A Day in Our Lives {the series} Part 1

Simply put, this is just how everyday life is.  Moments that happen.  Both good and bad.

I want to remember all these little moments for what they are.  Some days the chaos of five kids will dissipate, and I may find myself missing these days.  So I've been capturing these moments in their raw form.  To treasure.

A day, (or two or three) with the littlest 3....

Mason would LOVE to sleep in, but he usually is bombarded by Braddock.  Lots of "oohs" and "baby! baby!"

Lillie is our total princess.  Outfit after outfit. Asking for princess hair daily, wanting to play with mommy's make up.

The proof that my home is filled with kids is all over.  It used to make me crazy trying to keep it picked up. Then I realized there is no need.  Not until they are in bed at least! Don't get me wrong, they do chores.  But I can't expect them to play without making a mess.  besides, it shows that our home is filled with joy!

 Braddock is obsessed with his mud food creations.  It doesn't matter where I am, he will bring it to me to eat.  And usually ends up on the floor. He's got mad skills at dropping things :D

 His favorite thing to watch, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.  He literally freaks out with excitement when he hears the theme song come on...

 Do you have any idea how many dishes are involved with a family of 7? This is nothing....

 There is lots of morning play.  I have to make sure they are worn out for a good nap!

 Usually tantrums... from this guy.... several times a day...  He's lucky he is cute! ;)

I love when they all sleep at the same time.  It's my personal quiet time (editing, cleaning without it being undone....)

This baby boy has my whole heart. And he LOVES balloons.

Guaranteed, if I ask Daddy to take rock this little guy, this is what happens...

 Please don't kill me for posting this Jammy :)  I LOVE these pics!

Just a peek into or lives.  And much more to come.

Happy 8 years Cherry!

Dear Cherish,

October 28th, 8 years ago...

Is the day I became a mother.  The day James became a father.  The day that you changed our lives forever.  

I was scheduled to be induced 3 days before my due date. Yes, I was actually due on Halloween! But since I was already dilated to a 2, 50%effaced and getting contractions we were given a go.  And because otherwise Daddy just would not have been there thanks to the POST academy training and testing he was in the middle of.

After 9 months of carrying our precious cargo we were SO ready to get you in our arms. 

 I could hardly sleep the night before I was so excited. I was a little nervous and a little scared about labor and delivery.  After all, you were the first! But Angela, my amazing midwife knew just what to so and what to say.  They began the pitocin (to get labor rolling).  I was so worried about the pain (I didn't know then what I could really handle), that I opted for getting the epidural before they broke my water.  So around 3cm dilated they called in the anesthesiologist.  Long story short, it didn't take.  They had broken my water and I was in a lot of pain. So a different anesthesiologist came in and redid it.  This time it worked.  But little did we know that you were a stubborn girl :) HOURS went by.  And I dilated.  The time came to push and I was feeling a lot of pain.  The epidural was wearing off.  I began pushing.  They tried topping off my meds to help but nothing was working.  For 3.5 hours, yes that is right, 3.5 hours I pushed with all my might.  You were sunny side up and stuck on my bones.  Angela tried turning you.  I tried pushing in many positions.  I was exhausted and losing hope.  They called in a doctor to see about a c-section, and I kid you not, the second he opened the door you flipped yourself around and out you came!

There are so few words I can find to describe that very moment.  They way you stole my breath away.  The way your cry hit every single nerve in my body and sent this peaceful joy through me that I had never felt before.  Your Daddy was in tears and completely over joyed with you.  How perfect you were.  All pink and purple.  You made eye contact with us and we both knew our lives were changed forever.

For 8 years now you have filled our home with love, and peace, and joy, and laughter.  You are an AMAZING daughter.  Strong , smart, and beautiful, kind, caring, giving. You are the most perfect big sister. And have proved that time and time again.  I could go on and on.  You have inspired me.  You make me want to be a better mother and a better person.  Your sweet spirit touches everyone you meet. I could not be more proud of you. Of who you are and who you continue to become.  I cherish you with every meaning of the word.

Thank you for being my daughter.  For coming into our lives.  For giving me the ability to be your mother.  It is a gift I will always treasure.

I love you SO much.  And that does not say enough. 

Love Always and Forever,

Mom

Happy Birthday my sweet girl! I can not wait to see what life has in store for you.

SNOW!

As those of you here in UT know, we had our first snow of the season this last week! Ok, I admit it. I hate cold weather. Except for when I am preggo.  Something about chunky sweaters and leggings and a round belly is very comforting to me.  Now if only I could get brave enough to use my fireplace with kids around... then it might even be almost perfect! So the older kids bundled up and went off to school.  Lillie and I made a snow man. I'm pretty sure my neighbor got a kick of the way I was squatting to push these gigantic snowballs with out my belly getting in the way. Then we were frozen and warmed up with some hot cocoa and mini marshmellows.  It was an awesome day!  Braddock was so stinking cute in his little beanie. I think it's the cheeks that make him irresistable :)

And,

 I have hit the 25 week mark! My cheeks are filling out (both sets!) and he is still hangin low. Low and Large! ha ha ha! 

October

I honestly am sucking at blogging! And the sad reality is I have been so busy with photo shoots for clients, that I have completely slacked on activities and documenting our own family life!

