Introducing

William Henry S.
1-4-14 8:00 am
8 lbs. 9 oz. 21 1/2 inches long

There isn't much "story" to tell.  I had contractions almost my whole pregnancy; from 25 weeks on I would have 5-10 a day, so I was convinced I would go into labor on my own.  But nope.  We scheduled my c-section for 39 weeks, and I showed up at the hospital nice and early on the morning of the fourth. He was here 2 hours later.  I made sure the doctor knew to show the baby to me as soon as possible (with Tyler, I didn't see him until he was already cleaned off).  My first thought when I saw him for the first time, was "he looks so big, how did he fit inside of me?"  He was the biggest of all my babies.  Another thing that was unique this time, was when we got back to the room.  I got to hold Jackson for all of 30 seconds before they took him to the NICU.  With Will, as soon as we got in the room, they let me do skin to skin with him, and I was able to nurse right away.

We were in the hospital for 4 days.  It was wonderful to soak in all that baby time, with very few interruptions.  I was joking with Dan how funny it is that I had to have major surgery in order to have a small vacation.  So while I had to put up with the pain, it was nice to have someone who would bring me fresh ice water all day.

Here are some pictures from Will's birth.

In addition to baby time, I loved watching my other boys meet their brother.

Just look at those smiles on my boys! And Jackson was so funny, just wanting to take him away like one of his stuffed animals.  The boys have actually been really good with Will at home as well.

I think it's safe to say we are all in love with baby Will.

Christmas 2013

We had a great Christmas.  I spent a lot of time resting since I was feeling so big and so pregnant, and having so many contractions (the Sunday before Christmas I had 8 in one hour, which freaked me out thinking we were going to end up with another Christmas baby).

We spent Christmas Eve at my sister's house.  We started off with yummy food. (Why am I always thinking about the food?)  She provided meats and cheeses for sandwhiches, and all the rest of us brought appetizers to go with it.  I want some more of those meatballs right now.  We also acted out the nativity, where Dan and I were chosen to be Mary and Joseph for obvious reasons, while my boys were the shepherds. 

We didn't stay too late, but headed home to open pajamas and read "Twas the night before Christmas."  But apparently I didn't take any pictures of those things.

The kids got to bed and we waited for Santa.  I worked hard to have things ready so we wouldn't be up all night wrapping, which was good because it took us long enough just to pull everything out of hiding.

The next morning, things were exciting and chaotic.

We got a new WiiU, and everyone got something to ride on plus one other toy (train, Beyblades, Snap Circuits), plus stockings and clothes.

Then we headed to brunch at my other sister's house and to spend some time with family.

I love Christmas.  I feel like there were things I just missed out on this year as far as our traditions, but I am glad we got to focus on the most important things: family and the birth of our Savior.

Jackson turns 2 and Tyler turns 10

Our December birthdays were very low key this year.  Tyler really wanted a birthday party, but I knew there was no way I could swing it.  I told him I would get him a big lego set in place of a party.  Luckily he agreed, and on the first day of Christmas Vacation, he got this:

and had it put together in no time.

For Jackson's birthday (December 23), we went over to Grandma and Grandpa's house.  My mom made us dinner, we decorated sugar cookies for Christmas, opened presents, and had cupcakes.

We gave him a Jake and the Neverland Pirates Duplo set.  Grandma got him some Bubble Guppies bath toys.  Of everything he got for his Birthday and Christmas, those Bubble Guppies toys are his favorite.  He carries them everywhere!

Tyler's birthday (December 26) was also low key.  He opened his presents first thing in the morning.
You'll notice he recently discovered Star Wars.  After watching all 6 movies in one weekend, he officially loves it.  Hence the Star Wars slant to his birthday. 

I made him his favorite dinner, stromboli, and then we had cousins over for cake and ice cream.

Both boys were happy at the end of it all. 

December

Baby pictures and info coming soon.  I am trying to play catch up!

I spent most of December doing the single parent thing (from November 29-December 18).  We didn't do too much besides keep the house clean.  We had 16 showings in 3 weeks, but we luckily got an offer and the house is under contract.  Even better, is that they wanted a 60 day closing, which means we have till the end of February before we have to be out.  I was so worried that I would either be homeless with a newborn, or still showing the house with a newborn, so we feel blessed with the way things worked out.

We had a few things happen in December:

Tyler earned a new belt in karate.

And then later that afternoon had his first piano recital.  Here he is with his teacher, who we love and will miss.

Brady and Carter had their Christmas program at preschool.  This is the fourth program in their preschool career, and each time they do better.  Brady was actually on stage and singing, and Carter went up on the stage for the first time! They said they liked doing it, and that they liked wearing their pajamas to school.  Yet another thing I am sad about.  They have done so well at preschool, and have great teachers. 

We had quite a bit of snow, and the kids loved playing in the snow and sledding.  Grandma and Grandpa have a nice small hill behind their house that Tyler, Abby, Brady, and Carter played on.

And just a few totally random pictures: