David: {4 Years}

David –

You are 4 years old today! I've seen so many changes in you over the last year. It's exciting to watch you grow into the person God designed you to be, yet sad because I'm realizing just how grown up you are becoming. Thankfully, you still like the occasional hug, kiss, or hand hold from your mama :) According to our measurements at home, you are 36 lbs, 5 oz and 40 inches tall. We'll add your official stats after your well check in January.

You wear mostly 4T, size 4/5 (XS) underwear, and wear size 10 or 11 shoes.

Eating has improved slightly since your last birthday. You definitely have favorite foods, (pizza, chicken nuggets, french fries, yogurt, and vanilla ice cream), and foods you won't try. However, sometimes you are willing to try a new food. Sometimes you tell us you like something, but won't eat more than that first bite. You still get a bedtime snack, and we've had hardly any issues with throwing up bile since :) If you're grumpy from a nap, or just in general, you refuse to eat on principle. However, you usually ask for food after you've had some time to yourself.

You still have all of your teeth, and you've been to the dentist twice now. You're not a big fan, and get pretty skiddish around the dental assistants. However, your teeth still look great, and overall you did just fine at your appointments!

Sleep is still changing a bit. You've always been a good overnight sleeper, with naps being sporadic. You still don't like waking up from a nap, and get extremely grouchy when you are awake. Lately, you fall asleep 9 out of 10 times when we get in the car line for pick up at Jill's school. We gave you your own room once we found out our newest baby would be another girl. You seem to be lonely though :( We've given you a nightlight, and you tend to wander out of your room to talk to us/go to the bathroom/get some water/whatever excuse you come up with. You have asked more than once to have Lexie as your roommate once she moves into her crib. We've decided to give that arrangement a try. In a few weeks, you'll have a roommate again :)

This fall, you started a new preschool class at church! You really like school, and you are SO very smart. It's hard to keep you interested simply because you understand what's happening already. You have a few good friends, but your teachers tell me you play with everyone. You go to church preschool 3 days a week for 3.5 hours.

Potty-Training is officially complete! Something just finally clicked around April, and you haven't had an accident since. You wear underwear all the time, and do a good job listening to your body when we're away from the house.

You are a sensitive child. You feel some big feelings, and I just hope we do you justice by letting you feel them before helping you navigate through them. You're still a little flirtatious, but not as much as before. You also love introducing yourself to anyone you see. We think you're definitely an extrovert :)

Your nicknames are: Bud, Davey, El Fuego, LT, and Mister Man.

Things you love: making people laugh, smiling, giving hugs, Mickey Mouse, Paw Patrol, Ninja Turtles, pizza, mama's phone, music, Grossery Gang, Shopkins, cookies, being a big helper, being as active as possible, asking a million questions, volunteering first, changing your mind, being tickled, hanging upside down, Storybots, YouTube, the Spanish Alphabet song, learning/listening to Spanish, Batman, your Woody Shoes (cowboy boots with Woody from Toy Story), and being a sweetheart.

Things you don't love: Getting a haircut, being interrupted, loud noises, being alone, not being listened to, having toys taken from you, and being sent to your room.

Last time I wrote an update on you, I had no idea that I was pregnant with your last sibling. In fact, we found out on December 17th that our family of 5 would become a family of 6! You took the news a bit better this time, and even asked to hold Lexie a lot more than you ever did with Lottie.

You're a great little/big brother to all of your sissies! I'm sure you were hoping our last baby would be a boy, but you seem pretty happy to have Lexie around now :) You are usually gentle, though seem to be the roughest/toughest on Lottie. I hope you become nicer to her over time. She sure does love you! Jill seems to still be the sister you are closest to. You seem to really admire and love your sister, which makes this mama's heart melt!

