Four Weeks with Four

I've been a mother of four for four weeks, so I'm pretty much a pro at this by now....just kidding. I'm still floundering and trying to fill everyone's needs, and finding it hopelessly impossible to do so. I keep telling everyone who asks that Peter has taken this transition to be the hardest, but in all honesty, he's probably just my emotional mirror. I'm sure I'm the one with issues. :)

We've been giving the boys allowance ($1 for each year, based on their age) for a little while now, and I've been wondering if Peter is even old enough. He's always in a rush to buy something, anything with his money, even though I try to help him understand what saving is. The other day I finally got the inspiration to take a break from cleaning and play "store" with him, and helped him set up all his imaginative Lego sets with price tags affixed. I think buying stuff is more a game to him right now anyways. My favorite was his little interpretation of "Peter and the Wolf," where Peter is up in a tree and a Lego "wolf" (which is really a Star Wars Hoth creature) is hanging by its' tail. This is not that set; I'll have to get a picture of it.

Benjamin continues to be wonderful with Lydia. He's still a boy of course, and doesn't seem to know how to console her when I'm busy making dinner and she just wants to be held. He usually just gives up or ignores her crying altogether. But he does have moments of sweetness - usually when she's calm and alert and he can play with her.

Ironically, I've found it easier to attempt outings with all four of the kids rather than just the three youngest. I think that is where Benjamin's strength really lies, in helping me keep it all together with Peter and Nora. As challenging as it can be to have one school-aged child, one preschooler, and two at home, it's also really nice to have at least one who is a bit more responsible.

 This is what happens when I try to get a picture with all my kids. I got two kids looking at the camera! I was trying to have them lay flat to get a sense for their different sizes, but arms and legs were flailing and I had to snap a picture quick before my newborn got clobbered.

Nora continues to be incredibly sweet with Lydia, and is only just starting to show mild signs of displacement. Out of necessity, she shares her bedtime stories with the baby, who is routinely awake during this time and refuses to be put down. Nora finally told me one day as I was reading to her over Lydia's fussing that "she's annoying me!" We've tried to be a little more flexible since then, and Peter has his story time with Dad a little later- after Nora's in bed.

Benjamin was taking pictures the other night, and snapped this one of me and Lydia. It pretty well captures her personality at this age. She loves being held facing out when I'm walking around, but when I'm sitting, she wants me to be engaged and focused on her. I haven't noticed any real smiles yet, but she does have a happy expression in her eyes.

I continue to feel very blessed. It's amazing that your heart can expand time and again to love another person so much. I hope my kids will somehow know how much I love them, even if I can't give as much focus and energy on each of them as I wish I could.

Four Babies

I still can't get over how much Lydia looks like Peter, although she has even more hair than he did and slightly more padding in the cheeks. You can definitely tell they're all related!

Newborn Pics

We just had Lydia's newborn pictures taken this afternoon, and this is the first one I got back. I never did this with any of my other kids, but it will be nice to have a few nice photos to remember this fleeting stage. She's changed so much already! Every time I wash Lydia's hair, it seems a little lighter and maybe even a little redder, especially around the root line. When she's out in the sun, there's no question that there's red in her hair. I guess time will tell...

Pictures from the Week

New Life

I'm sitting at home now, while most of the Christian world is at church celebrating the most important day of the year - the day we celebrate new life. We've tried to spend some time as a family each night this week reflecting on the Savior's last week of his mortal ministry. The kids all seemed to love watching the videos our church recently produced. I've felt my gratitude and love for Jesus Christ strengthen this week too. Especially as I've gone though my own deliverance from nine months of pregnancy, and witnessed again the miracle of a new life beginning. I think no matter how they get here, every birth is incredible.

