Father Daughter Time

Saturday afternoon Payton went to Monkey Business to have her birthday party.  She was so excited to get to play with all her friends and of course getting presents.  My Dad was nice enough to offer to come stay at the house with me since I couldn't go.  He got an added surprise and got the boys as well.  They hadn't been feeling well so we kept them home also.  I felt so bad that over half of her family wasn't at her party.  It didn't really seem to bother her much, so that is good.  She told me she would bring me home a piece of cake and show me all of her presents when she got home and then out the door she went.  I was told everything went great and had friends take pictures and video tap so I could see how it all went.  

 Following the birthday party was the Father Daughter Dance at our church.  They got home from the party and had dinner.  Then they got to change from party clothes to dancing clothes.  Payton was so excited to pick her outfit and Daddy was able to coordinate with her.  They had a great time and she loved dancing with all of her friends.  Mitch and Payton usually never get  2 dates in 1 day.

 Sunday Payton and Daddy got some more time together and had snow time fun.  Since he didn't have to shovel any on Sunday they got to go out while the boys were napping and have playtime for a couple of hours.  They built a fort and a snowman.  Payton has gotten tons of Daddy time for the weekend and she has been loving it.  So much fun to see them having fun together.

30 Weeks

I have hit 30 weeks today, which we are extremely grateful for.  Mid week we had a couple of bumps in the road.  Tuesday night into Wednesday morning I got up to use the restroom and discovered I was bleeding.  Mitch had gone into the boys room to get Cohen back to sleep.  He wasn't expecting me sitting up in bed looking concerned.  I immediately called my parents to have them come to the house to be with the kids.  I then called to page the Dr. on call.  I wasn't bleeding heavy enough to immediately leave for the hospital.  Dr. called back with in 5 min.  

She was comfortable with me staying at home laying in bed with the amount of bleeding I described I was having.  I already had an appointment to see my OB first thing in the morning.  She said to stay in bed and see him unless my bleeding increased.  She was giving the hospital heads up on what was going on. If thee bleeding got worse we were to head straight there and not waste time calling out another page to her.  

Luckily it stayed the same and didn't increase.  In fact it had stopped bleeding by the time I actually saw him.  That was my saving grace that allowed me to get to go back home.  While we were in the office they did an ultrasound to check my placenta and the baby.  Everything looked great so I was able to go home and not have to stay in the hospital for the next 9 weeks.(thank heavens, I would go insane sitting in a hospital for 9 weeks)

He said this was my 1 free pass because next time could bleed worse, even if its not worse it will probably earn me a bed in the hospital.  I also started showing early signs of preclampsia.  My visits to see him changed from every 2 weeks to every week.  I will get an ultrasound prior to seeing him to see how things are looking.  We are just taking it week by week.  Hoping to keep in as long as we possibly can.  

This process has been an experience to say the least.  We have had incredible friends and family that have been so helpful.  We have dinners coming to us 3 nights a week.  We have had tons of friends giving of their time coming over for mornings or afternoons to help take care of the kids. Our family has been extremely helpful with the kids.  We had a couple of friends help Mitch get the boys room painted. Our friends that are out of town have been checking in and we have received a couple of care packages and gift cards.  I can't tell you how many different ways we have been shown love and support and are so grateful to all of you.  You all know how you are.  Thank you again, I am sure we can not say that enough.  God is good, all the time.

The Birthday Girl, 5 Years!!

The past 5 years have been some of the best years.  This morning at 4:40am you made me a Mom for the first time.  It was one of the greatest days ever.  You have been such a blessing to your Daddy and me.  You are so friendly and outgoing.  You absolutely love being with people and playing with your friends.  You don't like to miss out on anything. You are a social butterfly.  You are a great big sister and love your brothers with all your heart.  You have become just like a little mother and love to tell them what to do.  You love life and love to help with cooking, cleaning, playing, even pointing out poo in the back yard for Daddy to pick up.  You love school and reading books.  Your preschool teachers always comment on what a joy it is to have you in class.  

