my graduate

i am the proud parent of a graduate! my big boy graduated pre-k on May 19.

i'll blame it on the post-partum hormones (even though i know they had nothing to do with it), but I couldn't help but cry when he walked out on stage in his little red cap and gown. his pre-k class sang quite a few songs before they each got their diploma. when ethan when to get his diploma, ms. jill announced that ethan wanted to be a fireman like his uncle george used to be and a construction worker like his dad used to be. then they all danced around and celebrated on stage!

we just got ethan's kindergarten teacher's name in the mail for summer school. he'll start summer school in a little over a week! since i'm on maternity leave, he'll be able to catch the school bus from the house each day. better stock up on kleenex now!

emma's arrival

weighing in at 6 lbs and 10 oz and measuring 19 inches long, Emma Jane arrived healthy and ready to eat on May 11, 2011. she had little suck marks on her forearm from sucking inside the womb. the nurses said she has good muscle tone on her legs and arms. her little feet curve in to look like they are praying. she has lots of dark hair just like her brother did (before it fell out and grew in blond). Her eyelashes are really light which makes me think she will ultimately be blond too.

the first thing i thought when i saw her is that she looks exactly like me! she has my furrowed brow, my square jawline, and the stoffle lips and nose. i think this picture taken at the hospital looks just like one of my baby pics.

little Emma immediately wanted to nurse, and latched on like a pro. it took a little while for my milk to come in, and so we supplemented about 2-3 oz a day for a week or so. thanks to my expert latcher, many glasses of mother's milk tea and a week and a half later, i feel like we're doing much better now.

it was a cool and cloudy day when we brought her home - just like the day we brought Ethan home. we started tummy time right away and she is able to lift her head a few times and look around before wearing out. her big brother loves her so much and always wants to kiss her on the forehead and hold her hand. i look forward to watching their bond grow. if you ask him what his job is as her big brother, he'll tell you "protect her and keep her safe".

she is a very chill baby, hardly even startling when there's a loud noise. she's a great sleeper too (of course better during the day than at night). i think she just likes the sound of background noise. Emma makes so many funny faces in her sleep, appearing to cycle through emotions. my favorite are the involuntary smiles. it makes me excited to see the real thing soon.

i love my little girl. i'm doing my best to soak it all in since it goes by so fast.

waiting on tomorrow

this morning involved bloodwork at the hospital to prepare for the big day tomorrow. it wasn't bad, but i definately like the nice people and serene surroundings over on the maternity floor more than the hurried admission clerks and nurses at the main entrance. i am nervous that i'm making the right decision having a repeat cesarian, but i do not want to end up in an emergency situation again, which is likely with a VBAC. it's a risk either way.


after the hospital, i went to target to get a little last-minute retail therapy. i had forgotten about all the screaming children there during the weekday. that place on a tuesday morning is the best kind of birth control (for those not already pregnant). for those who are already pregnant, it is a virtual commercial for day care. i mentioned the birth control comment to the lady looking at the clearance rack beside me, and she said 'i know, but i just had triplet boys!' too late for both of us i guess.

it's evening now and i'm feeling a new calm about tomorrow. i'm focused on meeting our newest little bundle of joy. i'm excited to see ethan take on the role of big brother. i'm looking forward to seeing how much luke gets wrapped around that little finger of hers. i'm ready for our family of three to become four.

a whole family

this morning as i was gathering my snacks for the day, ethan was in the kitchen with me and caught me a little off guard saying, "i'm so glad we have a whole family." when i asked what he meant he continued "we have a grandma and a grandpa and a mom and a dad and two kids!"

he had figured out that some people didn't have all of that and was grateful. and i let him know that we were sure lucky to have him.

a whole family is not without hard work and some blessings from above, but your efforts are returned a hundred times back to you. and i couldn't be happier.

appreciated a friend sending me this article yesterday.

38 weeks

I can't believe my baby girl will be here soon! I am still feeling fairly good, but some days are better than others. Allergies have attacked full force this past week. I haven't put on much weight these past couple of weeks, so that is exciting considering I hit my pregnancy "goal weight" two weeks ago.

One more week to go...

#5

Birthday party #5 is complete!

Going to need a new game plan next year. Not only will we have two party weekends in a row, but these older (louder) boys are getting to be more than I can handle! Watching the video back, it wasn't as chaotic as it seemed in the moment, and I appear to be handling it better than I thought I was.

All that matters is my little pirate had SO much fun!