House Project

One of our house projects included the patio.  It's finally complete......for now.  Here is a before and after.

Before:

After:

It is so much more enjoyable now!  Come grill with us soon!

Vacation Bible School

Madelynn and Annie went to Vacation Bible School this week. They had so much fun with the crafts and games there. Of course, they have been singing the songs and teaching me the movements the rest of the week.  They also made some great friends. Madelynn met and hit it off with a little girl named Natalie, and Annie found a little boy named Andrew to help her with everything. We are looking forward to participating again next year!

Reading

I finally got a good video of Madelynn reading!  She is so shy about reading, she didn't want to show it off.....I on the other hand, am a proud momma who is claiming full bragging rights!!! :)

 Then, Annie and Joy decide to join in! Too cute!

Happy 8th Anniversary!

I just can't stop thinking how completely blessed I am to have Jake to share such a wonderful life with. Jake and I have had such fantastic adventures together.  When God said with marriage 2 shall become 1, he was so right! There is no longer 'him' and 'her', there is just 'we' and 'us'.  It's so hard to explain, but it is the most wonderful feeling in the world!

Family Update

What can I say- we are so Blessed!

Madelynn is doing so well reading. The books get harder and harder, and she breezes through them.  She does so well at sounding out the words she doesn't recognize, and she loves to read to her sisters (who love to hear her read.)

Annie loves to sing and dance. She starts dance classes today with Madelynn and they both are really looking forward to it.  Annie is our little mommy. She helps me with all the housework, and makes sure Joy and Lydia are happy.

Joy is as active as ever. She is talking so well, and really knows how to let us what she wants.  She works hard at keeping up with her older sisters and is very proud of her great climbing skills. :)

Lydia is rolling very well now. She can roll both directions and loves laughing at her sisters.  She likes to be high up so she can see everything that's going on.

We are really enjoying our summer in our new home (since we got the better patio.)  We were surprised with a wonderful grapevine that has provided many great snacks. The grapes are very sweet and there are so many of them!  If you are wanting any, please come and get them! :)

The switch to cloth napkins and cloth diapers is going so well! I'm still working on a routine when traveling, but still am amazed at how easy it is at home (don't know why I didn't start sooner!)

I hope everyone is having as great a summer as we are!

The Best Baby Items

First of all, I'm running on little sleep. So please ignore my spelling, grammar, and anything else that you may feel like knit-picking.  Thank you :)

Since many of my friends and family are pregnant, I thought I'd post some things I found helpful to put on my baby registry. If you are not pregnant, you can buy them for Baby Shower gifts, and know they will be greatly used. :) I do have to give props to my sister, Amy, for helping me find many of these items- she is consistently a lifesaver when it comes to the best baby items (among many other things.) ;)

* Diaper Champ
      I like the Diaper Champ better than the Diaper Genie because it uses regular trash bags (and cloth bags when using cloth diapers.) Not having to constantly buy the 'special' trash bags only for the Diaper Genie makes this a great choice.

 * Playtex VentAire bottles
      Again, no special bags to constantly buy in order to use the bottle. Wash and reuse- greatness (and cheapness.)  Don't forget if you ever want them to take a bottle (even when breast feeding) you have to introduce them to it at 4-6wks old.  There are some careful rules to that to avoid nipple confusion, so do some research on it first!

* Water proof pads
        A small pad for the changing table makes accidents an easy cleanup.  Also cloth pad can double as diaper changing pad for the diaperbag (much smaller than large thick pad.)
        A water proof pad for the crib also helps keep mattress mess free and non-stinky.

* Bed ramp and positioner
       The bed ramp and positioner not only help prevent against SIDS, but also helps baby feel swaddled. The bed ramp is also nice when baby gets sick so the runny nose can run down when sleeping and not into their throat.

* Humidifier
     Humidifier is great when baby is sick, and also helps keep baby warm (make sure it has a warm setting.)  Especially great for C-section babies because they have a higher risk of fluid in the lungs and asthma.

