Ellie Rolls Over!

I thought the first time was just a fluke, but got the camera ready anyway!

This was her second time accomplishing rolling over.

She's not doing it regularly, but she sure does try!  

She makes it to her side sometimes  and stops there, satisfied.

To Ellie: Your First Few Days

Our time in the hospital was peaceful.  Keith didn't like being stuck in the same room for multiple days, but it didn't bother me one bit to be in a room with you and Daddy with visits from my boys.  Being a new parent wasn't terribly difficult in the hospital when you have nurses around to help!  I was anxious about going home and being on our own with you. 

While we were in the hospital, we choose to keep you in the room with us the whole time; I couldn't bear the thought of you not being there with us!  In fact, I kept your little cradle/crib as close to my bed as possible.  The foot of the bed wasn't close enough for me. 

Your first few days, your tiny little wrinkled hands reminded me of my grandmothers.  Now they are plump and round.  Now, when we're breastfeeding, I love seeing those cute little hands rest on me, even when you're using them to block my view of you.

Upon coming home, I loved sitting and holding you while breathing in the smell of you.  I still do.   That first week, we couldn't hardly put you down.  I didn't want to share you! 

Your big brothers are over the moon excited about you.  They are full of questions about you, and I can even seem them starting to be protective of you.  They are so very excited for you to come to the babysitters with them when I go back to work.  Mommy on the other hand, is already not looking forward to that day. 

Manners? A thing of the past?

When I was a kid, there were some other kids close to my age in the neighborhood and we commonly played together, especially during the summers since we were home all day at our houses with our moms or babysitters.  If we wanted to play together, we called or walked to their house and asked if they could come over.

Now, as some kids have moved into our neighborhood and our boys are older and interested in playing with other kids, I have to ask; are those manners we had as kids a thing of the past?

My experience with neighbor kids has not been positive thus far.  The lack of manners is bothersome.  It has brought on a whole new set of lessons to teach my boys about manners and politeness!

Elinore's Birth Annoucement - Sneak Peek

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The Circus - Caden & Caleb Style

A few days after Ellie came home, the boys decided to put on a circus for their baby sister and Daddy and me.  They arranged it in the play room, set up chairs for us, and put on a show!  It was magnificent!

Bedtime Prayers

Tonight during bedtime prayers, as we usually do, the boys shared what they are thankful for.

Caden said thank you for the rain we needed, for playing in the rain today, and for mud puddles to jump in.

Caleb asked for help for us to love others and for help for those without homes.
I love that we are raising our children to know God.

Tummy Time

Elinore's Birth Story - As Told by Daddy

Keith and I took along a pen and notebook to the hospital with us to document our experience through the labor and delivery.  I left Keith in charge, and this is his account of Elinore's birth. 

Monday, July 2, 2012

4:00 PM

Beth called me at work; she peed her pants and thought her water was broke.

5:00 PM

We arrive at hospital and find out Beth peed her pants; however, heartbeat of baby was erratic and they decided to induce with Pitocin at 7:20 PM.

7:40 PM

Dr. Kriechbaum broke Beth’s water.  Bet said it felt “wet” when asked.

8:00 PM

We’re watching American Pickers; Beth has been very nervous and tired.  Luckily she got to eat around 6:00 PM.

8:10 PM

I pulled a not cool husband move and ate a cookie in Beth’s presence.  She told me to quit.  I also took some pictures of her on my phone; she was not happy about it.

8:40 PM

Pain is starting; we are talking about the epidural.  She is holding off.  She wants to go home; insert sad face here.

11:00 PM

6 cm; asked for epidural.  I had to leave room.

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

12:02 AM

She is feeling better asked to turn channel.  Now we’re watching Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  We’re very close the nurses are saying.  They say she made it through the worst parts without the drugs.

1:50 AM

Started pushing.

2:05 AM

Dad almost passes out.

2:35 AM

Still pushing.

2:50 AM

Nauseated; going to sleep.

5:00 AM

Start pushing again.

5:40 AM

Can see brown hair on the baby; called doctor for delivery.  Blood!

6:00 AM

Doctor arrived.

6:05 AM

Baby was born; Daddy is very surprised it’s a girl!

Elinore - 9 Days Old

Big Brothers

Caleb & Ellie

Caden & Ellie

It took a few days for the the big brothers to comfortable and brave enough to hold their new little sister, but they did and quite enjoyed it, for a few minutes anyway!

Going Home

It's a girl!

We welcomed Elinore Bechtel Haynes into the world July 3rd at 6:10 a.m.

She is 18 inches long, 6 lbs. 7 oz. and healthy!

We are very blessed!

Week 40 - Due Date

 

This was taken as we were preparing to head to labor and delivery.  

During work this afternoon, twice, there was a sudden bit of warmth and wetness in my undies.  It was very little, and I wasn't sure what it was.  To be on the safe side, I decided to leave work 45 minutes early and call my doctor's office before they closed for the day.  I'd been uncomfortable at work all day anyway and was caught up on everything at the time.  

There was a possibility I was leaking amniotic fluid, so they sent me to labor and delivery to be tested.

I called Keith and had him come home to go with me.  We called my mom to pick up the boys from the sitters, grabbed our hospital bags and off we went to labor and delivery.

Dreaming

I've had a weird dream.  It's happened twice now.  I thought it was a reoccurring dream, but thinking through it today realize it's actually building on itself. 

A few nights ago, I had a dream that we were living at my parents place, and I decided it would be a good idea to get a pet tiger.

Yes, a tiger.  Why?  I have no idea.

We had a giraffe too, but it caused not problems in my dream.

Apparently, I wasn't prepared for the tiger with adequate fencing, as the first night I had my dream, it got loose.  It ran around the neighborhood, but we, although terrified, managed to get it back into it's crappy fencing.

And that was the end, or so I thought.

Last night it happened again.  We were at my parents with the pet tiger it and got loose, again.

Shit.

Clearly a dream in between these was not fixing the fencing!

Last night in my dream, the tiger got out again.  I was very concerned about protecting everyone because the tiger seemed much more dangerous this time, but at the same time we had to try to get the tiger back into his shitty cage!  

As we repeatedly attempted to get our pet tiger back in my dream, it became more and more evident we were struggling and may not be able to do so on our own.  Destruction was starting, and I knew we couldn't let it get too far.

I was hesitant on calling for back up from law enforcement and wildlife patrols because I knew my pet tiger wasn't appropriately licensed in the state.  I didn't want to be in trouble!  And we liked our giraffe that wasn't causing any problems!

There really was no resolution to the dream.  I had to get up and pee of course!

Perhaps there will be a third installment?  Although I kind of hope not.  This was a bit weird.