Halloween...

Finally getting around to posting

Halloween pictures...

fashionably late.

Go figure.

Life with a newborn and 2 busy kids!

~

This year Halloween was on a super cold night.

I had planned on walking the neighborhood with the kids.

I planned on bundling the baby up and

wearing her in the sling.

But, It was far too cold.

So Grammie, Papa Wayne and Auntie Ceara

walked around with the kids

while I sat in the cozy warm car with the baby.

It probably would have been just as easy for me to stay home

with the baby,

but I wanted to get in on the fun too!

Elsie was a Yellow Princess...

with red and pink hair

and lots of make up.

It's Halloween, so I let my kids have plenty of

freedom and fun when getting ready.

Even though red and pink hair didn't quite go with the

princess theme, we went with it and

she had a blast!

I love how happy and excited she was!

James was our little Dirt Bike dude.

His costume was super easy, since we already had everything!

He did request a goatee like Daddy has...

and we even found one with long braids just like Daddy's!

He was all excited to go Trick-or-treating.

He practiced all day saying

Trick-or-treat

{in his own funky little way of talking!}

Not sure though if he really said

trick-or-treat

when knocking on doors though!

I bought everything I needed for a

prego Halloween costume for myself...

But, Baby was born early!

So the night before Halloween,

I stayed up making her some little wings

and we turned her into a

baby Ladybug!

I went dressed as a mother...haha!

My three crazy kids...

Elsie was very excited to stand and hold the baby!

We always go

Trick-or-Treating

with the aunties...

It will be sad when the aunties are too old

for Halloween!

9 day old

little ladybug...

have you ever seen anything so cute!?

While the car was warming up,

the girls had to admire that little

ladybug!

Our first stop was Ceara and Ted's house...

as you can tell, the kids were a little excited!

We went to Gradma B.'s house,

walked up and down her street

then headed over to my sister Jessica's house.

Her kids were done trick-or-treating

thus no costumes!

Our last stop was Taco John's!

We even ate in...which is a huge, huge treat to my kids!

Judging by the amount of candy the kids

came home with,

I think it was a successful year!

The next morning the kids woke up sick

with bad belly aches.

It's still a mystery if it was the case of

too much candy or a touch of the flu.

Either way, we had a laying on the couch in pj's

kind of day.

And the kids are still afraid to eat their Halloween candy

because they feel that is what made them sick.

I don't argue!

Growing, growing, growing...

Angelina is 3 weeks old today...

how time flies!

Last week Angelina had her 2 week

weight check.

She certainly is growing!

She now weighs

8lbs 9.5 oz!

The Dr. couldn't believe how much she gained!

{She started at 7lbs 4oz}

And she grew about 2"!

I guess all this nursing is paying off!

She has always been a super good nurser...

and a very aggressive nurser...

it took almost 2 weeks to finally nurse with no pain!

Thank goodness for Lanolin!!

Angelina is proving to be a perfect little baby...

she sleeps super good.

She only wakes up twice at night for a quick

feeding, then goes right back to sleep.

And she likes to sleep in!

Most mornings she doesn't get up until after 8:30!

And she likes nice long naps...

the best part is, she likes to fall asleep in my arms!

Love those baby cuddles and can't quite get enough!

~

So far, out of the two times we have brought her to church,

she has happily slept the whole time in the sling.

Hope that will continue for a long while!

~

And she doesn't seem to mind her brother and sister's loud play...

she sleeps right through it.

I make it a point to not tell them to be quiet,

in hopes of her being able to always sleep through

noise...because we are a noisy house!

She also doesn't mind her brother and sister's rough play!

While they are gentle with her,

they sometimes get rough near her...

which sometimes results in a little whack, or an elbow

in the head...

she usually just sleeps right through it all!

~

She has out grown her preemie and some of her

newborn clothes.

The 0-3 month are still a little big though.

The other kids wore preemie clothes for a good month!

And she is in the size 1 diapers now...

we were having too many poopie blow-outs

with the newborn size!

Again, the other kids were in the newborn for at least a month...

I guess she truly is my biggest baby and

wants to stay that way!

I find it funny that I think she has gotten so big and

changed so much,

yet when we go out and about,

people always comment on how little she is!

Our perfect little baby girl...

Embrace the Camera...

It's been far too long since I last did

Embrace the Camera!

~

With a newborn baby in the house things take

a bit longer than usual...

so I feel like my days just aren't long enough to

squeeze everything in!

Most days I still have my pj's on at 11:00...

I make it a point to always at least put

makeup on and do my hair...

just so I feel put together!

~

Earlier this week I finally managed to

squeeze in bath time for the kids!

We even washed hair in the tub...

that alone is a huge accomplishment in this house!

Like any normal 2 week old baby,

Angelina woke up shortly after the kids got in the tub...

she didn't want to nurse...

she simply wanted to cuddle.

So, we pulled out the trusty sling!

Both arms free to wash hair

and a happy baby!

 When James was a baby,

he pretty much lived in his sling until I

couldn't squish him in any more!