* Swaddler/Snuggly Wrap
      I never really used a swaddler with my girls, but I have many friends who highly recommend it.  The only problem is when they outgrow it, sometimes they have problems adjusting to sleeping without it.
Edit: The blanket swaddler that zips up like overalls to keep baby warm at nights is great during winter.

* Moby Wrap
     Great hands-free way to carry baby, and baby feels all nice and comfy- puts them right to sleep.  Just tricky getting them out of the wrap without waking them.

* Diaper Baggies
     Great for disposing diapers in public without smelling everyone out. Or if you have to change it in the car and don't have a trash for them.  You can buy them in little rolls now for the diaperbag. I also use ziplock bags sometimes. :)

* Boppy Pillow
     I only use this for a limited time for breastfeeding. The rest of the time I used it for propping baby up, or helping her to sit up when ready.

* Blankets
    I get many different blankets.  Light thermal blanket for summer. Crochet blanket for winter (loose holes for baby to breath through if gets head under it.) Fleece blanket for swaddling (some prefer the thermal blanket for swaddling.) And a light blanket for summer and thick blanket for winter for use with everything else. (Especially doubling as a tummy mat, public changing table cover or hooter hider.)
Edit: Just started using the Muslin blankets- loving them!

* Pack N Play sheets
      The sheets made specifically for Pack N Plays are a must.  MUCH easier than trying to tuck a big sheet around the mattress.

* Foam Bath Pad
     I started my first child with the little tub.  That big thing got old really fast.  I quickly moved to the foam pad and it is so much easier to bathe baby with, and to store when not in use.

*  Sitting bath ring
     When baby can sit, the bath ring is great to make sure baby stays sitting in the tub and still gets a good bath.

* Kiddopotamus
      Great head rest (really full body cushion) for the carseat.

* Carseat toys
     Get one that makes very quiet sounds.  It can be embarrassing in the grocery store if it's too loud, and annoying in the car when they play it 50 times.

* Car seat mirror with Rearview mirror attachment
     Love being able to see baby when driving to know she is OK.

* Bumbo
     What can I say: LOVE.

* Paci attachment
     I don't use a pacifier with the girls (another post for paci vs. thumb sucking argument.) But if you decide to use pacifier, then having an attachment for the shirt is great for saving the paci from the floor.

* Hangers
     Clothes are tiny, need tiny hangers.

* Snake Pillow
      I don't know the official name, but I call it the snake pillow. Great for when pregnant and can't find a comfortable position. Also can be used to prop baby up when helping them sit up.

* Wipes warmer
     I stopped using the warmer part of it, however still love it as a place to store wipes on the changing table. So it makes the list.

* Tummy Time Mat
* Swing
* Pack N Play
* Bassinet (with net top for outside and older child barrier)
* Bouncy seat
* Exersaucer
* Stroller
* Carrier/carseat

^ I usually go with Graco brand on most of these items. Baby Einstein is a pretty good brand too.

* Diaperbag
     - Columbia's backpack diaperbag is great for dads and on the go parents.

* Breast feeding Supplies
   - Lansinoh milk bags
   - Lidocaine nipple cream
   - Hooter Hider
   - Nursing Bras (Motherhood Maternity has the best selection. I recommend the ones with a underwire best.)
   - Nursing Shirt (They have really nice discreet tops now)
   - Bra Pads (the washable cloth ones work OK too.)
   - The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding By: La Leche League
   - The Nursing Mothers Companion By: Kathleen Huggins

* Other Great Books
   - What to Expect When You're Expecting
   - The Expectant Father
   - BabyWise (very controversial.....I take some points and leave others....)
   - The Baby Name Wizard
   - Baby Signing Books


That's about it!  I hope you can find some of these items as useful as I did.  Feel free to email me with any questions!

