Settling In

Leila will be 8 weeks old tomorrow. We have settled in to our new family of 5. I know I say this with each addition to our family but I cannot imagine not having Leila in our lives. She is such a sweet girl and one of the best babies ever. Other than her normal witching hour between 8-9 PM, she is seriously a dream baby. I have enjoyed getting to know her over these last few weeks and I can't believe I will be back at work within a month. Marissa and Dylan adore her to pieces. They never stop giving her kisses throughout the day. Leila has the sweetest smile and I love hearing her voice when she coos at us.

We have a lot going on at the house. We are currently getting our patio put in and waiting on the sidewalk to be installed. We will be ordering a shed soon and we have plants that need to be planted. I have been getting back into crafting when I have some free time. Leila is stretching out her feedings a little more which makes life easier. I can't wait to get some curb appeal here at the new house. We finally have some grass coming up and I redid our wooden rocking chairs to spruce up the front porch. I also painted the garage door going into the mud room. I LOVE how it turned out. So much better than boring old white. I also made a wreath for the door and the kids helped paint the letter for me. I am still in love with my kitchen, it is truly the heart of our home!

Cherry java cabinets with granite

Pinterest Worthy Wall Collage?

A few weeks ago my mom took the older kids so I had 3 days without Marissa and Dylan.  I took full advantage of my time with just Leila. We did lots of cuddling, napping and we happened to be pretty productive, too! My main goal was to get Leila's birth announcements ordered and create a wall collage of all 3 of my babies. I am pretty happy with how it turned out. I have an iris for Marissa and a rose for Leila. All that is missing is a porcelain shoe for Leila with her birth information on it. I happen to think this is pinterest worthy, so I'm adding it to my pins in hopes of inspiring someone else to get those baby photos off of your hard drive and onto a wall in your house!

It's A...

April 6th came and went and there was no sign of a baby arriving any time soon.  I felt really great, had energy, the house was clean and I was ready to meet our bundle of joy at any time.  But this little one had other plans...

By Wednesday, April 9th when there was still no baby, I had to go for an ultrasound to check my fluid levels and make sure baby was moving okay.  I was so nervous that I would accidentally see the sex of the baby during the ultrasound that I kept telling the technician, "tell me if I need to look away."  Since Danny wasn't with me for the appointment I really didn't want to have to go home and tell him that we waited 40+ weeks to find out the sex, but oops, I spotted it during the ultrasound.  The technician laughed because she said she couldn't even tell.

After the ultrasound I was seen by my midwife and her student.  I hadn't been checked since my 38 week appointment (where I was a "finger tip" dilated) so we figured we should go ahead and see if anything was going on.  I was not quite a 2 and about 60% effaced.  I decided to go ahead and get my membranes stripped.  I had it done (twice) with Marissa (didn't need it with Dylan) and I knew it would either put me in labor within the next 24 hours...or it would do nothing.  I figured it was worth a shot!

I went and picked the kids up from the sitter's and went home to make dinner.  I was definitely feeling crampy from the membrane sweep but I knew that was normal and not necessarily an indicator that labor was going to start.  A part of me knew that I would be going into early labor that night, though.  The kids and I chased each other around the house and we got everyone settled in for the night.  I finished packing my hospital bag and preparing just in case.

Around 1 AM I woke up with a pretty strong contraction, but nothing time-able or consistent.  I woke again at 2, 3 and finally decided to get up around 4 AM.  I took a shower, washed a load of diaper laundry, emptied the dish washer and text my mom that we would probably be having a baby today.  After I did some final nesting I laid down on the couch for a few hours to rest.

My contractions were coming anywhere between 9 and 40 minutes apart by 6 AM.  Not exactly hospital ready.  I figured I would call Danny's mom as a heads up since she would be watching Marissa and Dylan.  I was in no rush to get to the hospital, though.  My mom showed up a few hours later and Danny's mom took off of work early...and then we waited.  I thought maybe I had jumped the gun a little.  My contractions were few and far between, though when I got one it was pretty strong and intense.  Definitely stopped me in my tracks.

We gave the kids lunch and then they went to Grandma's house for naps.  We packed everything up and figured we would go ahead and head up to the hospital to see if anything was going on.  The whole drive up there I kept telling Danny "I hope they don't turn us away."  I don't know why that was such a fear of mine, but I thought this is my third baby, I should know what I'm doing by now!  We stopped at the UPS store and slowly made our way to the third floor of the hospital to the triage center.  They got me hooked up to the monitors and sure enough my contractions were registering!  The nurse checked me and I was already 5 cm.  This was turning out to be a lot like Dylan's arrival.  At 1:43 PM we were admitted to the hospital.  We were going to have a baby!

