Jules (she is such a "gem")!

Minutes old... she looks identical to Emily! November 19th, 2009 - about 7:30am


Day one... 11-20-09


Day two... she is so sqwenchy! 11-21-09


Day three... nursing position - I just love her little perfect feet! 11-22-09


Day four. November 23, 2009... okay, enough is enough. Weekly photos to follow... ;-)

Our new arrival!

We are so grateful for the blessing of having this new princess in our home! Our joy is indescribable!

I went in for my 40 week appointment and the doctor said I was 4cm dilated - I hung around Roseville for a few hours, hoping to get some contractions going. Nothing happened - just major discomfort and irregular contractions. I spoke with my sister, who had given birth to her 2nd baby just 4 days before. She pointed out that I was the only one who truly knew what my body was doing - so, I drove home, calmly gathered the kids, their things, Jared and our bag and we drove back to Roseville. Jared's mom had dinner ready for us when we arrived to drop of the kids. We ate, Jared and his dad gave me a blessing, we kissed everyone goodbye, and headed off to the hospital.

We had to fight to stay - the doctor who checked me in didn't think I was in labor. I insisted that I was not leaving until I had this baby. They didn't want to admit me, so I walked around the hospital for an hour and dilated another cm. The triage nurse was on my side, and finally got the doctor to admit me. I explained that my water never breaks on it's own, and in all my other labors, once it is ruptured by the doctor, I deliver within a few hours.

Julieanna was a bit stubborn. She kind of proved me wrong. She just didn't want to move down, she was up in my ribs until the last hour of labor - Jared says that she just didn't want to let go of Felicity's hand... She wanted to be with her up in heaven for just a little bit longer.
When it was time to push - she came out in 3 minutes! The cord was wrapped loosely around her neck, which was probably why her heart rate kept dropping during half my labor. I was so relieved and so full of joy! She was perfect! Healthy and beautiful and safe in my arms at 7 in the morning!




The joy on my children's faces says it all,
doesn't it?
We are so glad
that she is here!

Last, but not least...

Jared has been working hard to provide for our family. He just recently accquired some work in his accounting field - aside from the infrequent work he gets by being a hunting guide out in Colusa and the managing of the very young company he and his dad are co-partnering: TW & Sons Construction, Inc.

He will be working for Talbott Solar in Davis, CA every Tuesday managing thier books for a satisfying wage - but only one day a week. We are grateful. He is confident that with his "foot in the door", he will be able to prove his worth and abilities and eventually work into a full-time position as the company grows.

It seems as if we are both in need of learning how to be patient and to rely upon our Heavenly Father's plan and time-table for our lives. We went from doing very well, with the ability to save much with the excess we were receiving to nothing and having to use our savings and "emergency" preparations for these last 10 months. We are down to nothing - and feel as though we are truly having to start over. We are so grateful that we have been able to get this far with what we had saved. We are so thankful for all the help and support from family and friends along the way.

One of the truly great blessings that we feel, is the truth that our faith in the covenants Jared and I have made testifys to us daily. Our family - our children and our relationship with one another - can never be taken from us. We may loose everything else, even our mortal lives, but we will always have the promise of being a family forever. I am grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ - for being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know it is the true, full gospel of Jesus Christ and I am thankful for the blessings of the Temple and the covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father there. I love Jared and I am grateful that he and I are living up to the promises we made there together with our Father in Heaven. I testify of these truths in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

We're still here!

39 weeks today - I went in for my appointment yesterday and just about punched the grandmotherly receptionist when while she was checking me in said, "Oh... You look ready...". I've been "ready" since I hit 37 weeks!

Anywho - all violent tendencies aside, we are all trying to wait patiently here. My kids ask me daily if the baby will come today. Whoever happens to say family prayer and even during our before mealtime prayers the person giving voice to our group prayer ALWAYS prays "that the baby will come out today". So, it's hard to wait patiently when everyone is wondering out loud...

In other news...

Emily - 3rd grade (just recently lost her top right front baby tooth)

Emily has hit a major life milestone - yesterday when I picked the girls up from school she informed me that she now has a boyfriend!
Emily: "Mom, I know you're going to say that I'm too young for this, but, remember that boy Christian in my class that flicked me the other day?"
Mom: "Yes..."
Emily: "Well, I like him and he likes me. Now he's my boyfriend!"
Mom: "Okay, What does that mean?"
Emily: "We go out on dates and stuff."
Mom: "You aren't allowed to date until you're sixteen..."
Emily: "I know, mom."
Mom: "So, what does 'going out on a date' mean?"
Emily: "Oh, you know, go out to dinner or a movie... or just hang out on the playground together."
Mom: "Oh, okay." end of conversation.

I am not sure what I was supposed to say - but at this point, I'm just glad that she has a boy that may stand up for her on the playground instead of trying to smack, punch, hit or spit on her. She loves to play with all the boys and likes to hang out with them (I think because boys are "easier" to deal with sometimes instead of the all the girl bossiness and drama). But, boys don't usually want a girl hangin' around - unless she can hold her own. She has loved playing soccer for the first time this season and seems to have an affinity for it. Jared has enjoyed being the assistant coach and will probably do it again next year. Emily is content to play under her father's tutelage.