So I have a feeling the same thing will be 

happening with Angelina! 

There really is nothing better

holding your baby close and cuddling!

I am typing this one handed so I can cuddle the baby...

and the swing and moses basket are both

right next to my rocker...

but my arms are the better option!

I am linking up with the Anderson Crew again...

Five...

On Sunday

Elsie Jane

turned FIVE!

Five...how did that happen!?

Wasn't she my newborn baby

just yesterday!?

 On Sunday we just had a low-key celebration

at home with

our little family and grandma B.

Next Sunday Elsie and Emma are having a

big party together...

a pancake birthday party!

Should be fun!

 Elsie is my big helper...

All on her own she decided it will be her

chore to set the table for meals and help

clear the table off!

And she loves to run downstairs when she hears the buzzer

go off on the dryer

and bring the clean laundry upstairs for me!

Love her helpful heart!

 Elsie is getting closer and closer to reading!

She knows the sounds of all the letters

pretty good...and

sometimes I catch her trying to sound out words herself!

Elsie loves letters and writing.

And art!

Give this girl a notebook and a coloured pencil

and she will be happy beyond happy!

But, don't expect her to talk to you!

She is still as quiet as ever...

unless she feels comfortable with you,

then she will talk your arm off!

She is reserved...just like her mama!

 And she is turning into a night owl,

like her mama!

She loves her sleep though,

so her ideal life would be staying up late until she about falls over

with sleepiness...

then sleep in until quite late in the mornings!

{she is just like me!}

Happy Birthday to my big

5 year old girl!

You are perfect.

You give us a reason to smile everyday.

Now, just slow down that growing up,

I think if we dare blink

we will find you all

grown up!

Hospital Stay...

It's hard to believe that these pictures

were taken just 2 weeks ago...

Angelina has just meshed into our family

like she has always been there!

Our hospital stay was a little over 24 hours...

I was ready to go home!

Staying at the hospital is hard for me...

first I cannot eat any of the food due to being

gluten and dairy free.

So I am at the mercy of whatever people bring to me!

And, second, it gets very boring!

~

The morning Angelina was born the kids slept in...

like really, really slept in...

It was nearing 10:30 when Elsie woke up!

I guess that's what happens when you sit up in the middle of

the night waiting for your sister to be born!

So, after the kids finally got up,

Jon brought them up the the hospital to meet their

new sister...

Elsie immediately asked to hold her.

Love at first sight...

Elsie loves that she now has a little sister...

James is a typical boy.

He walked over to the bed,

looked at the baby...

touched her head and feet...

gave a few little kisses...

then happily sat on the couch and ate some popcorn and

watched some tv.

He loves his sister,

but really isn't all gaga over her like Elsie.

I find it funny!

After he got his fill of popcorn and tv,

he was ready to hold the baby.

I think we pretty much had to pry her out of

Elsie's arms!

Big brother

Big sister...

James is very gentle with Angelina...

love how he carefully is touching her with one finger!

I think by the time Jon made it up the hospital

with the kids, he was ready for a nap!

He did cuddle with the baby

and managed to sneak in a little nap!

Soon after the kids got to the hospital,

our first visitors stopped in...

Auntie Ceara and Braylon!

The kids were pretty proud to show off their

new sister...

And soon Grammie, Papa Wayne

and the whole clan came to see the baby...

I love this picture...

Elsie looks so happy to be showing everyone her sister!

Angelina was passed around to so many arms during her

first 24 hours!

For some reason I pretty much only

got her back when she had a

dirty diaper or when she started to cry!

My grandparents were even able to stop up

and hold the baby...

and I remembered to take a picture!

{I forgot to take one of them with both Elsie and James!}

The next day we were ready to go home!

Again the kids slept in...

so I had plenty of time to get myself and the baby all

ready to go!

Jon and James hauled our bags out to the car

and Elsie and I

got the baby dressed in the sweet little outfit

we had picked out months ago...

Before loading everyone up in the van

the kids had to admire her a little more!

It was a long nine months for everyone...

but Angelina is here and so perfect...

It makes those nine months worth it all!

The Birth of Angelina...

Angelina is now a little over

1 week old...

It seems so strange to think that a week ago

I was rubbing my giant belly and

 wondering when she would be born...

now I sit here typing this with a

perfect little babe laying on my lap.

And it feels like this one week old babe has

always been here...

~

My other 2 labors have been very long.

With both kids I labored at home all day long before

going to the hospital.

So I expected the same thing this time around,

but I was caught off guard for sure!

We spent all day Sunday at my parents house

visiting with my sister from out of town.

I had contractions, but nothing more than normal.

That night I woke up around 2am

with strong, painful contractions at just 5 min apart.

I timed then for awhile.

Then text my mom and sisters and told them

I thought I was in labor.

Jon was supposed to be getting up at 3:15 to leave for work,

so I woke him and told him he better stay home.

After I took a bath the contractions were

3-4 min apart...and becoming more painful.

So I put some make up on

and mentally prepared for giving birth!

 By the time my sister came to watch the kids,

I knew I was fully dilated and kinda fighting the urge to push.

