Ellas movie...

Ella likes to make movies all the time.  This is her latest

Our life now days

Abby is 6 weeks old today.  In some ways it has gone fast and in other ways it has gone slowly.  

But we have enjoyed it.  I am trying to enjoy even the hard moments because Abby really is sweet and my kids dont deserve a grouchy mom. 

This is Abby's bunk mate.  Ella frequently has her baby wrapped up and sleeping by Abby. So we have two babies in this house. 

Tyler was trying a Neapolitan Shake the other day. Chocolate, Strawberry, and Vanilla.  at the same time. Darren (behind Tyler) went and bought himself another shake after this photo.  He didn't want the backwash!

Ella lis getting ready for kindergarten.  She surprised me with this the other day.  

This picture is Abby at 5 weeks- She is growing so big and strong. 

Ella says she is Abby's second mom.  Ella cant get enough of her.  

Abby is sleeping pretty well.  She goes about 5-7 hours between feedings at night so I am sleeping ok. 

Ella found some mail packaging.  It started out on top of her dress but quickly changed to pregnant Ella. 

All in all, we are well.  Darren is busy at work.  He might make it home to see the kids before bed if we are lucky.  Tyler is happy and helpful.  He loves to see Abby and hold her.  Ella is my little helper at home. And Abby is our little dolly. She gets carried around to all kinds of things.  

Ella turns 5

Ella turned 5 back in March.  But, lucky me had a 9 day old baby and wasn't up for much.  

In comes my sister Jenny (Jonnn) to the rescue.  

I told her a few things I had already planned and she took over and did the rest. 

The rest being- about every thing!

Ella just told me two days ago, Mom, I loved my birthday party, it was so much fun!

Thank you Jenny!  I owe you!

Jenny went to the dollar store and got tinker bell bingo, tinker bell treat bags. 

The prize for bingo was super fun ring pops. 

Jenny got fun food and snacks. 

Jenny brought pin the tiara on the princess.  

Even her son Miles loved the game.  When the girls painted their finger nails and toe nails, he was right there pulling off his socks too. 

All the girls got to make necklaces with cute beads.  No picture of that... but it was fun!

I need to also thank my sister Candace for taking all the boys to the park for 2 hours so Ella could have a fun girl party.  Also Renee for being here and helping with the games and food. 

I would have a sad little 5 year old if I didn't' have sisters who helped me with this party.  

Ella and I are so grateful!

Ella is 41.9" inches. Weight 36.5 lbs

Ellas movie

Ella made a cute video that makes me smile.  She is excited to have her sister do tummy time.

Expect Much from my Mom

My mom sent all her children an email... I thought it was good. 

I just want to share with you my philosophy about raising children and for that matter interacting with other people.  I have told some of you this many times but this time it is going in writing. 

 

I believe people and children in particular do just about exactly what you expect them to do.  I have learned that when a child is left on their own they regress and don't do much or go anywhere worthwhile.  We all need support and encouragement and sometimes downright pushing.  I also believe all this can be done in a Christ-like manner.  Love is the most important thing.  Do it with love. 

 

A child can learn that church is a reverent place and they need to sit quietly on the bench.  They can learn to work, study,develop talents and serve others.  They can learn a foreign language and serve a mission.  They can go to college, get a higher degree, a good job, save money and be obedient.  Most of this all depends on what is expected of the individual.  If no expectation is there how will they learn that there are laws in life and that they have potential.  Our Heavenly Father has certainly let us know what our possibilities are and has given us guidelines to achieve them. 

 

I once learned of a study that was done on elephants.  There was a herd of wild, mean, aggressive juvenile elephants that were atypical in their behavior.  When the situation was analyzed it was learned that they had been separated from the rest of the herd and were on their own.  Given no rules and no expectation or modeling from the adult, particularly the bull elephants they turned to aggressive, mean behavior treating other animal in abnormal ways.  Other juvenile elephants who remained with their herd were completely different. It was learned the adult bulls provided modeling behaviors for younger elephants, keeping them in line.  (if you want to read about this study go to "In the Absence of Fathers: A Story of Elephants and Men." on the internet.) 

 

All that said,  I believe children and people do just about exactly what you expect them to do---so expect much.

 

This email is absolutely not directed to anyone in particular it is just a thought that has been on my mind for some time and I want you to all know my philosophy about expectations.  Expect and love!  Mom/Nola 

The best thing about being pregnant!!

We have lots of windows in our kitchen and nice wood floors.  But these two things make for very cold winters.  I wear slippers or socks all winter.  I typically wear a jacket all day long too.  I just don't like being cold.  I didn't even notice until I was 8 months pregnant and Darren started calling me his little heater... but I realized... I WAS WARM!

I wasn't wearing socks, or a jacket... I would crawl into bed at night and I didn't' even notice the cold sheets.  I could get out of the shower and not dread the cold air outside.  Darren would crawl into bed and he would actually cuddle up to me to get warm instead of the opposite!

While all this changed right when this picture was taken.   This little heating device came out of me and my warm days were over.  I now notice my cold toes and am back to wearing jackets all day long.  So there is one really great thing to being pregnant in the winter... your warm!

A few fun pictures

A few fun pictures... 

The last few weeks of pregnancy, I would go walk the hills at the park next to me.  I would talk on the phone or listen to something.  One time I looked down and laughed wondering ... where are my feet... this is all I saw!

Darren got to stay home with Abby one Sunday.  They both were enjoying a nice Sunday nap on the couch when I came home. 

The kids love to hold Abby.  They ask all the time. 

One day I was feeding Abby and Ella ran and got her baby along with highchair and bottle because she wanted to feed her baby too. 

Lots of cousins. Jordan, Tyler, Michael, Isaac

Ella, Beth, Tessa, Grace and Miles

Ella started soccer.  She LOVES it!  She has such a hard time waiting for it all day long. 

Ella reading to grandma Balls.  WITH HER LEGS CROSSED.  She is so cute. 

My moms birthday.  Renee made her a "cake".  It was a cantaloupe cut in half with all kinds of fruits toothpicked to it.  

At two weeks Abby was up 12% in weight.  Weight- 7.15  Height- 20.4" Head 14.1

Abby's Birth Story

I need to write this story down before I forget it.  

Sunday, St. Patricks Day, March 17th, we were in church and there were several times I noticed I was having cramps.  I didn't think it was the start of labor but I guess it was.  I had told several woman in church if I was here for yet another Sunday I would bring doughnuts and Cheetos so we could all eat and be happy together.  So I did... I brought doughnuts and we passed them around in Relief Society.  It was wonderful!

Then we went home and enjoyed a quite Sunday.  We went for a walk at about 3:00.  We ran into our friend Bethany who had her large fast dog with her.  I asked if I could hold the leash.  I noticed more cramps but didn't think much of it. 

We came home and had hot chocolate.  I had two big contractions and vocalized to Darren that these cramps were hurting.  I started to wonder if I was going to have this baby soon. 

By 6:00 PM I was starting to really ... hope.  I didn't want to be sure, because then the contractions would probably stop! We put the kids to bed at 7:00 and told them we might not be here in the morning.  But Grandma would be if we weren't.  

I started some laundry and ironed Darren's shirts.  I wanted to make sure everything was ready:)  I stepped outside in the back yard to call my mom and walk at 8:00 and told her the contractions were about 8-10 minutes apart.  But I assured her that it would probably be in the morning, and I was sure that this process would take hours and hours.  

At 9:00 Darren and I went out the front door and for thirty minutes we walked up the street three houses and then back down the street three houses... then Darren would check on the kids.  We only did this for 30 minutes because I was getting tired and the contractions were about 5-6 minutes apart by then.  I would have to stop and lean on my neighbors mailboxes when a contraction came. 

I finally told Darren I was too tried to walk all night and I was still sure this was going to be an all night thing.  so we went in and packed a bag for the hospital and then we tried to lay down and get some sleep for the night.  That lasted for about 10 minutes.  The contractions were getting stronger.  I love my hypnobirthing class I took.  I was able to relax and breath through the contractions.  At one point I thought I was going to throw up and ran to the bathroom.  At that point Darren said, I think we should call your mom, the last couple contractions have been 2 minutes apart.  

My mom was there so fast.  We walked out as she walked in.  I listened to my "Rainbow Relaxation" all the way to St. Marks.  The 15 minute drive seemed to go really fast for me, but I know Darren was really stressed and thought I was going to deliver in the car.  

I was still convinced I was hours and hours away from delivering.  I was worried I would get to the hospital and the contractions would stop and they would tell me I was at a 3 still and then send me home.  So I had Darren drop me off at the entrance... I walked myself in to Labor and Delivery. I refused the wheel chair.  The walk was only a 20 second walk but it took me about 5-6 minutes to do it.   I kept telling them I had to walk so I could keep the labor process going.  

I checked myself in. and walked to my room.  I told them I needed to go to the bathroom.  They didn't want to let me.  I was at a 7.5 dilated.  I was so relieved.  I wasn't at a 3 still! My midwife, Julie Frenette, was called and came running into the room 30 minutes later.  I was at a 9.5.  Time to push.  

My water never broke.  Julie kept trying to break it but Abby's head was too low.  I think that really helped lessen the pain of the contractions.  It finally broke as Abby was coming out.  

I checked into the hospital at 11:45 and Abby was born at 1:22 AM.  Darren was the best thing ever.  He helped me be calm through every contraction.  I held his hand and he rubbed my arm.  I never even opened my eyes through it all... I wish I had, but I was so focused I didn't.  

I remember laughing between some contractions. I said things like... Those are the funniest sounds I am making.  

I remember saying Julie, I don't like this pain.  

I remember thinking... this is silly, who likes pain, epidurals are just fine.  But there wasn't ever a point where I wanted an epidural.  

So three contractions, three pushes for each contraction and she was out.  I told myself, just focus and push and she will be out soon!  They did have to give me some oxygen because I wasn't breathing well and the baby needed more oxygen.  But she was fine. 

 After she came out I got to hold her and was really proud of myself.  I joined the cool club like my sisters.  If they could do it I wanted to be able to do it! Then I started shaking and was so cold.  I guess your body goes into shock a bit after something like that.  I ate and slept and was happy.

 Abby did have some blood and amniotic fluid in her lungs and they had to pump that out at the hospital.  But besides that, the hospital stay was nice.  I ate, slept, worked on nursing Abby and had visitors.  All in all, I would do a natural birth again any day.  I would also walk and be active during pregnancy.  I think it really helps!

7 lbs 4 oz

19 inches long