Celebrity Look Alike

Does he remind you of anyone?

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Except the guy in the first picture definitely doesn't whistle while he works and makes a whole lot more noise.

The Birth (finally)

So I am sure that there are many of you out there who have hardly been able to sleep due to anticipation of Aubrey's birth story.  What is it about a birth story that is so compelling?  (for me, at least)

And please don't judge me for the contents of this story.  I forgot to post it until now, but it was written during the unstable hormone, sleep deprived days following Aubrey's birth.

Therefore, I am hardly responsible for the contents of this message.

Oh, and it's really loooong...

Preface:  About 8 weeks before Aubrey was due Dave got a new job.  New job=new insurance

New insurance that doesn't take effect for 4 weeks.  Not only that, but I had to find a new doctor.  Apparently, most doctors don't want patients that are just about to deliver.  Everyone I called said that I was too far along.  FINALLY, I found a doctor that would take me (and induce a week early - yahoo!)Unfortunately for anyone reading this, I didn't have a super dynamic, painful sounding delivery.  Very routine and maybe a boring read.  But, boring or not, I revel in the extreme sport of life giving and therefore enjoy re-living my moment of glory.

When Friday came I was pumped and ready to go.  I LOVE the whole experience.  I love the thrill, the anticipation, the excitement - and most of all, the BABY!  (Although I don't so much like trying to put myself back together afterwards...)

At 9 am on Friday, June 4th, I went in around 9:00 am and they hooked me up with the "juice" to get things moving.  I made slow an steady progress but wasn't in much pain so I was able to walk around, surf the net, and watch all sorts of strange daytime TV with Dave.  Around 3:00 they checked me to find that I was at a 5 (and had been for most of the day).  I was now starting to feel pretty uncomfortable so I asked the nurse what the Anesthesiologists schedule was like.  (I learned my lesson after Brooklyn - I always want to know the schedule)  She said that he was going into a C-section in 10 minutes.  So I could have the epidural now, or it would be another hour.  HELLO - give it to me now.  So the chipper little gentleman came in and took care of business.  awesome.  From that point on I was sooo relaxed and comfy.  I felt like I had just gotten out of a spa.  You know, you feel all warm and sleepy and totally content.  (Is that cheating?)  Yes, that was me.  (And I don't care if anyone thinks it's cheating - I thought it was AWESOME!) 

I thought that I would deliver by 5 pm for sure since all of my other deliveries had only taken 6-7 hours.  But, by 5:00 - I was still only at a 5.  In fact, I was a 5 until 9 pm when another doctor came in and said that Dr. Thomas couldn't get away and asked that she break my water. (finally!)  So, she broke it at 9 and the nurse told me to let her know when I started to feel any pressure.  Well, I laid there for about 10 minutes and then started thinking, "Gee, I sure feel a lot of pressure.  But it can't be the baby already - I'm only dilated 5 cm."  I asked the nurse to check, even though I was worried I was wrong.  I believe her words were, "Whoa - hold that kid in there - let me call the doctor."

Unfortunately, he was about 15 minutes away so I had to endure the uncomfortable feeling of being the lid on a shaken bottle of soda.  Not so much fun.  Although secretly I was LOVING the whole thing.  Really, I could do that 50 more times.

Dr. T arrived, gloved up, I pushed through 1 contraction, and out she came.  Dr. T called her the "scrawny baby" because she didn't turn out to be the giant I was afraid I was having.

They wiped off some of the slime and then handed her right to me for a little Kangaroo-Kare.  Dave was noticeably grossed out at the thought of putting that slimy little thing on my bare skin, but I was lovin' it!

After about an hour of cuddling with my babe, I handed her over for the big moment.

My teenie-weenie-beanie

6lbs 13 oz

19 3/4 inches

13.2 inch head circumference

After I was all put back together n' stuff - they moved me to recovery where I was sharing a room - boo.

My favorite was that my nurse kept coming in to my room like she had nothing to do.  At one point she told me that all of her patients at the moment had just had either their 4th or 5th baby.  So I'm pretty sure none of us were filling out that little potty/poo/feeding time chart.

The hospital stay was fine (nothing compared to the hospital in Greeley!), but I am not overly fond of staying longer than I need to.  So I delivered at 9:50pm and went home at 3:00 the next day. 

