We're Home!!

We got to come home around noon today. The doctors cleared us at 8am and we waited and waited for the nurses to get the paper work done. Finally at 11 we said"can we go home" thay said oh are you ready?? Aargh! Anyway the girls were excited to have us home. Karissa and Kylie said Hi and gave us hugs. Cara said "where's the baby." So much for mom and dad. Cara had to hold him and kiss him and then things got really interesting. I had to nurse Caleb and Cara climbed right up and asked a million questions. She is my first inquisitive child. Karissa didn't care about the nursing thing when Cara was born and I guess Cara was too young to care when Kylie was born. Caleb will definately have a little mother in Cara. I forgot to tell you she sang songs to him at the hospital. She is all about the baby. Kylie was a little unsure but then she took her cues from the other girls.
I am happy to report Kylie is on the mend. She slept the last two nights through. They started her on an antibiotic Thursday and she looks much better. It was really hard to be at the hospital having one baby with another sick baby at home. I am glad to be home with them.

So Sorry

Sorry we didn't post a picture before now. We have been a little busy. Caleb Michael arrived at 1:01 pm Thursday September 22. He was 8lbs 10 ou and 20 and 1/4 inches long.
We began the induction at 6:30am. I had an epidural at 11:45 and had my water broke. At 12:15 Kirk went downstairs to get lunch and I was at a 5. By 12:25 I was at a 7 , so I called Kirk and told him to come back. By the time he got to our room I was at a 9. Holy cow!! He came very fast after about 6 pushes. He wasn't even in the birth canal long enough for his head to get distorted. When he came out Kirk cut the cord and then they whisked him away. All I could see were his feet and they were blue and not moving. He didn't cry and it was very scary. Kirk says they shoved a tube down to his lungs and suctioned out a lot of gook. They did get him pink and moving and he always had a heart beat. They said he came so fast all the fluid didn't have a chance to get squeezed out of his lungs. I got to hold him and then they had to take him to the nursery for a couple of hours. The girls did get to come in and see him before he went to the nursery. Cara was estatic. She wanted to kiss an hug him and take him home. Karissa was a little bashful and said she wanted to name him Cameron. Kylie was still a little sick and really not interested.
Caleb seems very calm. He sleeps a lot and really doesn't cry too much. I know all that can change when we get home! Hopefully it won't. When the picture lady took his picture this morning he held his hands up as if to say "touchdown." Kirk was very proud . When I burped him Kirk was proud of our "little man." It seems so strange to change his diaper ans see a little "peanut" down there.
For any men who might read this I'll say I am sorry for the birth story. Every woman likes to share her experience in detail. It's like a war story. This is the first baby I have felt an immediate bond with. I have always felt like I just am not very maternal because I don't instantly feel bonded. Maybe because he is a boy...I don't know. Everything has definately been different this time around.

We're off..

Well, we are off to the hospital. Hopefully sometime this morning there will be a picture of our new son posted here. We still have no name so hopefully he will inspire something!!! We are having the baby at Baylor All Saints on Summit in Fort Worth. I know we won't see any of you there but we will be in touch through the blog world.

Baby Update

We will be induced Thursday morning at 5am. Thank goodness!!! I am so ready. The baby is engaged and I am dialated to a 3. I am tired of walking around feeling like I have a soccar ball between my legs. Anyway we should have our son thursday morning. He still has no name. Pray for kylie to get well. I tried to take her to a walk in clinic this morning because we still haven't found a pediatrician. They wanted $170 for an initial visit. Yeah right!!! So I called Dr. Peters, our ped in W.F. She called in a prescription and said if she isn't better call Friday and she will call in an antibiotic. Hopefully she will get better soon. I guess that's all.

Daddy's Little Girl

Yesterday, Cara was helping Kirk put his birthday present (see other picture) together. She walked out of the living room and came back in Kirk's shoes and hat. She was very proud of being just like dadddy.