Lydia was in no hurry to come. It was last Friday night when I finally settled down for bed that I thought my contractions might be getting regular. I was kind of hoping for labor to come on naturally this time, so I was excited that this might be the night. After about an hour though, they stopped, and I woke up the next morning feeling rested, but also somewhat deflated. I just wanted to be done. With gestational diabetes during these past three pregnancies, I've gotten used to being induced, but somehow it takes some of the excitement out of it.
On Tuesday at 4:30 in the morning, I got the call from the hospital to come in. My Mom was there with the kids, so Paul and I left, getting there around 5. I watched with a tinge of envy the first time parents coming in before us- the wife obviously in real labor. After getting situated, the pitocin began at about 6:30. I decided to rest for a while, since I hadn't slept much at all the night before.
Our nurse, Patti, was wonderful. She was doing a rotation at our hospital, visiting from Oklahoma City. I told her I wanted to see if I could go "naturally" this time, or at least let my body help with progressing labor for a while. She was really supportive. After what I sensed to be pretty decent contractions, Paul and I walked around the halls for about a half hour. Then I made the mistake of getting into the tub for an hour. Labor pretty much stopped, and so had my progress.
So I made the (I think) very wise decision to get an epidural and sprint to the finish line. Once I was numb, they broke my water, and I was ready to push within a half an hour. We waited around for Dr. Smith to get there, and when she did, it took about three pushes before the baby came at 2:39 p.m. We were all shocked at how chubby she was. Her cheeks were huge, she had rolls down her arms and legs, and weighed more than any of my others- 8 lbs. 14 oz.! She had a healthy little cry, and a beautiful thick head of dark hair (which may have a slight reddish tinge to it- it's kind of similar to how Peter's looked when he was born). 

The kids came to see her as soon as Benjamin got off the bus. They were so excited. I think Benjamin especially was looking forward to being a big brother again. He tells us he has the magic touch to calm her down, and often asks if he can hold her.

 Nora was a little sad when she found out the baby wouldn't be coming home that first night. Having only ever done this with little boys, I was surprised at how easily she accepted and even welcomed all the new changes.
Peter's had a bit rougher of a transition. He'll tell me how much he loves the new baby, but generally shows little interest in her. Probably normal. And he'll probably warm up the older she gets.

 It is a little crazy when I realize how much my life has changed over the past few years. Our family is not so little anymore. I have four kids.

 I feel so lucky to be a mother again. I fully realize the challenges that lie ahead with four, but I'm ready for them. If motherhood has taught me anything so far, it's to take life one day at a time. The challenges I face tomorrow when my wonderful Mother leaves us will likely be different from the ones I face next week. But hopefully I will be that much stronger.

Lydia Jane

"Last Day as a Family"

Well this is it- our "last day as a family," as we've been joking. After this, a new little stranger will be here, forever changing the dynamics of our home. It's always such a strange thought, especially when you look at your two-and-a-half-year-old, who already has a very strong personality of her own, and who you can't possibly imagine life without.

39 weeks

My Mom is here now, which makes the transition seem like no big deal. My kids are in heaven.

We were lucky she got here when she did! She came through a crazy snowstorm in Denver, which nearly cancelled her flight. And then the next day, we got our own thick blanket of snow which shut everything down.
The night she got here, we went to our favorite pizza place together and walked around town while we waited for a table.

On Sunday, we woke up to a light dusting of snow, which quickly turned into a heavy foot or so. Church was cancelled, which made for a nice, relaxing day of "home church."

 I'm afraid for our holly tree...the top is pretty weighed down!

Benjamin was supposed to go back to school today, but it was also cancelled.

We spent the day playing in the snow, running last minute errands, dressing up, and watching The Hobbit.

Oh, and then right before bed tonight, Peter swallowed one of those Nauvoo prairie diamond rings and it got caught in his throat....We debated whether to induce gagging, take him to the emergency room, or force it down by feeding him. Paul reluctantly took him to the hospital, but on the way, it somehow found its way down. I'm hoping that's a good sign?   (This is my only pacifier kid- and he always has something in his mouth- either his shirt or a toy, so I guess this was bound to happen sooner or later!)

Anyways, we're excited for what tomorrow will bring. Life is about to get even more exciting around here!