They certainly pick up quick.

We're not doing anything, Mom.

But we sure are cute.

"Hey Norah, do 'dis......"

What?! I have one, too?!....  

THERE IT IS!!

I could eat her.

**Sophie is our funny giraffe friend.....

Do you have a hard time....

..... tossing stuff like this, too?

Leah's writing. The day we brought Norah home. I asked her if she wanted to help me keep up with nursing and diaper change times on our new baby.

LOVE.

Counting. In a wife-beater.

Sweet little Norah Jane.

"You can't always get what you want, but if you try sometimes, you might find, you get what you need." -Rolling Stones.

I'm ONLY quoting this song because it was part of church sermon last weekend.... yes, church! And ALL I could think of was my sweet, perfect baby Norah.

I wanted another boy so bad. Oh..... SO BAD. And, I just knew she was one. My pregnancy with her was very similar to that of Mitchell's- way worse- but similar. I told the ultrasound tech to "find the parts, and let me tell her what I was having." I knew I could spot a kickstand. But, no kickstand. Then I saw the "cheeseburger" and I said "IS IT A GIRL?"

"Oh, it's definitely a girl," I was told.

HUH.

I was sad- heck, I was SO sure of a boy, I had purchased things (dumb, I know)- and then I was mad at myself for being so childish.

Leah, however, wanted a girl SO BAD, and she was SO THRILLED, I got over it. Yep- thanks to the 5 year old! And, of course, because I know how fragile life can be, and that it's a miracle anyone ever has a healthy baby. Here I was, being blessed with my FOURTH healthy baby. Yep, I got over it. And other than occasionally teasing Norah that she was supposed to be Nolan, I got over it, and became VERY thankful.

So, I dropped my Nolan Andrew thoughts, and traded them in for Norah Jane. I fought for Norah Beth, but I promised Jason we could use Jane if he'd only go for ONE MORE. Oh.... let's back up.

Jason wanted to schedule his big V after Mitchell. I talked him into waiting until Mitchell was 18 months old. During that time, I got my game face on.... and around Mitchell's first birthday, I convinced Jason that we would try for ONLY one month over the summer. "Let's leave it up to fate," I said. Plus, since I'm a repeat c-section, I offered to have a tubal, so he could skip the snip.

Summer came..... he thought I'd forget. And, he thought I was out of my mind. He quickly told me "Not one full month- just ONCE. ONE TIME." Ok. I can totally work with that.

BAM.... Meet Norah.

This child of mine.... oh my, she's precious. Possibly, the happiest baby we've EVER had. And, with the exception of Jenna (lol), they were all happy! She smiles first with her eyes, just one millisecond before she breaks into a full smile. I have to sneak into her room- to give her a ninny, cover her up, start her mobile- quiet as a mouse. Then, I have to literally hide and try to do my business. If she sees a face, it's over. HUGE grin, little giggles, then she forgets it's time to go to sleep! She's even gotten smart over the past couple of weeks.... and she'll follow my arm up to my hiding face!

I love this kid. It's no secret that my calling, and the happiest times of my life, lie in getting to know my kids as newborns and infants. My heaven? It smells like my sweet, angelic babies as newborns.

- She thrives on attention. If she has it, she's happier than happy.

- If she doesn't have attention, you will know about it.

- She cries louder than any baby I've EVER heard. Her first night in our hospital room, I thought someone was abducting her. With a fish hook. Turns out it's just her cry.

- She looked just like Leah her first few months, but now I'm seeing a little switch to Jenna.

- She has a tiny head.

- She more than likely has Jenna's metabolism. We spend a lot of time together at 5 am.

- She hates carrots so far. ((that's as far as we've gotten))

- She did awesome at nursing in the hospital, but once home, she got her latch all wrong. It took me nearly 3 weeks, and lots of pain, to get it right. More so than all the other babies combined.

- I was so sick with her while pregnant, and all the other kids did their fair share to expose her to lots of other stuff. She should be pretty much immune to EVERYTHING.

- I can't believe she's coming up on 5 months. REALLY?!

- I have her birth announcements, but haven't sent a ONE. Sorry, sweetie.... you're number 4. What more can I say?

- She's my only child with a birthmark.

- She has two favorite blankets- made by a friend- that are wool. She webs her fingers and toes through them, and sleeps so wonderfully. It's gotta be hot under there, especially THIS summer!

- She makes me want more. Surprised??

I thought I knew what I wanted-- another boy. But I wasn't meant to have two boys.... I got what I needed. What WE needed. Sweet Norah Jane. We love you, baby girl.

My Mitchell Wade....

After having two girls, I didn't know what I was getting into with a boy.

Mitchell was our little souvenir brought home from a fabulous trip to Hawaii. I knew that I was pregnant with him within HOURS. No joke. It took what seemed like forever for a test to prove it-- but I had serious heartburn and craved donuts the next day. NO LIE. Jason thought I was nuts, and was annoyed with the mini fortune I spent on pregnancy tests. Had I not told a couple of girlfriends from that moment, no one would ever believe that story.

My pregnancy was TOTALLY different than with the girls, but I still fully expected to have another girl. It was all I knew. I was even a little sad to find out I was having a boy, with all the hype (in my head) about having 3 girls. 'She' would have been Ella.

But I was finally going to get my Mitchell Wade. I cared for a Mitchell my first year at Kosair, in 2000, who I grew to love- and loved the name even more. Wade is a family name, and I've always wanted to use it.

He was my favorite pregnancy. Even at nearly 39 weeks at Christmastime- with (c)ankles in equal diameter to the skirt around my Christmas tree. As a matter of fact, after our Christmas Eve party (hosted at our home), Jason got a lovely stomach bug, so I had to play Santa all alone (which in this house, is no small feat). After our Christmas morning festivities, I dragged the kids, alone, to the family Christmas, then home to rest.

December 26th was a shopping day, of course. The 27th, we rested, and played with Christmas gifts. Until late that night, when labor began. I was a scheduled C-section, for December 30th, but as with Jenna, I didn't make it.

Mitchell was born around 9:30 am on December 28th. I still didn't really believe he was a boy, until I met him as one. My most fond memory of his delivery? The "OOHS!" and "AAHS!" and even one "You've got you a big one!" He weighed in at 9 pounds, 4 ounces, and was absolutely content from his first breath.

My hospital stay flew by. We left without Mitchell passing his hearing screening, and needing bili lights, but we headed home to practice as a family of 5 on New Years Eve. We were asleep by 9.

It was cold outside- but inside, I was the happiest I have *EVER* been. The first few weeks of Mitchell's life was a dream. He was an awesome baby- nursing well, sleeping well- and he had two big sisters who ADORED him. It was the most perfect ending to my favorite holiday season, at a time when Jason was home with work-- and we were together as a family. I'll never forget how elated and blessed I felt.

The transition from two to three was by far the easiest for this growing family.

It's true what they say: boys and girls are COMPLETELY different. 'A baby is a baby,' I thought. Not so much. Little boys have the innate ability to turn anything into a "vroom vroom." Or, rest their hand down their diaper while riding in their carseat. And steal their Momma's hearts, even differently than girls. OH MY.

I'm gonna jump ahead: I've always wanted three kids. Until I had a son. Then, I knew I needed another. So, I begged for #4.

Back to Mitchell. Basically, in this house, he is a superstar. The girls dote over him constantly. They clap at everything he does. He gets 3.3 billion kisses a day. Leah is his other mother. Jenna is his playmate. At the ripe old age of 2.5, he gets her down in a headlock, she screams "Mom, I can't breathe!!," I have to locate them and save her life, he says "Sowwy, Jenna," and they're back at it again. Not much longer and he'll rule the house.

He finally passed his hearing tests after ear tubes, and speech was delayed until about now, and listening to him talk is simply awesome. He's a funny, funny kid. Using words like "wackumbackle" for motorcycle, and "airplane port" for airplane. Cars, trucks, trains and airplanes. The kid is OBSESSED. He can be heard shouting "take me out to the ball game" from his crib during nap time.

