Big boy

When did my little boy become so big?  This year he has grown so much.  He is such a big helper around the house.  When Hannah starts to cry he comes running either with her pacifier or just to talk to her to try and calm her down.  He helps Nathan get in and out of the car, builds him Lego things, and pretty much anything else we ask him to do.  Last night James took him for a ride on the 4-wheeler.  After a while, James came in and offered to let me ride.  I was unsure about where to go because I haven't been on the trails at our house.  James said, "Don't worry. Joseph will ride with you and show you where to go."  I later found out that James and Joseph had already discussed him helping me before James even came in the house.  I pulled on my boots and walked outside seeing Joseph already sitting on the 4-wheeler ready to go.  Then it struck me that I was about to depend on my "baby" to show me where to go.  The same child that used to depend on me for everything was about to help me!  I climbed on and sure enough he told me exactly when to turn and kept me on the right trail.  We had so much fun.  I love how the Lord prepares us for each stage in our lives.  I used to dread the day that my kids started to depend on themselves and start to grow up.  I'm learning every day that this stage in their lives and mine can be such a joy.  That doesn't mean that it doesn't come with it's own share of headaches, but it's fun to see what a special young man the Lord has entrusted me with.  I am so blessed!

Amy Butler Bags

Aren't these the cutest things EVER?!

My mom-in-law is now offering these Amy Butler bags on her website at Home A La Mode!  I am the proud new owner of this one. (Insert one really big grin here!)  They are so well made, have such beautiful fabrics, and are uber cute.  The best part of all about these bags is that they are for a limited time, 50% off at Home A La Mode.  Some of the styles and colors are flying off their shelves so hurry up and get yours before they are gone!

{All the pictures and designs shown on this post are copyrighted and property of Amy Butler Designs.}

Mary had a little bicycle?

Nathan is so funny sometimes.  The other day he was playing with legos and singing.  I could tell that what he was singing was to the tune tune of "Mary Had A Little Lamb".  I thought to myself, "Awe!  My child is so cute!"  Then I started listening to what he was saying.  Go ahead...sing along. You'll have fun. =)

Mary had a little bicycle, little bicycle, little bicycle.
Mary had a little bicycle, little bicycle, little bicycle.
A little bicy-cllllllllle

Mary likes to ride it fast, ride it fast, ride it fast.
Mary likes to ride it fast, ride it fast, ride it fast.
Likes to ride it faaaaaaast.

Then the bicycle fell on her, fell on her, fell on her.
Then the bicycle fell on her, fell on her, fell on her.
Then it fell on heeeeeer.

Isn't he sweet?

Big Brothers Rock

My sis-in-law, Angela...the Moda Home Mom, made the cutest shirts for Joseph and Nathan to wear at the hospital when Hannah was born.  Check out her blog, she has an easy to follow tutorial on how to make these cutsie shirts as well as many other tutorials on how to make various fabric crafts!

Hannah Leann!!!

My life has been a little crazy over the last few weeks.  As I'm sure you have guessed...I'm no longer pregnant. =)  At 40 weeks and 5 days Hannah decided to make her grand entrance into the world!!

Early on Sunday, May 2, I thought I was having some back labor and decided to stay home from church again.  The thought of going into labor at church was not appealing. ;-)  By early afternoon everything had stopped.  Big fat bummer.  So that afternoon we decided to take the kids to a local park so that they could ride their bikes around the lake there and we could walk with them.  It was really a nice time.  We tried to throw bread to the ducks in the lake, but apparently previous visitors had stuffed them full.  They totally rejected our bread offerings.  The more I think about it...the more funny it becomes.  I was completely exhausted when we were done.  By the time we left, I couldn't remember why I wanted to go in the first place. :-/  We went home and James' mom agreed to take Nathan home with her because I had three different appointments with my midwife's office the following day.  We went to bed that night...still no labor.