The hospital called my midwife to let her know that I was in labor.  She asked if we could walk the halls for a bit while we waited for her student to show up, as she wanted to deliver our baby.  My contractions were still not regular at this point, but obviously they were doing something.  Danny, my mom and I walked the halls for a little while.  There were a few contractions where I had to stop, squeeze Danny's hand and really concentrate and breathe through them.

By 3:10 PM the midwife's student had arrived. It was time for Danny and I to go solo at this point so my mom went to the waiting room.  The midwife student checked me and I was at 7 cm.  I guess the walking was helping!  We decided now was a good time to break my water.  She had a really hard time breaking it, she said it was more like pin holes rather than a full break because the lining was so thick.  After 15-20 minutes of monitoring the baby's heart rate and my contractions they let me get back up.  I sat on the birthing ball, walked and had Danny rub my back, squeeze my hips and wrap his arms around me when a really strong contraction came on.  The whole time he was coaching me, telling me how great I was doing and encouraging me to breathe and relax.

7 cm, ready for baby!  My very last bump picture...bittersweet!

An hour had passed and my contractions were very intense at this point.  I felt that my body was very tense while I was standing so I climbed back in the bed to try and relax for a few minutes.  Danny fed me ice chips and we talked about how excited we were to meet this little boy or girl.

At 4:15 PM the midwife came back to check me and I was only at a measly 8 cm.  This was not turning out to be like my birth with Marissa or Dylan.  It was taking longer!  I told myself to take one contraction at a time and that it would all be over soon.

The midwife nurse showed me some squatting techniques on the side of the bed and said that this would help to move the baby down.  The nurses and the midwives left the room and said they would be back in a bit to check on me.  They hooked me back up to the monitors but they kept falling off since I was standing/squatting.  The monitors were making me feel very edgy and I begged Danny to take them off me as fast as he could.  The last thing I wanted was a monitor on my stomach during these intense contractions.  A few contractions later and things were starting to become a blur.  The nurse popped back in and quickly ran to get the midwives.  I was standing on the side of the bed and I told the nurse that I need to use the bathroom.  She advised against it and suggested that I go ahead and get back in the bed.

The midwives came back in and I literally could not lift my legs to get back in the bed.  I thought Danny was going to have to lift me.  I was finally able to get one leg on the bed when the nurse said "she's crowning!!!"  Okay, I didn't have a choice at this point, it was either get back in the bed or have this baby on the floor.  I mustered up enough energy to climb in the bed.  I was on all fours and couldn't stop my body from pushing.  The midwife asked if I wanted to birth on my hands and knees or if I wanted to get in the traditional position for pushing.  I said I didn't care, whichever was easier.  Somehow I managed to get in the traditional sitting position.  The midwife told me to push and about 15 seconds later, at 4:34 PM, our little bundle of joy arrived.  The midwife grabbed my hands and directed me to pull our baby out and onto my chest.  Whew!  It was over.  I did it!

Danny and I awed over this little person.  The long fingers, the long nails and black hair.  The sweet sound of the first outside world cry. It was amazing that we had created this life.  The cord was still attached and pulsing.  After a few minutes it dawned on us that we hadn't seen the sex yet.  I held the baby up from my chest, with the cord between their legs and I was about to announce it's a boy.  Then I lifted the cord and I turned to Danny standing behind my right shoulder and whispered to him "It's a baby girl!"  I couldn't believe it.

Our little Leila Rose was perfect.  I nursed her for the first time while Danny cut the cord after it had stopped pulsing.  She weighed in at 6 pounds 6 ounces and 18.25 inches long.  She was such a dainty thing; our smallest baby yet.  The midwives and nurse didn't even know that it was a baby girl; they didn't hear me announce it.  It was truly a special moment just between Danny and I.  While it wasn't how I pictured it playing out in my mind, or how they depict it in the movies, it was more than I could have ever imagined.  It was perfect!

Does that not look like one proud papa!?  Love him so much!

At first I felt bad that Danny didn't get to announce the sex.  All along our plan was to let him announce, but in the heat of the moment I couldn't stop myself.  He said that right at the time that I turned to him he saw that it was a baby girl.  I guess you can't exactly plan for these things.  It was still one of the most amazing experiences and I am so happy we decided to wait.

