Welcome Mom and Dad

July 31, 2012  Willie and I are grateful my parents could come to visit us.  They spent a little time with us at the hospital but soon left with the three boys up to their condo.  For Parker's birthday they all went to the pool.  They had so much fun and my parents said they did great and they never fought.  My parents bought the noodles for them to play with.  If only I had thought to send them with their pool bag they would never have had to worry about anything.  We had forgotten to send them with swim diapers for Henry and sunscreen.  The boys didn't do much swimming but they did really love the kiddie pool.

My dad had them blowing water out of the noodles.

My mom and dad said that Parker had the buckets timed pretty well.

Lincoln really had a blast blowing water at my dad.

Parker is acting a little like Grandpa here, he just needs to pull his pants up a little.

Nap time!

When we arrived we came with a cake and balloons for each of the boys.  We also brought Parker his presents that we got him.  He was a little burned on the face from playing all day in the sun.  They spent around 3 hours there, I think.

Dad getting some time with his new grand-daughter.

The next day we went to the pool.  Caroline did great. This is our first family photo.  Not too bad being at the pool instead of sitting on a hospital bed.

 Parker showing dad how good he is at swimming.

 My mom getting her turn with Caroline.

Getting out of the hospital

July 30, 2012  Caroline being our fourth child we thought we would get the chance to leave the hospital a lot sooner than the 48 hour rule at the hospital.  Turns out that I had tested positive for the Group B strep test and because she came so quickly I couldn't get the antibiotics in me that I needed.  The doctors wanted to keep her for the full 48 hours.  Caroline was leaving the hospital on a special day, Parker's birthday.  We really wanted to be with him to celebrate.  

The morning of we asked the nurse if we could leave early.  The pediatrician the previous day had said she needed to stay.  When we had another pediatrician come in on Parkers birthday we asked if there was any way we could leave earlier than 9:00 that night.  We are grateful for all that the nurses and pediatrician did.  We left the hospital around 4:00.  Not much but enough to let us see Parker on his birthday.  

As soon as we were gone we went home grabbed some new clothes and some other necessities and headed up North to stay with my parents in their condo.  Here is Caroline in her going home outfit, kind of funny because you can't really see her outfit.  Let's just say it matches her beanie.     

Parker's First Birthday Party

July 14, 2012  A friend had once made a comment about what they do in their family for birthday parties.  They let their kids have a party at the ages of 5, 8, and 12.  Then if the kids want any others they are in charge of it all.  We don't really do parties but thought it was a good time for Parker to have his first party.  It was Lego themed.  He wanted Legos for his birthday.  The request was that there would be no gifts.  We borrowed some Legos from our friends and the activity at the party was to build a car and then we would have races.  The winners would get prizes...we ended up just giving everyone their prize but no real racing went on.  I wish I had taken a group photo, I suppose I was a bit preoccupied.  In attendance were; Anya Salmon, Jaeda Johnson, Brandt Shill, Josh Killpack, Jack and Ty Wolfert.  The kids had some fun.    

My goal was to get a picture of each child with their car.  I came to find out once the car hit the ground it usually crashed but that's okay it was AWESOME!

The crowds cheering on.

Parkers Lego cake.  If you can't guess it's a Lego.

Thanks everyone for showing Parker your friendship.  We love you all.

Date Night

Aug. 29, 2012

I just went on a date with a cute little guy.  We've been going through many changes and I thought it would be nice to take Lincoln on a date.  This morning was rough we had had three tantrums before 11 am.  After Willie got home from work I asked Lincoln out.  He said "yes".  He was super excited and ready to go.  He kept saying things like 'I'm going on a date with mom' or 'mom, let's go on our date.'  When we were in the car he said 'I'm so excited to go on a date mom.'  He had a smile on his face the entire time.  He was wearing his red shorts that he loves to wear, along with his 'Little Einsteins' pajama shirt.  He had spaghetti sauce on his cheeks and jumped around excitedly.  We were in the car when he started talking about playing jokes on his Grandpa David.  Then we talked about the new movie they have about Tom and Jerry.
I decided to take Lincoln for some ice cream at the local DQ.  I don't think I have been to a DQ since we lived in Boise which was over five years ago.  We ordered the soft serve chocolate ice cream in a cup for Lincoln and a nice vanilla cone for myself.  We sat outside and watched the clouds to which Lincoln thought one of them looked like a fish.  Lincoln also found that his super long spoon could stick up when you put it in one of the holes on the table.  This also worked on the chairs.  I showed him how to lick the ice cream rather than use a spoon.  I asked Lincoln if he liked soccer or swimming better, he answered swimming.  As our date went on he had a little bit of chocolate to add to the spaghetti sauce.  Then it was 7:00, close to bed time.  We jumped in the white car, Lincoln using the booster seat (he's not old enough yet for it).  He kept working on his ice cream as we continued home.  He wanted the windows rolled down until the wind started coming in.  When we were home he went inside and showed his ice cream to his dad.  Lincoln was excited the rest of the night.  He was happy and I was happy.  I'm glad that Lincoln and I could go on a date.    

Introducing...