David, I am so grateful that you are my son. You make me laugh harder than I thought I could, and you make me feel incredibly blessed. Life is extra joyous with you around. You make us proud, and we are excited to see what year 4 brings. We love you, Bud! :)

Comparisons:

{Left: 1 Month Right: 4 Years}

{From Left to Right: 1 Year, 2.5 Years, and 4 Years}

{3 and 4 Years Old}

{Left: Jillian 12/2015 Right: David 12/2017}

{Read Jillian's 4 Year Update Here}

Lexie: {Three Months}

Lexie –

You are three months old! You are officially an infant, and no longer considered a newborn. Wait a moment while mama wipes away some tears.

According to our measurements at home, you are 11lbs, 6oz and 23.25 inches long.

Newborn clothing is officially gone. Mama had a really hard time with this since you are our last baby. We love watching you grow, even though we love squishy newborns. 0-3 month outfits, and a few 3 month clothes what you are wearing. You tolerate socks, but see to like it better when they're off. You are wearing size 1 diapers. We tried giving you size 1 for overnight, and newborn during the day to get rid of the rest of our newborn size diapers. However, you started having too many leaks and blowouts. 

Mama is finally done pumping. There's still some milk in the freezer that we'll combine with formula until it's gone. We did learn that you do NOT like cold milk. We bought a bottle warmer, and that is much better to you :) You eat between 4 and 4.5 oz 6 times a day. Still love the MAM pacifiers exclusively. You still spit up, but we're hoping you won't need special formula to stop you. If it starts to really bother you to spit up that much, we'll do whatever it takes :)

You are still a great sleeper! You can go anywhere from 6.5 to 8ish hours overnight. You nap best swaddled in your bed with the giraffe on. If we're out and about, you usually sleep through noise if you're tired enough. You get overtired pretty easy, but will fall asleep if we hold you.

Bath time is improving. You're not overly excited about it, but you are usually calm during the bath. Once mama started using a different lotion for you, you don't get as worked up for your bottle after bath as you used to. You are very content with the routine of bath, PJs, then bottle. As long as the bath is at bedtime, you will drift off to sleep very easily after the bottle. Mama has only had to give you a bath during the day once so far. Just keep those diaper blowouts to a minimum, and mid-day baths won't be a thing ;)

You may have smiled for Daddy first, but you did laugh for mama first! Your laugh is more like a grunt, but you smile really big when you do it. Also, you scrunch your nose when you smile really big, and we just love it! You are starting to notice your siblings a little more. You've smiled for them a little bit too. David insists that he wants you to be in his room, but we're not entirely sure if we'll do that or not. For now, you're still sleeping in the Pack n Play in Mama and Daddy's room. Floor time is still a struggle to get done. In fact, Lottie dropped a book on your head the last time you were on the floor :( You were ok, but mama felt really guilty that she didn't save you in time. You do like to stretch out on the floor a few times a day. After the book incident, mama does it when Lottie is napping. Even without lots of time on the floor, you have pretty good head control for your age!

Halloween was your first official holiday! We had a fall festival at church a few days before, where you were dressed as a banana. On Halloween, it was cold, and looked like it might rain. We met some friends at IHOP, and had dinner together. After that, we went home where you slept through the Curious George Halloween movie that your siblings watched before bed. I'm sure you were underwhelmed by your first holiday, but we were sure glad to celebrate Halloween with you!

Some things I want to remember about you:

You love MAM pacifiers the best. We tried other kinds, but you are not interested. You love to snuggle close, and we love that. You have some cradle cap, and a little bit of dry skin on the back of your arms. However, we're being more consistent with some specific lotions, and it is calming down. Your first overnight trip to Tulsa went very well! You were great on the drive up, and you slept just as well as you do at home. Your main nicknames have been Sugie, Boo Bear, and Lexie Grace. You don't do it often, but your cry means business! For the most part, you only get really upset when you're ready to eat, or be held. Mama and Daddy are happy to hold you when we get a chance :) We will not be traveling for the next two holidays, which is probably for your best interest! We want to keep you as healthy as we can during cold and flu season. Your eyes both get pretty goopy. We suspect you got the cold that was circulating the house, but your eyes were goopy before that. We've had to suction your nose just a few times, and you HATED it. Thankfully, you forgive mama pretty quickly :)

Lexie Grace, our family is so blessed to have you in it! You are the sweetest little baby, and we're looking forward to learning more about who you are in the coming months. Love you, Sugie!

