Newborn Pictures

I've never had Newborn Pictures taken before, and was surprised at how much equipment was necessary! My Photographer came equipped with rice babies to warm in the microwave, a space heater, her photo gear, accessories, a large bean bag, towels to roll up under the baby for positioning... It was a lot of stuff! April wasn't very cooperative for the pictures. She was too alert and didn't want to just fall asleep and let us position her how we wanted her. Considering the amount of time and April's "fidgetiness" I'm very happy with the shots we got. 

  

April had her 2 week check up yesterday. The doctor told me at her last check up that she should gain all her birth weight back by this visit (she weighed 8lbs. 4 oz. then). I was nervous because with nursing you never know how much your baby is actually getting. Some nights/days it seems like April wants to eat nonstop! Breastfeeding has never been easy for me. But I do feel like with every child I have I get progressively better and better at it. The simple fact that she was my first baby to not get Jaundice should have clued me in on her good eating! She weighed in at 9 lbs. 10 oz! Whoa! Made me so happy to realize she was getting plenty of food. Dr. Guthrie told me we were doing wonderful and I could start putting April on more of a schedule if I wanted. He advised me to do lots of tummy time now (which April is already NOT a fan of.)

April is a very mellow baby so far. She loves to be held and is sleeping pretty good most nights. I'm infatuated with her and just love all her sounds, snuggles and facial expressions.

April Julia Huber

Sweet baby April has officially joined our family.

April Julia Huber 

April 21, 2015

8 lbs. 14 oz.

21 inches
1:25pm

 Hospital Visitors!

   

I prayed long and hard for a fast and quick delivery. Sometimes you get what you wish for but it's not really what you need. I tested positive for Strep B this pregnancy which meant I had to be on IV antibiotics for 4 hours prior to delivery. I was due April 20th. As that day got closer and closer I found myself really uncomfortable and just WISHING for her to come. My doctor scheduled an induction date for April 22nd. He also stripped my membranes in hopes to speed things up a little. As my due date approached I became nervous that I would actually have to be induced. I had mixed feelings about this and really just wanted her to come naturally. I went to bed on Monday April 20th with a heavy heart and a little sad that my due date had come and gone. I woke up that night at 2AM, 3AM, 4AM, 4:30AM, 5AM, and 5:30AM. Not exactly a good nights rest. I got up and started the morning routine of getting kids ready for school and breakfast. About 7am I could start to feel contractions happening. I told Ron I was pretty sure I was in labor. But kept on with the morning routine. Ron took Mason to school a little after 8AM and at this point they were about 5 mins. apart so I told Ron to hurry. My mom got to our house around 8:25am and we rushed to the hospital. They got me into Triage around 9AM as I walked in the triage room to change my water broke. bloody water started trickling down my leg. I was already dilated to a 7-8cm. They started me on antibiotics at 9:21am and recommended I get an epidural to slow down the labor. If I wasn't on the antibiotics for 4 hours they would have to pump my baby with antibiotics after delivery and we would have to stay in the hospital for an extra day. This made me sad because I wanted to deliver her quickly and with out an epidural but I also REALLY didn't want to stay longer in the hospital or give my baby that much medicine right away. I got the epidural and just tried to hold still so she wouldn't come. Exactly 4 hours and 4 mins. later I delivered my beautiful baby girl. She wanted to come! She came out with just a few pushes and the Doctor laid her on me. I remember being a little worried because she wasn't crying. I thought babies are supposed to cry so you know they are breathing. Then I realized she was just very calm and was crying but it was a soft intermittent cry. Just a calm "Naaa...Naaa..." So sweet and calm. I'm really hoping this is an indication of her mellow calm personality. :)

She sure is loved!

Callie's favorite part is helping with the diaper changes and picking out April's outfits. She loves her little sister!

Baby Bump

I've never had Maternity pictures taken. Since this little angel might be our last I figured I should probably get some done. Ron lucked out and was on a Scout camp out when I scheduled the photo shoot. I'm not gonna lie it was a little awkward, I'm not the greatest with pictures. (I love taking them just not so much a fan of being the center of attention in pictures). But I'm glad I had them done. The kids were pretty good especially Callie.

This picture of Callie captures her everyday almost all day long. She is constantly hugging and kissing my belly. I adore her for it and will admit I'm going to miss that immensely.

A couple weeks ago Ron lovingly rubbed my belly and informed me I wasn't really round anymore  I had turned more into a torpedo shape. LOL I think he's right.

My fingers are starting to swell so I don't wear my wedding ring very often. I'm glad I actually remembered to wear it.

Our house is just all abuzz with excitement anticipating the newest member of our family. Kids are starting to debate when she will make her debut. Callie is adamant she will be coming in 3 days. I'm getting really baby hungry too. I really enjoyed the General Women's conference last night I got to snuggle and hold my sister Maryann's baby Kendalyn and that only made me want Baby April to come that much sooner. I can't wait to hold her and smother her with kisses. Not sure what it is but babies are just so kissable I can't stand it! I feel ready even though I know my house isn't quite set up for her. I'm definitely prepared for the lack of sleep. I might as well have a little companion during the middle of the night when I can't get comfortable or sleep.
I had my first "invasive" Doctor appt this week. I've gained almost 40 lbs. (which sadly is not as much as I usually gain) I'm sad to report NOTHING is happening. I was hoping for a little dilating or SOMETHING. But I guess baby April is just comfortable where she's at and wants to stay. I'm guessing this will probably be my first pregnancy where I go full-term or even over my due date. Not sure how I feel about that. But as long as she's healthy I guess I can hang in there and remind myself that she's worth it!