Little Miss Caroline.  Born July 28th.  Willie and I were getting a bit nervous as to when she would arrive.  We had so many things on our plate that we thought it would be nice if she came early.  I tried getting our deep cleaning done in the apartment and getting items in the correct rooms for when our packers would be coming for our move.  Anyway we have been busy.  I will tell, hopefully, a quick version of Carolines birth.  As a heads up if you don't like too much detail then just look at the pictures.  It was a Saturday, the Dr. had said I was dilated to a 4 the previous Tuesday.  I had also had the membranes stripped that day, hoping it would help her come early.  That was about a week before her due date of July 30.  When Henry was born he had really stopped moving around about 2-3 days before he came so I was thinking she would do the same.  She did stop moving around more but not as much as Henry had done.  I kept thinking that it would be Sunday night, but even then I wasn't sure.  I knew I wouldn't get much time with the kids after Caroline was born so I asked who wanted to go to the pool with me.  Lincoln and Henry we all up for going to the pool.  We packed up a few toys and walked over to our pool at the apartment complex.  Willie and Parker joined us after deciding they couldn't miss out on all the fun.  I had planned not to get in the pool because I was dilated.  I would only jump in if there was an emergency.  It was nice to have Willie come in the end, he had fun swimming with the boys.  

After the nice warm day we went back home.  Willie had planned later that night to go with John to see 'The Dark Knight.'  I thought that was fine, it would be perhaps the last time he and John would get hang out time together.  My plan was to watch the movie 'Courageous' from the Red Box.  Willie had seen it on the airplane once and I heard it was a good one.  My only deal with Willie was that he had to put the kids to bed before he left and that he would be on call in case I went into labor.  Willie's mom had called a few minutes before he was going to leave and about the same time I was using the bathroom.  Now over the last few days when I used the bathroom I would get a contraction but it wasn't bad and it would only be one.  John came and Willie left, while talking to his mom.  I didn't get to tell him that the contraction I had felt 'real.'  I put my movie in and felt another contraction.  What convenient timing right?  I didn't want to interrupt Willie's time out but I thought perhaps we could go to the hospital after the movie.  After another contraction I knew going to the hospital after the movie was not going to happen.  My phone wasn't close by and I thought I would try to time the contractions.  I braved up and ran to get my phone and a paper, I only had time for the phone.  Contractions were about six minutes apart.  I tried to call Willie before the movie would start so he wouldn't have to pay.  After not getting a hold of him I called Lindy to have her text John.  Her prediction was that this baby would be born before 10:30.  She hung up quick and by this point it was about 8:30.  After a couple of other contractions I thought I had to use the bathroom again and I was getting really hot so I ran to the bathroom.  I barely made it to the toilet and my water broke!  I couldn't believe it had broken.  I have always had to have my water broken for me.  This was around 8:45 and I was dying.  I was sure of it.  I turned on the tub for some cold water and jumped in, well more like crawled into the tub.  I kept telling Willie he had better get home now because this baby was ready to come.  By 8:55 he was home.  

A wonderful blessing in all of this was that Willie was with John and we had a ready babysitter for the boys.  Willie grabbed the bag and my purse and we said goodbye to John.  He helped me slowly get the 10 feet to the stairs.  More contractions.  I literally crawled up the stairs to the hallway.  Willie offered to run and get the car while I hobbled along.  Good thinking.  I heard the wheels come to a screech and he was back by my side.  I ran through our little tunnel to get to the van.  I asked Willie for the towel I had brought because I kept leaking and I didn't want a big mess in the van.

Driving down Ashford Dunwoody Road had never been so fast.  The speed limit is 40 and most people drive it at 30 or 35 because of all the lights.  Willie was going 60!  We came up to our turn on Hammond Drive and a pizza delivery car was blocking our way.  One car!  Willie laid on the horn and the guy decided he needed to turn too, and slowly.  After our turn we both came up to a red light and I rolled the window down to apologize for honking but that I was in labor.  No other congestion which was nice.  We quickly went over the speed bumps at the hospital and I was screaming.  Willie had never heard me do such a thing. He opened the door for me to get out and said he would go get me a wheelchair.  Two ladies walking by saw me and my state and asked if they should get a nurse.  Willie and I replied YES!.  At this point I really felt like this baby was coming out in our car.  Luckily we did make it inside where they rushed me into a room.  No admittance when you are ready to deliver; at least not until the baby is born.  What I thought was the nurse kept telling me not to bear down in the wheelchair because she didn't want to deliver me right there.  In one quick reaction I pulled my pants off and jumped in the bed.  They put the straps around my belly.  I wanted the camera but Willie hadn't grabbed it.  oops.  I closed my eyes and kept screaming.  Then someone said don't scream just push.  Wow what a difference!  After about three or four pushes we had a baby girl.  The nurse said it had been about three minutes from the time they put the straps around me.  Caroline was born at 9:23.  She was 7 lbs. 15 oz. and 21 1/2 " long.  Willie cut the cord and I held this beautiful little girl.  Turns out I had a midwife deliver me and she had been on call.  My Dr. came in about 10-15 minutes later.  So without further adieu here is our little Caroline.

I like the kangaroo type thing where you help your baby to stay warm.

A quick bath.

Caroline with mom and dad.

Introducing the boys to their new sister.

We forgot to get a full family photo but we did get picture of each of the boys with their sister.

Caroline gave each of the boys a new movie to keep them entertained while they visited.

Surprise visitors the next morning.  Grandpa David and Grandma Nanette were coming to town but we didn't know they had made it to Atlanta so it was a small surprise to see them when we did.  I loved seeing their excitement for seeing our family.  It was so perfect.

A few of my friends came to see us.  Lindy, Holly, Cynthia (who had her baby about two weeks after me), and Danielle.  Thanks for coming to visit.

Her going home outfit.