Thank you for making our lives so rich and reminding us about all the important things in life.  It is so great to see the world through your eyes, so simple and pure.  Your Daddy and I are blessed to be your parents and are grateful God trusted us to raise you up in this world.  

Your first day hangin with your Momma

Your Daddy rocking you in the hospital 

 12 months Old

 Your 2nd birthday party

 Your 2nd birthday dinner 

 Your 3rd birthday and you are loving being a big sister!

 4 years already

Your princess tea party!!

Making your birthday breakfast that you picked.  A chocolate chip homemade waffle with Daddy 

The birthday girl!! Getting to celebrate with a snow day and playing in the snow later with Daddy and the boys.  No better way to spend a birthday. 

Happy Valentines Day!

Wishing everyone a Happy Valentine's Day.  We all enjoyed our Valentine's Day with some friends.  My wonderful friend Amy spent the morning with us taking care of my kiddos along with hers.  She came over and spent last Thursday morning with us also.  She has committed to every Thursday morning until our little mister arrives.  It is so nice to get to catch and have friend time to go along with bed rest.  The kids always love playing together.  Noah and Payton love playing together and Mila and Cohen laugh and have a great time.  The two of the are so ornery they could cause big trouble together.  They sure are cute though.  

 the attempted sibling pic, best of the bunch

 playing with their friend Mila, after she got lunch on her clothes

Payton's wonderful preschool teachers took pictures at her party and sent them to me since I wasn't able to be at the party.  They even sent me a message of her saying "I love you Mommy".  Greatest teachers ever.

Watching, Not Doing

I have now been on bed rest for a week tomorrow.  I would have never thought sitting on the couch would  be so difficult.  People that know me, know that I don't sit still very often and can't stand it when I have to.  This is very difficult.  We have defiantly felt the love from our family and friends.  We have had so many people step up and helping us out.  We have great friends set up a meal sign up for us.  We also have someone coming over each morning and afternoon to take care of the kids until Mitch gets home from work.  I don't know what we would do without so many people voluntary to help us.  This has been such a humbling experience.  I am not usually someone who likes to ask for help but when there is no way I can do it by myself then I have to ask for help.
Sadly we still have such a long way to go.  It has been a week but I still have 10 left.   I hate sitting and helping direct what people should be doing.  I can see it in the kids that it is hard on them as well.  The boys don't understand why I won't get up when they pull my hand and say Momma. When they get all upset makes me feel terrible.  Payton likes having different people come over and having some of her friends here to play with.  She thinks is all about play time for her.  At the same time she has been a little hyper and not listening the best.  The boys will cry and want Mommy when other people are trying to help them.
Sitting back and watching your life happen without you doing it is harder then I thought it would be. I am extremely grateful to be at home on bed rest instead of in the hospital and missing everything.  I get to only leave to go to the doctors appointments.  I can get up to use the restroom and that is about it. My butt hurts already and it hasn't been that long yet.  One of my friends is a physical therapist and she informed me that for every day someone is one bed rest it takes about 5-7 days to get back to normal.  After sitting still for that long and not using my muscles it is going to take me anywhere from 9 months to 1 year to feel normal.   That was so depressing to hear, I knew it would take a while but I didn't think it would take that long.  I was hoping to be running by the end of the summer but I guess not so much.  
My wonderful husband has been running around crazy.  He has been getting kids ready at night with baths, brushing teeth, bed time stories, and tucking everyone in.  Then picking up the toys from the day and trying to prepare things for the next day with having diapers out and trying to make things easier for who ever will be here the next day.  I feel bad all the stress falls on his shoulders with the household, groceries, kids, errands, and the finances.  He has been handling it all very well and is just concerned with Parker and my health.
We again owe a huge Thank you to all our friends and family lending us a hand we are so appreciative of all your generosity and love.  We couldn't do it without you all and we are so lucky to have you.