Pictures to share

Grandma Barb at the hospital with Ellie & Evelyn

Ellie being herself

Cutie pants pigtails

Dancing Cowgirl

This vest was Billy's when he was a boy. Cute!

Delayed Checkout

This girl has been nothing but delays, delays, delays! Nothing like telling her parents who is boss! Yesterday we had some slight concerns because she seemed to be shivering or trembling more than what I thought was normal. Newborns do have some trembles and shivers do to underdeveloped muscles. We talked to the pediatrician about it and he monitored her in the nursery for a couple hours, but found nothing of concern.

This morning, a different pediatrician was on call to do the final evaluation before we checked out and I shared my concerns again, because it had continued thru the day yesterday. His main concern was figuring out the difference in what was normal, and what might not be. It's difficult to articulate to a doctor what you see/feel. So after her morning breakfast, we sent her down to the NICU to be put on a monitor and they asked me to come back around 11:30 to feed her next.

When we showed up she was out of her bed, and under a warmer. She had more monitors on her and an oxygen mask lying next to her. Least to say, that was a bit of a shock and a bit alarming for two parents that left her lying all snuggly in her bed. The nurse told us that when she got into a deep sleep her pulse-ox level went low. Normal is above 95 and hers went down to 88 at a point during her sleep. While awake and active it was normal, but they didn't like that it went down that low during her sleep.

They had done a chest xray and ran more tests and were waiting results while I fed her. She nursed really well and her pulse-ox level remained great. The doctor came in at 12:45 and said all of her tests came back normal and great. So -- the mystery? Why did it drop?

He wants to continue to monitor her today and rerun tests at 4pm. If all is normal throughout the day, we'll more than likely still be discharged to leave. But he won't let her go home until we all feel comfortable that she is okay and this isn't indicating an oncoming infection or something else.

Billy and I just checked on her (2pm) and her level hadn't dropped again. And she's been sleeping with a full tummy under a warmer -- I'm sure she's been in a deep sleep and if it hasn't dropped again, than mommy is feeling confident that little baby is okay.

I'll post again later tonite with any new information.

Evelyn Bernice Faubus

Welcome to the world! Ah, she's blue!

Cute little foot

A little more pink color looks good on you.

Daddy, Mommy, & Evelyn

Miss Evelyn Bernice (after my maternal grandmother) Faubus was born Saturday, February 7th at 5:11pm. She was 8lbs - 7 oz and 20 inches long. My biggest baby by nearly a pound. She has quite a bit of blonde hair, really long finger nails, and her daddy's nose.

Here's how it all went down:
Since she decided to not come on her own, I was scheduled to come in to be induced on Saturday morning at Mary Greeley Hospital in Ames. Dr. Leeds came in around 8:20 and broke my water. I was 3cm at this point. Contractions did start within the hour, but nothing real regular or strong. Billy & I walked the halls and tried to keep busy while waiting. My brother and his wife, Abbi came around 10:30am to be with us for the day. Abbi is our photographer, and so she was here to get photos of the big day.

At 12:30 the doctor came back - I had only gotten to 4cm, and I was pretty disappointed. The contractions were getting more intense, and I wasn't sure if the hypnosis was going to work considering my comfort label. For the next 2 hrs, I did some more walking, took a bath, and did hypnosis -- when Dr. Leeds came back at 2:30, I was still at 4cm and at that point I was tired and ready to "give up." If it was going to progress this slowing, I didn't think I had it in me to

I made the decision to have an epidural (which I had done with Ellie), and then we would start Potosin to increase contractions. Within a half hour, I was much more comfortable, and we sat and waited to see what the Potosin would do.

At about 4:45 the nurse checked me and much to our surprise, I was "complete" - meaning fully dilated and ready to push. She called Dr. Leeds and I had to call Jon & Abbi b/c they had just left to head up to the mall for a bit. They didn't make it to the mall (or to get my cookie!) -- and came right back. Abbi stayed in the room and took photos - Jon stayed in the hall. I think most brothers would do the same.

Three good pushes and Evelyn was here! She's got a sweet little puppy cry and has been really good. My mom was able to bring the kids all up around 6:30pm ... Ellie was VERY excited. The other 2 just ran around the room like crazies. But everyone was happy to see mommy! Billy slept at home and will be back up this morning after church. The nurses kept Evelyn for me last night. They brought her in twice to eat ... but I think I managed about 6 hrs of sleep or so.

