Second Half of September 2017--Catch all post

This is the wonderful day that Sophie rubbed diaper cream all over her face.  

       

She is too funny (and a bit exasperating-ha!)

Making a special box for Grandma. 

I'm not an early riser (and even less so now that I have kids that tire me out and wake me up multiple times a night), but I always think God is so good when he rewards me with these beautiful sights on the days that someone drags me out of bed at dawn.  

We joined a homeschool co-op at our parish and it is going really well so far.  The two oldest are in 3 classes (a choir class, a STEM class, and a nature study class) and Ava is in Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and some nature study/games and activities.  My shy little Ava has had some tears over being separated from me, but she settles right in and has a good time.  

Talking about how the day went with our fearless mom-leader, Angela.  She's a huge blessing. 

kids reading (my favorite is that Sophie is totally engrossed in a chapter book....)

Kolbe got his first haircut.  It was so cute, but shaggy, so Chris decided to give him a cut.  My heart was totally against it, but I deferred knowing he would be cute no matter what.  

 

          

 

He was totally intrigued by it all and sat very still (which we didn't expect him to do).  He munched on a graham, which helped but he was mostly just enamored with the noise of the clippers.  

There is your proof, Chris, that his hair was not blond.  It was fine and often looked golden, but it was indeed a light brown. 

and of course he is. 

The toilet in the girls' bathroom was having an issue which we thought was a small one that Chris could fix in five minutes.  Turns out that when he started taking things apart, it was actually rusted and cracked and needed to be totally replaced.  bummer. 

 

And they had grouted it to the floor which was a real treat for Chris to deal with. 

There's the rusted out, old toilet (the water color and markings are RUST).

 We replaced it with this toilet that Chris installed himself (because he's amazing).  It was a harder job even than it should have been because the space in the bathroom is tiny so there was little room to move at all in there.  Thank you, babe, for working so hard and getting that toilet replaced.  You are incredible.  

 

The weather turned very fall-like for about a week/week and a half right as fall arrived, so we had to wear warmer clothes to Mass.  I love warm weather, but that's one thing I love about the cooler temps is leggings under a dress and a cute cardigan.  I'm fortunate enough to get the cute baby in all seasons. 

Just a typical Sophie moment.  She loves her new outfit from Grammy and Granddad and she added the fun boots and hat for fun (and because of those cooler temps I mentioned). 

She sure does have a happy heart.  

Stealing her sister's ballet bag and getting herself ready for her imaginary ballet class.  This girl is full of personality with tons to spare.  

Additionally, she finally decided to actually pottytrain and has been day trained for almost a month now.  She's too deep a sleeper to make it through night and naps currently, but she nearly a pro during the day now!  yay!!

I love to catch the kids reading, especially the baby.  so sweet. 

         

Chris began a new position (lateral move in the company) this month and had training in CA, so he was gone a few days.  We sent him silly selfies and face-timed him when he had time a few evenings he was gone.  

and Kolbe got croup (this is the first we have experienced croup--which surprised the Urgent Care doctor immensely) and we had some tough nights.  I finally realized what it was and he was sounding awful one night.  Luckily I had invited a few ladies over for a girls night and they were so good and offered to stay and hang out with the sleeping little girls, so I could take Kolbe to Urgent Care.  We had a wonderful experience, they gave him a dose of steroid, and by morning he was nearly his old self again (minus the lingering cough, but it was much improved also).  

It was not a fun experience, but I'm grateful I had community to support me since Chris was out of town.  I was feeling so helpless and everyone stepped up to help and support which was invaluable.  

 

We've been noticing tons of butterflies in the area and many in our yard the last few weeks.  The kids love dancing around the yard with them and trying to sneak up and get a good look at the designs on their wings.  

            

Kolbe's fav activity

        

We have been trying to plan more dates (out of the house, but also in home) that are a little more effort than the usual, "let's have dessert and watch a show" fare.  I found a steal on Ahi tuna and scallops and Chris whipped up this delicious meal for the two of us to share one evening for a late dinner after the kids had been put to bed.  

 

It was SO good.  

September was a busy month, but definitely another very fun one filled with lots of good memories.  

My Sunday Best: The Last Three Weeks

It's been a few weeks and though I snapped a couple quick pictures, I didn't have time to blog, so I'll just give you a few pictures from the last few weeks of some Sunday style ideas.   Of course if you want MORE and better inspiration check out the #mysundaybest link-up with Rosie every week.  Here is this week's.  

Three weeks ago style (and 1 week old Kolbe)

       

Last week's outfit

 (though this picture was taken yesterday when I happened to be wearing the same outfit again when my parents were visiting)

 

And this week

(little guy is already 4 weeks!!)

Happy Sunday, friends!  Have a blessed day and as today's Psalm said, 

"Praise the Lord, O My Soul!"