Baby update

There is still no baby. I had contractions most of Friday night into Saturday and then nothing!!! Kylie is sicker...running fever. Then last night I slept better than I have ain a long time but the baby didn't seem to move at all. I was concerned that something was wrong. I drank juice and laid on my left side and still nothing. By about lunch time there was some movement. I think all the contractions must have just worn him out. I hate all this anxiety. Hopefully, he will come soon!! I never had false labor or braxton hicks or anything with the girls. I always went into labor and had a baby. This on and off stuff is killing me.

Monster Mommy

Today was not a good day. First of all at 1 am I see Kirk walking around with a flashlight and say what is going on. Apparently, the power was out but should have been restored by 4am. I feel really bad for complaing with the whole Katrina thing but it was really hot in our house. So we woke up at 7am to the cell phone alarm and still no electricity. We called Kirk's aunt and they had no power either. So we get Karissa ready for school and tell Cara and Kylie 500 times they can't watch TV. When I take Karissa to school the main road is blocked off due to an accident that had caused the power failure. There was no power at school either but they took the kids and let them play outside until power was restored. So I am tired and grumpy and worried about the food in my fridge. I take the little girls to the park and come home to shower for my doctor's appt.

Last week my doctor had scheduled an induction for this Friday. Today was just a check and then welcome baby on Friday. After waiting an hour, with both my girls and Kirk, to see the doctor we find out we have been bumped from our time Friday and the next available slot is next Thursday. That's just GREAT!!! I am due next Saturday anyway. And besides all that she says that I am dialated but not very effaced. Come on this is baby 4 he should practically fall out!!!

So we come home and we have power. Yeah!!

Then I remember Kirk is not coming home from work but going to shop for an entertainment center for his new 36 inch TV(happy birthday to him). So I am tired, depressed and alone for the night. Our pantry is empty because tomorrow is payday. I was not even up to going swimming. I scrounge dinner for the girls and get them ready for bed. Then I discover Kylie has a green runny nose and a cough and Cara's rash is getting worse. So much for my great Thursday morning bible study. I feel like we will never get involved due to illness. Everyone always says that's what happens when you have 3-4 kids but that doesn't help any in the midst of your isolation.

Sorry for my rant!!

My Little Mermaids

Karissa in blue, Cara in pink.
I tried to post these with my other post but for whatever reason it didn't work. This week the girls have taught themselves to swim under the water. Karissa can even get some things off the bottom. Cara swims on top with her face in the water and runs into things. It is amazing how much they have taught themselves. Yesterday there was a swim instructor at the pool with her kids. She said the girls look great...they haven't developed any bad swimming habits or techniques from teaching themselves to swim.

Women in the Word

Yesterday, was the first women's bible study of the fall at our new church. I was a little disappointed to learn they do not have anything comparable to MOMS. Their moms program consists of small groups of women who meet in homes to pray for their children and maybe read something together. I was very impressed with their Women in the Word study yesterday. It runs from 10-1:30. After a 15 min fellowship and eat time they start in small groups to discuss the homework questions, then they have 20 minutes of praise and worship and 45min of lecture. Then from 11:50 - 1:30 we can eat lunch at the church (ordered in from different restaurants) or go out to eat with friends(if you have any :( ) or run errands!!! They have a wee school for the kids from 9:30 - 1:30 absolutely free. The best part is my kids loved it. Cara said her teachers told her she HAD to come back today. Kylie cried because we dropped Cara off at her class first. Anyway I didn't meet anyone yesterday because we didn't have small groups. So I went to Kirk's office and had lunch with him. I am very hopeful although sitting in a group of 100 women and not knowing a single one can be difficult. The study is on the book of James taught by the pastors wife. It is very meaty and I am excited to get back in the word. The schedule is a little hard for Kylie (she usually naps from 12 - 2 or 2:30) but I hope she will adjust. I just knew the girls would fall asleep on the 20 min. ride home. They didn't!! So at 2pm I put Kylie down and had to wake her up at 2:50 to pick Karissa up from school. She did fine and they were all ready for bed last night.