Overall, we are both doing well. She'll see the peditrician this morning and we'll check out tomorrow morning. Then we have to get on the horn to get the stuff together to get her passport application in the mail by Wednesday. Thanks everyone for your well wishes, prayers, and support. It was fun to have feedback all day yesterday on Facebook.

Baby needs a passport!

It's Thursday -- 3 days past my due date -- and everyone is a bit impatient around here. This is my first experience going past my due date, so I can't help but wonder if that darn date is wrong! Normally, we wouldn't be so anxious, but we have some deadlines looming ahead of us.

I earned a Pampered Chef trip to Riviera Maya Mexico -- and after much deliberation we made the decision a few months ago to take the trip and bring newborn baby with us. We leave March 1st -- 23 days away. The big snafu -- baby needs a passport! And baby isn't born yet! And passports take time! At least 2 weeks time. So, against my normal wishes, I've scheduled to induce on Saturday, February 7th (if she doesn't come before then) ... so that we can check out on Monday and get the passport application in the mail by Wednesday.

So I'm asking anyone reading this for prayers that baby comes before Saturday morning at 7am ... so that no extra measures need to be taken to induce labor.

Oh, and I got my first set of stretch marks this past week. Darn it -- why didn't she come early?! I guess she's making her mark on the world, even before she's born!

Here's my belly!

Okay ... so if you don't want to see it - scroll down. But this is me at 39 weeks in all my glory. Well, not all my glory. Hopefully my next post will be newborn pictures of baby!

SNOW!

Yes, it's piling up again here in Iowa! But we are supposed to have a good melt tomorrow ... hello 40 degrees & sunshine! Jack & Amelia love being outside ... and the snow. We usually have to bribe Ellie to get her butt out there. But it's good for all of them to spend some much needed time outside running off their energy.

Mini Vacation

We took a little mini-vacation to Altoona (15 miles south of Huxley) to an small indoor water park last weekend. A night of fun for the kids before the baby comes. They had a blast swimming! I can't believe how well Jack and Amelia did in the water. Last summer they were both still a little hesitant, it's amazing what 6 months can do. Ellie is my fish, of course ... and does very well in the water, despite not getting lessons this past summer.

I did not swim, so Billy had his hands full keeping a hand near 2 little ones ... and I just kept my eyes on Ellie! We ordered pizza and had donuts for breakfast -- every kids dream. Sleeping wasn't the easiest thing - sharing a room with 3 kids. Two that move constantly, I thought Jack was for sure going to fall out of bed ... or give his sister a black eye. And another that doesn't sleep well in strange places. I think Amelia was up from like 1:30-3:30am. I took a short stay at rocking her, but Billy stayed up the rest of the time until she finally went back to sleep.

The thought of taking 4 to a hotel is very daunting, b/c I don't believe we could actually really sleep! And after we did get the kids in bed at 8pm ... what were we supposed to do? We sat in the hall on the floor and talked. We maybe should have gotten a pool side room, so we could have had a deck off the room. Something to consider for next time.

Jack's Hat Hair

My little Jack is just getting so big! Here is a picture of him after coming inside -- you gotta love the stocking hat hair. He's really a sweet kid, but just recently has started calling names. The last two nights at the dinner table he had to be sent to the corner b/c the first night he called Billy & I "stupid" and then last night Billy was called a "loser." Where does he get these things?

On a better note, his preschool teacher pulled me aside yesterday to tell me how well he's been doing. Last fall was an adjustment for him (his first semester in preschool). But since break, he's been really great and they haven't had ANY problems with him. The other day at lunch he told me, "Mom, I didn't hit any of my friends at school today!" How exciting!!

Baby Countdown

Well, the baby is officially "full-term." Which means she could come whenever she's like to now. The other 3 kids all came on their original due dates, so I'm not expecting anything to happen for at least 2 weeks. Ellie is getting very anxious - and Jack does ask a couple times a week too. I'm in no hurry - as I still have 6 shows scheduled on the calendar (up to the 24th) and loads of other things I'd like to get done before #4 hits the seen.

I'm still feeling really good - most of my energy is still there. My back and hips (which are usually my problem areas) are holding up quite well. I'm sure the regular massage and chiropractor visits help. Plus, I've been trying to do some yoga here at the house. We are excited to be using hypno-birth again, as I did with Jack & Amelia. If you aren't familiar with it -- you should definitely check it out (if you plan to give birth, or know someone who is). It's a great experience, and drug free, which makes for even faster delivery & recovery.

We'll be sure to put the big announcement & pictures here when Baby Faubus arrives!

How good can it get?