- He's generally lazy. Didn't walk until 16 months.

- Will sleep upwards of 14 hours at night if I don't wake him to start our day. AND he naps.

- His Papa and Papa Boone are his FAVORITE people.

- He's a Momma's boy, but loves to "hit-fight" with Daddy.

- Loves "dot dogs," but rarely eats any other meat.

- He lines his cars and trucks up and calls it "choo choo train cars."

- Calls semi trucks "choo choo train trucks."

- He loves to wear Leah's shoes.

- He loves to learn Jenna's tap dances, and does them with her.

- He wears his shoes on the wrong feet most of the time.

- He loves, loves, loves his baby sister. He gets mad at me when I put her to bed.

- He calls Norah "Baby Sissy."

- I think he's going to be a lefty like Leah.

- He begged me for a bat and ball at Meijer, so I bought it. He uses it like a golf club, and won't have it any other way.

- Like the girls, he has a Teddy Bear, and boy is it loved.

- He has three sisters, and two girl cousins. It's a special treat for him to play with boys!

- He loves his sisters, and generally goes with the flow, but is still sometimes tortured.

I thank God for all of my kids, everyday, but I give special thanks for sons. I didn't know what I was missing, and I'm so extremely thankful that I didn't miss out on the Mother-Son relationship that little Mitchell has brought me. Man, is my heart full of love for that boy.

Wordless Wednesday!

Oh, Jenna Ruby.....

Where do I start?!

After our pregnancy losses before Leah, and our deep, deep love of being parents, we were ready for #2 when #1 was barely sleeping through the night. Well, maybe should I speak for myself here..... not sure Jason was ready for that shocker (eh.... all FOUR of them gave him a mild heart attack, so whatev!). I was still working PRN at Kosair, Leah was somewhere between 7 and 8 months old, and I was DYING to quit and stay home with her. I was breastfeeding, but was one of the *lucky* ones (sarcasm, people), who got my cycle back right away, regularly, and was late. Tested..... got a +.

I RAN to the other bathroom, where J was showering, threw the test in with him, and asked "NOW can I quit my job?" After a couple minutes silence, a "Holy crap" mumble, he said yes. I called and quit that day. March 16th, 2006 to be exact.


Pretty easy 8 months, considering my twice daily shots for the length of the pregnancy (it became a second breath to me), and the little turkey came early at 37 weeks and a couple of days. She was a peanut.... 7 lbs 1 oz, but was the MOST BEAUTIFUL newborn I have ever, ever seen.

Day 3 of life, a Sunday, we are preparing to go home and adjust as a new family of 4. Leah is only 15 months old, but now a HOSS compared to this new little baby. Nurse comes in to assess us, and informs me she hears a murmur in Jenna. Oh great.

Cardiology is called in, and upon further assessment, they think she has spina bifida, so neurology is also called in. Somewhere, someone warns me she may have a syndrome. If anyone remembers how emotional I am after delivery, OMG. I lost my marbles.


She did, in fact, have a heart defect..... her spine is funny, but no spina bifida, and certainly no syndrome. We went home the next day, only on bili lights.

THEN IT STARTED. Jenna. Oh, Jenna- the baby who almost made me crazy. She cried. And cried. AND CRIED.

I weaned her from breastfeeding at 6 months, to start on medication that would allow me to deal with her. Oh, and the now 21 month old. Looking back, I had signs of PPD, and it was a very tough time for me. Thankfully, I never experienced that again.

Jenna Ruby is a VERY strong-willed, free spirit, chocolate-loving, ballerina who, to this day, is our biggest challenge. My all-time favorite sound? Her giggle. It makes me smile at my weakest moment. And she has grown to have the biggest heart of anyone- she has so much compassion for others, she hurts when they hurt. Oh, and she has to have a bandaid for boo-boos that don't exist.

