Valentines 2015

 The kids had class parties on Friday, the day before Valentines. They were excited to see their friends and have their parties. 

Emma made this Valentine box for her class party. She did all the decorating and choosing all by herself. I just helped cut out the paper to box size and she helped me adhere. The rest was all her.

This was a little note she wrote to her teacher Miss Connell. So cute!

 The kids had in mind what they wanted for their Valentine cards and then Daddy helped design them. I think we found the dinosaur one online and he made some adjustments.

 Friday morning Valentine breakfast. We decided to do our big breakfast the day before Valentines because we knew Emma had a birthday party the following morning. We had bacon, pink pancakes, and eggs. I think Derek and I were looking very tired because let's be honest...we are! :) Lots of wakings in the night from little Amelia lady. :)

 Here is a note and treat to Thomas' teacher, Mrs. Ridge. Love it!

 And they're off to school! They are my cute little munchkins!

 The morning of Valentines!

Thomas is showing us his hot chocolate mug he got. It was toast, nutella, strawberries and hot chocolate for breakfast. 

 We had a visit from Grandma Phair. She brought the little munchkins some V-day treats and snuggled with Amelia.

 On Valentines day, the kids were able to hold Amelia for the first time. We hadn't let them before because of coughs and colds but we were safe now. I love them. This really is what life is all about, isn't it?

 Derek planned to make a special Valentine dinner for the family. He had some good help from Emma and Thomas. They made steaks, potatoes, salad and asparagus. It was delicious!!

 Emma set the table.

 Thomas preparing salad.

 Derek also bought all of these amazing foreign cheese and we had ourselves a picnic on the family room floor with all these cheeses, crackers and fruit. He is really awesome.

Happy Valentine's Day from our family to yours.

Baby Amelia has arrived!

Baby Amelia Ann's Birthday!

 

 I was scheduled to be induced on February 4th to deliver our little munchkin, just two days before her due date. This time, I was extra nervous. I don't quite remember what my nerves were like when I was induced with Thomas, but they felt extra jumpy this time. :) 

 My sweet delivery nurse was Donna from Alabama. She was so good to me. 

I told her my history of deliveries and we figured that this little gal would be coming as quickly as my babies; Thomas and Joseph. 

I wasn't quite sure when to receive the epidural but wanted to wait just a bit after the pitocin was given to me at 7:40am. 

 The contractions got a lot worse and intense really fast. They were about two minutes apart.

By the time I requested the epidural and received it, she was coming too quickly and the epidural didn't kick in. Pushing this little lady felt like a life time, probably one of the harder deliveries for me but when I saw that precious little purple body come into this world it was the most amazing feeling. She came at 9:51am. The emotions were so real and strong and we were SO in love. What a miracle.

 She came out showing us her very strong lungs, just like Thomas did. :) Derek saw a little bit of Emma when she came out but I saw Thomas in her right away. A few minutes later we both agreed that she is SO Thomas. :)

 After they cleared her lungs and mouth, they brought her right over to me. This is my favorite part. We were amazed at how strong her little neck was right away. She held her little head up to look at me with her dreamy eyes. Oh how I love her.

 I love her chunkiness and look at those little dagger fingernails. I mean seriously, they could do some damage. :) We've been keeping little gloves on her little hands to keep her from scratching herself.

 Then I could see a little bit of Joseph in her too. :)

 Dr. Young had a scheduled surgery the same morning in Provo because he was not expecting my baby to come so so quickly. His partner, Dr. McCarter came to deliver her. 

Later that morning, Dr. Young came to visit and we got a picture taken with him.

 Aaaand we were EXHAUSTED!!

 She had a visit from Grandma Phair and later that evening, Aunt Deb, Uncle Russ, and Annie came to visit.

 Her first bath at the Nursery.

 She loved getting her hair washed.

 I love this picture of the both of them. Derek is so awesome. He did so much taking care of me, going home to take care of the kiddos, then come back to hospital to be with me. 

Also, our mothers were life savers as they took care of our little munchkins and for that we are very grateful to them.

 It was finally time to leave the hospital and take our sweet baby home.

