week (the 21) would be best.

I was sad. I cried (of course). I tried not to cry in his office, but I did a little. He told me he was sorry and gave me a hug and said that this would be the best thing for baby and I. Ok, ok, I get that and he's right, but I was so looking forward to tomorrow! I wanted so much to meet this baby girl and to NOT be pregnant anymore! Words can't express the disappointment I felt today-for so many different reasons. All the hard work all day-for nothing, having to go to bed pregnant for another week, Matt having to re-rearrange his work schedule, my parents having to do the same thing, having to tell the kids that the plans I've been telling them for a week have now changed-again. When I got home, Chloe took one look at my face and said "the 21st?" She was a little disappointed too. Portie didn't think it was a big deal, but he did get me a glass of water and tell me that the dr. says I should drink water, and Bubb just said "Mamma sad??" and he came and laid on me.

BUT, On the not-as-dark-side...

I do get to go to Chloe's Spring program Thursday night, Matt can play in a couple of b-ball tournaments this weekend, Cooper will have a chance to get completely over his cold before baby gets here, and most importantly, baby sister will have some extra time to get ready.

So we're all set up for the 21st. I don't even see my dr. again, I just go right to the hospital early that morning. It'll be ok. I realize how dumb this whole thing sounds, but I feel like I might appreciate this post in the future.

In other news...

Port's been asking for a movie night for about a week. He wanted popcorn and hot chocolate. We finally did it tonight-it was going to be our little fun night together before baby Ava came and we were separated for a few days, but we still did it and all the kids seemed to love it. We watched Toy Story 2 with his little buzzes and Chloe's Lanie doll.

::our fun filled Saturday night::

What'd you do Saturday night??
We spent a few hours at Ikea. Wooo!
(FYI don't wear heels to walk around that place for hours when you're as big as me. BIG mistake, and it might result in taking them off and just walking around in your socks and then throwing them away after you get home. Just sayin')

(Wow! How happy does Matt look??)

We've been meaning to go there for about a month or more (ever since the painting in Bubb's room got finished) to get him some furniture, and just kept putting it off and putting it off. Finally we went. We got him a dresser and a bookshelf.

Matt put 'em together that night. He's so good about that kind of stuff. Ikea's stuff is always in a million pieces and it takes you forever to get it all organized and put together, but he just does it systematically and gets it done. Good thing too-'cause lately I don't have the motivation to put a dresser (tracks and all) together.


Bubb "helped."


And here it is! He still needs a few things...a bed skirt, headboard (actually all 3 kids need headboards-and so do Matt and I!), and some decorations for the wall and such. I have some ideas, but I doubt they'll get done before Baby Ava gets here.


We think he likes it :)

In other news...
This is Chloe's princess calendar that hangs in her room...

I love how she wrote "school" on the days she has school and stuff like that. It's cute. She wrote in on the 18th "Baby Ava born. Yea!!" Then she had to "x" it out because we changed it to the 16th (my dr.'s going to be in Vegas that day to see Bon Jovi-haha). The 16th is ok, but not as good as the 18th. Chloe has a school program on the 17th that I really wanted to go to, but now I can't. Auntie Sarah said she'd video it for me though-so that'll be good.

Also, I'm sick! I've got a cold, and kind of a bad one. It seems to have gotten worse every day since last Friday. I about went to the urgent care clinic on Sunday because my ear hurt so bad I thought I was going to die. Then I called my dad and he called in some medicine for me and told me what to do for it, and it felt MUCH better-which I'm so glad for! I can call him any time I need to and ask him for anything and he'll do it. I appreciate that so much! He always calls to check in on us later on too. Anyway...How painful are ear infections?? Jeez! I hate to be sick! Especially now, because it's already hard to sleep and breath, I'm already really tired, and this cold just makes everything worse! Hopefully it'll go away soon.

::aww::

Last night, I went to get the big kids in bed, turned the corner and saw this at the end of the hallway...

