It's a GIRL.....again!

And we couldn't be happier! As much as I wanted a boy, and as much as I thought this WAS a boy, Paige 100% completes our family! Never having had sisters of my own, I'm selfishly jealous of the years ahead my three girls will have together. It might get a little rough in 10 years when we have 16, 14 and 10 yr old girls all in one house, but we'll get through it I'm sure.

Unfortunately, the labor and delivery proved to be the hardest one yet. You'd think by the third one, your body would know what to do and just do it. Not the case this time around. Paige was sunny side up, making her delivery very difficult and LONG! But, after 8 hours of pretty hard labor (back labor), she finally made her appearance at 10:15 pm, April 23rd, weighing 8 lbs even and measuring 20 inches long.

Her big sisters are doing great. Lauren has been a mother hen and Reese, well, she has her moments but overall has been great.

So far, Paige has been an amazing baby. The first night home was kinda rough but that's to be expected I think. Ever since then she's been perfect. I know this trend can't continue, we aren't that lucky, but last night she slept from 11:30 until 5, and the night before from 10 till 4. I pray every night our luck holds out, but I know it's only a matter of time before the sleepless nights begin! In the meantime, I plan to enjoy every minute of sleep!

And the nerves have set in....

It's official.....the nerves have set in!!! Tomorrow is the big day. I go to the doc at 8 am to get induced and I've officially started freaking out in anticipation of the upcoming PAIN! As long as this labor goes as fast as Reese's I'll be fine. If it lasts a minute longer, I might die!

The next post will be pics of our newest addition, Paige or Gabe! Until then......

Life never goes as planned...

6 months ago, I couldn't wait for summer to get here. I had pictures in my head of me sitting on the back patio, the girls on the swing set and the baby in the stroller. Fast forward 6 months and everything has changed. About the only thing not changing, is the fact that this baby is going to be born Friday whether we are ready or not!

Last Thursday, Troy accepted a job at Maquoketa Valley, in Dehli, Iowa. What does that mean to me and the kids? It means we're moving! There goes my peaceful, quiet, laid back, do whatever we want summer!

Let the house hunting begin. The plan right now is to try to find a place in Dyersville. Troy will have about a 15 minute commute and I will have about a 30 minute commute. I'm not to worried about the time on the road, as I already have about a 20 minute commute anyway. I am on the other hand worried about selling our house, getting the girls settled in a new town and registered for school/daycare, etc....oh, and giving birth to another child in 3 days! Sigh.

So anyway, as you can probably tell, life has been a little twazy here this past week and there is no end in site for it to settle down anytime soon. I know this is the right choice for our family, as we wanted to get the kids into a small town before Lauren got into 3rd or 4th grade. So when this opportunity presented itself, we figured timing shouldn't stop us from doing this for our family. It's going to be crazy for a year or so.....and initially I think the cons are going to out weigh the pros..... but eventually, I know the pros are going to out weigh the cons.

If anyone is interested in helping us move.......just call! I promise we won't turn you down! And I also promise lots of cold beer!

Let the Countdown Begin....

Had a doc appointment yesterday. If I don't go by next Friday, they are going to induce me!!! (If you could only see the smile on my face through a computer!!!!) I can't complain about this pregnancy to much. The first trimester was kinda tough. I was nausious through most of it, but other than that, it was fine....up until the last 3 weeks that is. I haven't been able to sleep very well cause of back pain, and we all know sleepless nights can lead to some pretty long days. So I'm anxious for this little bambino to leave my body!

The girls are very excited & very curious all at the same time. Reese keeps asking "how the baby is going to get born". It's adorable how she says it.

And Lauren is a little upset that she can't be there when the baby is born. She keeps saying it's not fair that she has to go to school that day and Daddy gets to go the hospital w/ me! We keep reassuring her that as soon as the baby is born Grandma & Grandpa will bring her straight to the hospital to see us.

Lauren still wants a boy and Reese still wants a girl. I guess one of them is bound to get their way!

Spring is FINALLY here!

Well, it's only been about a month since my last post. No excuse, I just simply didn't have much to post about and have been a little preoccupied. Either way, I'm back. But probably not for long. The baby is due in 16 days, but I'm hoping to get induced in 12 days. After he/she gets here, I'm gonna guess my blogs might be a little short for a while also. But, I'll do my best to get pics out there of the little one.

Anyway, here are some pictures from Easter. I don't have to many as our Easter was a little different from years past. Troy's grandma turned 80 this year, so his extended family had a get together in Des Moines. Troy gave me the most wonderful present in years.....TWO WHOLE DAYS HOME ALONE! He and the girls left on Friday morning and got home late Saturday night. It was an amazing couple days, relaxing and having me time. I was able to watch a couple chick flicks, spent quite a bit of time washing bottles, bedding, toys, etc. getting ready for the baby. But by Saturday night, I was more than ready for them to come home. Seriously, what did we do before we had kids!?!?!?

Easter Sunday was very nice and relaxing as well. We went to church early, slightly afraid the 10:00 mass might be a little long for our blessed second born who 99% of the time asks "Mom, how much longer?" just as Father is giving his opening prayer! After mass, we went out for breakfast as a family and came home w/ nothing on our agenda other than to wait for Grandma & Grandpa to arrive home from Arizona!

Mom and dad pulled into our driveway about 7 that night to surprise the girls which was a wonderful way to end the day.

This weekend we didn't have much on the agenda either (notice a trend here?). I just haven't been feeling very comfy the last couple weeks, and hanging out at home in my fat pants is about the only place I care to be lately. We did go out for our "last supper" Friday night w/ Paula and Jason to Tony Roma's. It was very nice but w/ one 8 1/2 month pregnant lady and another 4 1/2 month pregnant lady, needless to say the night didn't get to twazy! I think we were home and in bed by 9:45! HA!

The girls had a great weekend playing outside. I don't think they came in once yesterday. Which resulted in Reese passing out on the couch at 7:40 last night. Lauren proved to be a trooper tho, staying outside w/ the neighbors until after 10. And yes, she has been VERY tired today.

The neighborhood girls had their first lemonade stand today. It was so cute. They were SO excited. It was like a bunch of little entrepreneurs w/ all these ideas on how to make this even more successful.....which I do have to say, they made over $17. So we either have very thrifty neighbors or we really need to push these girls into business school at a young age!!!

Lighten the Mood

So after such a heavy blog about Paula and everything going on there, I figured I'd lighten the mood a bit.

On my way home from the hospital last week, I called Troy to chat. After I got off the phone, he must have told the girls about Paula and described it as an infection in her blood. So, an hour or so later I get home and here is how the conversation goes b/w me and my youngest challenge:

Reese: "Mom, how's Paula's butt?"
Me: "What?"
Reese: "Her butt? How's her butt?"
Me: "Sweetheart, what are you talking about?"
Reese: "Dad said she has an infection in her butt...........how's her butt?"
Me (trying to hold back some much needed laughter): "Ha! Do you mean her blood?"
Reese: "Oh."

God obviously knows how to deliver much needed laughter when needed the most! Thanks for the laugh Reese....You're always good for a few here and there!

The Power of Prayer

The power of prayer can work miracles.


My best friend Paula, who is the closest thing I have to a sister, is sick. She went to the hospital last Saturday, with what they believed was a kidney infection, but her symptoms rapidly got worse, and they ended up rushing her to the University of Iowa Hospitals on Tuesday.


After multiple tests, and alot of long days, they officially diagnosed her yesterday w/ what is called Transverse Myelitis. By definition, this is a neurological disorder caused by inflammation across the spinal cord. They are going to start her on a treatment called Plasmaphofesis.

Anyone that knows Paula, knows she is the definition of fun & love. The girl can't sit still for longer than 30 seconds on a good day, and would move heaven and earth for any of her friends and family. I am so blessed to have her in my life and can't imagine my world w/o her.

So, I figured I'm throw this post out there in hopes that whoever reads it can say a quick prayer for her full recovery. It's seems so unfair when this kind of thing happens to such unbelievable people, so all I can hope is that there is a reason for this that I can't possibly comprehend at this time, but someday will.

Paula, our friendship means the world to me and I hope you know that. Love ya bud.....