And some outtakes:

And a few comparisons:

{Lexie at 1, 2, and 3 months}

{Left: Jillian 3/2012 Middle Left: David 3/2014 

Middle Right: Lottie 11/2016 Right: Lexie 11/2017}

{Read Jillian's 3 Month Update Here}
{Read David's 3 Month Update Here}
{Read Lottie's 3 Month Update Here}

Lottie: {15 Months}

Lottie -

You are 15 months old today! Your personality is really coming out, and it's been mostly fun to watch! According to our home measurements, you are 21lbs, 14oz, and 29.75 inches long. Update: At the doctor's appointment on 11/3/17, you were 22 lbs, 0oz and 30 inches long!

You are in mostly in 12 Month, and 12-18 Month clothes. You should wear size 3 shoes, but we currently have 1 pair of size 4 that fit ok. You wear size 4 diapers. You wear mostly Luvs brand during the day, and Huggies Overnight for bed.

Eating is not easy with you. You don't want to eat most of the time. You are far too busy to slow down for a meal. We can get you to eat dry cereal, plain bread, peanut butter and crackers, Goldfish, Cheetos, and chicken nuggets. Otherwise, you only want whole milk. Sometimes, mama can trick you into taking bites by playing a game. It works about 75% of the time. You LOVE milk, and balk at the offering of water. You no longer use bottles, but you are the first baby in our family to use soft spout sippy cups. You've tried straws, but don't have the patience for them. We're hoping to get you to a place where you're more willing to eat food. We'll see how long it takes.

You have 12 teeth! 6 on top and 6 on bottom. You don't like us checking your mouth for teeth, but you love touching mama and daddy's teeth! Your molars were the most painful so far to get. We think your canines are coming, so we'll see how that goes. 

As of August, you are walking! It took you several days of working up your confidence to start walking. However, you now do it like you were born walk! Sometimes, when you try to walk extra fast to keep up with your older siblings, you topple over. You rarely get hurt, but you definitely cry for some sympathy! You've just about mastered getting up without holding on to anything for support. The one thing mama loves about you walking now is that you're still cuddly! Your older siblings were too independent for hugs and snuggles once they began walking.

Sleep is great! You take a really good nap in the afternoon, and will snooze often when we're in the car to pick up brother or sister depending on the time and day. You are usually in bed by 8:30, and you sleep until 7:15-7:30 a.m. You have slept in on occasion, which is nice for mama sometimes :) With a few exceptions, you wake up in a happy mood, and look forward to your first cup of milk.

You are wanting to play with toys more and more. It would be even more fun if your older siblings played with you. Sometimes, they shut you out of their games, and mama can tell it makes you pretty sad. Hopefully you can all 3 play together well in the coming months. Also, you're suddenly very much attached to mama. You cry when I put you in the church nursery, and cling on to me when we're out and about. You just started pointing, but not when we ask you to point to things. In the last few weeks, you have become very chatty! The main "words" you have are: dada, mama, yeah yeah, did it, and sissy. Lately, you will make these LONG string of sounds as if you're saying full sentences. We'll just help you with your vocabulary. We're starting to wonder if you'll be the chattiest in the family! You also pretend talk on the phone! It's hilarious to watch, especially if you are using something that's clearly not a phone. You can go from happy to crappy butt real fast. Tantrums are in full swing, and you have most certainly learned from your older siblings. You'll screech at the top of your lungs when you're frustrated. You also shake your head violently from side to side and lay on the ground when you're mad. It's hard to be mad because you're still so cute and precious. However, we are all looking forward to you using your words and getting out of this phase ;) You love to crinkle your nose when you smile, and you laugh when you hear someone else laughing. You just want to be in on the fun!

Some of your favorite things include: Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, music, dancing, your jewelry box toy, playing with your hair, walking on your own, sliding, anything Mickey Mouse, milk, Goldfish crackers, Little Einsteins, and being with your mama and daddy.