Occasionally, the following situation happens, and I am just shocked and amazed -- and completely blessed!

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, our routine consists of Jack & Amelia going to LilyPad Learning Center for preschool and daycare in the morning. When they get home, Jack has lunch and I put Amelia down for her nap. Many days, Jack will ask, "Mom, are you going to work?" And I usually say yes, when you go down for your nap. But he wants me to go downstairs right away, so he can play upstairs on his own. I think he enjoys the quiet time with no sisters around!

Today, and some other times, he'll want to watch a cartoon. And I say that that's fine, but when it's over it's time to go lay down. I'll bop down to my office for a bit, and then plan to come up in about 30 minutes when the cartoon is over. Like most multi-tasking moms, I lose track of time and come up a little late. The times that I've done this, I find Jack has already put himself to bed!

He listened to what I said, and when the cartoon was over, he turned the tv off - and went to bed. Today, I said, "Why didn't you come get me? I would have come and tucked you in." He just smiles and snuggles in to rest. What a sweet boy. I kind of hope I get to have another one.

Christmas Eve

Jack saying a big "CHEESE!"

Amelia & Daddy

Me & Ellie

Me & Bub

Here are a few photos from Christmas Eve. We went to our 4pm service at Northbranch in Ankeny as a family -- Billy, me, Tony, Jana, Ellie, Jack & Amelia. Then went to Tony & Jana's for a nice dinner and Santa presents. It was a wonderful evening - and it was so nice to all be together. This new tradition will be something I hope the kids will appreciate their whole lives.

Merry Christmas

Christmas letters are going in the mail today. Of course, not all of you will get one - I do want to keep some sanity, and a budget! But here is our Christmas picture. We are all wearing our Huxley Heroes t-shirts. Ours say, "Be a local Hero" on the back. The kids say, "Future Hero." My sister-in-law, Abbi snapped this photo and did it all up nice for us. I think this was the first photo she snapped. We took about another 20 others, but none really turned out any better. It's hard to get 3 kids to sit still and smile long enough!

Merry Christmas to all of you. Have a great week ... it'll be fun to share all the excitement next week when we return.

Love & blessings, Deanna

Jack's Room

Room logistics at 703 Parkridge Ave:
Jack doesn't really have a room. He sleeps on the top bunk in Ellie's room, his clothes are in the closet in Amelia's room, and his toys are in the basement. With #4 coming, his clothes will move over to Ellie's room - but since it is a pink & purple striped room - he can't really claim it to be his!

The other day, Ellie went in her room to play Barbies with Amelia. Jack followed. She said, "I don't want Jack in my room." Jack responded, "Do you see that bed up there? That's where I sleep!" And kindly walked away. Ellie couldn't really argue with that. Billy said, between laughing his butt off, "He's right! I've got your back, buddy." Jack said, "Thank you." And then went in the living room to play pirates by himself.

It was classic. I think it's one of those moments that I will never forget.

Picture Time

We hit a couple of milestone this month. Ellie turned 6 & Amelia 18 months. So off to Belle Plaine to have Aunt Abbi take some professional photos. We don't have any problem getting Ellie to smile - it's getting them to be real, genuine smiles with twinkles in her eyes. Most of them were the fake, plastered smile. I'm anxious to see how many good ones we actually get where her personality shines thru! Here are a couple of samples that Abbi emailed me.



Amelia - of course at 18 months - would not sit or stand long enough to get many photos. Abbi finally suggested that we put her atop a ladder, so that she didn't have a choice but to stand still. So I think we got some good ones in that sitting.



Lastly, was me -- baby belly photos. Abbi started her photography studio this summer, and is doing an amazing job! Her business is really thriving in Belle Plaine - and to help build her portfolio we did some more maternity photos. It was fun to do it again - and to have these as memories for this little girl some day to look back at. And for those of you who haven't seen me lately - a look at the belly I'm sporting these days. But, since this is the 4th time around, I think most people are used to seeing me like this!



To see all of Abbi's photos - and the rest of ours when they are posted - check out her website at http://yourmemoriesbyabbi.smugmug.com. You'll also see Jacoby, my new little Godchild's photos on there. He's so cute.

First Snow

We had our first measurable snow the weekend before Thanksgiving. Amelia loves being outside - and the cold temperature hasn't changed that. Billy & I had such a laugh getting her bundled up in the snow pants and big, puffy coat. You just can't help but think of The Christmas Story. She stayed out longer than the other two kids.

