~Four Weeks~

Can you believe Kiersten is already four weeks old!?!?!? Here is her four week photo...I've taken a photo of all our children once a week for their first twelve weeks. It is so neat to watch them grow!

and here is a photo from Sunday in her first princess dress;-)

I'm doing well..thanks for asking! Keeping up with all my household stuff...even went grocery shopping. The only thing I have to fit back into my schedule is school and we have been doing a little bit here and there. I've been afraid to start any long term projects (like baking bread) since we are not on a real schedule yet...getting close though!

Kiersten has been doing very well! She goes to bed around 10:30...last night she slept til 5 am! and went back to sleep til 8 am! I'm starting to feel more awake and went through most of the day without that tired headache I've been living with. Living without sleep doesn't work well for me...or for my boys. They like when mom is well rested!

~Blanket is Done~

Done! Yay! I needed to have this gift finished by next Saturday...I even have time to spare!I used two colors at the same time with a 10.00mm (size N) hook...I like how it looks!
I got the idea from here but only used a regular weight yarn so I used a smaller hook...I can't wait to make one for our family! I also used acrylic yarn...not my favorite. We are a totally cotton family! I found a good price for cones of cotton yarn here and they even have double weight cotton!!! Going to order some this afternoon! Gregg requested Black and Ecru...can't wait to see that combo!

~Random Photos~

Kiersten's many faces...

I'm trying to use every spare moment to crochet a blanket... Love this!

She is a cutie when she is sleeping!

~Three Weeks~

It has been a busy week for Kiersten...her cord fell off last Thursday, doctor appointment on Friday, church all day Sunday, Grocery shopping with mom (and some thrifting!) on Monday, a walk in the stroller on Tuesday, and Prayer Meeting today. Such a little joy!

~The Simple Life~

It's a simple life I've been living these past three weeks...feed, change, rock, repeat. I'm enjoying every minute of it too! A little more sleep would be good...but we are getting there!

There is something special about having a baby in the house...falling in love all over again...what a blessed mom I am! A little cranky right now but blessed (need more sleep!)


Kiersten continues to amaze me! She only got up one time Sunday night! (don't ask about last night!) She is still very content and alert. She had a doctor visit on Friday and we were pleased to learn she now weighs 8 lb 4 oz!


Jared got a bad case of poinson ivy on his legs and poor Nathan and Aaron caught a stomach bug (haven't a clue where they got it because we have really only been home!) last week but the whole family is back to their normal healthy selves!


I've been working here and there on some projects...crochet, sewing, scrapbooking. I'll be sure to share when I complete something...but don't hold your breath...it seems like everything is completed in slow motion lately:-)


We have been gifted with many fine clothes for Kiersten and many yummy meals from our friends! The boys were also give a huge set of model trains in all scale sizes. They will be busy building this winter!


The weather has turned cooler but today was such a beautiful day that I decided to go for a walk! Ahhhh, it felt so good to feel the sun shining on me!


Here are a few photos to enjoy...

~2 weeks~

Kiersten is two weeks old today!

~Total Randomness~

I've had a very restful week. Gregg worked two days from home and two days at work. One of the days he was gone a lady from our church spent the day helping me clean and she made a yummy meal for supper!

I have been going through my huge magazine pile this week. I like to read while I am nursing Kiersten!

My first random thought is how much I've learned about our nation. I have not been reading my news magazine for some time and was very disturbed with all that is going on with healthcare, education and churches. All I will say on these issues is it is very disturbing!

On a happier note...Check out these products that are new to me!

All edges brownie pan...

I don't know about everyone else but I don't like the edges as much as that nice soft gooey center piece! What do you all think about this brownie pan!?!?!?!

Look at this crock butter bell...

Or this nice glass one...

We are forever trying to soften butter for toast or grilled sandwiches or, or, or...I have tried to keep butter on the counter but it always seems to get kinda yucky...anyone know if one of these works well!?!?!?!

And lastly, of course, we have Kiersten news:-) A visiting nurse came on Wednesday to check her out and she also weighed her...Kiersten has not only regained her birth weight of 7 lb 5 oz but gained an additional 3 oz!

