To the Zoo Crew

For Malachi’s birthday, we decided a zoo trip was in order.  It had been a very long time since we ventured there and Mark and I both thought this was a great way to celebrate his birthday since he more than likely will only remember it through pictures.
Kristina and family went with us.  The original plan was to go on a Friday but Friday loomed a bit dreary and very cold so we opted for a warmer and more crowded Saturday.  Can’t always have it all I suppose.  So, pictures were limited since we spent most of the day counting to eleven.
Yes, this only comes to ten.  We knew where the eleventh one was though.
 Feeding the Lorakeets.

 I thinkt hat is three of our kids hanging from the rock.

I don’t think we lost anyone and we only came back home with the critters we had.  Zoe and I spent lunch dreaming of doing the zip line this summer after Emmie got here and I could do silly and crazy things like that!

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Emmie birthday update 1

Well, it seems the process has begun. Abbie starting having strong contractions about 1 am.   We came in to the hospital and they monitored her for a while but ended up sending her home. We went to the scheduled appointment at 9:30, and Dr. J sent us back to the hospital to finish the job. We are in the hospital, all hooked up, and Dr. J just broke her water.   Will try to keep updating when possible.

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Baby Emmie Update-40 Plus Weeks

We went today for our biophysical profile (ultrasound) since I am “post date” with Emmie.  She looked great.  Her head was measuring about 39 weeks as was her femur.  She was head down and positioned a little funny so the sonographer had to figure out measurements by hand to guess weight.  She guesstimated 10 pounds.  However, everything she had for measurements showed around 9.  Of course, we know she is going to be big given that she is post date and the last three have been over 9 pounders.  So, the weight we are not too concerned with.  Everything else looked good too including her fluid level.

Dr. J asked, as he always does, what the plan was.  I told him I guess we would schedule the induction for late next week if she doesn’t come before then.  He agreed.  He said that since she is big it does add some risk to a vbac but because I have had big babies before he didn’t see that as a major cause for concern.  I asked him if we should induce earlier and he didn’t seem to feel that would change much of anything so he just asked for me to come back early next week.
When I looked at statistics/evidence (what small amount that is available), the risks only increase by about .3 to .5 percent.  Since Dr. J is still letting me call the shots, he is not really too concerned about problems with our delivery even with an induction.  My body is favorable for an induction if that is necessary.
I’m not going to lie.  This waiting has been tough mentally and is now becoming tough physically.  Adding all that together with other emotional events, I had to have “the ugly cry” today.  My heart’s desire is to be able to go into labor with out drugs but our main desire is to have a healthy baby and mom in the end.  After crying and praying and talking with Kristina (such a blessing to have a best friend who is an L&D nurse and very willing to hash out the professional as well as emotional side of things with me), we still feel like the Lord wants us to wait on Him.
And then we read through our Bible reading today and it’s in Psalms.  And David several times admonishes the reader to “wait on the Lord.”  The ones we read even talk of His power and Sovereignty of His creation that He made!  Needless to say, my heart was full with the comfort only found in His word as it reminded me of who was in control.
I know you are all praying for us.  Pray as we wait and pray that the waiting will end soon and we can all meet this blessing!  
Several weeks ago we met a sweet couple at the doctor’s office who were expecting their 7th baby.  She had placenta previa at 20 weeks and was about to find out if it had moved to allow for a regular birth again.  This was the same time we were there to find out if Emmie was head down.  It was a blessing to talk to them (they also home school and are Christians).  They were such a sweet couple and the Lord allowed us to see them after both of our appointments.  They found out Emmie was head down and we found out they were able to go ahead without a c-section.  Yesterday, as we waited forever to see Dr. J we learned that he was delayed because he was delivering a patient who was having her 7th…I told our nurse that we knew who it was and how excited we were for them.  Dr. J thought it was funny that had met as well.
Then, in the waiting yesterday, we met another couple who was expecting their 7th.  Her children were spaced quite a bit out with her oldest at 16 and her youngest at 5 but it was neat to see other couples and families with more than a few children and all under Dr. J’s care 🙂
By the way, one of the chapters we read was Psalm 33.  Such a testimony of God’s love for us.
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Happy 5th Birthday Ceili Rain!