Lindsey - 1st Grader and avid rollerblader!

Lindsey is doing so well in first grade! She still struggles occasionally with the longer hours at school - insisting that she misses me while she is at school. Her teacher says she is several levels ahead in her High Frequency words and is already through 4 "I Love Reading" levels. Grade level average is level 2 at this point. She picks up and reads books at home all the time! She does so well at sounding out all her letters and truly "reading" to herself! She independently works on her letters and numbers - making up math problems, drawing clocks and writing out the time (one o'clock) next to them, and coloring pictures everyday after school. She also is showing me her independence and a desire to separate from me by wanting to go and play with friends. She just loves to skate and ride her bike!

Tanner loves to hang out with Mommy, but has recently developed a good relationship with Daddy. They go out and shoot together, train the dog together and do MAN STUFF together. Daddy has been really doing well at listening to Tanner and they have developed a mutual respect towards one another - which is so important between any and all children and parents. Jared has been really satisfied with the way Tanner and his relationship is developing.
Here is our handsome little pre-school boy...

Just waiting...

38 weeks today - just waiting...

Had an appointment yesterday - I'm 2 cm dilated and she touched "little miss's" head! I just gotta get some contractions going. I know, every pregnant woman has felt or does feel the same towards the end. We just want to see this little one, for the discomfort and the waiting game to end. The anticipation, excitement and sometimes anxiety is just about unbearable at the end. This too shall pass - I know, but patience is just not a strong virtue of mine!

My kids all decided that they were sick - and stayed home from school today. They agreed to be my slaves today - laundry folding, vaccuming, and toilet cleaning. I think we will all go out for a walk today too. I know my children are anxious - they want to stay close to me, they want to make sure all is alright, that this baby girl will be born healthy and strong. They are worried that what happened with Felicity will happen with this baby girl.

So - I'm off to try and "make things happen"... We'll keep you posted!

Halloween tricks and treats...

Halloween means a church chili cook-off, a carnival for the kids ages 2 to 12 and trunk-or-treating in the church parking lot. Friday, I made my pot of chili, chocolate cupcakes complete with orange frosting and candy corn toppings (which my kids contributed their deco skills masterfully as well), put on my "punkin" shirt and managed to get it all along with each costumed kid to the church by 6:30! My husband was guiding a deer hunt and unfortunately was MIA from 3am until about 7pm that day. He came home exhaused and fell asleep about 8pm as the rest of us enjoyed the sugar rush mayham! My kids had a great time - what kid doesn't generally enjoy chaos?! Lots of treats, and then came time for the Trunk-or-Treat!

Our church building has a very small parking lot and it was filled to capacity! You'd think I could keep my kids pretty contained - well, here comes the trick part to our adventures that night. In all their excitement, I had to remind my children several times, NOT to run off without me - to stay by me so I could keep track of them. Well, the girls did so, but my almost 5 year old son couldn't contain himself! He ran over to be with his friend Tyson and as the girls and I traveled around the parking lot, he apparently pulled away from his friend and got himself lost in the small church parking lot. I asked a few moms to keep an eye out for him and I continued to herd my girls around to get candy. We had gotten through every trunk and were waiting by our last one when a friend said, "I found him!" My son threw himself at me in tears and said, "MOMMY! You scared me!" He knocked me on my bottom and wouldn't let go! His trick-or-treat bag was empty and I realized that my son spent the last 15 minutes wandering around looking for me with no thought for treats - he spent his time panic-stricken and feeling lost! I held him for about 5 minutes until he calmed down. I don't think he will wander away from me anytime soon. I guess that the church parking lot was about the safest place he could have learned that lesson.

Here are our little munchkins... the following night - HALLOWEEN!

37 weeks today!

Okay, so I had a doctor's appointment yesterday... nothing major to report. Just open at 1 cm - which, I was reminded by my Nurse Practitioner, means "nothing" in the medical industry. Well, it means a little bit of "something" to me... My sister, as you may be aware, is also pregnant and about 9 days ahead of me on her journey to birthing her 2nd baby (another boy). She was still "closed up tight" at her 37 week check up. I do have 3 more births "under my belt" and my body is A BIT older and more experienced, I guess. I don't know if you would say that's a good or a bad thing - let's just say it's different. I love you Christina! Hang in there! It has been fun being pregnant together - on two different coasts! ;-)

Baby girl is just fine, sitting pretty, upside down with her head still "floating" a bit - not quite engaged in my pelvis. She gives me a good stretch several times a day with her foot digging straight up into my right ribs, just under my breast, which makes me go... "YEEOOOUCH!" She also likes to roll her knee (or something!) out to the side, which entertains the family because they can see this little knobby thing roll along my tummy. I told my husband it would be nice to make it past Halloween - since this would be the only time in my life I could take advantage of my shape and dress up for All Hallows Eve appropriately...



HaPpY HaLlOwEeN!