Fun photos

Here are some photos that Abbi took the day of the baptism (I can't take credit for these great shots!). Treasures - all of them.

Get that monkey off your back!

Captain Jack -- arrgh!

Wow, we look pretty good for running after four kids!

Miss Evelyn Bernice

Jack, Ellie & Lilah

Amelia & Mommy

Evelyn's Baptism

Evelyn was baptized into Christ by Pastor Scott Rains on Sunday, March 15th. Her sponsors are Jon & Abbi Garling (my brother and his wife). My family came for the blessed event and we had a lunch following at our house. Our friends, Matt & Annelie came too. We are so blessed to have a loving and supporting church home, family & friends. This is our family's third baptism at our church -- Billy, Amelia, and now Evelyn.

Mexico Trip

One of my growing girls

Evelyn will be 5 weeks on Saturday -- and she's doing very well. She's a really good baby and was an angel on her first big trip. She doesn't really cry or get fussy. If she cries out it's because she's hungry or wants to be held and she can be soothed immediately. As you can see, she's starting to fill out a bit and getting a little face on her. I'm very anxious for the first smile. Momma needs some smiles!!

3 Weeks Tomorrow

Evelyn will be 3 weeks old tomorrow - and is excited to take her first airplane ride on Sunday! Hopefully she was born a traveler - because Mexico, here we come!

Ellie's Looses her 1st Tooth

Ellie lost her first tooth today. It started last week when she was eating a whole apple - she said it was hurting her tooth and didn't want to eat the rest. It was then that she realized it was wiggly. She was so excited - she immediately called everyone on my cell phone that she knew the speed dial number for. Today she came home from school with a small treasure chest and her tooth inside. She's anxious for the Tooth Fairy to come tonight, and already has her treasure under her pillow. Hmmm ... how much are teeth going for these days??

Two Weeks Old

Evelyn is two weeks old today -- it's gone very quickly, as always. She is adjusting quite nicely to life outside the womb. Week one was hospital time and then getting acquainted with our house. Week two she really settled into her routine - which is sleeping and then eating every 3 hours. I've got her sleeping in her bed now at night - so that has been a huge help with me getting better sleep. I'm still up 2-3 times a night to feed her for half hour, but I won't complain about that - since she does usually go right back to sleep.

Last night was my first show back. I was gone about 4 hours and Billy said that Evelyn took the bottle well - she downed 4 oz - so I guess! And then she had another 4 oz just before I got home. I have another show today, and I'll be gone longer, but luckily she's not picky with how she gets her milk.

She really is a sweet, cuddly little thing. She'd be happy be held all day. So if anyone is wanting to snuggle a baby, come on over!

Jack's Fresh Haircut

Jack is going to get his 4-year pictures taken next week - so it was high time we get a haircut. He was looking like a total scrub. His hair has changed so much in the past year. It's darker in color and the texture has changed too. He's no longer that little boy with wispy blonde hair. It's gotten a lot thicker and doesn't lay down nearly as nice anymore.

Random Photos

Sleepy baby - in her Bopee

Again, sleeping in her Bopee

Amelia having a snack. Silly grin!

Brother with Evelyn

She does open her eyes sometimes!

Jack enjoying a snowball to the face!

Recent Photos of Evelyn

Cuddling on the couch last night. Amelia was already in bed.

Raise your hand if you are sure that your family rocks!

"Baby!" Amelia loves baby and is very gentle with her.

We are home and getting settled in here. The other kids are adjusting well so far. Billy sensed that they just have all merged into their "new role" as siblings. They are being helpful and listening well, playing together nicely, etc. I think it's just a honeymoon phase. I'm sure all hell will break loose next week when the newness wears off, but maybe he's right. They all just see what they have to do to make our house click.

The first night was rough. We tried putting Evelyn down in her bassinet, but she easily woke up after a short while. I had had only two short bits of sleep in about 5 hrs and I was exhausted. Billy then got up with her and slept near her in the living room. We both were anxious to try something different last night. So we spoiled her a bit and she got to sleep in the living room in her Bopee pillow and in my arms. But we all got ample sleep and are the better for it. We'll slowly adjust her into the bassinet, but it might take a week or so.

Today we go to Ames to get her passport application submitted. Getting a picture is the most difficult task. Try getting a 5 day old to look straight at the camera with both eyes open! It should be quite a task at the photo shop today. I have some snapshots on my camera that hopefully will work too. But the regulations on size and color are very strict and we can't afford for the application to get rejected b/c of bad photos!

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.