Busy Days!

I thought I was just about to sit down and relax for a moment, but Miss Lydia decided that screaming in my ear and pulling my hair would be fun!!! Guess what else happened today?!

Had to get up super early for an out patient procedure for Steve at the surgical center. With four young children and no family here in Louisiana, that meant we had to haul all of the kids to the hospital...super early! I nursed my little Maya this morning before I hopped out of bed; bear in mind that she decided she wanted to be awake from 4am on this morning--she just couldn't stop looking at the night light projecting an image of the galaxy on our ceiling!!! So, when I jumped out of bed at 6am, she decided that she was going to peacefully drift off to sleep--who wouldn't with a full king size bed to themselves?

The kids were dressed and ready to head out the door by 6:25 am--Lydia was thrilled to be leaving the house first thing in the morning! I, however, left without make-up or combed hair...AGAIN! I'll warn you, I've done this once or twice in my recent past! I also left with my house slippers on...AGAIN! Oh yes, I've done this before too...most recently on the same day that my make-up and hair did not get done! I didn't realize the slippers were on until I got out of the car at the surgical center...oops!

I managed my beautiful kids at the center fairly well! The patients and front desk clerk looked at me like I was crazy as I hauled four children back to sit with my husband after his procedure...you see that's usually something you try to make a peaceful process, but I did well! Steve had a pretty painful procedure with the doctor saying, "Are you doing okay?" constantly but never recognizing that he was in pain even after he told the doctor that several times. Sometimes procedures, and health care in general, are too subjective...and the staff doesn't recognize the subjectivity of it enough; anyone who's ever been in pain at the hospital (and ignored) knows what I mean!!! I wish I got a picture of Steve in his hospital gown and cap, but I was more concerned over his awful procedure and failed to take a pic...bummer!

I went to the store with my Maya after I bathed my children and put Miss Lydia down for a nap; Steve needed ice-cream...oh yeah, me too! I decided to wear my Maya wrap in case Maya was sleeping...she transfers to the wrap well and will sleep while I shop. However...I made a last minute decision when I got to the store to place the car seat on the shopping cart and just wear my Maya wrap...without Maya in it! Yes, I look very cultural with it on these days! So, Maya was hauled out of the car in the bulky car-seat that barely fit between the Ford and "So and So's" car to the right. I banged the car seat a few times, woke my baby and just prayed she would tolerate the shopping trip. Half way through the store, I bumped into the center aisle display of Gatorade! At a whopping 5'2", I am too short to see over my baby's car seat! I thanked the Lord that Gatorade is quite heavy, said "Uh-Oh" in my high Mommy voice, got a few credible looks of concern, backed up, and continued on! At the check out, I piled the 4 containers of ice-cream on the belt. The lady behind me said, "Looks like some good ice-cream" with a grin on her face. I looked at the ice-cream, looked at her and said the first thing that came to my mind, "Yep, husband's request!" I then turned around and thought...as though she will really believe that--look at me!!! On the way out of the store--in front of a dozen uniformed soldiers standing outside of the grocery store doors, I ran straight into the concrete pole with the shopping cart! Same site, but the pole has no give, and I said, "Uh-Oh!" in my high Mommy voice, avoided all eye contact, backed up, and moved on like nothing happened! Why are those concrete poles there?

I listened to my Maya screamed through the last 7 minutes of our car ride home, and determined once and for all that if she ever screams like that while I am working I will quit my job in a heart beat. Not until now did I realize that I won't be hearing her while I am working...so I guess we are safe with that! When I got home, I served my aching boy lunch...served my children lunch, and was met with the same results from Aiden that I am use to. He LOVES peanut butter and fluff...apparently, he LOVES it more without bread! I am thinking of cutting the grocery bill by avoiding the bread isle!

Then, I got to work on doing what I am starting to do best--folding laundry on the HUGE island in the kitchen! (posted this pic for Sara--so you could get a better view of my kitchen....my dirty kitchen!) Yes, I put the i-phone down as soon as this picture was taken and ran to get Miss Lydia. She thinks she is so big these days....I guess I should've learned how to use the buckle in high chairs by now.

By the way, Miss Lydia has confided in her Daddy that she wants to be a nurse when she grows up! I can just imagine the dinner conversations we will have!

I Confess...

Perhaps it's the fact that I have lived the last 4.5 years of my life with responsibilities outside of the home that causes me to LOVE being in the home more than ever. The responsibilities have grown over time, as I expected they would. 4.5 years ago, I started evening classes part time--that lasted for 2 years. Following that slow steady ease into a fast paced life, I began my nursing clinical rotations during the day--the days were long away from my kids, especially when I had to leave my little Miss Lydia. Eventually, that led to a full time nursing job--long nights away from all my kids and hubby...it has been a rough transition. Now, as I am enjoying the last half of my maternity leave, I must confess, I really do like this stay at home Mom job...even more than I did before! Though, I must warn you, the post partum transition has made it a little hard around here...but I'm getting some energy back and loving the memories that can be made and work that is done by a stay at home Mom!!!