Our youngest daughter (for now) turned five in March.  I can’t believe we’ve had five years with my little mini me.  She is every bit as spunky as my ol’ self when I was a kid.  All full of princess but if you cross her…watch out.

 Legos are a big thing around here and Ceili Rain got her first set of girly legos and was thrilled!  Ge and Granddaddy brought lots of smiles as always.

 And a hat!  This girl loves accessories.
 Celebrating with Grandmere and Papa included some fun gifts.
 And a princess dress.
 That would be a bun maker she is using as a headband.  Accessories is what it’s about, people.

 She told me in months leading up to her birthday that she knew she was getting a ballet set from us because that is what she asked for.  We couldn’t find one but we did manage to find a purple tutu outfit, ballet shoes and a ballerina video that she has to watch and practice with twice a week.

If this cake looks familiar, it’s because this was the same kind of cake she had when she was two.  It was requested.  Again.  And since I’m all for easy, she got it.

The morning of her much talked about and anticipated birthday arrived and as I greeted her with a big, “Happy Birthday!” She announced, “I can read now that I’m five.”  If only it were that easy.

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Happy 2nd Birthday Malachi!

Malachi’s birthday feel on a Sunday so we “partied” with our church at a care group that evening.  He didn’t seem to mind too much.  Especially since chocolate was involved.

 Before and after birthday celebrations included visits from grandparents.  The request this year was Bama and football.  The week before his birthday he decided wearing the Bama jersey all day was a must.  So, I think the gifts were quite appropriate.

 One can’t have a Bama football birthday without a Bama football courtesy of Ge and Granddaddy.

 Birthday day.  I had used a football mold cake pan for another child’s birthday previously.  Two attempts to make Malachi’s cake with it failed ridiculously.  So, the day of his birthday we rushed home from church so I could make cupcakes.  Malachi didn’t complain.  The cupcakes are egg free so he got to lick the batter.  All of it.  Quite enjoyable too.

 All done and fresh from a nap!

Malachi told us he wanted to go to the zoo for his birthday.  Okay, that’s not true.  He had no clue what the zoo was but we thought he would enjoy it anyway so we took him and let him pick out a toy.  He chose “Belt” from the Croods.  I can’t believe I don’t have pictures of him.  But “Belt” was a monkey creature that says, “Duh, duh, duuuuuh.”  all the time.  And Malachi loves to say that.  We also got him a zoo truck because “tuh-rucks” are a big thing with this little man.  Especially big ones!

 Celebrating with Papa and Grandmere and all decked out in his own Alabama hat!

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40 Weeks Emmie Update

Zoe woke up this morning and jumped in front of me and yelled, “Is she coming today?!”

Yes.  We’re still here.  Yes.  I’m still pregnant.  To celebrate Emmie’s due date coming and almost going and she’s still cooking, we went to the doctor and started clearing out school from this year.

Woo-hoo!

Emmie is doing great.  I’m doing great and now we wait to see if she is going to come out on her own or if we’ll have to force her out.

I go back in a few days to check on her via a bio-physical profile and then we’ll wait some more.

And as we were leaving, Dr. J doled out a sweet compliment.  He called me down the hall and I walked back down and he had to say that for someone who was over 35 and 40 weeks pregnant, I sure did walk much better than some of the women he has seen waddling around with several weeks to go.  I laughed and said thanks.  And “non” waddled my self out the door until later.

I really am feeling good.  Not too uncomfortable.  I have no big complaints about her having to get out.  My only desire is that she comes on her own without the need for an induction and that makes me antsy to get this show on the road.  So, please pray, dear friends, that Emmie will indeed come soon and “on her own.”  In the meantime, we have activities planned to keep kids and mom busy throughout the week.

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