Since your last update, you became a big sister. It's so crazy to say that! Two days after your birthday, mama had your little sister, Lexie. You love her when you remember she's around, but you love her a little too rough. You can say "sissss" when we ask who she is. Even though you still don't take a pacifier, you were taking Lexie's from her. We had to put a stop to that! You don't seem to be very jealous with her around. However, it is hard for you to understand why you can't get mama or daddy to hold you if we already have Lexie in our arms. I'm sure the two of you will be extremely close as time goes on :)

Lottie Dottie, I am so enjoying watching your personality bloom! Your smiles are contagious, and we love to laugh with you. Thank you for being the strong, snuggly, sweetheart that you are. Happy 15 Months, Lottie Pop!

Now some comparisons:

{Months 3, 6, 9, 12, and 15}

{Left: Jillian 3/2013 Middle: David 3/2015 Right: Lottie 11/2015}

{Read Jillian's 15 Month Update Here}
{Read David's 15 Month Update Here}

Footing

It's time to be real folks.

Have you ever been swimming in a pool with a shallow and deep end? The kind in backyards or hotels that usually has a drastic drop on the pool floor to separate the two? Have you ever jumped into the deep end, then swam towards the shallow end, desperately feeling for that edge so you could put your feet down and feel secure because you can start walking instead of swimming?

That's where I am.

Don't get me wrong, whether you have 1 or 8 children, adding a new life in your life and schedule can be really hard. It's not just that you lose sleep, it's also a matter of finding your footing. Are you grateful for that life, and thankful to have that person as a part of your family? Definitely! Is it hard? You better believe it.

With Lexie's arrival, things have just been non-stop. We knew it would be like that to a point, but in our defense, more has happened than it usually does. In fact, more has happened than usual for us as a family!

Jill started Kindergarten.
David started preschool.
We had to put our dog down because of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.
I've had to up my anti-depression medicine to help with PPD/PPA.
Phil's job is suddenly a little more hectic.
Lottie started walking.
Lexie was baptized.

Those are just the main things.

I'm making a real effort to get back to myself. Am I successful every day? HAHAHAHA Nope. Do I at least try? Yes!

I'm not striving for perfection, I'm just going for functioning. So far, I'm starting to feel a little more at ease. I finally feel like maybe I could really do this.

Do I consider getting in my car and driving away sometimes? Yes. Do I actually do it? No!

Raising human beings is hard. It takes several of personality traits that I either do not possess, or need to refine within myself in order to get the job done. I don't need to be perfect, and I hope I never make it seem like I think I am. So far, we're functioning. Someday, we may even be thriving!

I look forward to standing up tall and proud in the shallow end of the pool, with a big smile on my face, knowing that we made it to the edge of the pool :)

News to Me

Well, turns out my favorite free photo editor online is no longer free. Great.

So, I will be waiting until funds become available, and then I'll edit Lexie's photos for her 2 month update. I will most likely back date the blog, just for posterity's sake.

I have lots on my heart and my mind, but zero time to sit and type. It makes me long for the days of having a laptop that I could just open and type really quickly. It may take me all day to blog, but I'd be able to.

Anyways.

I'll be back, y'all. Promise :)

Lexie: {Two Months}

Lexie –

You are two months old! It's been a challenging month, but we are so glad you are here to be with us through all of it :)

According to our measurements at home, you are 10lbs, 1oz and 21-3/4 inches long. You have a doctor's appointment in 3 days, so I'll update your stats then. Update: As of 10/6, you are 10 lbs 5 oz, and 22 inches long!

You are still in newborn clothing. 0-3 month outfits are a little big for you now, and 3 month clothes are starting to fit a little better! You are still wearing newborn diapers. We'd like to finish off any newborn diapers we have. Let's see if we can make it!