So, I'm teaching Lydia how to drive lately--she's loving it!

She even decided that since she can drive for me now, she may as well trot around in true Mommy fashion! Yep, she's sportin' some of my clothes!

I love endless kisses EVERY day...and being able to decide whether I have to take a shower first thing in the morning...or not. Unfortunately, that means Steve has to see me that way; poor guy!

Here, Liddy is using the Maya wrap to her advantage; she substituted it as a blanket for nap time in the car.

I use the Maya wrap every day here at home, as I trot around, unshowered, with my newborn babe! Yes, it is really called a Maya wrap--and I get it now...Maya means mother! Took me awhile to figure that one out!

I love bathing her every night...

Even if we have to substitute a well lit home with candle light. (The electricity went out on Father's Day, as mentioned in the last post!)

And I love finding new and unique methods to put my baby girl to bed at night with my other baby girl attached to me! Sisters only 16 months apart need lots of attention...at the same time! Here is my view above--Lydia is holding Maya's hand while drinking her bottle. And then below, you can see how I juggle 2 babes at bedtime! Lydia is such a sport--she balances on the lap I have remaining, takes her bottle, lets me carry her to her crib where she lays herself down for the night. I usually lay her down, but she has developed a helping attitude!

This stay at home Mom stuff is fun...I even like the ironing and dishes more these days!!! Sorry about the low quality pics--the i phone is in desperate need of a flash! And this post is in desperate need of some boys!!! I'll have to fix that with another post soon...I love my boys, and they surely love having me around to hug and kiss all day long!!!

Daddy's Precious Girls

It was a humbling Father's Day in our home. We have been through a lot over the last 9 months of our lives. Only 10 months ago, Steve and I graduated from nursing school--side by side with our three boys and one beautiful girl as our little pride and joys through a long hard road. We both felt so happy and full of confidence having accomplished something profoundly important for our little family. The remaining time since has been full of too many disappointments...but the Lord knew it would be hard and blessed us yet again with a fifth child. Maya was unexpected...if you recall, I found out I was having her at an IUD appointment--yep, I was pretty certain I would never be able to have another baby with life's chaos blooming! How special it is that Maya was born just weeks from Father's Day--Daddy's little girl! Steve has taken to his little Miss Lydia so well, and Maya's presence is such a gift to add to his wonderful Daddy daughter days ahead! The following pictures are a mini photo session we did together! I arranged them and framed them for Father's Day for Steve.

Above--Miss Lydia, her Violet and Maya--her very best friend already. She is so gentle and loving with her sister. As we talked about Maya while I was pregnant, Lydia would push my belly away and hit me. Then Maya came--and it was love at first site for every member of our family--Lydia loved Maya from first glance in the hospital; she kisses her, hugs her and calls her "My Maya"! We love our 2 baby girls so very much!!! Below, Miss Lydia is reminding me of the looks I gave as a child; who knows, maybe I still give them today--just ask Steve!

Now, enjoy the beauty of a father and his beautiful daughter...

Steve was able to have his own Father in town for Father's Day--a gift he thoroughly enjoyed and needed as well. He was called to serve in the Elders Quorum presidency which took us by surprise and his Dad participated in setting him apart--a gift any Father would treasure. His Dad walked away from that circle of worthy priesthood members with tears in his eyes--I love seeing that happiness and pride that his Daddy has for him; it fills my heart with joy! We went home and enjoyed stacked enchiladas--made especially for the boys--then found that a dark warm home would be our company for the evening (electricity went out!). It was a good day.

11 Days Old!

I can't help but give an update on my Maya Ruth and how we are adjusting to her presence in our home. Lydia has decided that it is easier to call Maya "Mama"--I know she detects the difference between me "Mama" verses Maya "Mama", but it's been hard for me to hear! Connor and Aiden adore their little sister--they are also thrilled to be home together this summer; they spend most of their day in the play room and the remaining time begging to hold Maya!

I love being Maya's Mama--every child brings me closer to the divinity of that role! Daddy would probably claim the same thing--he grows as a father with each child!

Look at that beauty!!!

So, at Maya's 11 day appointment she weighed in at 8pounds 5 ounces! Just one week ago, she was 7 pounds 2.5 ounces! WOW!!! This girl loves Mama's milk! The doctor told me she was a chunker--that's just not something you tell a mother who is having some baby blues! He's a neat doc though!

I'll tell you a few more things you don't do... pull of the umbilical cord and toss it into the red box (hazardous waste) and then say, "You don't want to save that do you?". I immediately bent over my baby laying on the exam table and hid the tears in my eyes. That image is as close as I get to her little umbilical cord now. I was also told that the lactation consultant would be in to size me for nursing bras. I had to chuckle as I nodded my head. She came in, asked me if this was my first...I said no, it was my fifth! She then asked if I even wanted her to size me, to which I said no thanks! Seriously, by the time you are nursing your fifth child, a nursing bra is a thing of the past! They were a thing of the past by the third child! I drove home in tears and then held my little bundle close to me--all is well! She received her first bath tonight and has slept peacefully in my arms since--still there now!