My Girls....brings a smile to my lips, and a warmth to my heart just to say that.....My Girls

Lydia's Birth Story

Lydia’s Birth Story

I want to start with how God worked some wonderful miracles with the timing of Lydia’s birth.  I was really stressed wondering who I could find to watch the other girls while Jake and I go have Lydia at the birthing center.  I had made a schedule of when some friends and family could babysit, but because of work conflicts and vacation times, etc…. there were some days and nights that nobody would be available.  We were also about to move to a new house.  We were supposed to close on both houses on Friday, Feb 24 and move through the weekend 25-26.  Due to some paperwork issues the closing was pushed to Wednesday; Feb. 29 and the moving the following weekend, (March 3-4).  God knew that we would be busy with other things that weekend.

Friday; Feb. 24, 2012 at about 4pm I started having contractions at about 1-2 every hour. I told Jake “I don’t think I’ll make it through the weekend.”  I went to bed about 9pm, thinking I’m going to need my sleep. I woke up with contractions at about 3am. Jake woke up soon after and started timing them for me. They were about 10 mins apart.  We waited until about 5am, when the contractions were about 6mins apart, to call the midwife (Dinah) and let her know that it looked like today was going to be the day.  At 8am we called my parents (my mom happened to have that weekend off!) and let them know we would bring the kids over that morning.  After breakfast and getting the kids ready, we headed over to my parents at about 9:00am.  The contractions were still about 5-7 minutes apart, but were becoming very regular in intensity.  We arrived at my parents at about 9:45am, Dinah called and asked how we were doing.  We updated her and she reminded us not to wait too late.  At about 1030am I started feeling nauseated and shaky. We called Dinah and she stated she would meet us at the birthing center at 11am.  We went to the center and walked around the park outside until Dinah showed up.  When she checked me, I was 5 1/2 centimeters dilated and 80% effaced. The second midwife (had just finished school and getting hours,) Christine arrived about this time.  We (Jake, me, and Dinah) decided to walk around the park some more and then went inside where I took the best and longest shower of my life.  I really LOVED that hot shower.  After about an hour in the shower, the baby had really moved down, but I felt she was still very posterior and needed to move forward.  Dinah checked me again and I was 100% effaced and about 8 centimeters dilated.  We tried at this point some different positions to get the baby to move forward (out of my rectum.)  First I went for a few contractions with my head down, knees tucked and butt in the air.  Dinah fed me some cheese and crackers and oranges.  Baby still posterior.  Then we tried lying on right side with left leg to chest. Still posterior.  Then lying on left side with right leg to chest.  THAT finally got baby moving forward.  With the contractions starting to pick up, Dinah started the water in the spa tub.  Dinah kept feeding me, but I was feeling kinda nauseated so I didn’t eat much.  I got in the tub (*sigh of contentment*) and about 1 hour later (contractions still 5-6mins apart) time to push. One push, head out, I looked down and saw wonderful head with soft hair.  Next push rest of baby out. It’s a GIRL!  Lydia Hope Wells was born at 3:12pm on Feb. 25, 2012, a perfect water birth (and still a VBAC!)  When Jake cut the umbilical cord we realized the cord is very short!  We had to lower Lydia to get enough length to cut.  After the placenta came, we realized why.  The cord had attached to the edge of the placenta and wrapped around the edge. Normally the cord attaches to the center and branches out.  The midwife and Christine had never seen anything like it before; they were so amazed they took pictures to share with their midwife group.  We ate dinner (chicken salad sandwich from Jason’s Deli) while Lydia was weighed, 8.0 lbs and 20.5 inches.  I didn’t need any stitches, so after eating we left at about 5:30pm.  Lydia’s sisters were so excited to see her!!!!  They gave lots of hugs and kisses and wrapped her up in blankets. 

Lydia latched on for nursing right after birth and has been such a wonderful nurser ever since.  She loves to just nurse for hours.  She has a soft cry until she decides she’s done waiting on me; then she can really wail!  She wiggles and squeaks a lot unless I’m talking to her; then she is very still listening and watching me.  She is so sweet and petite, what a wonderful gift from God!

Yes, she was still a little blue from birth in the upper photo. But she got pink real quick!

The second photo: Dinah on right, and Christine on left.

 My Girls!