Monday, May 3 I woke up at 4am with a contraction.  About 15 mins later I had another one.  I continued to have contractions and when James' alarm went off at 4:40 I very flippantly said, "I've been having contractions."  He said, "Are they good ones?"  To which I replied, "Eh.  They're ok."  By 5am I decided that I was definitely in labor and decided to call my midwife.  James asked me if it was ok for him to take a shower.  I told him that if he was gonna do it, he better get moving. =)  My midwife called me back about 5:15 and I told her that my contractions were 6 to 8 minutes apart and about 60 seconds long.  She said, "Go to the hospital."  I was a little surprised that she wanted me to go already.  She knew that our plans were to labor at home as long as we could and my contractions weren't even that painful.  I told James what she said and he was as surprised as I was.  Anyway, so he got in the shower and I started calling our parents and our photographer.  By the time James got out of the shower I could no longer speak.  My contractions were so intense that I was afraid we were going to have an unplanned home delivery.  Talk about taking me for a surprise!  We grabbed Joseph and went to the car as soon as we could.  We were trying to explain to him that I was in pain, but it was going to be good because his baby sister was going to come out as a result.

When we were about 5 minutes from the hospital, I told James I needed to push.  He requested that I didn't push and began to push the accelerator a little closer to the floor. ;-) At 6:30, we finally made it to the hospital, waited for my current contraction to stop and literally ran to the hospital door.  We raced to L&D where they grabbed me a wheel chair and rushed me into a room.  My midwife was already there and ready to go.  They checked me and found that I was complete and ready to push, although I could have told them that!  Thankfully, my midwife told the nursing staff to not bother me with paper work and said I didn't need an IV.  I was thrilled!  I HATE IVs.  I started to push...and push...and push.  Nothing was happening.  This was my 4th delivery, it should have been a breeze.  My midwife told me that Hannah was posterior and that I needed to try some different positions to get her to turn.  So I tried some new positions and sure enough, she started to descend.  At 7:29am, my midwife told me to reach down and grab my baby.  I reached down and with her and James' help, Hannah made her grand entrance!   She was 7lbs 1oz and 20" long.  She was absolutely perfect.   After she was born we found out that she had 2 true knots in her umbilical cord!  The realization set in that we could have lost her a long time ago.  She is a miracle!  We are so grateful that the Lord took care of her during the time that I was pregnant.  While they were bathing her, they brought me the paperwork to sign.  It was quite comical to sign the waiver that I did not want an epidural for my delivery after the baby was born.  You do what you've got to do. =)

Since we have been home, we have had such a good time with the newest member of our family.  The boys simply adore her and are such big helpers.  We are such a blessed family!

We were so fortunate to have Amy with Aim Photography at Hannah's delivery.  Check out her website and you can see a slide show of the delivery. =)

40 weeks!

Ok baby girl....come out and play!!!  I'm 40 weeks today and ready to have a baby!  I've been having false labor off and on for about 3 weeks.  She has been a bit of a tease.  I'm hoping that the full moon will help trigger something.  I've tried all sorts of natural ways to start labor.  I've been doing lots of walking.  On Saturday I walked so much that I didn't even get up for church the next morning.  Those that know me know that missing church is pretty rare.  I've been taking Evening Primrose Oil.  TMI...I know...and I'm sorry but, we've tried intimacy.  I'm about ready to break out the raspberry tea.  A friend recommended Indian food.  Please leave me a comment if you know of anything else!!!

Not my timing, but His!

I feel like I have to control every aspect of my life all the time.  Being a housewife, I control how my home is run, what we eat, who my kids hang out with, our calendar, etc.  I think you get the picture.  At this point I am 39 weeks and 1 day pregnant with my daughter.  I am tired and moody.  I am over being pregnant and want her to be out here where we can all enjoy her.  I have been having all sorts of signs that labor is coming soon.  But in my opinion...not soon enough!  It seems that everyone I know is due to have babies about the same time as me...and they are having them!  My sis-in-law is in L&D right now awaiting the arrival of her precious daughter.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm totally excited for all of these women, but I'm jealous.  I'm ready to meet my little one!  I have to keep reminding myself that she will come in the Lord's timing and not mine.  I need to sit back and enjoy these last few days when I can feel her move inside of me.  I need to enjoy my last few nights of silence!  I need to enjoy my time with my boys and my wonderful husband.  I am such a blessed woman and just need to slow down a little bit. 

Isaiah 40:31 - But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.
Lord, please help me hide that scripture in my heart.