Ellie is always the first to come in. She'd much rather be inside - she's her mother's daughter. Doesn't like the too hot - or the too cold. But does anyone really? And actually thinking back, the only way we were able to get her outside was because Lauren, our neighbor girl, asked her to come out.

Here are some photos that Billy captured of the adventure. You can click the pictures to view them larger (which is a must if you want to get a look at the snotty noses!) Jack looks like he has a bloody nose -- but I think it was food or something b/c I don't remember there being a scratch or scab the next day.

Puffy Coat

Trying to walk in puffy clothes!

Yummo -- snow pie!

What's the word?

Lauren & Ellie. Not sure where the hill is girls?!

Amelia 18 Months

Amelia had her 18-mo appointment yesterday. She seems to be on the same growing track as Jack. A little bit small - but proportional. She weighed in at a whopping 21.5 lbs and is 30.5 inches tall. Looking back at Jack's records, it's the same. She is a really good eater, so I'm not really too concerned about it.

She's a real talker! She parrots, or try to parrot, nearly everything we say. And does a pretty darn good job making the word out. She loves saying animal names or their noises. I love how she meows. It's a really deep meow, like an alley cat. I'll have to get a video of it. Last night she spend nearly a half hour doing the same farm animal puzzle with me. I think she likes that it makes noises when she gets them in the right place.

Here is a photo of her trying to use a spoon this morning with her cereal. She did a really good job, so I guess I should start letting her feed herself at each meal. Oh, the mess that will come with that!

Ellie Turns 6!

High School Musical gifts from me

A baby doll set from a friend

Gabrielle Nicole Shepherd turns 6! And still as busy and a handful as the day she started crawling! Ellie has really started getting into High School Musical - and so we did a Dance Party with her friends this year. We don't have a great space in our house for dancing - so we did the party at one of the community buildings here in town. It works out well, and I don't have to clean house! We played musical chairs, limbo, and some other dancing games. She didn't have a lot of friends able to come, but I'm pretty sure she still had a great time.

Ellie is doing very well at school. We had a parent-teacher conference last week (she actually didn't have school the day of her birthday, lucky dog!) Academically she's doing great. She's also still seeing a speech therapist at school to help her with a few sounds and a slight lisp that she needs to work on. But she's still Ellie, and sometimes has problems following all the rules. Hmmm .... I wonder where she gets that?! So we are trying to work on those social/emotional issues.

Pampered Chef goes YouTube

Need to know how to carve a turkey? What about how to correctly use a Santoku knife? The Pampered Chef has instructional videos now on YouTube ... how cool is that?! Check it out!
http://www.youtube.com/PamperedChefVideo

Ellie's New Haircut

Ellie turns 6 next week - and so we went to have a big girl haircut done! We've been growing her bangs out all summer - and so I wanted to try and get them blended a bit during this last stretch of growing out. She wanted it cut shorter (which I'm sure her dad will be thrilled - easier to 'do' in the morning), and we ended up taking at least 4-5 inches off. It's very cute and she really likes it a lot.

More Photos of costumes

Trick or Treating went well in Roland. Jack & Amelia only made it up and down Nicki's short street. But that was all the candy they probably needed. Jack LOVED getting some makeup on - and making him look a little more like a pirate. He also had a stick-on goatee and mustache, but he opted not for those. Probably itchy - I don't blame him!

I took the big girls to another street after dropping the little ones at Nicki's house. They were busy getting ready for the Haunted Maze and party. One house that I took the girls to had a cute idea. The homeowner was dressed as a pirate, and he came out and had the girls spin a wheel before they could take the candy. On the wheel was "Trick" or "Treat" - depending on where the spinner landed, that's what you did. Ellie spun treat - and got to take some treats. Lilah spun trick - so she had to do a trick before she got her treats. I helped her, and she decided to bark like the dog she was. I thought it was a great idea to get the kids more involved in the process.

Ellie was adorable in her Cheetah girl outfit. And she's the most photogenic, as you can see. She was very proud of her costume and thought she looked very pretty.

Amelia was a very good chicken. Her little legs couldn't keep up with the big girls - but there wasn't any crying or being scared. She actually really liked all the kids dressed up. Even the scary ones.

Lilah was her dog, Sydney - a hand-made costume by Grandma Barb. It has now become a tradition that Gma Barb makes her a costume each year. Very special! Her and Ellie made a good pair. Cat & Dog!