                                                       

My Sunday Best + The Pre-Birth Story

Good morning!  I know half the world might think I was crazy going to Mass with the fam today, but God gifted me with a wonderful delivery and recovery thus far, and there wasn't any reason for me not to head to Mass and thank Him for his many blessings.  

My Sunday Best: 

I've worn it before (it's technically maternity and beyond), but this dress from Pink Blush Maternity was the PERFECT choice for our first week at Mass post baby's arrival.  It is soft and comfy and it was SO easy to nurse in. Nothing fancy or exciting other than the dress and my sweet baby accessory.

  And since there is a lot that happened leading up to labor, I will begin with a sort of Part 1 of the Birth Story, more appropriately titled

The Pre-Birth Story

Background info: You may remember that I was worried that my doctor asked us to switch to a hospital that is about 15 minutes further from us because his backup doctor at the closer hospital was no longer available.  I was trying to let my anxiety go and just accept this turn of events, but when Chris and I visited the further hospital last Monday, we both left more worried than before.  Besides being further away, the parking/entrance situation was also harder to navigate which would add even more time.  I started to panic inside.  If we got there and I was close, Chris would have to drop me off at the front of the ER and then go park and I just couldn't get it out of my head that it might end in my WORST case scenario of all: Chris not being there when I delivered.  Needless to say, it was a week of going back and forth.  We tried to talk ourselves into the further hospital and give it to God, but we still had no peace.  So we discussed asking my doctor under which scenarios he could still deliver at the original, closer hospital.  I had an appointment Friday August 26 at 4pm (my 38 week appointment) where I planned to ask many questions and pour out my many concerns....

I had previously tried to pre-register for the closer hospital and it hadn't worked online, and then we put registering anywhere on hold because (see above paragraph), so I'm still not pre-registered anywhere (but no worries, I'm not even quite 38 weeks)...

On Wednesday, after dropping the twins off to take the nearby bus to the airport (bye guys, and thanks for visiting!), I finally had the thought that I should begin a hospital bag.  I threw a couple clothing items in...

On Thursday (Aug 25), I finally grabbed our bag of newborn/0-3 months clothes and washed all the gender neutral stuff plus a couple of our girl outfits (we don't have any boy outfits obviously) and threw a couple of those in the hospital bag....

Friday (Aug 26) early in the morning around 4 am (so like really the middle of the night for all intents and purposes), Sophie threw up.  I knew she'd be clingy and it's really hard for me to change crib sheets when my belly is so preggo, so I woke Chris up to help me with that part.  I changed Sophie from her night shirt and pants and put a new nightshirt on.  Chris changed the sheets, and we put a tired Sophie back down.  I rinsed the sheets out and left them in the bathroom sink...

I had a hard time falling back asleep, so I turned on the Rosary on YouTube.  I said my Rosary, still hadn't drifted off, and it was about 5:30am and I suddenly just started feeling achy.  I started feeling achy just before I went into labor with Sophie, so I got a tiny bit worried.  But I was only 38 weeks, so I brushed it off and tried to sleep.  I drifted off....

Elise woke up around 7 and wanted to eat breakfast.  I got up, still a little achy, and headed downstairs to get her food.  Shortly after I had a really light contraction.  Mostly my back just felt achy, but it sorta seemed like it moved around the front.  I brushed it off and went back to lay down for a bit while Elise was eating and Chris was getting ready for work (he had a work project due at the end of the day)...

Around 7:30am, Ava got up and wanted a bowl of cereal too.  I got that for her and had another of those "not-really-contractions".  Then as I was suddenly having thoughts about "What IF I WAS about to go into labor?" I remember that we really have NO babysitting coverage for this particular time of day (school drop off time).  Everyone on our list of babysitters who doesn't have kids to drop off at school was unavailable on a Friday.  In fact, the person that was our most sure bet of being around pretty much all the time (our next door neighbor) was supposed to be out of town until August 28.  But that hadn't previously worried me because that was nearly two weeks before our due date....

Then I heard Elise throwing up, and I had another of those strange achy back- almost like a contraction things....

And that's when I decided JUST in case all the aches development into something, I should probably try to contact SOMEBODY and see when people are done dropping their kids off at school.  I texted my friend, Megan, who I met online through Blessed Is She awhile back and who has been so amazing since we moved to Colorado just 4 months (ish) ago.  My text was basically something to the effect of "I'm feeling achy.  Nothing is really happening, but what time are you done dropping kids off at school just in case?"....

A side note, Megan is very careful about germs.  When she's sick she stays away.  And she stays away from people who are sick.  So you can guess how I was feeling even texting her in the first place, but I was in that pre-panic stage, where I felt like all hell was about to break loose, and I HAD NO PLAN!  

All my plans and everything that I HAD figured out were worthless on the Friday of August 26, TWO WEEKS before my due date at school drop-off time in the morning.  What were the chances? 

To be continued....

In case, you want to brush up on how the other kids' births went down, they are filed here.

