A Love for Reading

It's hard to admit but I am not an avid reader. I consider myself doing good if I can squeeze in my daily scripture study (and even that is usually while I'm multitasking and exercising on the elliptical...) I know I'm pathetic. But my kids on the other hand for some reason all LOVE books. The library is practically Disneyland to my kids. Noah and Mason recently received their own library cards and they think that is SUPER cool. They take it very seriously. I love it. Both boys are becoming quite the readers and I love that too! Noah really enjoys reading "Informative books" as he calls them, and then will write about what he has read in  his journal. At school the last couple months they have kept track of how many books they have read. The kindergartners get a ribbon and metal if they reach 100 books by the end of the year. Noah got to 193! I'm so proud of him. Mason, Noah and Callie are all constantly reading to April and I've managed to catch some of it on video.

I'm not sure where they picked up this love of reading (like I said I'm not much of a reader)... I figure someday I will have time to read. For now, I just really enjoy watching my kids read and reading to my kids.

Let's Play Music

Mason graduated Let's Play Music this weekend. I came home from his concert on such a high. Mason LOVES music and he definitely showed it in this recital. I keep going back to my phone to watch the video clips I took of him performing, both singing and playing the Piano. I'm amazed at all my children's abilities and mostly their level of confidence. I don't think I was that confident at that age. being up on stage gave me butterflies and made me really nervous. Mason shines on stage! I can't believe I almost didn't sign him up for this. My good friend and next-door neighbor is their teacher. I think Let's Play Music has instilled a love of music in my kids. It has helped them gain an ear for music and started basic piano skills. I will admit piano practice wasn't always easy. There were times I wanted to drop it (I hate the fighting and arguing over music). Mason at times would only want to practice the music he already knew. I'm glad we stuck with it and I hope we can figure out piano practicing in the future. He really does seem to have a knack for the piano. I'm really sad I forgot my nice camera but thank goodness for camera phones.

Noah cracks me up. Before he actually started the Let's Play Music program I had quite a few conversations with him about starting music. EVERY time we talked about it he would inform me "No. I don't want to do music." or "No. I'm not going." LOL I was REALLY nervous he wouldn't like it and would not participate. It's an expensive program to take a kid that doesn't even want to be there. I honestly considered not enrolling him. (Save a few bucks.) After the first class he was hooked. He LOVED it and never complained about anything. The weeks I didn't go with him he would skip of to Ms. Christi's house. It was awesome! I love that about Noah's personality. He has to think about and analyze things before jumping on board.

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!