Pumping is still going fairly well for mama, so that's what you eat! We have to add Vitamin D drops to one bottle a day. Otherwise, mama is able to pump exactly what you eat, so we are very happy with that! We'll see how much longer mama can/will pump. After that, you'll go on formula. You do spit up a bit, but we doubt it's extreme reflux that would require medicine. You eat about 3-3.5 oz every 2-4 hours. When you're hungry, you mostly smack your lips with your fists in front of your face. After a few minutes, you start to cry. Once you start crying, we only have a few minutes to get you a bottle. If we don't make it in that time frame, you get really mad! You'll cry loudly, and real tears stream down your cheeks. It's sad, but also cute :) We promise we try to get to you as fast as we can! 

Mama is thanking the Lord that you are a good sleeper like your siblings! You sleep about 5-6 hour stretches at night, and usually go back to sleep for a nap shortly after your feedings. We figured out that you like the rain sound on the giraffe toy we've had since your big sister Jill. That's the only white noise that helps you sleep. You tolerate the swing, but will only sleep in it if you are swaddled. You really love napping on mama's chest the best, but mama can't always sit for long periods of time. Thankfully, you're a pretty good trooper :) You do well in the car about 90% of the time. 

Bath time is just ok for you. You don't hate it, but don't seem overly excited about it either. You usually don't like getting out because you're cold! Once we get you dried off, and in PJs, you calm down.

You smiled for Daddy first, and give him lots of big smiles! You've smiled for mama a few times, but never when the camera is around! You watch your big siblings very closely, and flinch when Lottie or David are near. I think because they are the most boisterous of the crew. You don't get lots of tummy time because there's just always chaos or stuff on the floor. Mama will hold you against her chest to give you some head control practice. Otherwise, you're not on the floor much.

We did have to put our family pet to sleep. Our dog, Olive, contracted Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and the infection got to her brain. It was pretty hard on the family, but your love and smiles helped us focus on the future :) It may be awhile before we get another pet.

Some things I want to remember about you:

You love MAM pacifiers the best. You don't really keep any other kind in your mouth. You love to snuggle close. You have some serious cradle cap starting to flair up, and you seem to have more unsettled skin on your cheeks. Mama may need to ask for advice at your next appointment. Because you are too young for the flu shot, the rest of the family will be getting them next week. Your first overnight trip to Tulsa will be later this month for TU Homecoming! You smiled for mama when she called you Sugie, so that's your main nickname with mama :) Your cry seems to have gotten louder as you've gotten bigger. Your lungs are definitely well developed ;) We've picked out your Halloween costume, but need to find it! Holidays with 4 young children requires lots of planning and prep work! Our friends had their baby girl 1 month and 1 day after you were born. You and Miss Amelia will be good friends :)

Lexie Grace, we just love you to pieces! You are a wonderful baby, and we're so blessed to have you in our family. As you continue to grow, we look forward to your budding personality. Love you, Sugie!

And some outtakes:

And a few comparisons:

{Lexie at 1 Month and 2 Months}

{Left: Jillian 2/2012 Middle Left: David 2/2014 

Middle Right: Lottie 10/2016 Right: Lexie 10/2017}

{Read Jillian's 2 Month Update Here}
{Read David's 2 Month Update Here}
{Read Lottie's 2 Month Update Here}

Lexie: {One Month}

Lexie –

You are one month old! I honestly can't believe it's already been an entire month since you joined us on the outside. Being our last baby, I'm sure you'll hear that more often than you'd ever want to ;)

According to our measurements at home, you are 8lbs, 4oz and 21 inches long. The last time you were officially measured at 3 weeks & 1 days and you were 7lbs, 1 oz, and 20-1/2 inches long.

You are still in newborn clothing. 0-3 month outfits are a little big for you now, and 3 month clothes swallow you up! You are still wearing newborn diapers.