While I know that Danny wanted another little boy, whose name would have been Archer Douglas, we were so elated with Leila and we were just happy that she was healthy and as close to perfect as you could get.  She scored a 9 and 9 on her 1 and 5 minute APGARS.  Danny went out and announced to my parents that it was a baby girl.  Then he called his parents and family to tell them the news.  From what I heard, Marissa was so very excited that she got a baby sister.  I will never forget the sound of her voice as she came into the hospital room announcing "Leila Rose."  It was the cutest thing ever.

We've settled in to our new family of 5 and Leila has been the perfect addition to our family.  While I would probably have another baby (or two) if Danny said let's do it...I feel that my family is complete with Leila.  I couldn't ask for anything more.  We are so blessed to have 3 healthy, beautiful children.

Daddy holding Leila for the first time.

Our first family photo.

Happy Due Date, Baby!

Well, I have officially arrived at my due date! I think this little guy or girl is comfortable. I go Wednesday (if I haven't delivered) for an ultrasound to check fluid levels, baby movement and an estimate of the size. If all is well, my midwife will let me go until 42 weeks before we talk induction. Which would put us right at Easter. I am so excited to meet this little one but I am also trying to be patient as I really don't want an induction.

We have officially picked names (nothing like waiting until the last minute, ha)! We have decided to not tell anyone and I know both sets of grandparents are itching to know. But since we are team green we figured we might as well hold out. There's no sense in getting attached to a name (or disliking one) that we won't get to use anyway. I like to think that we did a good job naming the first two, so a few more days won't kill anyone. I will say that I think either name we have chosen goes well with Marissa and Dylan as a sibset and that neither of the names are that common. We don't like totally out there names but we didn't want your typical every day/over used/common name, either.

We can't wait to meet you baby! Go easy on your momma. :) Love you!!

House Update - All Moved In!

We are mostly settled into the new house.  We closed on February 25th.  We had started moving in the weekend prior to the 25th and spent our first night in the house on the 25th.  Danny carried me over the threshold for our first night.

It took some adjusting for Marissa the first week or so, but she is all settled in to her new room and new big girl bed.  Dylan switched from a crib to a toddler bed when we moved in and you never would have known the difference!

I am in love with our new house.  It feels just like home.  It is everything I could have imagined.  I am so thankful for everything we have worked hard for.  Though it was a long 10 months, it was well worth the wait since this will (hopefully) be our 30+ year home.

Our oasis

Marissa's big girl bed.  Uncle Fuzz gave her money for Christmas to put towards her new room and I was able to find this at IKEA!  It is so big and she looks so little in it, you can barely find her.  Thanks, Uncle Fuzz!

One morning we did have a tiny visitor.  This is a rare occurrence. 

The nursery. This is the first time I haven't had a theme!

The foyer.

Our "formal living room" AKA the play room. :)

Formal Dining Room

My other oasis. I've vowed that I will take a relaxing bath at least once a week. And in a few weeks there will be mandatory wine involved. ;)

Dylan's first night in his big boy bed. Getting tucked in by Sissa.  He looks SO happy! And he loves having her tuck him in every night.

Single Digits

I am officially down to the single digits until my due date!  The time has flown by so fast. We've already been in the new house for a month!  I have been nesting like crazy trying to get everything ready around the house, but I feel like I still have a lot to do.

I'm feeling pretty good, mostly just tired and this little baby is getting heavy!  I have a lot of swelling in my feet and ankles and it hurts to roll over at night and to even walk sometimes.  I don't think we will be having our third 30th of the month baby, considering it is in 2 days and I have zero activity going on.

I have been having an (almost) nightly ice cream cone.  I don't know why but they have been so tasty!  We still haven't picked out names.  Or installed the car seat. Or finished packing my hospital bag.  Time is really getting away from me these days.  It is especially hard working full time and caring for 2 other kids.

Marissa is so, so excited to meet baby, though.  She is 100% convinced she is getting a baby sister.  And her name has gone from "Rapunzel" to "Elsa" from the movie Frozen.  I've tried preparing her that she may get another baby brother but the girl just isn't having it.

And Dylan...poor Dylan.  I think he is going to have a hard time adjusting to not being the "baby" anymore.  He is sweet and will kiss my belly and say "hi" to baby, but I don't think he is ready to give up the spotlight just yet.  I have a feeling he will have middle child syndrome.  Daddy will have to show him the way. ;)

38 Weeks. Giving baby kisses and saying hi!

Yes, that is a comb in Marissa's hair. 