Cara has decided she needs to go to school all the time now. She told me this morning she was a "pre-kid so she needed to go to pre-school." I think she is a little bored at home right now. I am going to put her on the waiting list for First Baptist Wee School.

Karissa is still loving school. She complains about P.E. all the time and about the mean boys at school. She also seems to have a lot of free time in class to read. She finished 7 chapters of her book at school one day.
She got her mid six weeks progress report. She made three 100's in language, science and social studies and a 99 in Math.

Kirk and I were all set to watch the first NFL game of the season. I was so excited I could hardly wait for Thursday to get here even though it was only the Raiders and the Patriots playing. We have been watching pre-season but it is just not the same because they don't play their starters much. Anyway the first half of the game was great then I was so tired I fell asleep on the couch. I can't believe I missed the second half. Kirk says it was boring and the Patriots won. The problem was when I woke up at midnight I couldn't fall back asleep. Today, needless to say, has been dragging by.

Mommy Moment of the day: Cara told me in the car she wanted to be a architect when she grows up. I asked her what they do and she said build things. I asked her where she learned about them and she said from church. They built a house together in her class and learned what an architect is at three years old!!

Random Mommy Moments

Cara woke up early at my parents house Sunday and she and my Dad were sitting outside on the swing. They were peacefully watching the animals and not talking. Then Cara says" you know Grandpa we could pray." Cara is our little prayer reminder. She always wants to pray and hold hands.

Karissa has discovered she can read quietly to herself. She has started reading the magic treehouse series and has finished two and a half chapter books in three days. She reads at school in her free time and at home, too. It is so much easier when your kids like to read!! She takes after me I guess. She is definately a fast reader.

Kylie is reverting to the baby role already. She wants to be rocked at night and she cariies her blankie and her paci around all the time. She does talk about the baby some but I don't think she has accepted him yet.

Yesterday, Kirk's mom and dad were here for the day. We moved the cradle in our room and set it up. Cara came in and wanted to make up his bed. She put her special blankie as the sheet and her special Nemo cover and pillow in the bed. When I asked her about it she said "He can have my white blankie...I don't need it anymore." This id the blankie with holes in it she has slept with every night of her life!!! She also said she had filled the cradle with her love for the baby. So far she hasn't taken any of her things back out.

Karissa taught herself to swim underwater. Sometimes she plugs her nose and sometimes she doesn't. She was trying yesterday to get a penny off the bottom of the pool. It was so funny!!! She would put her face in, kick for all she was worth and her bottom never went under the water. Then she asked me " Mom, why do my goggles make me float?" Anyway since Karissa did it Cara decided she could do it, too. She has arm floaties on but she just plucks her head in the water and swims away. It's like they were never afraid of putting their face in the water. Karissa is very competitive and I think she wanted to keep up with some of the older girls at the pool

Kylie

Kylie loves playing in these plastic baskets. She carries them all over the house. She hops from one to the other and sits in them. Sometimes she puts things in them but usually not. Anyway I thought these were cute pictures.

The nursery

It is so funny to me that people come down here to shop. I have been looking for baby stuff and just got off the phone with my mom asking her to pick it up in WF. Here you drive all over and hope you find what you are looking for. I am posting pictures of the nursery even though it isn't finished. I want to put the babies name above his crib if we ever name him. I am at a loss as to what to put above the dresser\changing table. I thoght a mirror or maybe pictures of the girls but I am tired of thinking about it. My great idea was to take pictures of all the family in overalls and straw hats. Then enlarge them and hang them there where he can see them. I have decided that might require more energy than I have. Anyway I just wanted to tell my mom thanks for making the skirt and pillows and Debbie thanks for the diaper hanger. Karissa had her 2nd dentist appointment yesterday. It went a little better and now we only have one more to go.