The older kids are in full swing at school, with an hour or more of homework every night.  To me that's a little ridiculous for 1st and 2nd grade! Oh well.  Lils and Braddock are becoming quite the little buddy system being together during the day.

23 weeks have passed and this little boy is still nameless.  Hopefully over the next 15 weeks we can narrow it down!

I did a quick afternoon zoo trip with the kiddos.

This seriously cracks me up everytime I see it...

Maybe Lillie and Braddock spend TOO much time together :)

 

Cherry was there. She just was too far ahead of this waddling mom to get pictures :)

The only other fun thing we have done is hit up the Witch fest at Gardner Village! 

 

Which of course had to be done with our friends the Johnsons! I love the looks we get when we head out with all 8 kids in tow :)

And we just laugh, knowing there's 2 more on the way!

I love Gardner Village for Halloween! The kids are completely entertained just walking around.  And there is no shortage of things to see!

Eternal Bonds

I've been debating how to write this post.  How to capture in words,  an extremely special moment in our lives.

Back in March my Grandpa died.  You may remember the post.  He passed exactly 3 years to the day that his wife, my dearest Grandma passed.  We made the trek to Nebraska for his funeral.   And it was one of the most comforting and amazing experiences.  Knowing they were at last together again.

The night of the viewing we had returned to our hotel late.  As I laid in the darkness, I thought about fond memories I had with them.  And I kid you not, it was like they were standing at the foot of the bed.  They stood there together with a baby in their arms between them.  I knew they were holding my baby.  Even now this brings tears to my eyes.  I thought maybe I was dreaming, or maybe I was thinking of this picture I have of them with me when I was tiny. 

But what I saw was so different.  They were standing there, and just beautiful glowing.  Grandma with her beautiful white hair, Grandpa with his huge grin.  And a baby between them, in their arms.

I knew at that moment that there was another little soul waiting to join our family.

I had been having IUD issues for almost a year. So when we returned I went and had  it removed.

With my history of miscarriages and how long it has taken to get the last 2 kiddos, we weren't really concerned about preventing.  James and I have always felt, if it is meant to be it is meant to be.  Losing 7 babies has taught us that life is SO precious.  How blessed we are for the 4 beautiful babies we have been given.

So we went about our lives.  After being careful the first month as my midwife suggested, we didn't pay much attention after that.

The next month came and before I could even test, I knew.  

A few days later confirmed

I was a little surprised, that it happened so fast! So then I prepared myself. For a loss.

Not even a week later I was getting nauseated.  That is a very reassuring sign for me! But I still couldn't get my hopes up.  Babies never come this easily for us.  

But time went on.  I got sicker, and sicker, and sicker than I have ever been with ANY of our pregnancies.

Finally this past week we had our first ultrasound.

And we saw, and we heard, this divine little babies beating heart.  The flood of emotions that came to me are indescribable. But it was beautiful.

So here we are.  8 weeks along.  I am super sick, and sure, it is no fun, but oh my goodness!  My Grandparents showed me that there was another life for us to bring here. And here I am with a healthy pregnancy, a vital baby growing inside, with no miscarraiges.  

Call it what you will.

But for me,  this is an eternal bond that I hold dear to my heart. And I will NEVER forget how this special little babe came about.

I miss you Grandma and Grandpa.  I can not thank you enough for the lifetime of fond memories.  And even now, thou you are gone, you have still created what will be the most blessed memory of you in my life.

Our little bean is Due Feb 9th, 2013.  (Lillie's 4th birthday) :)

We are going to let the gender be a surprise! We have 2 of each, so why not?

4 weeks:

8 weeks:

Lazy

I really need to quit being so lazy.  With my camera! ha ha!  

So, with that said, you get phone pics as your update for the last little bit :)

James and I being silly at the local market.  This car cracks up.  I found out after I leaned on it, that someone was sleeping inside! Doh! 

Goofing off while the older 2 were at school

Cherry on her last day of 1st grade

No, I did not get a picture of D on his last day. I am such a slacker!

Braddock, who loves to block the vacuum and chase it around.  It makes vacuuming take twice as long! But he is so funny i don't mind :)

Kids: There is never a dull moment!  And with this one I win the mommy of the year award :)

One night Cherry and D were downstairs being hyper.  I had told them repeatedly to settle down before someone got hurt.

Not much longer after that Cherry comes up crying bad, that she is hurt.  I looked at er and said, "I don't care! I told you guys to knock it off!"

And I ignored her.

The next morning she came into my room telling me her nose really hurt.

Umm, I looked at her swollen crooked nose and black eyes.  Ah crap. Broken.  James didn't believe me when I called him.

Took her to the ENT.  Sure enough.  Broken. And bad.  one nostril was almost completely blocked.  

So we scheduled her surgery for the same day that James was having his sleep apnea surgery. Such fun for me!

So how did this happen? The kids were playing a made game called "Boulders".  They were throwing my big workout ball at eachother to knock each other down.  Cherry went face first into the ground. Poor girl.

Awaiting surgery

waking up

Hungry!

She did great.  Just have to be super careful for a couple more weeks.  We can't even rub the sticky stuff from the strips off her nose.

I'm hoping it will feel like summer soon.  So far. It hasn't.