Our journey

Nathan Isaac

Nathan Isaac

July 1, 2008
5:56am
7 pounds even (our biggest baby yet!)
19.5 inches
1 hour, 56 minutes of fast but intense labor
Less than 5 minutes pushing 
One tiny new angel.

Proud Daddy

This was Eli's reaction when he saw his new brother for the first time (in the NICU)

In the NICU-

Back in the room with mama-

Audri and Carter holding baby brother for the first time...

These I just took today (day 2)...

I apologize for taking longer than I thought to get these pictures up. I kept trying in the hospital room, but the internet there kept kicking me off. We're home now, and Nathan slept in his carseat (above picture) for over an hour, giving me time to type this out and finish uploading the pictures. More pictures to come!!

Random pictures. Because I can.

So here is my busy baby boy. This is what most pictures I take of him end up looking like:

Running through the house. We have a great house for running in circles. 2 openings from the living room into the kitchen, so he likes running in one door, through the kitchen, and out the other.

Have I mentioned before how completely in love with him I am?  

Happy girl (ignore food on her face)

We finally got her hair cut! I had to go through a period of mourning after hearing that my favorite hairdresser has moved out of town. I finally buckled and decided to go ahead and find another hairdresser. Her hair looks much better shorter, as it is very fine and thin. Here she is drawing pictures for Carter.

Here is the GOOF.

And here I am at 35 weeks pregnant. Today I have officially made it farther than I have my last 2 pregnancies. I am 30 pounds heavier, as of this morning (the most I have ever gained in a pregnancy!!!!), and very frumpy. Ignore my Hulk-like hands. My hands are scary-veiny.  Shield your eyes.

THE BELLY!!

AHHHHHHH!!!!

I am posting these because I know that someday I will look back on these pictures fondly, when I am far removed from my enormous frame, but right now it's not so enjoyable. Kindof embarrassing actually. But hey, I'm all about keepin' it real. Embrace the frumpness. 

Here's a cute picture to make up for the above:

Now we're off to the park. Have a good one!

I'm a softie.

So I have to admit I wasn't too fond of the idea of getting a cat. Not now, with a baby coming and all. I've done the pet thing, and never really enjoyed it. I've always wanted to be an animal person, but the reality of the work and the smell and the poop always ended up turning me off to these little creatures. I get enough work, smell and poop taking care of the kids.  But Chad and the kids were so excited to get this kitty, that I didn't object too much. Yesterday I was a little peeved and think I even muttered "I never wanted a cat anyway" when she/he continued pooping and peeing anywhere but the litterbox. Today though, she/he has been using the litterbox consistently, and doing things like this.....

and this....

I think she knew I was apprehensive, so she's been working on warming me up. Smart little thing. Apparently it's working.

The kitty follows us everywhere, and MEOWS very loudly when we leave her in the bathroom, away from us. She's definitely asserted her place in the family, after only 2 days. She wants to be right next to us, all the time. Audri has a new best friend.  She carries kitty around and wants to hold her or play with her constantly. Score.

Okay, so maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all....

New Baby!!

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HA! Fooled you! You thought I was talking about my baby, the one we are waiting for, the one I've been growing in my body for 8+ months, the cute human one that we cannot wait to meet.....didn't you??

Naaaahhhhhh, still no news on that front.

I'm talking about THIS baby:

Eli loved to terrorize the kitty, which was no surprise. He followed the kitty around, cackling and giggling and chasing it, poor little kitty.

Where's that new TOY??!!

After the terrorists kids were in bed, Chad and I brought the kitty out of his/her designated safe place- the bathroom. Her litter box fits perfectly in the under sink cabinet, and we're keeping her food and water dish in there. This was the place she found to settle in-

Chad said it's warm there, he has a point.

Right now she's sleeping behind my head on the couch. I've taken to calling her "she" even though we have no idea if it's a "he" or "she."

Thankfully I think "she" will help keep my mind occupied until the long awaited, real baby joins our family.  I know the kids are completely fascinated and intrigued by torturing her.

Keepin' it real.

