Paige's Baptism

June is a very busy month. Every weekend has a party, 3 of which we're hosting.  The first weekend was Paige's baptism.

I insisted on a nice family photo.  Would have been perfect had Megan decided she didn't want her picture taken and was pouting because I made her. 

 Nate and I watching as the pastor introduced Paige to the congregation.  We had to laugh because he got her middle name wrong.  He kept saying Paige Elizabeth.  Not sure where that came from.  The baptismal certificate has her correct name so we just laughed it off.

 Paige getting baptised

 A photo with most of the grandparents.  The step-grandparents are missing, but my mom and dad are there.

 Cousins celebrating in the pool in the back yard.  Love this shot!

Quinn drying off

Quinn,  big cousin Shane with Nathan's sister Jill.  Quinn looks a lot like Shane.  So much so that I've caught myself looking at pictures thinking I don't remember Quinn having that outfit.  Only to find out it's a picture of Shane.

Paige's birth story

Paige was determined to do things her own way.  Not only was the pregnancy different form the other 2's, but her delivery had to be different too. 

I'm a bit of a hippy dippy girl when it comes to labor and delivery.  I do things naturally.  I'm OK with delivering in a hospital, but that's it. No IV, no epidural, no pitocin - all natural.  It worked out well with Megan and Quinn.  I went into labor on my own, delivered without any intervention and breastfed each kid for a year.  Hippy Dippy.  That's me.

I went to the OB on Friday, 1 day after my due date, where I had an ultrasound and a stress test scheduled.  The doctor scheduled an ultrasound because I consistently measured big and she wanted to see what to expect and the stress test to make sure the baby was OK in there.  Nathan surprised me by showing up at the appointment and it was a good thing he did because the doctor took one look at the ultrasound pictures and told me she wanted me at the hospital within an hour.  I had very low amniotic fluid.  Anything under a 10 is worrisome, & anything under 5 is dangerous.  My level was 4.2.  So Nathan went to get the kids from daycare and I ran home to gather our stuff.  Fortunately, my mom was already here so Nate dropped off the kids, picked me up and off we went.

I got to the hospital at 5:30 p.m. where I was hooked up to an IV and a fetal monitor.  Dr. Lowe agreed to let me try and get into labor on my own as long as I was monitored and got some fluids to try and give the baby a little more cushion first.  While hooked up to the IV, I got a hospital grade breast pump and pumped every hour because it is supposed to help put you into labor.  3 hours later I was unhooked from everything and Nathan and I walked the halls stopping every hour so I could pump.  This went on until noon the next day when I asked to be checked.  After 19 hours I had only dilated 3 cm and since I was already 1 1/2 cm before going to the hospital I was obviously not going into labor on my own.  So after a mini break down, I agreed to Pitocin.  Pit was started at 12:30 pm and even then labor was slow to start.  Dr. Lowe said she'd be the one to deliver me even though she wasn't on call because last time I scared the doctor on call.  I asked to be checked around 7:25 and I was 5 cm dilated.  At 7:40, Dr Lowe called in and asked the nurses to check  me again and I was 6 cm.  Finally, I was moving.  We all knew that once I started I'd go quick since both of my other labors were very fast.  Dr.  Lowe came rushing in.  She made it there a little after 8 and I was already in bed, on my hands and knees pushing.  At one point the nurses were asking where she was because things were going so quickly.  Thankfully, she was in the hospital changing into scrubs. 

Paige was born at 8:38 pm.  Nathan was the one who told me she was a girl and cut the cord.  I flipped over to my back and Paige was laid on my stomach where she immediately went for the boob.  It was 2 hours before she could be weighed and measured because she wouldn't stop nursing!  The girl knew what she wanted from her very first moment!  

Dr. Lowe tried to deliver the placenta and the umbilical cord only to have the cord come out, but not the placenta.  Eventually everything was delivered thanks to some intervention from the doctor, but there were some problems with the placenta.  It was in 2 pieces that were connected by a little bridge and the umbilical cord was loosely attached across the bridge.  Basically it was definitely time for Miss. Paige to come out.  It could have turned into a very dangerous situation.  Thankfully, she was just fine and should have no ill effects.  Paige also had a foot that was turned at an odd angle.  Her right foot was turned  so the ankle bone was touching the side of her foot.  The hospital pediatrician looked at it the next day and said it was just due to her position in the womb and she'd be fine.  He was right.  It very quickly returned to the proper position.