And now, it's up, so you can check Kolbe's birth story out here.

Meanwhile, link-up with your Sunday best over at Rosie's blog A Blog for my Mom. 

My Sunday Best: LARGE polka dots and baby bump

Hi friends!  Well here we are at 37 weeks + a few days.   I'm currently wearing whatever fits and doesn't put a ton of strain on the lower belly because baby's head is sittin' low down there and not much feels great to wear at this point.  Dresses are, of course great, though we are getting to the stage where I don't have that many that fit, so I'll be doing a lot of wearing the same thing over and over until baby arrives I am sure.  

              

Sophie was a total bear at Mass this morning.  In her defense, I forgot her blanket.   She always gets tired at Mass and snuggling with her blanket is one way to at least keep her more quiet and calm (at least for intervals).  Well, no blankie and no rest for Mama.  She bounced on my belly in the back of the church "shouting" (because that is pretty much what 20 month olds do at Mass) intermittently.  I survived.  She is napping now.  We are all good and relaxed finally.  ahhhhhhhhhhhh.  

           

My Sunday Best:

Navy dress with polka dots: Hand me down (and non-maternity)

Chunky mint necklace: Premier Designs

Gray sweater: Old Navy

I wore the sweater for Mass (it was a little chilly when I woke up), but should have just left it, because with all the wrangling I did in the back, I was sweating up a storm even with the AC in the church set at 30 degrees.  

I'd love prayers because my OB just informed me that I can't deliver at the nearest hospital because his back-up OB there is no longer there and it's a hospital requirement, so now we have to go to a hospital that is another 10-15 minutes away.  For most people that probably sounds not scary or stressful at all.  But had we been 10-15 minutes further from the hospital with Elise, I would have had her in the car.  And even Sophie's delivery would have been much closer had we had another 15 minutes in the car.... It's not something most people have to actually worry about--making it to the hospital.  But for those of us who have had harrowing, short deliveries, it's a big mental strain.  And apparently it's tough for hubby.  If you know him, you know that almost nothing gets to him.  But when I came home and gave him this news, he was upset.  UPSET.  He's seen me in a LOT of pain, barely holding a kid in while driving me to the hospital, so let's just say an extra 10-15 minutes could be fine, but it could also be INSANE.  So please just keep us in your prayers that all goes according to God's plan and that he and I are able to completely surrender to whatever that plan might be this time around.  

Link-up with Rosie from A Blog for my Mom with your Sunday best.  

My Sunday Best: Pretty Darn Pregnant Edition

           

Happy Sunday, friends!  

I am feeling quite pregnant (read: tired, uncomfortable, large, etc) these days, but I decided that perhaps making a tiny extra effort for Mass this week would help me feel just a little less all those things.  And it worked pretty well.  Dressing up a little can certainly go a long way with your attitude when you are feeling blah.  

So I decided I'd go ahead and link up with Rosie over at A Blog for my Mom.  Share your Sunday best and click over to check out some fun styles from other ladies. 

My Sunday Best:

Blue dress: Pink Blush (see the picture below because I covered it with a maxi skirt)

Navy maxi skirt: nomorerack.com

Brown belt: Ross

Flip Flops: Sanuks

Baby bump: 35 weeks +

This is the actual dress, but with a baby bump, it's a bit too short for my liking currently since I am pretty much always wrangling a kid or two or four.  I AM really excited about wearing it post partum when my tummy isn't so enormous because it's super comfy and stretchy and it has pockets!!  I love dresses with pockets.  And it will be very easy to nurse in.  

Baby has been cooperating pretty well thus far.  He/she is head down and has been for weeks.  At my appointment 2 days ago, the doc's assistant said baby's head is not only down, but is already engaged quite low in my pelvis.  I wasn't surprised.  That is what it feels like: oopf.  

And I don't seem to follow the norm with "pre-labor" in the weeks leading up to birth.  I have few, if any, of what I would call contractions of any sort in the weeks before delivery.  I do usually have quite a bit of fairly intense pelvic pressure though.  I believe our babies warm my body up for their exit by pretty much bouncing like a pogo stick and head butting me repeatedly in that region for about 3-5 weeks.  And then really hard, intense contractions start abruptly, and the kid pretty much flies out.  If that was too graphic for you, be sure NOT to read the actual birth story in a few more weeks.  

We haven't stopped walking as we do in general and definitely as much as we can when I'm preggo.  We saw some really lovely sights on our evening strolls this week....

Chris took all these gorgeous sunset stroll pictures.   

Elise asks me when I get home from every appointment if the baby came out.  Ava is my cheerleader.  She loves to tell me that I look beautiful in my dresses.  Kayla understands the concept of time and months and weeks, so she's got the best handle on things and doesn't say much about baby other than to be excited that it will be arriving in roughly a month!  Sophie responds to the question, "Where's the baby?" by slapping my stomach a bit too hard.  So I think we are getting there.  Eventually.