We began exclusively breastfeeding. It was going ok, and mama was determined to make it work. However, at your 3 week appointment at the doctor, you were just under your birth weight. In a panic, mama started exclusively pumping to know exactly how much you were getting vs. how much mama was making. You were weighed at a lactation consultant appointment last week, and you were 7 lbs, 6 oz. You didn't eat as well as you did before, so it seems like you're just not staying awake/being aggressive enough to get all of mama's milk out. We go back for a lactation consultant appointment next week, so hopefully we can see what they suggest. Mama is pumping around 20 oz a day, so it should be enough for you. Mama is hoping that, once you get a little bigger, you can go back to nursing. However, if we need to just exclusively pump, then that's what we'll do. It's more important that you are fed. It would just be a little more convenient/helpful for mama if you just nursed ;)You eat every 2-1/2 to 3 hours during the day, and 3 to 4 hours at night. 

You sleep for 2-1/2 to 4 hour stretches most of the time. So far, you're a good sleeper, and can handle most of the noise levels in the house. Good thing, because it's crazy here! You are taking MAM pacifiers, though you don't seem to like any others. We'll try some different ones again, but we're fine with just one kind :) You like to be held on our chests the most. However, you do like to be cradled. You will snuggle up close, and get nice and comfy! You only wake up at night if you’re hungry, wet, or have gas.

At first, you didn't like bathing at all! It took your umbilical cord stump a long time to fall off, so you were doing sponge baths for over 2 weeks. When it finally came off, it looked like it needed another day or two to heal before we tried a big bath. Once you got in the big bath, you were not a fan of that either! Honestly, I think you just despise being cold, and you let us know you are not happy. It's getting better with every bath!

So far, you like the swing, being held against our chest, being held as much as possible, having your cheek and forehead stroked, the ocean white noise on the giraffe (not the special white noise machine mama bought OR the app or mama's phone), and having a full tummy! You despise being cold, waiting for a bottle, gas bubbles, being alone, and being tired.

You did pass the newborn hearing screening in the hospital. We just never know exactly what to expect with that, but we always know we have a great community to help us if you ever need that kind of help!

Some things I want to remember about you:

You have pretty good head control already. Being baby #4 with a older sibling just 1 year older than you, you have a tendency to get pushed on the back burner when you start to cry. You've gotten red in the face before, and we try to get to you ASAP. This is just a reality in the little years. We promise we love you, and do our best to take care of you honey! You ride in the car well, and only cry if you've lost your pacifier. If you are close to a feeding, your cry is this combination of a gasp and chipmunk yodel. It's hard to describe, but we know exactly what you want with that cry! You went to church for the first time when you were 3 days old, and baptized when you were 3 weeks and 3 days old. We have not gone out of town yet, but your first Tulsa trip will be soon. Your first holiday to celebrate will be Halloween. We're already trying to think of cute costume ideas! You haven't smiled yet, but you're close! Overall, you are adored by your siblings... maybe even a little too much. Lots of reminders to be gentle. Lottie loves to check up on you, but will always steal your pacifier, even if it's already in your mouth! HAHA No real nicknames besides Lexie Grace. Mama tried Lexie Boo for awhile, but it just didn't feel right. We'll figure something out ;)

Lexie Grace, it's a true blessing to be your mama. You're a good baby, and we're figuring this all out together. We are all so excited to see what the rest of your first year holds. If it's anything like this month, we'll have a great adventure :) Love you, sweet pea!

And some outtakes:

{She's side-eyeing someone...}

{Patiently waiting for this to be all over}

{There's a semi-smile! Or maybe just chewing on her sticker HAHA}

{Scrunching up}

{Aaaaaaand we're done}

{David wanted to take a picture with her. He wouldn't look at the camera, but he insisted on taking the picture}

{My nearly Irish twins :)}

{1? I thought I was 1 mom!}

{Sweet girls}

{Lexie with her BearCat}

{Pssst... Dada. Get me outta here!}

{Oh please, are we done now mama?}

And a comparison:

{Left: Jillian 1/2012 Middle Left: David 1/2014 

Middle Right: Lottie 9/2016 Right: Lexie 9/2017}

{Read Jillian's 1 Month Update Here}
{Read David's 1 Month Update Here}
{Read Lottie's 1 Month Update Here}

Who do you think she looks like most?

Giving Her Wings: Jill's First Day of Kindergarten

Just 2 weeks after my last baby is born, I had to send my first baby off to Kindergarten!