Jumbled Mess

I really have nothing to blog about but I feel bad that I haven't blogged since Thursday. Karissa has to go back to the dentist today. She has to get a filling and some sealants. Hopefully it won't be a s bad as last time. We took the kids to Grapevine Mills Saturday. I think they had a good time. Kylie and Cara were a little scared at the Rain Forest Cafe. I think they were over stimulated. I am almost done with the babies room. I think by this weekend I will have pictures for you guys. It is turning out so cute. It is weird for me that it is not pink!!
I am hoping to have the baby around the 15th or 20th. Of course, nature could step in any time and I would be happy. I am so tired this time. By the end of the day I have nothing left and then I spend the whole night going to the bathroom and trying to get comfortable. We had our first small group this Sunday. We have the most kids and have been married the longest. It is weird to be the most experienced instead of the newbies. I think the group will be fun. The childcare was great. They fed the kids supper and took them all outside to sign the steeple. Christ Chapel is building a new auditorium next door to their old building. The steeple is in the parking lot for everyone to sign before they raise it up. The girls thought it was really cool to get to sign it. Kylie cried to go into her class Sunday night. She is always ready to be picked up but she loves her class too. I am so glad they want to go. It makes life so much easier. Well this blog is a jumbled mess but that is about how our lives are right now. The pictures are for the grandparents. I figure we won't have too many more days to swim.

Baby in mommy's tummy

Today's mommy moments will be short and sweet. Kylie and Cara had to go to my doctor appointment with me Wednesday. I was a little worried about Cara and her curiosity but she was OK. The doppler scared Kylie but she was ok in the end. The good thing that came out of it is Kylie knows there is a baby in mommy's tummy. We have been talking about the baby boy for a long time and being a big sisiter and Kylie always denies everything. Today I was sitting on the floor in the babies room and Cara and Kylie joined me. Kylie put her hand on my tummy and said" the babies in mommy's tummy" as she patted it lightly. Then Cara asked me if the baby was kicking and Kylie decided to kick my tummy, too. Anyway it is just neat that she understands now.

The weekend

We had such a busy and exhausting weekend I am still recovering. Friday night turned out not to be so bad. We had a great happy hour and then saw a comedy show. It was a lot of fun and ended by 9pm!!! So home to bed we go to get rested before the garage sale. 5am came really early and the girls were up, too. Yeah! We left the girls with Dad and went to Linda's to set up the garage sale. I can't believe how slow and easily tired I get. Good grief I'm only having a baby. Kirk keeps reminding me it is #4 and I am OLDER!!! Thanks honey. Anyway the garage sale did pretty good. We closed up at 2pm and I slept under a fan until about five. So we have pizza with Kirk's cousins and uncle and talk for awhile and hit the sack. As I am putting Kylie to bed I think "hmmm she feels a little warm...maybe it's just sunburn." Wrong, once again she has fever and we miss church. Luckily she was only cutting another tooth. Today she seems better. She always runs fever and gets sores in her mouth when she cuts teeth. So I spent all day Sunday watching kid movies and holding Kylie. I was so sore and tired yesterday.

Mommy moments for the weekend are...Cara falling asleep at the table on Thursday night and the girls made $12 at their lemonade stand. They left us lemonade stand signs on our bed Friday night so we wouldn't forget.

Just a quick note

Just a short post to let you know I am still out here. My mom is visiting for a few days and we are organizing a garage sale. It has been very hot and we have been very busy. Anyway if I make it through tonight the garage sale will be over tomorrow. I am sure I will blog more this weekend. I will leave you with a mommy moment from Cara. My mom and Cara were preparing a flower bed for the flowers to be planted. Cara said" I know ..this is a place for the flowers to sleep." How cute is she to think a flower BED is for the flowers to sllep in. Bye for now. Gotta get ready for tonight!!