Lilah planned a big Halloween party for her friends, which included transforming the garage and 1/2 the house into a haunted maze for them to go thru. Nicki, the vampire, met the kids outside as they came to the house - and led them around back to enter. I was inside playing spooky music on the piano - dressed like a scary lady (last years costume). A neighbor was in the kitchen telling the kids where to stand so they could see themselves on TV. At that moment, Billy jumped out and scared them - and it was all on video! Nate was behind the scenes making sure kids got thru and scaring them thru the walls.

There were a few kids that didn't want to go thru - and others that went thru dozens of times. Overall, very fun - but I'm sure Nicki & Nate are pretty tired today! The party was complete with best costume prizes (Jack won best boy), The movie, Monster House on projector screen in the yard, and themed snacks. I'm sure they'll all be asking Lilah for an ancore next year.

Scaring the Neighbor Girl

Ok, so Billy really likes to scare little kids. He's not mean about it - and does take thought into their ages and such. But he loves to scare our neighbor girl, Lauren, who is 10. A year or so ago, he came out of her backyard wearing coveralls and revving up his large chainsaw at 10:00 at night.

This year, he decided to go a little simpler. We had some leaves in the yard and he's been waiting for the opportunity to hide in them and scare her. Halloween is the perfect day for that! Here she is and her friend walking home from just getting off the bus. After the screams (and my laughing!), you hear her yell, "What is your deal!?" Yeah, what is his deal?

Coloring

Here are some rare photos of all the kids sitting together nicely and coloring! It's fun that they are at ages that they can do something together. Amelia really likes to color and/or draw. She really does a good job keeping the colors on the paper.

Leaves for Fun

Yesterday, I raked up a pile of leaves for the kids to play in. This was Amelia's first time in a big pile. She thought it was great! And loves it when big brother threw them on her. Well, until he got a little too crazy. She found that leaves down her shirt and diaper were kind of itchy. Ellie was at school, so that's why she is missing from these photos.

Jack was not too sure about the laying in the leaves.

Amelia was very content!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween to everyone! This year I'll have a Cheetah, Pirate, & Chicken here at my house. I won't have all the photos up until this weekend - as we do have fun plans at the Skaar Haunted Household tonight in Roland that we'll want to photograph and share.

But here are a few preview shots of two kids to get you spooked!

Captain Jack Sparrow

Amelia, the Chicken.
This was Jack's costume 2 years ago. Go to 2006 archives to see him in it.

Amelia, practicing her "chicken talk" before the big night!

HERO Makes Headlines

Many of you have heard that Billy & I are an active part of our community group, HERO, here in town. Recently, we were awarded the first Iowa Utilities Board Grant of $5000 to do a Weatherization project in the Ballard area.

This was an effort by our entire group, namely those that had the ideas, wrote the grant, and then executed the efforts headed by Russell Zimmerman, our Vice President. It has also taken many, many volunteers outside of our organization to winterize over 50 homes on two Saturdays. A great thanks to all of the time and efforts from everyone.

Last night, our story was featured on Channel 13 news ... a few of our "men in blue" were shown working on a first-time homeowner's home. Please check out the video link at our website. We are VERY proud to be part of this organization and the work we are doing here in the community! Billy will be helping this Saturday to finish up the homes. If you live in the area and would like to be a HERO, please feel free to contact me.

http://huxleyheroes.com/hero/

Needing a rope

I love this blog so I can record little stories like this and not forget them!

On Sundays, Tony comes to our church parking lot to pick up the kids between services. Billy was outside waiting with them, and Jack asked, "When is daddy going to be here?" And Billy's common response when the kids ask when someone will be here is "when they get here" or "when they show up." It usually gets them to stop asking.

Today Billy responded, "When he pulls up." Meaning, of course, when Tony pulls up in his car. Jack then exclaimed, "But he doesn't have a rope!"

Oh, man ... what a funny thought.

It's another girl!

We had our first ultrasound today for Baby #4. We've really been hoping and praying for a boy. Girl & Boy Shepherd, and then Girl & Boy Faubus. Sounds like the perfect little family, right? Well, obviously, not in the stars for us. We are a little disappointed, but really can you be bummed about a healthy little baby - boy or girl?! Not for a second. We are very blessed.

Now the name game will begins. Do we go back to the last list - and pick something from there that we didn't use? Do we start a new list? I don't think the name we have picked out, "Henry David" will work. I'm not a fan of Henrietta.

And the question we are asked, "Will you try again?" I think we'll need to see how we handle/juggle/manage 4 kids before we start thinking about the next. Part of me says, "Sure, why not?" The other part of me says, "Heck no!" Especially when the odds for #5 are just the same. Then poor Jack will really be outnumbered.