Grammy brought Megan and Quinn to visit the next day.  It was love at first sight.  They adore Paige and were so very excited to finally meet her!

Quinn literally squealed with delight. 

In the end everything worked out.  I had more medical interventions than I wanted, but in the end I delivered naturally.  And most importantly, Paige was healthy.

Our first picture as a family of 5!

1 month old

Paige was 1 month old yesterday and remarkably I remembered to use the month stickers the Easter Bunny brought her.  Wonder how long I'll remember.


Paige's one month apt. is on Friday so we'll see what her new stats are. I weighed her last week and she was over 9 lbs. and based on the fact that her newborn outfits are becoming capris I'm guessing she's grown at least an inch. We'll see!

Easter

Easter was a little calmer than it usually is due to Paige's arrival 3 weeks prior.  We usually have a weekend full of house guests, cousins to play with, egg hunts, crafts and activities to do, and me in the kitchen cooking up a storm.  Instead the grandparents came down we ordered dinner from Boston Market.  But the Easter Bunny did come and was a little more generous than usual.

 Paige's firsts Easter basket.  She was very excited can't you tell?

 The kids already love their t-ball set.  Megan insisted on putting on her Easter dress as soon as she woke up. 

 Gotta love a boy in a suit.  How cute is he???

That Easter Bunny sneakily hid the eggs while we were at church. Tricky bunny.

4 and already exasperated with Daddy. 

Meeting Grandpa Tom for the first time. 

Silly glasses from Grammy. 

 Not to be left out of course. 

My kiddos.

It's a....

Girl!!!  Paige Nancy was born on St. Patrick's Day, which makes her 1 week old.  She was 8 lbs. 2 oz. and 20.5 inches long.  Our smallest baby believe it or not.  There were a few complications, but everyone is happy and healthy.

 Here's Paige and Grammy.  Guess where the Nancy comes from?  Yup that's Grammy's first name.

 Quinn loves to hold Paige, but only for a minute.

 Megan ADORES her little sister.  She is so excited to have a real baby in the house.  Paige is one lucky girl to be loved so much by her big sis.

Paige and Daddy watching the Buckeyes.  She's rivoted can't you tell?

Look what Quinn can do!

Megan got this puzzle for Christmas and the kids LOVE it and put it together several times a day.  While Megan was at soccer Quinn decided to do try it by himself.  As you can see he did it!  I didn't  have to help at all!  He was so cute grabbing puzzles pieces and turning them around to make them fit. 

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was a lot of fun this year.  Megan was really into it, and Quinn was excited because Megan was excited.  Nancy, our Elf on the Shelf, disappeared and reappeared daily.  Thus making a contest to see who could find her first.  Quinn would run up and point to her every single time he walked into the same room as Nancy.  It was so funny to hear him yell, "Anc" -which is Quinn speak for Nancy.

 Meg got her face painted at breakfast with Santa.  She was very excited about Santa, until he came near her.  Then she dived under the table and hid.  Luckily she was willing to sit on his lap and take a picture with him.  Unlike last year, Quinn was willing to go near Santa but refused to sit on his lap.  Quinn loved seeing Santa.  He pointed Santa out where ever we were yelling, "HO!"

Megan and Quinn after Christmas Eve service at church.  It's a rare picture where they're both looking at the screen and smiling. It's a Christmas miracle!

 Our family picture with Santa.  The kids wouldn't go unless we were there too. 

And here's a random belly shot of me a couple of weeks ago.  I get big fast, but goodness this third baby has totally popped out way earlier!

Guess who looks like Daddy?

Couldn't resist snapping a picture of Quinny and Daddy out at dinner one night. Quinn is starting to look more and more like Daddy, well except for the coloring.  Aren't my boys sweet?

 (Excuse the red eyes.  The boy has big, baby blue peepers and they almost never show up right on film.  Especially from my IPhone.)

The Nutcracker

This year I decided Megan was old enough to see the Nutcracker. We made it a Mommy and Megan day. 