A stressful day

Sorry I didn't post yesterday about the dentist. I had a very strange and stressful day! Karissa and I arrived at the dentist early and they called us back before Kirk arrived. Karissa did great until they told her to lie back. Then the tears and fit came. She didn't want to have her teeth pulled and she held on to the arm of the chair and refused to lay back. For those of you who don't know, Karissa is VERY strong willed. The nurse and dentist said maybe we should try another day. I thought are you kidding me..what difference will another day make. I asked to wait for Kirk. After Kirk and Karissa struggled for a long time we told the dentist it had to be done today so do it. The dentist wanted to sedate her fully but he couldn't do it yesterday. We would have to come back and do it all over again. Kirk can't get off work very easily and I can't physically make Karissa do anything so we opted not to reschedule. Anyway, we told Karissa if we had to hold her down the dentist wouldn't be able to use gas he would just give her shots and pull her teeth. Finally, she said she would take the gas. I was surprised it didn't put her to sleep. She was very aware the whole time. Once she calmed down a bit it only took a few seconds to pop all three teeth out. By then I was asking for the gas. Anyway, we took her home and she is doing fine. Her teacher called and said she was complaining of her gums hurting today in class. I went up and gave her some motrin and she was fine.

After all that in the morning I had to go to my OB appointment in the afternoon. Usually I am there about 10 minutes and then I am done. Not so yesterday. The nurse weighed me and was listening to the heartbeat. She had a hard time finding it because he moved a lot and then she said she thought it was slow. GREAT!!! So she comes back with a moniter they hook me up to for 20 min. The babies heartrate went from 100 to 145. It varied greatly and he didn't move a lot. When he did move it was a huge kick directed at the pads on my stomach for the monitor. I don't think he liked the straps around my stomach. Anyway after about 30 minutes of watching the monitor the doctor comes in and says she thinks everything is OK. Needless to say I was stressed out. I was in a room alone imagining what all couold be wrong and why his heart is so slow. I pretty much came home and went to bed.

Luckily Kirk was on great dad mode. He bathed and fed the girls, put them to bed and EVEN remembered the tooth fairy needed to visit. I'm such a great mom...I slept through it all. Thanks honey for picking up the slack!!

Karissa's 1st Day Pictures

Karissa did great. Her favorite color is blue (as if you can't tell) so, in her honor I am typing in blueShe wanted me to take her to school. That is a big shock. I think maybe we are both growing past some of our conflict. I think she will love her teacher and make lots of new friends. This morning it is only me and Kylie. Whatever shall I do ??

My Belly Picture

Me with 5 weeks left!!!

A Church for Us

I think it is safe to say we have found our new church. God even gave us a clear sign. I guess He thought we needed a nudge in the right direction. It is a 20 minute drive but it's not bad on Sundays. If we do it two to three times a week the gas could get really expensive . Anyway we went to the young marrieds class this morning and met a couple named Tommy and Elise. They have 2 kids and one on the way (they're due in March and will have 3 children 3 and under); much closer to our family size than anyone we've met before. The real shocker is when Kirk says "we live out in Saginaw." Elise says " so do we." As we talk we discover they live on the street behind us!!! Can you believe we had to go so far to find someone so close? Anyway, we were very excited. Then we found out we can start a small group next Sunday! Also they have a Thursday morning womans bible study with Wee school for the kids. It is free and they watch the kids for a full hour and a half after the study when moms can eat together or talk or run errands. They don't have a MOMS like Grace but I am excited about Thursday mornings. They also have musikgarten for kids 6mo-4yrs. It is on Wednesday mornings and you can pay extra to leave siblings in child care. How cool is that??? It is a bit far but I am excited for the fall stuff to start.

This weekend Cara is visiting her great grand parents with Kirk's parents. We miss her a lot but the house has been a lot calmer. I got Kylie's room painted...pink ,of course. Now we just have to decide what else to do with it. We think we may paint pixies on the wall but we haven't decided. Keep Karissa in your prayers. Tomorrow is her first day of school and Tuesday she has to miss school to have three teeth pulled. Scary for her and us, too. I want her to have a good experience and not be terrified of the dentist for her other two appointments. Also, Kirk isn't sure he can get off to go with me. I do have a babysitter but I am not good with blood and fear and stuff!!