Honestly, I thought I'd be much more emotional than I was. I have my moments, but I'm not bawling my eyes out. Well, at least not today ;)

Jill has been waiting for Kindergarten since her Pre K graduation in mid-May. Our summer seemed so busy that we figured she would be preoccupied to not ask about it daily.

Nope.

We practiced waking up early the whole week leading up to school. Her school does not have a bus route, so we have to make sure there is plenty of time to get to the building. Also, it is an all day Kindergarten program. She was going to Pre K for half a day, 4 days a week. We had a feeling she'd need her rest.

Jill was not only ready to go, she had zero fear. No hesitation whatsoever. In fact, she comforted a classmate who looked like she had been crying most of the morning!

As a parent, I do want her to miss me a little bit. However, I feel like Phil and I have done a good job if she is going to school with such confidence. That means she knows she can go out into the world, and come back to her loving and supportive home :) {I'm in NO way saying anyone whose kids were upset and/or crying is not doing a good job. In fact, I'd argue they are doing a great job!}

She had a great first day! She did seem pretty tired when she got home. Jill said she made a friend, but didn't know any names yet. She even has a classmate that was in her earliest preschool class, though I don't think either one recognized the other! HAHA Also, as of right now, she still doesn't have any hardware for school. However, we filled out the appropriate paperwork in case she needs an FM system or something like that.

David did have a hard(ish) time. He really wanted to go into the building, but we told him not yet. At one point, I asked if he missed Sissy. His response was "No, but I NEED her right now!" He was happy to see her in the car after we picked her up :)

I can't wait to see all she accomplishes at Kindergarten this year! You go, girl!

{Showing off the Pokemon backpack}

{She has a kitty lunchbox, but they were serving pizza the first day. She'll take her lunch another time ;)}

{David insisted on taking a picture with Jill}

{Big hugs}

Just for fun, here are some comparisons!

{Jillian's First Day of Listening for Littles, Pre K, and Kindergarten}

{2013, 2016, 2017}

{Jillian's First Day of Mini 3's Preschool, Pre K, and Kindergarten}
{2014, 2016, 2017}

Alexandra's Birth Story - {The Whole Story}

It's so hard to believe that I'm writing my final birth story. I have 4 beautiful, and healthy babies, and I am beyond grateful that my experiences have been positive!

I was honestly worried for so long that Lexie would come early. I tried really hard to drink as much water as possible, and stay off my feet. {You know, as if I truly had any control over the situation ;)} Having 3 other kids at home, we really couldn't manage a fast and furious delivery like the last two times while carting them around. Thankfully, God helped Lexie decide to stay inside until our scheduled induction.

As I mentioned before, my OB was going to be out of town. Funny enough, the other doctor I would have picked when my last OB left is the one who delivered me for Dr. S! HAHAHA Funny how that works out ;) I really wanted Dr. S to be there, but I knew I'd be in good hands. Phil and I talked about it several times before deciding. We just really wanted to be sure we didn't have a roadside birth with our other 3 in the van. I haven't been induced since Jillian almost 6 years ago, so I was a little nervous.

The night before you're induced, it's really hard to sleep. It's like trying to rest and relax the day before you know you'll break a bone or something completely life changing is going to happen. Even though Phil was up a little later than normal, he was in bed trying to sleep while I was moving all around. I was putting things away, and throwing away trash, and double triple checking the hospital bag. I finally felt satisfied enough that I laid down in bed. I woke up about every 90 minutes, but did get a little sleep.

My alarm went off at 4:15 am so I could do some last minute grooming. Well, I woke up really nervous and nauseated. I planned on straightening my hair. That didn't happen. I planned on eating a bowl of oatmeal. That didn't happen. I was going to shave my legs. That didn't happen. I pretty much just got dressed, and waited until it was time to go. I was ready to meet this baby, and get the labor part over with!