Isn't she sweet? She wanted us to sign it. Not sure why, but we did. She's into signing things lately; and cursive writing. She's always writing things in cursive, and it's cute little cursive.

In other news...

Last week it was around 60 degrees for a couple of days. We went to the park (where we saw some little friends-so that was fun), and then jumped on the trampoline the next day. Going to the park sounded like a great idea. I could just sit there while they play. Uuum, no! Somebody needs a push on the swing, somebody fell and needs a hug (and a lift off the jungle gym), somebody lost their shoe, somebody's stuck in (yes IN) the monkey bars. Not as easy of an outing as I thought, but it was still fun to be outside. Now we have lots of snow covering the whole yard-and there's more to come this week. It was a short lived break from winter, but it was nice.

::a LOVE-ly night in::

Happy Valentine's Day
!!!


The day was pretty good! The big kids had their class parties, and Bubb and I just ran errands (all day!).

Portie and Bubb had to go through all his valentines from school when we got home...


And taste a few...

...and it might've been a little sour.

Then, we had a valentines-y family home evening. Grandma & Papa Snowman gave us a little bag with treats, a lesson, and valentine's bingo. It was fun. The message was great too-all about love :)

Chloe won first, then Portie did. Bubb mostly ate the candy hearts. Some of them he put in his mouth and then put down on his bingo card. Yum!

We had a few valentines for eachother...

(Matt came home with flowers for me...aren't they pretty??)

Then we had ourselves a heart-shaped pizza for dinner.


I love Valentine's day. One day completely devoted to the ones you love?? What's not to love about that?? Ours wasn't a big deal, but I think we all feel like we love each other (Chloe even made Matt and I some valentines), so that makes it perfect :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

::super bowl::

We got to have (most of) Matt's family over for the Super Bowl on Sunday. We were, of course, sad that the 'Boys weren't playing in it at their own stadium, but it was a good game anyway. The Packers won, so I guess that was good.


We had lots of "healthy" food. Matt grilled some brats, and said they were good-I'll take his word for it :) There were even Super Bowl cupcakes-Coop dropped his on the carpet.

I'm not sure the kids loved the game so much. We liked Christina Aguilera's rendition on the Nat'l Anthem (nice, huh?) and LOVED the halftime show! But some time in between there, Chloe and I colored for a while, she played cards with Grandma, Port played the Ipad and fell asleep, and Coop just sort of ate the whole time!

It was fun having everyone over. We love it! Hopefully next year the Cowboys will at least make the playoffs!

::chaos::

(This is kind of a non-post. It's not too interesting.)

We've got some projects to do before Baby Ava gets here. Her room's all painted, and now we've started on Bubb's. His ceiling had to be painted white first (I hate a ceiling that's the same color as the walls, and unfortunately, our whole house is like that-dumb builder). We had to move out a lot of his furniture and toys into baby's room. So now hers is a mess too.

I just thought I'd share a few photos of the chaos that is now the little kids' rooms...

And there's still so much to do too!

We've gotta paint Bubb's walls, get his new bed set up, get him a dresser, bookcase, and table & chairs, paint the baby furniture (and put new knobs on all the drawers and cabinet), and get Baby Ava's room all set up. Matt's such a good sport to do all this-he doesn't love it, but at least he'll do it.

Thanks, love.

My neatfreak-ness makes this a little hard to handle, but hopefully it'll all be worth it in a few weeks.

In other news...