- This kid has SO many nicknames. She was going to be named either Jenna, or Lucy. So, Lucy is a nickname. Also: Jenna-Roo, J-Roo, Roo, Ruby-Roo, Roo-bear, Roonie, Boonie. I'll stop there. If she becomes a rapper, she's set.

- She loves to swim, and is certainly a little fish. Graduated from arm floats this summer.

- She enjoys shopping, but rarely asks for anything.

- She is way tender-headed.

- She's super silly.

- She can pierce glass with her screeching.

- The kid can eat more than you, and me, and most grown adults. It's UNBELIEVABLE.

- She has an insane metabolism, and I'm jealous of her athletic body.

- She loves her toys. A new toy? She'll sleep with it.

- She really IS a ballerina. She's a very good dancer for her age.

- She's double jointed or something crazier. She does stuff with her arms that perplex me.

- She loves vacation! Just like her Momma.

- She has her own language. No one knows what the heck she's saying. It cracks me up!

- She just learned how to draw a star. I have stars drawn EVERYWHERE around the house.

- We're still dealing with weird spine stuff- going for another MRI next week.

- She loves to watch movies and listen to stories. Gives her undivided attention.

- She had a crazy sad reaction to penicillin once, right after her second birthday.

- She can make friends with ANYONE. She has lots of them, and they are VERY important to her. One of the things I love the most about her.

- Her very best friend is a boy, Drew. Their friendship is adorable!

- She's so skinny, her pants and skirts NEVER stay up. I tease her that God forgot to give her a butt. It makes her SO mad.

- She sheds more tears in a day than urine.

- She started out as a little tomboy, but is now quite girly.

- She looks EXACTLY like her Momma as a child.

- She starts with "I can't!," or "What if I can't?" when trying anything new. Drives me nuts.

- She lives for birthday parties. Is well into planning her 5th birthday party. In NOVEMBER.

To Jenna: there's no doubt you challenge us all, everyday, but you also keep us on our toes. We love your silly little personality, your love for your family and friends, and your beautiful smile. Our family wouldn't be the same without you're ever-so-strong presence!! :-)

More proof....

Next post up..... Jenna Ruby. Promise!

The most perfect first born.

Oh, my little Leah Kate. Thanks to her, I (finally) became a Mom. And she fits the mold as the first born to a T.  She's soon to turn 6. No, 16. One of the two, I'm not sure.

She was the MOST perfect baby. She slept through the night (10-12 hours, exclusively breastfed) at 8weeks.  By 9 weeks, I was ready for baby #2 because I was so madly in love with her. And because she was so easy.

She was amazingly healthy until nearly her 3rd birthday. Then, she developed a cough that we couldn't rid of for anything, and after months and months, she was considered to have reactive airway disease (asthma). She also developed one ear infection after another. The poor child has been hospitalized twice with asthma/pneumonia, and seems to pick up every viral or bacterial infection sent her way. Including, this past year, pertussis. Yes, whooping cough. Yes, she's vaccinated.  And lots and lots of strep (reminding myself to have her tested to she if she happens to be a carrier).

Anyhow, when she gets sick- she gets SICK. The poor thing has been through so many steroid treatments. It's pitiful. She is so used to being sick, it breaks my heart. But she just battles through. She was recently tested for cystic fibrosis. It was negative.

Then, at age 4, she was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder called Selective Mutism. Basically, she went a FULL YEAR in preschool without ever speaking, and rarely using the restroom while away from home. Everyday is a struggle, but she works SO HARD to overcome this. It's a tough world for her, but she is VERY brave.

Despite all of this- Leah is my mature, trustworthy, bossy, intelligent, majorly observant child who helps me run the house. Tell her something once- she'll never forget. This, I have to be careful with. She has been obsessed with clothes and shoes since the age of 18 months. She picks out her clothes, AND all her siblings' clothes daily- and most days gets them all dressed. She changes diapers, wipes noses, cleans up messes, and most recently- makes waffles for breakfast.

Here's more of what I love about her. And what drives me crazy.

