My Life

Things I Felt Like Taking Pictures of This Week

I know my little boy loves me...

Bob the Builder

Power Ranger in action

I looked out the window and what did I see?
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.
Spring has brought me such a nice surprise:
Popcorn popping right before my eyes.
I can take an armful and make a treat,
A popcorn ball that would smell so sweet.
It wasn't really so, but it seemed to me
Popcorn popping on the apricot tree.

Chillin'

Fun with static

Outnumbered

I guess I want to start off by saying that not only am I recovering very well, this week was actually quite wonderful. My blessed sister Sharley came into town to help me during the first postpartum week (you know, where everything you do takes 10 times longer to do). I feel great, actually, and have been able to get some good sleep during the day to counteract the interrupted sleep during the night. A HUGE thanks to Sharley for taking such good care of me and my kids! You are an angel!

Sadly, that time came to an end about an hour ago when we took Sharley to the airport. Surprisingly, we can fit all three carseats if we have to! But we are getting a van in a couple weeks, thank goodness!

So, now, I have survived my first hour of having three kids all by myself, and a moment or two of chaos. I began wondering, other than lots of planning and patience (and occasionally just letting one or two kids cry), do you have any advice for a mom with three kids and two hands?

Sweetest Baby Ever

Our Newest Member

I have been trying to get to this all day, but you can imagine that many other things are taking priority right now. So please forgive me that this is late!

Yesterday morning we got up at 5 AM to call the hospital to make sure there was room at the inn. There was (although we heard later that every birthing room was full by the end of the day). We arrived at the hospital at 7, but didn't really start the induction until 9. None of the drugs did anything, and my labor didn't progress. Bryan kept trying to tell the nurse that in our past experiences, once the water broke, everything went into fast forward. The doctor told us he would break the water at noon, but didn't come in until 5.

He broke my water, and lo and behold, things went into fast forward! Imagine that! I started contracting really hard, and decided after an hour to get an epidural. The epidural didn't kick in quite fast enough, so I felt everything on at least one side up until it was time to push. Then it worked, finally! And two hours after the water was broken, our little Joseph was born.

With Daddy

With Savanna

Holy cow! We are a family of 5!?

Savanna vacillated between adoring the baby and wanting to be the baby.

Caleb is so excited that we now have 5 people to play Duck Duck Goose.

Bryan's sister Michelle was a huge help this weekend. She took care of our kids the whole time we were gone. Thanks a million, Michelle!!!

I know I'm vain, but I did want at least one decent picture of me in here.

Caleb and Savanna hanging out at the hospital.

Joseph has been a really good baby so far. We are so excited and feel so blessed to have him!

Joseph

The stork delivered a beautiful baby boy - 8.0 lbs. and 20 inches at 7:11 PST. This is Bryan - so you're getting the abridged Reader's Digest version. More to come, including pictures. Brianne and Joseph are doing great! Thanks everyone for your support and prayers!

Tums

I was really hoping I would have this baby before I had to buy another bottle of Tums. Alas.