We checked in to the hospital leisurely, and got all set up. My body has a terrible time with IVs, so it took a couple of sticks to get one going. It's honestly one of the worst parts of labor and delivery to me. My nurse was great, and answered all my questions. They checked me at 1 cm, and got the Pitocin started at 6 am. I felt pretty good. I didn't really feel any contractions, so I just tried my best to rest.

Around 9 am, I met Dr. D. She was very nice, and checked me at 3 cm. She decided to just go ahead and break my water for me instead of doing a foley catheter. It was NOT comfortable. The one time my water was broken for me, I already had an epidural, so I didn't feel anything. Plus, apparently the bag of waters was being stubborn, so Dr. D had to work a little harder to break it. After she was done, I asked for the epidural.

Within in hour, I not only met the anesthesiologist, he actually got to give me the epidural! It was a little painful at one point, but he got me nice and numb. When he was finished, my nurse still had me at 3 cm. Once the epidural was fully kicked in, my right leg was completely numb. I mean, I couldn't wiggle my toes or anything. This meant Phil and my nurse had to lift and move that leg anytime it needed to move. It was really weird to have zero control over my right leg! Phil and I decided to try and rest as much as possible since things were going on the slow side. Phil did a crossword puzzle and read his book, and I got a pretty good nap in.

Around noon, I woke up to some pain in my left lower back. It was feeling similar to the back labor I felt with David. We called my nurse to let her know. She gave me a quick extra dose, then went ahead and checked me. I was at 9 cm! She said she would let the birth team know to be ready soon. It was much more laid back than my last two births. The staff was not slow by any means, but there was no running around or frantically signing papers like before. My nurse told me to let her know if anything changed or if I felt different at all.

At 12:30, I was feeling like I had the shakes. This really only happens to me when I'm 1) extremely chilled, or 2) about to push a baby out. It happened with all of my other 3 births, so I had a feeling that's what was happening. I didn't feel the need to push, but I felt a sensation that I mentioned to Phil. He told me we shouldn't mess around, and went ahead and called my nurse. When she checked me, she told me it was time! She called Dr. D to come down, and had me do a practice push. I only got to the count of 5 before she told me to stop. The next thing I knew, Dr. D was in the room and putting on her gloves. She told me to push once for her. I made it to 10 that time, and I heard her say "Good!" I was waiting for her to tell me to push again, when I felt Lexie on my chest! She was out and crying like crazy!

Whether it was to mark her territory, or to tell me she was not happy to be evicted, Lexie quickly peed all over me! HAHAHA She is my only baby to do that to me. {That also meant she didn't have another wet diaper until much later in the day} She had an APGAR score of 9 and 9, and had such a round head that the nurses said she looked like a C-section baby. Lexie was born at 12:50 pm, and was 7 lbs, 2 oz, and 19.25 inches long.

Later in the afternoon, she did have a little trouble staying warm and had to be under the warming lamp for awhile. However, she checked out just fine the rest of our stay. She passed her hearing screening, she was soiling diapers, and didn't lose too much birth weight.

My health has been good so far. I feel like my mood is doing well, and I've felt pretty decently. I have overdone it a few times physically since being home, but nothing that put me out of commission or anything. I have had worse cramping than I did with my other recoveries, but still manageable. I will say that I was nervous about getting an epidural because of how I felt after Jillian's birth. Thankfully, I have not felt anywhere near that tired/sore. It may have been more that it was my first birth than the epidural itself.

Nursing is going well, but I can definitely see why people give up. I'm really tired and sore. I got a little relief when I went to a lactation consultant appointment. They gave me a special ointment, and that helps. However, getting Lexie to latch and stay that way the whole feeding has been a challenge. Hopefully we'll continue to work at it, and figure it out.

So there you have it. The final birth story in the Coghill Chronicles :) Our 4th and final baby is here, healthy, and a perfect fit!

Now enjoy the pictures :)

{Last bump picture!}

{Here she is!}

{She was still covered in vernix, and was my cheesiest baby :)}

{All swaddled up and cuddling with daddy <3}

{Sleep deprived, but happy mama}

{Little Lexie Grace}

{Sweet dreams}

{Getting some daddy time in}