Maya Ruth

Maya Ruth has brought a unique glimpse of happiness into our home. In the midst of some heart-wrenching trials, she has made her entrance ever so gently to give us a sense of happiness and peace that can only be had by heavenly blessings. I started seeing Dr. Bieber when I was 28 weeks along with Maya. I was told at that time that I would have a good shot at an induction considering Lydia--born January 2009--was delivered at home. At 40 weeks along, I was still only 1 cm dilated, but Dr. Bieber, unlike any doctor I have ever had, said he would do whatever I wanted him to do, and in his words--on June 2nd, he said, "Do you want to have a baby tomorrow?" with a grin from ear to ear....

So....we had a baby on June 3, 2010! I made it to the hospital at around 6:10 am and the pitocin drip was started at about 6:40 am. It took a good 2 hours to dilate to 1.5cm with 80% effacement, but the contractions were easy to get through--no concerns yet!

See....not so bad!

It was an entirely different experience being induced. I loved my natural at home delivery--no cords, fluids flushing into your body and causing you to need the bathroom every 30 minutes, constant monitoring, etc... BUT...the induction was not all that bad--especially after Dr. Bieber broke my water and let me walk around and do what I needed to labor like a true Mama! My favorite place was the rocking chair!

My boy--my companion, my truest friend and comfort was there beside me to lift me and encourage me. I prefer to labor naturally, and it always feels like an impossible task towards the end of labor. I turn to my husband in tears and in agony, and his silent gentle touch allows me to pass through each contraction--one step closer to our baby. He never doubts me--never tells me to give in--because he knows who I am and what I want. He knows me better than I know myself in those moments of exquisite pain. I cried to my Father this time and asked Him to bear part of my pain. He did....just enough to pull me through to the end where it was just me and my baby--making our way to a new life.

Two long pushes...and beautiful Maya Ruth was here. I started pushing at the beginning of a contraction--not notifying the nurse I was pushing. When she noticed I was, she started counting, "1...2...3..." but little did she realize I was already at "5...6...7..."! Once I got to 10 and she was at 5, I wanted to stop and breath but she continued to tell me "PUSH!!!" I shook my head back and forth--as though to say no--but I continued, as is my nature. Inside, I will cry and throw a tantrum, but outward appearances matter--and I will fight like there is no tomorrow! I pushed to 15 on my scale...10 on the nurses, and Maya came!!! She was born at 12:43pm.

More beautiful than ever!

There's my doctor--he seems to know that a mother of 5 knows her body better than a male OBGYN!!! Thank you for inducing me!!!

Official weight...7 pounds 5.8 ounces! My tiniest baby yet!

Official length--20 inches--my shortest baby yet!

And officially, Maya Ruth has hair--my first baby with a head full of beautiful hair! I LOVE IT!!!

He adores his babies...

And he looks so darn handsome with them as well!

The children met their little sister later that afternoon. Lydia was a little cranky, but much to my surprise she didn't push Maya away. Instead, she came and cuddled with me and Maya--she kissed her, hugged her, and enjoyed her new place as the big sister! Aiden loved her as is his nature!

And Connor--being the eldest--smiled in his glory! He loved my belly with Maya's pregnancy and continues to rub and pat it as I am here at home with a postpartum pouch. He makes me feel very motherly, and happy to experience these changes and sacrifices we, as women, make for out babes.

Me and my JOY!!! I now have 5 bundles--Connor Reid, Aiden Obadiah, Shane Joseph, Lydia Shaelin, and Maya Ruth! Connor will be 7 in July--what a roller coater we have enjoyed!

Our life saver--my dear sister--Sunny came to our rescue this time around. We are in Louisiana, with new full time jobs, no family, a move that took place only a week and a half before my due date, and hearts that are still healing from a year full of disappointments. When the Lord said that He would give no more than we could bear, I believe we were oblivious to what we could actually bear. We were blessed to have a saving hand with Sunny and her baby Hallie over the last week. She has relieved a major burden from our plates and left our home full of good food, a place to store that food, happy hearts, some beautiful new clothes for Mommy's post partum body, memories galore, and children who simply adore her....they truly do adore her!

Maya cried at the beginning of her first bath and then enjoyed the water running over her head--she calmed immediately! I think my two girls and I will have to enjoy some salon time as they get older!

Perfection!

My little piece of heaven...curled right beside my belly!

Daddy's angel!

Mommy's pride and joy!

Life doesn't get any better than this!

Or this!

Oh, how I love my boy and the marvelous life we have created...temporally we struggle day by day, but in our quiver, we have children who hold us tightly together!

I adore this boy...he adores me...

Now...the sister chronicles begin! Watch out Maya, you have a big sister who still LOVES bottles and binkys! The Lord chose your timing Maya, this I can assure you! He knows you, and He must know that the bond you will share with Lydia will be unbreakable! You are 16 months apart! How fitting that my sister, only 18 months in age from me, was here to help me through this transition....sisters are gifts from heaven!