I have taken some time to do some sewing as well...I found this free pattern for an Itty Bitty Baby Dress (easy to make!) online and made my little sweetie a dress...

Speaking of my little lady...here is what she looks like today...

Happy Weekend!

~Two Wheelin~

Can you believe I have news not baby related!?!?!? Haha! Life goes on doesn't it!

Eric is now riding a two wheel bike! No more training wheels!

It didn't take him long to learn...Gregg only worked with him twice.

~Birth Day Story~

Almost a week later...can't believe how time flies!

Anyway, here is Kiersten's Birth Day story:-)

Tuesday September 1st was a rough day for me. I had been up three times that night with contractions. Long enough and strong enough that I could not sleep (this was the third night of contractions). They continued throughout the day off and on. It didn't matter what I did or didn't do...they just kept coming. My body was sore from baby moving about too. Late evening I thought it would feel good to take a little walk. It was a beautiful cool evening and I felt much better afterwards. After putting the boys to bed, I took a nice long, hot shower. Everything was cleaned up from the day and everything was in place for the next day. I went to go to bed at 1o:30 but the contractions started again at 10:34. I thought I would just read a magazine for a half hour or so and they would stop so I could go to sleep. Not too long after that, Gregg came to bed. I told him not to get comforitable...although it was 11:05 before I decided this was the real thing!

Gregg called our sitter and I called the midwife. I started getting ready...not too much to pack at this point. We left the house a little before midnight...with contractions coming every 3 minutes. Much more intense than the labor I had with the last two. Not a fun ride in for me...or poor Gregg!

delivery room

We arrived at the hospital at 12:20, I was put in a wheelchair and taken to the delivery room. Gregg tried to light a fire under the nurses as it seemed they were not aware I was ready to push. The midwife finally came (I say finally because it seemed forever, I'm sure it was only minutes!) and checked me...9 cm. She finished getting her stuff ready and finally told me I could push. Six pushes later (and some stuck shoulders...ouch!) a beautiful baby appeared in my arms. It took me a few moments to calm down and breath before I realized I hadn't heard "It's a ..." So, I looked and couldn't believe it! A GIRL! I laughed and cried and laughed some more!

Kiersten's apgars were 8 and 9 and she had no problem retaining heat. She was very alert from the begining and stole our hearts immediately. She didn't look like any of the boys for another 12 hours...I think she favors Gregg's family. She has such a cute little round face.

When Kiersten came back from her bath, she was wearing a pink and white sleeper. Too cute! I loved that the hospital dressed her! The boys were all very excited to hold her when they came in the morning.

I spent my time trying to nap and playing with my digital scrapbooking program (I'll have to tell you about that sometime).

We stayed at the hospital until Thursday at 3 when we were discharged. I had some wonderful nurses (who all really enjoyed my gifts) and a complimentary special dinner with Gregg. My parents watched the boys those two days and that was a big help!

Kiersten is doing well...she is very content at this point. I am coming along too. Thank you for all your wonderful comments, thoughts, and prayers. It was so fun sharing the news with you all!

~Still here...Still just hanging out~

I am really enjoying this down time!

Here are some photos from Saturday...




And here is one from Sunday...

This was taken in the dress my mom made for me to come home from the hospital in. I was born five weeks early and was tiny. She used a doll dress for the pattern. It was a bit tight on Kiersten's arms and I could not snap the back...but it made for a fun photo shoot and surprised my mom when I emailed her the picture!

~Kiersten - 2 Days

As far as I know, there is nothing else going on in the world at the moment...so you will have to stick with me, OK!?!?!??!

The boys went shopping today with dad...they wanted to get Kiersten something to wear that wasn't pink! Hehehe!

All I did was take care of Kiersten and myself:-) Of course, I was taken care of by all my men...every need, want and desire fulfilled! I could get used to this!

~Home~

Going home outfit!

Isn't she sweet!

I'm doing well...I'll try to post about the adventure in a day or two but thought you'd like to know we are home!

~Brotherly Love~

~Daddy's Girl~

~Cute as a Button~

~Big News~

~The View from My Chair~

A few years ago, I planted a butterfly bush outside my living room window. It is nice and big now! I enjoy sitting by the window crocheting and watching the bees and butterflies.