Portie says his "r's" the right way now. I figured he'd grow out of the "w" sound for his r's, and he did. It's kind of sad. He's always talked so funny, and now he's talking like a big kid! Our only consolation is that Bubb talks really funny too-I'll have to do another post about that-'cause it's pretty funny, and it won't last long. Port also tries to color inside the lines all the time, and is always trying to add numbers (and he does a pretty good job). I have to explain sometimes, and then he gets why 8+3 is 11 and not 83.
Also...
We had parent/teacher conferences for Chloe last week. She loves her school and her teacher. She's doing great on her schoolwork, and she's reading on a 3rd grade level (like beginning 3rd grade). We're just so proud of her. Her teacher said she's just a sweetheart and is always sweet to all the kids. She said that she knows she can always call on Chloe and she'll know the answer. Oh, and we were talking about her next spelling level and how one of her words would be rutabaga (an English turnip). I remember my dad always talking about rutabagas when we were little-how that was what we were having for dinner or whatever. Hearing that word again made me laugh-because how often do you hear "rutabaga?" AND We told Port he was going to go to that school next year, and he was excited.

And...

I should probably mention my status. I'm feeling large, uncomfortable, and just sick of the whole thing. March CANNOT come fast enough in my opinion. I pretty much wear sweat pants every day-unless I have somewhere to be, then it's my "super-cute" maternity jeans (bacause my for-real cute mat jeans are too small), but as soon as I get home, it's back to the sweat pants. Also, I have to sleep in Matt's PJs because, yeah, mine are too small!! Oh man! My headaches are totally back (they were MIA for a bit). So that's awesome, and sometimes I get pretty dizzy, and it's kind of annoying. It's a constant "unsettled" feeling when you're dizzy, and I'm not a fan. She moves a TON! So that's kind of fun-the other kids like that. They're sweet. Bubb shares his "beeky" with my tummy. Port-Port tells me all the time that I need to eat because Ava's hungry, and Chloe hugs my tummy and tells me how cute I am all the time. I sure love those kids! Their sweet little tendencies mean the world to me.

::star bits, grand stars, mario, bowser::

Port finally got Super Mario Galaxy 2 this weekend! And he's beyond happy! Lately, Mario is all he talks about. He talks about Bowser, grand stars, opening up new galaxies, etc. He hops around all the time going "wah-hoo" just like Mario.

It's a pretty fun game! It's been fun for all of us (even Coop). Port got in a bit of trouble on Sunday because he decided he did NOT want to got to sacrament meeting, and started throwing a 2-year-old fit! Oh, it was ugly! So we left church (sac is last), but we didn't want him to think that if you throw a fit, you get to leave church and go home and play Mario; so we told him he couldn't play. Then he LOST it! He was so mad! So he had to sit in the garage when we got home so we didn't have to hear him in the house. After a few minutes, Matt let him come in, and was talking to him and said that maybe if he's good he can play Mario (and he looked over at me). I felt so bad taking it away, and we were both hoping he'd be good because we wanted to play too.


Also, this weekend...

Baby Mia had her 1st birthday party! She was so cute, and got all kinds of cute little things. All the little cousins played together and had so much fun! We're so glad we got to go down and share her birthday with her :)

::today...::

...Matt is painting,

and he's really happy about it :)

We're (and by we I mean Matt) painting Baby Ava's room pink and pink. So far it's beautiful! I love it! I can't wait to see it all finished.

We've gotta paint the baby furniture too, but we've got to get Bubb some new furniture before we can move the baby furniture out of his room. I'm having a hard time deciding on a "theme" for his room. I found some pretty cute quilts at Pottery Barn. The one is a dinosaur-ish room, and I think that's my favorite. The other one I like is just boyish colors-kind of like what Port's got goin' on in his room. I just can't decide--plus he'd like anything! He loves all things boyish-animals, cowboys, cows, tractors, cars, trucks, fish, dine-wissors, you name it. The dinosaur room is greens and browns and I love it. I'm pretty sure we'll go with that one. I need to decide on a design on the wall-something cool to do with the paint (Matt'll love that!!).

In other news...

You know that Geico commercial where the farmer says "hey you dang woodchucks, quit chuckin' my wood" ?? Bubb says that all day long, and it's hilarious! Except he says "hey chuck, 'top chuckin' my woodle."