As my grandma said it, I went through the Baby Drive-thru!

Portraits

Brooklyn loves to draw.

So much so, that if she's misbehaving, I threaten to take away her art supplies.

It pretty much works every time.

There is great purpose and accuracy to everything that she draws.

She can really depict things as they are.

Don't believe me?

Take a look at her most recent creation.

The one on your left is a picture of Dave, and I'm on your right.

Corresponding with our pillows - of course.

Let's take a closer look so you can see her perspective of her parents.

Her Mother

That's right guys - those are pretty much a set of model legs.

Her Father

Dave may or may not have a hairy chest.

You decide.

Little Red Hen

I've been so concerned about my children growing up too quickly that I didn't realize that I am having the stirrings of growing up myself.  And this my friends, is where I need you.

Let's get one thing straight first.

I don't like to cook.

I do it out of sheer necessity.

Period.

BUT, I do love to save money - and will do almost anything - including cook - to do so.

So, I am wondering if anyone out there bakes their own bread.

You know, like everyday?...

I'd especially like to hear from someone who prefers to "cheat" and use a bread maker, because let's be honest, anything with too many variables and opportunities to be messed up, will be messed up by me.

That's just how I roll.

I need all the advice, tips, and encouragement that I can get.

I'm considering going all out - like buying the wheat for cheap - grinding it up and baking it.

Kind of like the Little Red Hen.

Just look at that beautiful loaf.

That. could. be. me.

Bed Head

I'd say it's pretty impressive when you can work up some serious bed-head when you are only 2 months old

I don't think she's lost a single strand. 

It just keeps getting longer.

I'm thinking I'll be braiding it by Christmas.

Speaking of bed-heads - I think it's wicked awesome that the kids are so tired from school.

They are asleep in about 8 seconds flat.

And that's something rare around here.

I think I like it.

P.S.  Just in case you are curious, and I am sure you are - here are some recent growth stats on my hairy headed baby.

Whom I love.

As of August 23rd (almost 12 weeks old)

Height:  23 inches- 50th percentile

Weight: 10lbs 11 oz - 25th percentile

First Day of School 2010

Well, I survived.

And it wasn't nearly as traumatic as I thought it would be.

Jack was so excited all morning. 

He ate breakfast in his backpack - well, not actually in his backpack, but you know what I mean.

(Don't mind Bradley's noggin)

And once we got to school there was no hiding between my legs or any hesitancy at all for that matter.

Does this look like a face that's afraid?

Not one bit.

He was dancing around and doing some strange laugh - kind of like a chipmunk.

I think he'll be fine.

From the moment he entered the classroom, all I saw was this.

Bye to you too...

Actually, I don't mind - I was happy that he jumped in with both feet - that's a lot easier (for everyone) to deal with than the alternative.

Brooklyn also had a good first day.

Up close you can tell she's her mothers daughter.  After a long summer with lots of sleeping in, she's looking a bit puffy-eyed.

Who likes her haircut?

Me, me, me!

And here's my "baby" at her desk.

She's pretty pleased with herself.

She's got a desk with her name on it - and it has a cool hole to store all her stuff.

That is big when you're 6.

After school she reported that her teacher was nice, she didn't know where the bathroom was, she couldn't open her milk at lunch, and that she got lost twice.

Lost?  Twice?

Apparently she was walking around talking to Mia and didn't hear the bell...and didn't notice a million kids running in one direction all at once??

I've had them practice finding their way - but everything just looks the same.

Or Brooklyn could just have my sense of direction.

Lucky girl inherited all my best qualities.

We've now had day 2 and I'm declaring that it is going to be a good year. 

I miss the kids during the day - but they are having fun, my house is staying cleaner, I'm shopping with only 2, and they come back....and immediately start clawing each others eyes out.

What?  Your kids don't do that?

Well, mine do.

So there, Erynn.  :-)

Just for their Mom

First Day of School

Since their poor mother is in the hospital cooking up another cutie, I got to be the fill-in mother for the big drop off today. 

Ella all lined up ready to go in

Mia at her desk

They missed you Sharlene, but they did great and were definitely ready for school!