So the past 2-3 days I've been in....a horrible mood. I'm trying to isolate myself as much as possible right now so I don't scar anyone for life. I think it might have something to do with the fact that I can barely MOVE or WALK without being in excruciating pelvic pain.  I feel like a laboring cat who wants to hide in a dark closet and be away from everyone. Except for the fact that I'm not in labor. Just enormous and very uncomfortable. And hot. Maybe this moodiness means I'll have the baby soon. I doubt it, I'll probably go to 42 weeks this time. Ha, wouldn't that be hilarious.

Yesterday I was hand-mopping half the house, on my hands and knees sobbing to Chad about how it's impossible to stay on top of keeping the house clean because of how quickly everything gets dirty after I clean it, and how huge I am and how it's just so hot here and it hurts to walk and I'm so tired, and blah blah blah.

Poor guy, he just doesn't get it.

Then my sweet 6yo daughter came in and asked me what was wrong in a gentle little voice. Then she gave me a tiny little statue snowman.  And I remembered just how blessed I am.

In other, less melodramatic news, we've been taking nightly walks lately. The weather is definitely heating up, but it's not quite unbearable (yet). Right around 6pm or so, the sun is down far enough to not be blazing on our heads, and the weather has cooled down some, so we put the boys in the wagon and walk together. We live in a historic old neighborhood with huge trees and lots of shade, and it's so nice to walk up and down the streets, looking at the houses and the flowers that are now in bloom. The kids have also been playing outside a lot. Either Chad or I, or both of us, will sit out there on the porch as they play in the yard. Yesterday we went to the park. We went down the hill to the shady side where the creek is, and the kids played and threw sticks in the water while Chad and I sat on the blanket together and talked about how awesome our kids are. In between Chad getting up every 20 seconds to keep Eli from getting too close to the water's edge.

This afternoon we're going to a casual birthday party for my nephews, and might be bringing our kitty home from my sister's house. She says the kittens are eating normal food now, so we can take it anytime. I still don't know if "it's" a boy or girl....? I wonder if anyone will be able to tell?  As thrilled as I am to be adding another creature to the house to take care of, Chad is gung-ho about adopting the kitty, and the kids are super excited. So we'll see how it goes. If anything, the excitement of a new pet will occupy some time until the other new family member's arrival.

Overall, life is good, despite my aches and complaints and stress. Life is very good.

Learning to Let Go.

Daddy

My husband is my hero. He takes such wonderful care of his family, in the ways that really matter- being there for us day in and day out (and at night too!), gently and tenderly comforting and caring for us, making us laugh when we're upset- or just for fun, easing our fears, disciplining when it is needed (this includes me as well, his wife!), having supernatural patience with our faults, giving up himself and his wants for what his family needs. He's definitely God's gift to me, he's amazing.

This poem reminds me of him:

Daddies
by Edgar Guest

I would rather be the daddy
Of a romping, roguish crew,
Of a bright-eyed chubby laddie
And a little girl or two,
Than the monarch of a nation
In his high and lofty seat
Taking empty adoration
From the subjects at his feet.

I would rather own their kisses
As at night to me they run,
Than to be the king who misses
All the simpler forms of fun.
When his dreary day is ending
He is dismally alone,
But when my sun is descending
There are joys for me to own.

He may ride to horns and drumming;
I must walk a quiet street,
But when once they see me coming
Then on joyous, flying feet
They come racing to me madly
And I catch them with a swing
And I say it proudly, gladly,
That I'm happier than a king.

You may talk of lofty places,
You may boast of pomp and power,
Men may turn their eager faces
To the glory of an hour,
But give me the humble station
With its joys that long survive,
For the daddies of the nation
Are the happiest men alive.

Happy Fathers' Day, Love.

*Click on link above, make sure your speakers are on. The sound will come on a few seconds after starting.

Beautiful Day!

The weather was gorgeous today so we spent some time out on the front porch together. We are living in a 100+ year old house, so we have a grand old front porch. It was so nice to be out there together, in such lovely weather. We don't get very many days of mild weather where we live, it's usually either really hot or really cold.