- She's serious, yet a major giggle box.
- Although she's messy, she loves to clean.
- She's obsessed with braids. I can't do any fancy braiding. She's not happy about that.
- She can fall asleep faster than her Daddy, and that is quite a feat.
- She's the biggest chicken! She won't go upstairs, or down, without a sibling by her side.
- She thinks our family should be all together, all the time.
- She doesn't want Mommy and Daddy to stop at 4 babies. She's got room in her heart for more.
- She recently failed a vision screening, but did not need glasses. Wouldn't stop until she got "fake" ones.

- She's a beach bunny, loves summer, and doesn't want to come in from the outdoors.
- She's scared to death of cats. And a lot of other animals, at that.
- She's unbelievably sassy.
- She's an artist. Just ask her.

- When she grows up, she wants to be a doctor and a pilot and a mommy.
- She loves, loves, loves gore (just like her Mommy). If she's not in the medical field, I'll be sad.
- If someone needs prayer, she stops right then and there to pray. "In her head," quietly.
- She breastfeeds her babies, and has for as long as I can remember.

- She's sneaky.
- She has a lot of compassion for others.
- She loves to eat out, possibly more so than Mommy.
- She's a complete Daddy's girl.

- She eats anything and everything. Fruits and veggies, and fruit roll ups, are among her favorites.
- Her Uncle Patrick is one of her favorite people ever.
- She's thrilled to be going into 1st grade.
- All she wants to do is grow up. She just wants to be "big."

Just on vacation a couple of weeks ago, as her and Jenna were swimming, it started to rain. As we took the babies, stroller, etc., around the corner under cover, we slipped out of their sight for a brief second. Next thing we know, Leah takes Jenna by the hand, finds a pool worker, and tells him that they lost their parents. She makes me SO, SO proud. She's responsible, nurturing. The best big sister, the most perfect first born, my Leah Kate.

I've gotta do more....

..... videotaping. As I lay here, unable to sleep, I like to remind myself that there are things I'm not doing that I should be doing. Some call that beating myself up. Whatever.

One such thing is videotaping (one word??) the ever-so-adorable things my kids do.

Such as: Leah likes to make Norah do a cheer, a "J-E-S-U-S, no one better to the East, to the West" cheer, per se, that basically pulls her arms out of socket. But Norah cracks up. That should so be documented. You know, other than the description that's now in my blog.

And Mitchell, with all his new words, sayings and demands in his awesome toddler world. It goes something like this: the big girls are sitting at their table using up a mature tree-sized amount of art paper, drawing pictures for anybody and everybody, when Mitchell all of a sudden bursts into a sprint. He buzzes by them, shouting "NANA-NANA-BOO-BOO, YOU CAN'T CATCH ME!" No one's even trying to catch him. He doesn't care. It's one of the cutest things I've ever seen. I'd probably never be able to catch that one on video anyway, it's so random. And all you'd hear is me cracking up anyway probably. So, you'll just have to take my word on that one.

Note to self: tomorrow, break out the video camera. Hopefully, I can remember how to use it.

Bubbles & Ice cream!

((Hoping others can relate)) You know that time of evening where the sun beats through your windows and reminds you that you really need to dust?! As a total clean freak, it drives me nuts. So, I usually grab a rag and dust some part of some room every evening at that time. And, every evening at that same time, Mitchell points up to the scattered dust, gleaming in the sunlight, and excitedly shouts "BUBBLES!"

The big girls went to Nana and Papa's to play with their cousin Nataley today for several hours, so Daddy and I took Mitchell (and Norah, of course) for ice cream. It was the best ice cream cone he's ever had.

I'm going for it!

So, I already feel like I spend too much time on the computer on any given day- shopping, paying bills, diagnosing family members, looking for ways to make my life easier, signing the kids up for activities, chatting with friends, searching for new design and redecorating ideas, looking up recipes, battling the insurance company, facebooking, house hunting, searching for vacations, uploading pictures, searching for affirmations to get me through my day, and occasional couponing - but I've now decided to start blogging. Wish me luck.