 We had some cute little visitors come the morning that we were leaving. They all came with Emma the first night to see their little sister but I didn't get any pictures. The last morning, they were anxious to see her again. Joseph's expression was so priceless. He just smiled from ear to ear and giggled. 

When we brought her to the car, the boys couldn't get enough of her. Joseph kept pointing to her ears saying, "Ears!!" and then lovingly jabbing her in the ear. :)

 Emma had organized and planned this big surprise for me with this big sign that her and her friend Courtney painted together. And there were balloons and streamers everywhere. It was so sweet of her.

 This note from Thomas was on the chair when I first walked into the house.

It says, Love, Thomas. Mom look in pillow for a special surprise. I love Mom. It was a beautiful green ring. :)

 Emma's second grade class wrote notes for me and Amelia.

 She decorated the table and picked out these flowers and arranged them and decorated the vase for them. She even gave me the reddest apple she could find and wrapped it up for me. :)

 Emma's sweet note.

 Emma's friends came over right after school. They chalk colored our front porch steps and left these beautiful weeds on the front door step. They really are so thoughtful.

Stitching..

 Look who picked up on some stitching skills last week.

He has recently made one that has a rainbow and a Christmas tree and uses it as a blanket for one of his stuffed animal puppies. It's so cute. I'm proud of this little man of ours.

Our little Sparrow...GLOW!

Emma's second grade class did their traditional "GLOW" performance. Emma was the Sparrow and she did SUCH an awesome job. I think she's a natural performer. :) There was speaking and singing.

The whole class did so great and the theme of the program was awesome. Everybody has talents and can contribute to this world.

 Our kids are so blessed to have great support from awesome Grandparents.

Opa was there. We missed Oma but she was in Germany.

 Grandma and Grandpa Phair

 Emma with her good friends, Fay and Courtney.

 Emma and her teacher, Miss Connell.

Friends movie night and St. Nicholas

 Yesterday for Emma and Thomas' advent calendar, they were told they could invite a friend over for a movie and popcorn night. They were very excited to invite a friend. 

Thomas invited one of his best friends, Gavin over. He joined us for some pizza, popcorn and movie.

 Cute little munchkins! They watched "Spot's Christmas" and "Frosty the Snowman"

 Emma's friend Courtney joined us later on that evening. They watched the "Barbie Christmas" movie.

This morning, we noticed that St. Nicholas had come and left the children some goodies in their boots. 

30 weeks and 6 days!!

I have not written much about this pregnancy with baby #4. 

This pregnancy has FLOWN by. Today I am 30 weeks and 6 days which is what I was with Joseph when he was born. Let's hope this little lady stays in the oven for a bit longer and not surprise us. 

My braxton hicks and cramping have increased quite a bit but I'm learning to recognize certain signs I had with Joseph just before he came and am learning to try and take it easy.

I have had to lay down a whole lot more as of lately. I have to lay down with the boys every afternoon after lunch for about an hour and then again at dinner time.

Sundays are my hardest days with cramping and exhaustion and also every evening.

It became more of a reality to me two weeks ago on Sunday that having meetings before church for my calling as Primary President, then helping get kids off to church, then having our three hour meetings are really playing a hand in increasing my contractions.

Derek has been so wonderful. He makes sure I lay down as often as I can. He works so hard and has also taken on a lot more load with house work, yard work, basement remodeling (trying to get a playroom ready before this munchkin comes), taking care of kids and me. He is truly awesome.

I crave LOTS of sweets. It's the greatest being pregnant during the holidays :) 

I have myself a bowl of cereal every  night before bed. I've kept stocked on Costco's dark chocolate and coconut covered almonds. :)......because I can. :) 

My cravings are all over the place. I don't have anything too specific, it just varies by the minute. :)

Emma loves giving me lots of hugs around my belly.
Thomas is always feeling my tummy to see if baby is moving. I think he is the one that has felt her the most. 

Joseph is oblivious to what is going on and what's about to change in the next months. (hopefully)

We still need to decide on a baby name. This probably sounds weird, but I still worry that this baby could be a boy and that it just wasn't read correctly in the ultra sound. Of course we'll be happy either way. 

This little girl is going to learn very quickly how to have patience with her Mama and rest of the family. It's a wonderful time for our family.