I cut Carter's hair today. From the above pictures, you can't really tell what a shoddy job I did.

I'm surprised I got ANY decent pictures of this little man....every picture of him lately has been blurry because he NEVER STOPS MOVING  Also, for the past 2 months or so, he always has some type of bruise on his face from falling or smashing into things. He is all boy.

He loves putting on Audri or Carter's helmet 

....and then he found The Dirt.

Also, Audri took a couple belly pictures of me. I think she's a really good photographer!! I'm 33 weeks, 5 days today.

Big Daddy took this one:

Sleep.

This is what happens around 10am when a certain little man starts waking up between 4am and 6am each morning.

Tuesday, 10am:

Wednesday, 10am:

Uhhhh, son? Precious, sweet love of my life? Try sleeping in until, oh, 8? Maybe even 9? That way, you'll be able to make it until naptime. Sleeping in really is wonderful. You should try it.

Love, your tired momma.  

Boys, Boys, Boys!

Growing up I could have never imagined that someday I'd live in a house absolutely dominated by testosterone. I grew up with only sisters, and then lived in an all-girls boarding school for 2 years during high school. I know girls. Boys have always been somewhat of a mystery to me. I remember being so relieved when we found out Audri was a girl. I had no clue what I would have done with a boy. God sure does have a sense of humor, since then He's given us boys, boys and more boys!  I've always heard that young boys are gross, but so far the only boy who grosses me out is my not-so-young-anymore husband.  I guess once they start being gross, they never grow out of it.

Here are my 3 favorite boys (pretty soon I'll have four favorite boys  )

This is Carter's (and daddy's) favorite way to watch TV

Yes, Carter needs a haircut, as is evidenced by his flowing mop of curls above. I don't mind his hair growing longer since it's just so gorgeous, but it's getting a little out of control.

I'm 32 weeks, 5 days and counting. Still on bedrest, about 50% of the time anyway. Chad says he can never leave me alone because once he leaves the house he usually comes back to a vacuumed and mopped floor, a clean kitchen, and the laundry done. I just can't help myself.  My contractions have really settled down though since I've cut out so much of my normal activities. I'm not sure what I'm going to do if I actually go past 35 or 36 weeks, which is looking possible at this point!  That is just so rare for me. Usually by this time I'm having constant contractions and in and out of the hospital. My (awesome) Dr. told me at my last visit that once I go off bedrest around 36 weeks, the baby will probably be born within the week. Having a baby at 36 or 37 weeks sounds perfect to me, he should be big and healthy by then, and able to come home with us right away!!! That has only happened once so far, and the thought is so exciting to me. I can last another 3-4 weeks but I honestly hope I don't go much past that. I'm so excited to see him.

Well it's getting to be bedtime for the kiddos, and things start getting a little chaotic around here at that time, so I better go.

ROAR!!!!

Audri and Eli have started playing this game where they "roar" back and forth at eachother. I think it's hilarious.

He is such a hammy

Seriously, could be be any cuter??

My precious little man is 18 months today!!! He's getting so big. Here are some things he's up to:

• Walking!!!!! As of a couple weeks ago!!!!
• He loves playing with a ball- "ball, ball!"
• He puts everything in his mouth, none of my other 2 did this.
• He will still SCREAM as a form of communication. Thankfully not as much as he was for awhile.
• He says a few words (ball, book, go, "mo" for more, "cheese" for please). He doesn't say anyone's name, or even "mama" or "dada" very often though.
• He's started recently repeating what we say a lot more.
• He loves sharing my minestrone soup with me at Olive Garden.
• He's way more physically active than Audri and Carter ever were and constantly keeps us on our toes.
• He is an absolute blast and cracks me up all the time.

In other news, I'm 32 weeks today! Here is a belly picture Chad took yesterday:

My goals are in 2 week increments now, first I just want to make it to 34 weeks. Then 36 weeks. After that, it's all good. If I make it to 36 weeks I will have made it farther than I did my last 2 pregnancies! I hope the next couple of weeks go by fast, I cannot wait to see Nathan.

