My Baby Girl Turned 5!!

How did this happen? I know all mothers say that when their children turn a year older, but seriously, turning 5 seems like a big milestone. She is so grown up now. I am so thankful for this ray of sunshine girly in my life. She is such an angel. She puts up with so much from her crazy, hyperactive brother, and still loves him more than ever. She usually always does what I ask her to do, with minimal complaining. She also never throws fits, and is so easy to entertain. We have decided to keep her back from Kindergarten, even though she is officially old enough to go this year. I just can't bear to part with her yet. Every day I see her maturing, and coming into her own. Thank you so much, girly girl, for coming into our lives, and making it so easy to be your mom!! We love you so much!

Blowing out 5 candles.

Because our life is still a little hectic with a newborn, I opted for a very low-key, small birthday party. Tay wanted a costume/Halloween party, but, it turned out to be just a fun girly party. The girls came dressed as princesses, and Taylee was "Mouseketeer Barbie." We had her 2 cousins, little friend, McKay, and one friend, from church, Kate. I would say, I loved having just a few kids. It was so easy to control, and they mainly just played together in the playroom. I went and picked up my sister from Tacoma the day before the party so she could help me get ready. She was a life saver, and I probably would have gone crazy without her. Thanks a lot, Nat. What am I going to do without you? You better enjoy having her around Bryan, and Holly, because she Awesome!!

All the kids singing Happy Birthday

A very happy, purple mouth. She loved her cake.

The present frenzy begins

It turned out to be a Barbie mania. I think everyone knows her well enough, because she LOVES Barbies. Her and Rohne have been playing with them non-stop.

Our good friend, Lori, and her very handsome son, Kai.

Monique and Collin just hanging out.

Cute Cute Cute Cute Parker. Isn't he 2 cute?

The men passed the time playing Madden on the X-Box

We played "Pin the mask on the Barbie", and here's Tay getting ready

Natali's wonderful Barbie drawing. She's very talented, isn't she?

The kids got to make their own masks to wear home, too.

Taylee's requested purple and pink bat cake. Sharon, and Natali did most of it, while I was busy with the baby, and it turned out great.

What post would be complete without a picture of our little guy? Here he is screaming for me to pick him up, while I was trying to get him to entertain himself in the crib. He loves his fists, and when I swaddle him, he promptly wiggles his arms out. He still wants held all the time, and doesn't let me get much done around here.

My Handsome Boys

I've taken some cute pictures of my boys lately, and thought you would all like to tell me just how cute they are!!

Tristan is getting to be such a pro at smiling, AND sticking out his tongue. Sometimes he is way too precious that I wanna just squish him, and eat him up!!! I mean, really, couldn't you?

Aunt Natali gave Rohnie a haircut. This is the shortest he has ever had it. She did a great job. Boy, we will miss her when she's gone!! Rohne is getting taller, and leaner every day. Jake is a little sad that he's losing some of his bulk, but, it will probably come back someday.

Just another smiling pic. Check out that "to-die-for" dimple on his left cheek! I could kiss it all day long.

My 2 boys. Rohne does like to hold the baby occasionally. Even if it's just for a short time, we take full advantage. They'll be playing and wrestling together before we know it!

Starting to Smile

A little one.

It's so hard to capture those first smiles on camera, but, I managed to catch a glimpse of it this morning. Tristan's favorite person to smile at is his sister. I tried to get his cooing on camera too, but, he just liked to stare at the light.

This is Tristan, and his cousin, Collin. They are 3 months apart. Collin is a jolly, chubby, boy. They will be great friends someday.

A Few Recent Pics

So, I have a very short moment to actually blog. I will be heading to Relief Society in a minute to play the piano, my first time back since the baby. I am still waiting to take the baby, and the older kids to primary. If you don't already know, I am a major germ-o-phobe. The Pediatrician told me to wait at least 2 months. And, I fully plan on adhering to that. But, here a few recent pictures of our family. We have been having a very low key last month of the summer. I'm glad we had some fun before the baby came, because we don't do much now. Thanks for all the supportive comments on my last post. Good to know that adjusting to another baby wasn't a breeze for everyone.

Tristan had his 1 month check-up on Friday. He has grown to a whoppin' 12 pounds 4 oz., and 22 1/4 inches long. That being said, he is in the 95% for weight, and 75% for height. He is doing great, and growing like a weed. After all the worries during this pregnancy, I am so thankful for a healthy, CHUBBY baby!
Dad, and the kids. Pretty cute.

You gotta post a naked bath photo sometime right? Isn't he getting to be so handsome?

Tay, being silly before bedtime. She loves all of her stuffed toys to sleep with.

Here's Rohne with his itchy, allergy eyes. He is just miserable this summer every time he goes outside. This picture is after playing with Grandpa in the yard. Thank goodness for Benadryl!

Still Adjusting. . . . Baby Growing

So. . . . my mom went home, after helping me for almost 4 weeks. After 3 infections, including 2 cases of mastitis, 2 rounds of antibiotics, and 5 other prescriptions, I just may be on the mend. I hope! I still don't quite feel human. That probably has to do with a growing boy who gets up every 2 hours at night to eat. And, 2 older kids who dislike having Mommy take a nap. My mom was such a big help. I still get teary-eyed about her leaving. I sooo wish that she lived closer. The downside of having her here so long, is that Tristan got very used to having someone hold him. He has completely figured out how to get me to hold him, by screaming at the top of his little lungs. I tried to put him down this morning, and it's been a very long day already. Also, I may have forgotten how to cook, clean, and do laundry. How will it get done now? I'm still kind of mad that nobody told me that taking care of 3 children was so hard, until after I had him. (Collette, be fore-warned)
Taylee is such a great big sister. She loves to talk to him, and sing to him. She has adjusted beautifully. Now, as far as the other brother. . . . maybe someday soon.

Wide open eyes. He's very alert and aware of everything going on around him. Taylee used to open her eyes wide like this when she was a baby.

He grew quite attached to Grandma. I think she kinda liked him too.

This is how the baby slept in our 100+ degree weather. It was a very miserable couple of days for everyone. Tay is still recovering from a bad heat rash she got one sweltering night. Just check out those chubby little legs. He is growing, and changing so quickly. Despite all of the pitfalls, I am very thankful that Tristan is here, and is so healthy.

The Story. As Promised

I figure I should probably write this all down before I start forgetting things.

The morning of July 7, 2009 started out normally. I woke up un-rested, still very pregnant, round, and swollen. But. . . there was a little love in the air. For 9 years ago, on this very date, I had married the love of my life. My mom had arrived in town the previous day to await the arrival of the little one, and Aunt Natali was on her way shortly. Jake finally rearranged his schedule to accompany me to my Doctor's appointment, and we were planning on grabbing a little Anniversary lunch while out. We got to the Clinic at 11:30, and they uncharacteristically whisked me back to the Ultrasound room. (I usually have to wait forever.) It was the same Tech. that had done all of my previous ultrasounds, so, we were getting to know each other quite well. I knew immediately that something was just a little off. She seemed a little jittery, and nervous. Then, she told me that my fluid was getting pretty low, and the placenta was looking old. We were then whisked away to another room to wait for the Dr. She came in, and said "So, let's have a baby today!" That was great with me, I had waited long enough, and was just wishing I had thought to bring my bag with me. Within minutes, we walked to the hospital, and were admitted to Room 2349, where I spent the next hours in labor, and recovery.

While they got me prepped, and ready, Jake ran home to get our overnight necessities. They started my IV and Pitocin drip about 1:30 p.m. I was dilated to a 4-5 by 5:00 p.m., and was tired of the pain, so I asked for the epidural. After that kicked in, I felt good, and was ready to wait out the process. This wasn't the case. The baby had other ideas. With contractions coming fast, his heart rate kept dipping with each one, sometimes not rising good enough to recover in between. They gave me an Oxygen mask, and had me moving to different sides, on my hands and knees, sitting straight up in bed, all over, trying to find a position which made his heart rate stabilize. This was when I fainted, which was not fun, and kind of scared the nurses. I had failed to inform them that this is sometimes how my body reacts to stress. When the Dr. checked me again at 8:00 pm I was already at a 9, and she told me we would have this baby within the hour. Once again, this wasn't the case. I was stuck at a 9 for 2 hours, and the stubborn boy would not put his head down into the birth canal. His heart rate was still very unstable, and this is when the Dr. started threatening C-Section. I said so many silent little prayers, not wanting to have a surgery. As I was pleading with my baby to come down, I finally felt the pressure, and he engaged his head, and I was ready to push. I started pushing around 9:45 pm. This was exhausting, once again,because his heart rate dipped really low with each contraction, and push, and they made me push in all kinds of different positions. He was stuck at one point, and she really wanted to start prepping for surgery, but, she gave me one more try, and I pushed with all of my might. He finally arrived at 10:59 p.m. He was a little blue, and she didn't let Jake cut the cord, because they wanted to get him breathing quickly. I was relieved to hear that first cry, and while she sewed me up, I thanked the Lord for sending me angels. I was so tired, and after I had mustered all my strength, I felt a helping hand push the final way, and welcome my little miracle into the world. What a wonderful Anniversary gift.

More Baby Tristan

Wow. . . . it has been a crazy time since this cute boy came into our household. Baby #3 has definitely done a number on my body, and mind. I have had a very rough time recovering from him. Thank goodness for my mom, who has been here for 12 days already. He is a very good baby compared to my other 2. He gets fussy in the evenings, but, he never screams a lot, and is easier to soothe. My other kids have had kind of a rough time adjusting, especially Rohne, but, they will come around. It hasn't helped that Mommy has been down and out too. My mother-in-law has taken them on outings, which has helped immensely. We took Tristan to his 10 day check-up yesterday, and he has already gained almost a pound from his birth weight. He surely likes to eat. Almost like clockwork, every 2 & 1/2 hours. Sometimes he goes 3 at night, but, that's only happened a couple times. He's still a little mixed up, I guess.
My mom swears that he smiles sometimes.

Sorry, I didn't have the energy to edit. We are now a family of 5! Crazy. . .