Snuggling with my babies watching Frozen after we devoured a bowl of popcorn. Love these two! :)

Slacker 101

Where do I even begin?  To say I have been slacking on the blog front would be an understatement.  It's a good thing my New Year's resolution wasn't to blog more; because I would have failed miserably so far.

Life has just been busy.  We've had ups and downs with the new year.  We are getting so close to closing on our house.  And as we get closer to closing on the house, we get closer to welcoming baby #3.  The fact that we are not settled has me feeling all kinds of anxious.  I feel like a rubber band that is about to snap!  I feel like I've reached the end of my rope.  Someone the other day told me to tie a knot and hang on.  Easier said than done!  

I just need to get my home in order before chaos consumes us.  I will be a complete basket case if I am not ready to bring the baby home.  Who am I kidding?  I'm a basket case postpartum anyway, I don't need additional help.  I'm not looking forward to the crazy hormones the first few weeks after bringing the baby home.  As much as I know people want to help and see the baby, sometimes I just need some breathing room.  

Last night Danny played video games and I just shut off the TV; settled down with some chips and salsa (note, not a good bedtime snack at 33 weeks pregnant; I needed a few tums) and just enjoyed the quiet.  Dylan was up at 5 AM yesterday; neither kid napped and I was just feeling run down and exhausted.  It was nice to just sit and hear nothing!  I know our time of putting the kids to bed and (mostly) sleeping through the night is dwindling down; so I am trying to enjoy it.

So since I have been slacking on documenting the house progress and pregnancy; here's a quick re-cap of what the new year has entailed...

Baby #3:

• I am currently 33w2d along.
• We are still team green!
• I have absolutely no idea what we are having.  At first I was sure it was a boy. But lately I've been thinking it could be a girl.  Hopefully it is one or the other. ;) 
• I've had a sweet tooth lately; whereas the beginning of my pregnancy I was craving more meat.
• I have a new love of Arby's Reuben sandwiches.  Hmm...maybe if it is a boy we will name him Reuben.  Mmm...I've decided what I am having for lunch today!
• For the first time in 3 pregnancies, I failed my 1 hour glucose test.  I had a Reuben that day.  
• I passed the 3 hour glucose test with flying colors.  My fasting sugar level was 76.  I was not happy that I had to go through that!
• I'm currently measuring a week behind but my midwife is not concerned.
• I've gained approximately 16 pounds so far this pregnancy which is the least amount of weight between the 3 pregnancies but everyone says I look bigger. Gee, thanks!
• My sciatic nerve pain is flaring up again and it is near impossible to get comfortable at night.  I keep wanting to sleep on my back which of course is a no-no.
• I'm still wearing my wedding rings but my hands have been swelling at night.  I really have to watch my sodium intake and drink lots of water.  
• Danny was nice enough to take some maternity pictures for me for Valentine's day. I still want to get a few of us together, though.  He's quite the photographer! :o)

House Update:

• We should be closing no later than February 26th.  Which puts us at 10 months since we sold our house last April.  Such a long process!
• The house is looking really good. I am so happy with our color choices.  It feels like home already.  I can't wait to get settled in.
• I am in love with my kitchen (yes, I get to say my kitchen because Danny doesn't cook). ;)  It is the heart of the home and it is everything I imagined it would be.  
• We had a few set backs with weather, the loan and just getting the small details finished.  Our first appraisal with Bank of America came back low; which really put us in a bind.  So we had to get a second opinion which came back much better.  I was really stressing about the appraisal and it was a huge sigh of relief to get the second opinion back.  I officially would not recommend Bank of America to anyone.  Their customer service is terrible!
• We should be doing our final walk through soon.  I feel like I have a mile long list of small touch ups and things that need to be completed.  I just know that it is best for the builder to fix these things before closing because from what I've heard, it is hard to get them back out after you've closed.

They need to take out the two dead trees on the left. They still have to do the final grade and put in the front sidewalk, but we have to wait for this weather to break first.  The columns and the trim on the front door need to be painted white.  Lots of little details that still need to come together, but it's looking good!  I love the bay window; it lets in so much light.

Family Room off of the kitchen.  I'm hoping Danny can get the built in bookshelves on either side of the fireplace built before the baby comes, but that might be asking too much of him. 

::Swoon::

His and Hers Master Shower