Desperately in need of a haircut.

Yesterday we took The Boy in for a haircut. He was in desperate need of one. Just look at the hairdresser's face- "seriously, what were ya'll thinking letting his hair get like this??"

"Uhhhh, what do you think you're doing?"

"Ma? Could I get a little help here?"

It was all good after he got a lollipop though

Just like Daddy now. The End.

She.

Sometimes I look at her and can see glimpses of the young lady she's becoming.

Gosh she looks just like my mom in this next one-

Other times I can still see the baby she once was...

She's definitely growing, ready or not...

And as always, she's full of her own thoughts, ideas, and plans.

She may be a handful...

but the exuberance she carries in her, always ready to bubble over, is so refreshing.

She's mine. And she's a gift.

Curly.

The greatest husband in the WORLD

And he's all MINE!!!!!  

I seriously have the best husband ever. He is my best friend in the whole world and I absolutely adore him. I have never in my life had someone who was overjoyed to help me with things, I always thought that asking for help was putting a burden on the other person. So I struggle with that. But my wonderful husband is teaching me different. He actually enjoys taking care of me, and helping me. It's truly humbling. He has such a servant's heart. He has MAJORLY stepped up to the plate in the past week, and I am constantly amazed by how caring and wonderful he is.

I was put on bedrest last week because I'm having preterm labor issues, which is no surprise as I've had 2 preterm babies thus far. I've never been put on bedrest before, and anyone who knows me knows that putting me on bedrest is basically a joke. I cannot stay in bed. I was thinking "sure I'll take it easy for a night but Chad and I will both be sick of this by tomorrow." Well it's been almost a week and Chad is more adament than ever at helping me and keeping me in bed. If I sit up, he tells me to lie down. He has been making me my food (the yummy eggs he makes have been my main request  ), cleaning up around the house (!!!!), and taking care of the kids. He will do anything to keep me lying down. If it weren't so dang sweet it would drive me completely insane.  

I know if it weren't for his help and support I wouldn't be able to rest at all and the baby would probably be here by now. I'm not good at doing nothing (which is the doctor's orders). I absolutely want to do what is best for the baby, and having Chad's support makes all the difference to me.

I am so thankful to have Chad here with me at home right now, and that he is such a wonderful and caring husband and father. God has truly blessed me.

P.S. - Thank you mom and dad Anderson for modeling what a helpful, caring marriage should look like! He is such a loving husband, and I know so much of that is because of how close the 2 of you are. Great job, you should be proud!!!

More snapshots of our life

I just love it when my Audri writes me love letters.  She'll occassionally ask me how to spell a word or two as she huddles behind the doodle pad or the piece of paper she's writing on, but other than that it's all her.  Notice the hyphen where "much" is seperated (between the "c" and the "h"). I didn't tell her to do that! 

She constantly surprises me with just how quickly she learns and retains things. Just in the past week, her handwriting has gotten SO much better, and we've only been working on it a couple times a week! I gave the kids worksheets to do yesterday, and I was amazed at how perfectly she copied the words on her own.

It's so exciting to teach my kids and watch them grow and learn. I would rather err on the side of being relaxed in my teaching (especially in these very early years), because I don't want them (or me) to get burned out. But even still, it amazes me how quickly they learn and pick up on things. And it keeps it FUN!!

Smily boy

Sleepy boy

Eli practiced his walking again last night by walking to brother

And sister

And Daddy

Today it's been the hottest it's been so far this year, in the mid-90's. Ugh!! I don't enjoy extreme temperatures. What can I say, I'm a San Diego girl, born and bred.

We went to a local parade and then had a BBQ lunch with some friends at their place. Now the kids are napping. It's been a lovely (albeit hot) day.

A momentous day...

My baby is WALKING!!!!

At 17.5 months old!   

Carter was a late walker too. In fact, he started walking at around the exact same time as Eli! I never pushed either of them. I knew there was nothing "wrong", they just weren't ready! Both were completely capable of walking long before they actually did, they just lacked the confidence in themselves.  