Jon walked into the room as I was having a very strong

contraction and breathing through it while

having my sister press pressure points on my back...

I guess his eyes got big and he went outside

and pulled the car up as close as possible to the door!

We just live about 2 minutes from the hospital...

but Jon made it there in record time...

I think I may have scared him when I

told him I felt like pushing

when we were half ways there.

Baby didn't want to wait to make her appearance!

 My mom and sisters met us at the hospital...

they knew something was up when they

saw our van pulled way up to the ER doors,

still running with no one inside!

Once we were in the O.B. room the nurse checked me,

confirmed I was completely dilated and the baby was

ready to be born.

They quickly called my Dr, then called the

ER doctor in case my Dr didn't make it in time!

The worst part of all was being told I had to

breath through the contractions until my Dr got there! 

My body didn't like that!

Naturally my body starting pushing anyhow.

The bag of waters came out...

It didn't break, but some of the bag 

slipped out.

It was the craziest thing...even the Dr said she had 

never seen that before. 

 Every time I would have a contraction

the room got silent,

and everyone stood around my watching.

It was the weirdest feeling!

Everyone gave a huge sigh of relief when the Dr finally came in!

After the Dr. got there,

I was able to push through the next 2 or 3 contractions

and she was

Born!

We had made it to the hospital with about 20 min to spare!

 The nurse later told me I freaked her out,

walking in fully dilated and ready to give birth!

I guess she was a new nurse and though she was going to

wind up delivering the baby!

 A perfect little girl...

and my biggest baby at 7lbs 4oz.

by the time we left the hospital her weight was 6lbs 13oz...

same as James' birth weight.

And at her 72 hour weight check she was back at 7lbs 3oz!

 The birthing crew...

My mom was in charge of the camera...

{She got some great shots!}

and my sisters Lisa and Laura.

Laura was also in the room when James was born.

And Jon...

He is always calm in the birthing room,

and comes home just as tired out as me!

We text Jon's mom and invited her to come too...

but she arrived just seconds after Angelina was born!

 Our prefect baby girl...

She was crying moments after being born!

I started nursing her within the first 20minutes...

and she latched right on and

has been a champion nurser ever since!

 It was a crazy night...

waking up at 2am,

giving birth at 4:33am...

As soon as the Dr left, it was

calm and peaceful.

Jon and I were able to admire our

new daughter.

Jon cuddled her while I bathed.

Then, Jon was back home with the kids

by 7:30am

Talk about a wild and crazy night!

 It was a perfect night for her to be born.

Thank goodness Jon was already home,

or he would have missed her birth!

And we now have an October birthday...

out of everyone in my family

there was not a single October birthday!

She was born just 13 days early...

so it is strange to think her due date

hasn't even passed yet!

 Daddy and daughter...

cuddling...what can be better!?

I think it's safe to say that we are

all in love with little 

Angelina Viviana.

The kids fight over who is going to hold

her first or

who is going to pick out her clothes.

Sometimes I find myself staring at her,

thinking, "wow, she is just so perfect!"

She is the perfect addition to our family...

We couldn't be happier...



She's Here...

We are so happy to announce that

Angelina Viviana

was born Monday morning at 4:33am

7 lbs 4oz

19" long

Perfect in every way

We are all in love

We can't seem to stop admiring her tiny fingers and toes

and gazing at her perfect little self...

After we settle into a routine I will

share more pictures and

her birth story...

Dress Up...

My kids both love to play dress up.

One of their favorite things is when I lug the big

wicker hamper upstairs that is full to the brim to dress up clothes!

So, naturally they both love Halloween...

we plan weeks and weeks in advance.

This year since making the costumes was out of the question...

Elsie talked Auntie Ceara into bringing her to town to

search for just the right costume!

She had her mind set on a yellow princess...

and that's just what she found...

at the very first store!

{She has no clue who disney characters are, so we call

this dress a yellow princess!}

She is slightly excited...and also has

her hair, shoes and makeup all planned out already!

 Meanwhile, while Ceara and Elsie were off shopping...

James and his cousins were having a little fun of

their own playing dress up...

 Both boys seemed to love their

dance costumes...

Just for the record though,

James is going to be a Motorcycle Man for Halloween

not a dancer!

 James always wears his hair spiked up,

but Luke and Levi never ever do...

so as a joke Auntie Laura snuck the boys off to the

bathroom and used a little gel to spike their hair!

Spiked hair and girly dance costumes...

makes their fathers very proud, I am sure!

{Please ingore the very pregnant girl on the couch...looks like she was due a month ago at least!}

 And since this post is about dress up,

I had to include these...

I ordered some new makeup for myself...

and I had a coupon for some free merchandise

so I ordered some fun stuff for Halloween.

I planned on wearing the bright Purple myself for Halloween...

but Elsie found it first and claimed it for her own!

 I have been giving her a few tips on

how to apply makeup...

and I am happy to report that she doesn't apply

it quite so heavily now...thank goodness!

The purple is still shocking though,

and people often look at her weird when we go out and about!