Callie is 4!

I can't believe my baby girl is 4 years old! Time just flies. She is still just as much of a firecracker as ever, very independent and stubborn. She still LOVES baby dolls and probably has too many! She has even graduated to the occasional dressing up Goofy. Poor dog. Not sure why he puts up with her. Well actually I think I know why. I've caught her more than once sneaking him food under the table. So I guess he's pretty smart to put up with her antics if it gets him some good food.

 

 Happy Birthday Callie!

It's crazy to my how girlie-girl she can be with 2 big brothers always hounding her. But she can also hold her own and play with the boys. She's not my greatest sleeper and still comes into our bed EVERY night. I would like to point out that she strategically comes into our bed on RON'S side of the bed. Poor man is so exhausted from working so hard for us he really doesn't know what hit him until it's 3am and he's sandwiched between 2 girls with only about 1/4 of the bed to himself. Seriously. Between my huge body pillow and big belly and then Callie sleeping practically horizontal he doesn't get much of the bed. And of course she is still just as much of a Daddy's girl as EVER!

Mason's 1st Pinewood Derby

Mason had his first Pinewood Derby this last weekend. Such a fun but also stressful event. Mason was so excited to race his car AKA "Syver" (Silver with out the "L") Not sure where that name came from? Poor Ron had a few technical difficulties with this car. All I have to say is wood glue is some pretty amazing stuff! The actual race day we even had some issues at weigh in and putting the wheels on. I just wanted his car to be able to race. I didn't care about it winning. I just wanted the wheels to stay on and the car to stay in one piece. Pregnancy hormones definitely kicked in as I stressed he wouldn't be able to race. Mason was confident and never even batted an eye, such a cool kid (I'm glad he inherited the "non-stress" attitude gene from Ron).

Miraculously, Mason's car finished and weighed in great! He even won the Pinewood Derby! Crazy! He was so excited and so proud, he didn't even lose one race. I'm thankful that Ron is such a great Dad and cares about his kids and even silly little pinewood Derby events despite his busy work schedule and church calling.

 "Most Aerodynamic Car" Award

 I still can't believe he got 1st place

Middle of the night Math sheet

Noah cracks me up. Last night Ron went in to check on the boys after we put them to bed and he caught Noah by the night light with a pencil and paper in hand doing his Math fact sheet. Earlier that evening he didn't want to go on the Family walk because he was working on his "homework". The same Math fact sheet. He didn't actually have homework yesterday because of his school field trip and Track and Field Day the following morning. So I guess he decided to give himself homework?!?! Silly kid. I don't know why I'm surprised. He's a lot like Ron so why shouldn't he be good and enjoy Math? Mason calls Noah an "early learner" LOL I think it's a very true statement. All my kids have their own strengths and talents. One of Noah's gifts is his quick and alert mind.

This morning he sounded more like a normal child when he informed me that finishing his math fact sheet "earned time" on the Wii. I'm such a mean mom. I don't just let them play video games they have to earn it by practicing the piano, working on math facts, phonograms... etc. We have a whole list of options. (He even graded his own paper. haha)

Grateful Tears

Last Thursday I went to Walmart before work with one goal in mind. I was desperate and needed a body pillow. I have been having issues sleeping at night. Between Sciatic nerve issues and just simply being pregnant, I've never experienced it this bad before. Noah and Callie were good sports at the store as I made a return and then headed for the pillow aisle. I walked up and down that aisle looking for a body pillow. They had King size pillows, decorative pillows, the works but NO body pillow to be seen. I was feeling discouraged and needed to head home to drop my kids off with the sitter and go to work. As I started leaving the store I saw a Walmart employee and asked them if there was any other pillow sections. He started walking me right back where I came from and we bumped into a woman shopping. Hanging out of her cart was a large body pillow!!! I was so excited. I asked her where she got it. She replied with apologetic eyes "Over there, but it was the last one". My heart sank and think she saw the sadness in my eyes as I lead Callie back down the aisle towards the Walmart employee. She yelled after me "Here you take it!". I turned and adamantly refused. I wasn't about to steal a pillow out of her cart. We then proceeded to have the most awkward "polite argument" in public I'm sure that Walmart has ever witnessed.
"No REALLY! You need this more than me!"
"No thank you! That's really sweet but I'm not going to take your pillow"
"No you have kids. I can go to Target today"
"No really it's fine. I'll just stop by Target on my way home from work."
... back and forth...
I think the Walmart employee was chuckling to himself and rolling his eyes at the same time. Finally, She insisted, handed the large pillow to Noah, and started walking off. I thanked her and rushed to the check out. I was walking out of Walmart and just overcome with gratitude for this complete stranger doing such a kind service. Even now journaling this silly experience I'm getting choked up and crying (I blame the raging pregnancy hormones inside me). I actually slept pretty good that night and I think as silly as it sounds that pillow was an answer to my prayers. I really do wish I could find that kind-hearted woman and thank her properly. But for now my heart is just overflowing with gratitude and I'm still thanking my Father in Heaven for her.