I was sitting on the couch and Eli came up to me like he often does and wanted to cuddle and crawl right over top of me. He put his face right in my face and made sure I was looking at him, then he stood up and balanced himself on the cushion next to me with this little smile on his face. I made a big deal over what a big boy he was and he giggled and wanted to keep showing off how well he could balance. Well Daddy knows an opportunity when he sees one, so he brought him down on the floor and had him walk to him from the couch (just a step or two). Eli gleefully complied, and everyone went wild, even though he's done this several times in the past. Then Daddy moved back some, and he walked to him again! Then he moved back even more, and Eli was walking halfway across the room! We were going crazy and clapping and cheering and he was loving it  

(Don't mind the floor, we had just finished movie night and the kids had fun with the popcorn)

Within minutes, he didn't need anyone to walk to, he started walking all over the room, all by himself!

Love those hands held out like that.....

He's my doll baby

Being a parent is so fun.

Snapshots of our day

Today we decided to go to the park after naptime. The park we went to is attached to our town's museum, and Chad wanted to go in and check it out. We got to see really cool things like old stagecoaches and sleighs and antique washing boards and huge elk heads. It was interesting to learn more about the history of our little town. After that, the kids played on the playground.

The kids by an old fire engine-

and stage coach-

These pictures crack me up...

Huge animal heads sticking out of walls probably is hard to figure out when you're one, huh.

My baby's getting so big. He insisted on going down the slide all by himself. He was so proud.

My chillens

Carty

Then we came home and the kids were very resourceful with mommy's headband. Audri turned it into a pair of glasses-

And we finally found a way to tame Eli's 'fro!  

My kids are so stinking cute. They make me smile.

Being a Mother

My Mother's Day was wonderful.  Big Daddy took us out for a steak lunch at Outback (yummy!) and he and the kids gave me really sweet cards. After we got home, he took the pictures I posted in the entry below. When the kids woke up from their naps, he helped me rearrange a bunch of stuff around the house. Something I've been wanting to do for awhile, and I felt okay asking for his help since it was Mother's Day and all.  He forced me to sit down while he did all the work. It is so nice to have things less cluttered! For dinner, he made his signature blueberry pancakes which we devoured, then we went over to my sister's house for some dessert before the kids went to bed. I really wish I had brought my camera. We got to see our little kitty again and the kiddos had so much fun playing with their cousins.

It was a wonderful day, and I felt very loved.  I hope all of you had a wonderful Mother's Day too!

As Chad said, each Mother's Day we have even more blessings! It's wonderful. I feel very blessed to have such a loving husband and my soon-to-be 4 wonderful children. God has been so good to me, and I am so undeserving. I am amazed everyday with just how much He has blessed me.

Here are some of my favorite verses on mothering:

 9 He settles the barren woman in her home
       as a happy mother of children.
       Praise the LORD. -Psalm 113:9

 3 Children are a gift from the Lord;
      they are a reward from him.
 4 Children born to a young man
      are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
 5 How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!
      He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates. -Psalm 127:3-5

 1 How joyful are those who fear the Lord—
      all who follow his ways!
 2 You will enjoy the fruit of your labor.
      How joyful and prosperous you will be!
 3 Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine,
      flourishing within your home.
   Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees
      as they sit around your table.
 4 That is the Lord’s blessing
      for those who fear him. -Psalm 128:1-4

48 Then he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me also welcomes my Father who sent me. -Luke 9:48

 42"And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward." -Matthew 10:42

7But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. -1 Thessalonians 2:7

 11 He tends his flock like a shepherd:
       He gathers the lambs in his arms
       and carries them close to his heart;
       he gently leads those that have young. -Isaiah 40:11

Me with Audri:

Me with Carter:

Me with Eli:

Me with Nathan:

Mother's Day maternity pictures

I asked Big Daddy to take some maternity pictures of me for Mother's Day.  I think he did a good job and best of all, they're free!

I added a filter to some, I think the filter makes it look a little bit softer.

Warning, some of these may be a little bit immodest for some of my audience here (my bare belly shows)

No filter: