Outnumbered

Gee, it's been a long time since I posted last! I thought things were going pretty well, but I think the lack of sleep caught up with me! Everett isn't sleeping quite as well as she was the first couple of weeks, hopefully that changes soon! I think the hardest part is adjusting to being outnumbered!! I didn't realize how easy we had it with 2!

Otherwise things are going fairly well. Everett is eating (a lot) and growing bigger. She's starting to fill out a bit. I fondly call her the 'toot monster', she toots all the time!! Some would even make Uncle Kent proud! She's even woken up Tad at night with them!! Emery loves going to school on her 1 day a week, and enjoys spending her other days with mom and Evie. We go to the mall to walk, or shopping, or to Costco/Sam's. She even got to eat pizza at 10 in the morning one day! Mom caved easily at Costco when she asked for a snack! Emery's newest tag line is 'whatever'. It's hilarious to hear her say it. She says it in context and with the funniest attitude! Ella is LOVING pre-k!! We can't call it preschool, she's very specific that it's pre-k! She loves to spell words and practice her upper and lower case letters! She's growing up so fast!!

As many of you know Tad's sister is going through a divorce. It's been a trying time for her, and we are doing our best to support her as much as we can. I ask that you give her your thoughts and prayers as she goes through this difficult time. This is causing a huge strain in the 'R' family, and relationships are very fragile. We can only hope that when it's all over that those relationships can be repaired.

The past couple of days have not been that great in our household. I've had the flu, and I think Evie wasn't feeling that well either. She didn't sleep more than 20 min at a time yesterday and was extremely cranky. I struggled throughout the past couple days with aches and pains, along with a fever, and cold/hot sweats. Nana and Papa were to the rescue yesterday by watching the older to E's for us. Today is going much better for me at least. The jury is still out on Evie!

I don't have any new pictures of my own to post, I haven't downloaded any from my camera from all the family visits yet :( However, my photographer has posted our newborn session on her website. To view the pictures go to:

http://cynthiagullett.com/

click on client, and then the password is 'baby'.

I hope you enjoy these as much as I do!! I think she did a great job!! She was extremely patient, as Evie was not having a great day!

I hope all is well with you and your families!! I hope to post more soon!

Growth spurt?

Hi everyone! Everett is still doing well, however I think she's going through a growth spurt. It started on Thursday (I think, my days are kinda messed up!), she eats every 1 1/2 - 2 hours. She doesn't sleep long, maybe 20-30 minute time spans. I don't remember these with the bigger girls, but maybe this is what your mind blocks! I hope it ends soon, I can't get anything else done but feed her, change her, and try to keep her happy!! Thankfully she is still giving us at least 1 long sleep at night, generally between 4-5.5 hours. I usually have to wake her up because I need her to eat! It takes a while to get her back to sleep, but she tends to give us another 2-3 hour nap. Now if I could just get her on a schedule, I could start taking the bigger girls to preschool instead of relying on Nana and Papa T!!

Our photographer was here on Friday, one of Everett's heavy eating days. Cindy had to stay for 4.5 hours to try and capture everything. I think Everett ate at least 3 times, maybe 4. We took a short break for lunch, but we got it done. She sent me some samples on Friday, and they are breathtaking! As soon as she has them available in her gallery, I'll post the link here for you to view!

Otherwise, things are going pretty well. Tad took the bigger girls to the KSU game yesterday. They visited Great Nana F, and were ready to go to Willie's house! They got their snacks, restroom breaks, and Emery was ready to go before 1st quarter ended! She quickly settled in for a nap, and they made it through 3rd quarter. Nana and Papa T came over and watched the game with Everett and I. Today we made it to the park, and out to the girls favorite restaurant for an early dinner. I got to practice nursing in public, which is new to me! I did fairly well for the first time, not sure if anyone got flashed or not! Oh well! It was too beautiful of a day to spend it inside! the whole week is supposed to be beautiful, so I hope we can get out a bit!

Have a safe and happy week! I'll try and post some more pics of the girls later this week!

I'm in LOVE!!! *sigh*

Wow, it's already been a week! I'm completely and totally in love! *sigh* Everett eats well, sleeps well- almost 5 hours at night, then another 3 hours after eating. She hardly cries, and when she does is quickly calmed down. It's pretty amazing! Sometimes I think we have a doll, not a baby!! I guess 3rd time was the charm! I finally have a baby that eats well- that is a huge relief, but to sleep well and hardly cry? We are extremely blessed! Check out the pics of my sweetness below! Not sure why the black and white photos are showing up funny- I'll keep working on those!!

On another note, today marks the first day of preschool (pre-k) for Ella and children's day out for Emery. Nana T took them for us today. Ella skipped off to class, while Emery needed some persuading. Here's a pic before they left this morning!!

Baby Ru has ARRIVED!!!!

Wow-Baby Ru is here!! After a long awaited arrival, Baby Ru decided not to be evicted but to make an entrance on the due date!! I went to bed on Tuesday night with sporadic contractions- nothing new. At 2:30 am I woke up and the contractions were about 10 min apart. I woke Tad between 3 and 3:30, and they were still about 10 min apart. We weren't too worried yet as the same thing happened the week before. Around 4 am I headed downstairs to change position. The contractions then went to 6 min apart, then 3. We called Nana and Papa T to come over around 4:30, and the doctor. We left the house at 5:10 and arrived at the hospital at 5:30.

From that time on, it got a little crazy. The contractions were hard, fast, and furious. I got an IV at 5:40, and they started to try an epidural at 6:00. However, it wasn't taking effect as I was in serious pain with each contraction. They re-dosed, and then tried another medication. Nothing was helping because I was progressing to fast. I had one contraction last 3 minutes. The nurse and dr were talking about how the contractions were on top of one another and I wasn't getting a break. The dr decided to check, and with one look she told me it was time to push!!

It was 6:30 a.m. and I wasn't ready, I was too scared because my epidural still wasn't working!! I quickly gave in, and Baby Ru arrived at 6:36! As Tad said, 'It's another girl!' We were thrilled!! the dr thought she looked smaller compared to the older girls, but she weighed in at a whopping 8lbs 9.5oz!! Not too dainty!! She measured 20.5" long.

We named her Everett Brooke! Everett to keep up with our 'E' theme, and because we loved the name. Brooke after her daddy's middle name. She is quite beautiful if I say so myself!! Beautiful round head (due to quick labor!), fair skin, and a small amount of medium brown hair!! Her daddy and I are quite proud of what beautiful girls we produce!! Take a look for yourself!!

Ella and Emery were too happy to meet and greet their new sister! They were very giggly, and eager to hold her. They keep touching her as if she isn't quite real yet!!

We'll post more later! We're still at the hospital, but go home tomorrow, so we should have more pictures soon!

D-day minus 2

Well, this baby is NOT wanting to leave it's warm safe environment! I had an OB appt this morning, and no change from last week. Still dilated at a 4, still have only gained 9 lbs :( We are officially giving Baby Ru an eviction notice on Thursday at 7am if he/she hasn't made their arrival before then.

The girls are getting excited, and Tad and I are trying to finish last minute projects, organize, and trying to prepare as much as we can!!

We'll try and keep you all posted. You may get an e-mail before a phone call, or the phone call may be from someone relaying the message! Bear with us!! We'll try and get you all updated as quickly as we can!!

Hope everyone is well, safe and happy! We look forward to talking to you soon!!

10 days till D Day!!

Wow- hard to believe how fast this has gone!! 10 days until due date, and I'm ready!! Uncomfortable doesn't begin to describe how I feel!!

Anyway, I went out with my new photographer friend Cindy last Wednesday for some more fun shots, and to practice my skills. Cindy was practicing head shots for her new website- and I was the willing guinea pig!!

Here are a couple from that day!! I was 38 weeks exactly!! Gotta love the signs on the wall in the middle one!

Almost 38 weeks!

Well, I failed miserably at taking pictures this past week or so. I honestly haven't felt that great to do so, these last weeks are so much fun- NOT!!

Anyway, I had a checkup this morning. I'm dialated between a 2-3. I used to think this meant that birth was close, but it doesn't! I got the same news with Emery at 38 weeks, and she waited till her due date!! The other news was that I'm measuring smaller than normal for this stage. The dr isn't worried, it was just a general statement. Probably due to my issue with gaining weight. So, she doesn't believe this is another 9 pounder on it's way, she thinks it'll be smaller. Whew!

I've been having a lot of contractions, but nothing regular. Emery did this to me too! So, while I get excited at the thought of contractions and being dialated, it doesn't really mean anything! I know it's better for the baby to stay in as long as possible, and it's easier on me. It's just so darn uncomfortable!!

Now is the time to place your wager!! Gender, weight, height, day and time!! Let's see who can get the closest!! E-mail me with your guess, or post it on here. Tad's oldest nephew won it with Emery. In fact, he's been close both times, and has always gotten the gender correct!

Hope everyone is safe and happy!! Talk to you soon!