 We prepped by going to the Nutcracker story time at the library.  That is the ballerina who plays the sugar plum fairy and the Nutcracker, of course.  How neat that they came to our library to read the story?

Megan wouldn't get her picture taken with the Nutcracker or the ballerina, but she loved looking at them from afar.  And she loved making all of the nutcracker themed crafts. 

Megan at the Ohio Theater before the show.  She was so excited she couldn't stand still!

A post Nutcracker treat to end our Mommy and Megan day.  How did she like it you wonder.  She LOVED it!  She got a little antsy after intermission, but declared that we need to go every Saturday. I told her that wasn't going to happen, but we could go every year.  Megan announced that would be great.  But only if we could take Quinn next time.  She decided that Quinn will be old enough next year.  Lately, she's on the lookout for all things Nutcracker, pointing out Christmas ornaments, decorations, cookies, anything with a Nutcracker on it. I'm sensing a tradition! 

#3

That's right. Baby #3 is due March 15 which makes me 12 weeks pregnant. Be back later to do a more thorough update.

update

So it's been a long time since I posted last.  As can be expected with 2 little ones and a full time job things have gotten busy.  So here's an update of our crazy busy life. 
Megan is 4!  I can't believe my baby girl is 4.  She is spirited, serious, smart and coordinated.  Meg likes to be in charge (wonder where she got that from?) and is a leader.  She seems to inspire other kids to follow her.  Megan says things that are just plain funny. She has an interesting way of looking and taking in the world. Meg has perfectionist tendencies and can get upset things aren't going the way she had in her mind.  All I can say about that is we're working on it.  She is playing t-ball and after the first couple of weeks of watching and crying she decided to get up and play.  Of course, she loved it.  Meg has to watch and decipher things before participating.  She know all her letters and the sound each letter makes.  At daycare she was working on short and long vowel sounds.  We're working on reading and I think she'll be reading within the next year.   


Quinn is....well,...a boy.  He's my little engineer.  He loves to take things apart and try to put them back together.  I don't believe there is anything in my house that hasn't had Quinn's little hands on it trying to destroy, I mean take it apart.  He's smiley, and happy most of the time.  He knows EXACTLY what he wants and will throw what seems like a never ending fit until he gets it.  He doesn't always get what it, but he sure does let you know how unhappy he is about it.  Quinn likes to help, especially when you cook.  I can't look at the stove without Quinny pulling up a stool to help.  He is a huge cuddler.  There isn't anything he loves more than to curl up in your arms, and give you a big hug and kiss.  Q is beginning to love books and frequently brings you a book to read.  He's adorable and knows it.  When he gets into trouble he'll cock his head and bat his long eyelashes while flashing his big grin.  He's starting to talk a little more, now that he's been referred for speech therapy.  Each week the little stinker decides whether everyone in the house will be called Mommy or Daddy.  More often than not we're all daddy, even though he can say both Mommy and Daddy.  So no matter who he wants he screams for Daddy.  Then storms past Daddy to get to me. 
The district I teach for is going through some changes.  They shut down all 3 tiny elementarys, and are putting trailers on the lawn of  the middle school for prek-3, turning the middle school building into a 4-6 building, putting trailers on the lawn of the lawn of the high school for 7-8, and the high school is staying the same.  It is actually a good change and, I believe, will work out for the better but it was crazy packing up our entire building to be moved over the summer.  I weathered the storm and will still be teaching 4th grade next year.  I'll be teaching 4th grade math.  I'm nervous about it since I'll be teaching 4 different sessions of math -1 hour per class.   But change is always hard and I ended up teaching what I wanted to so I know it'll be a great year!!! 

Long time no see!

I know it's been a looong time.  Maybe one day I'll actually complete everything I mean to in a day.   So here are some pictures to tide you over until I get to typing.

 Nathan and Quinn at a women's basketball game.  Go Bucks!!!

 Visiting an inflatable Easter bunny at an egg hunt. 

The kids investigating a tunnel at the art museum.

 Daddy's shoulders make a great seat! 

Safety days at the firestation.  Meg and Q are inside a hazmat truck. 

 Megan is feeding the birds at the zoo. 

 Loving the Joovy stroller. 

Quinny the land shark. 

Megan my swimming beauty. 

 A big girl bike!!

Can you believe she's 4 already?