Jaelyn Faith

On Friday, July 16th at 6:43pm, Jaelyn finally decided to make her grand entrance!  And what an entrance it was!

(Most of these pictures are from our iPhones, so please forgive the quality!)

Justin was home from work that day, so we spent the morning cleaning up the house and making a CostCo run.  I was having contractions pretty close together but not very strong still - and I never would have guessed that I'd be holding her later that evening!  When we got home I noticed that the contractions were getting stronger, and after timing them and seeing they were less than three minutes apart we decided to head to the hospital.

After getting settled in at triage, my first check said I was only 4cm, and not very "soft".  Since my contractions were five minutes apart, they were talking about sending us home.  We had an amazing nurse named Robbie who, knowing I wanted a natural birth, suggested we walk the halls for an hour and come back to get checked again.  Almost two hours later I had a check and was at five and told I could stay.   I was thrilled!  The thought of getting sent home brought tears to my eyes - I was so DONE!

After that things moved very quickly.  Robbie gave us some coaching on breathing techniques and laboring positions, and we were off walking the halls again.  My contractions were much stronger, and I was questioning my own ability to get through labor unmedicated (because I was assuming I still had a long way to go -- my water hadn't even broken).  We were given a room, and shortly after I was in the tub - which I wish I had thought to use in my other labors!  It was much more comfortable than standing or sitting!

Around 6pm, I told Justin that I was feeling a lot of pressure - and that he should let the nurses know.  The ones at the nurses station assured him it was normal and fine.  A few minutes later, Robbie was back in asking me about it.  She suggested I get out of the tub for a check - after drying off and just making it over to the bed to sit, another contraction began that broke my water.  I remember calling out, "Now I want to push!"  She and Justin got me on the bed somehow and after a very quick check she was yelling down the hall for help, and call Dr Newman, and get the on-call doctor in here... the baby was ready!

I was shocked and relieved - those WERE intense contractions and I was not going to have to have medication!  I never even had an IV put in this time.  That, coupled with not having my water artifically broken, made this my first birth without any medication or intervention.  Yay!

An army of people came rushing into the room, including Kristen Self, our birth photographer, who made it just in the nick of time!  Two contractions later, Jaelyn had arrived!  She was 7 pounds, 9.5 ounces and 20.5 inches long.  She has a tiny dimple on her chin, and a bump on her ear - both features right from Daddy!  Actually, I think she looks just like his baby pictures!  I will have to post comparisons on that later!!!

Justin went to call his parents to say she arrived, and they were just pulling into the parking lot!  My parents arrived from Vegas just a few hours later - so everything truly lined up just perfectly.

She has some dark hair, about as much as Paige did - but with even more of a widow's peak.  She has been a great baby so far, nursing like a champ and looking all around healthy and perfect!

On Saturday the girls were able to come see her, along with Aunt Jen (who bought them their adorable shirts!) and Grandma Nel.  They were SO excited, especially Lauren!  

All the staff was really great to us, they even arranged everything so were were able to go home at 7pm on Saturday!  We were so happy to be able to sleep in our own beds (for the small amount that we have been sleeping!).

Jaelyn wasn't too excited about the carseat.  LOL!

She settled down just fine once we were moving.  =)

We picked up the girls and made in home just in time to tuck them into bed!

It was an amazing experience, and I am so glad we were patient and waited for when she was ready to arrive!  She is a sweet and snuggly addition to our family, and we are busy just loving her to bits right now!

Welcome home, precious girl!  

200

I was trying to save this, my 200th post for announcing the baby's arrival - but she appears to be content to hang out in my belly for the time being!  I have been contracting for several days now and keep thinking "today is the day" to no avail.  I am starting to wonder how long I might have been laboring with my other pregnancies had I not gone in to have my water broken!

Anyway, an update on the girls:  They are both very excited to see the baby and love to point out babies wherever we go!  Lauren is looking enormous to me, so tall and pretty.  She is not at all excited about starting Kindergarten in five weeks - but we are working on it!  When we talk about it, Paige always pipes up that she is going to go to school too -- which could be loads of fun to deal with.  ;o)  Paige has been doing great with potty training, finally!  She has decided she doesn't like to wear pull-ups or diapers, so that has been a HUGE motivation for her!  Mommy could not be more happy about that development!  Just in the nick of time.

Here are the girls in their 4th of July outfits:

Things around here have been very low-key in anticipation of Jaelyn's arrival.  We have been hanging close to home, walking anywhere we can find air-conditioning, and trying to make sure we have the house is as much order as possible.  It has been hard, I feel pretty isolated and out of the loop... and I know it will only get worse in the first few weeks after having a newborn!  The girls have been really flexible though, and for that I am very grateful.  I am so blessed to have these awesome kiddos!!!

A difficult goodbye...

On Friday morning we had to say farewell to the beloved furry member of our family, our sweet Daisy.  She suddenly became sick early in the week, and it was obvious that she wouldn't be with us much longer. This gave us time to prepare the girls, and they have done very well - death isn't a reality for them still.  It is still very hard for Justin and I, as our house just seems empty without her in it.  Daisy was a huge part of our family for nearly nine years - and I wanted to take a moment to remember her here, on our family blog.

The above picture was the day we picked her up from the breeder, in a PetSmart parking lot in Mesa.  She was so little and very timid -- it took some time for her to adjust to being away from her mom and siblings.  She was our first "baby" and went everywhere with us that pets were allowed!  

She was truly a sweet dog.  She loved to bark, as all Schnauzers do... but aside from that small inconvenience, she was the perfect pet for our family!  She loved us, and our girls - tolerating them from day one: climbing all over her, pulling at her, putting dress up stuff on her, and generally torturing her!

A wonderful companion, you would always find her in the same room with you, content just to be near the action.  She knew what was comfortable, and preferred to sit in the girls soft chairs, or to lay on as many pillows as she could find!  Such a funny girl.

We love you dearly and will miss you, Daisy-dog.  

You were a blessing to each of us, and we are thankful we were able to enjoy you as long as we did!

Ten on Tuesday - pictureless

1.  Honestly, I feel like I have nothing to say - but this blog has been dead and I feel bad about it, so here I am!

2.   I have no pictures to share -- haven't even dusted off my camera in over a week!  UGH.  I hope to remedy this tomorrow with some shots of my girls.  It feels weird to be off the photography wagon, but at the same time I am gearing up with lots of ideas for newborn pictures!  =)

3.  The pregnancy is going fine, but nothing too interesting to report.  I am having lots of Braxton Hicks and twinges and pokes.  LOL!  But I am READY for her to come - bags are mostly ready, house is mostly clean, and I am tired of hurting.  Tired of hurting enough to welcome the thought of just being plain old tired from having a newborn in the house!  C'mon baby girl!!!

4.  I am too pregnant to be out in public.  Seriously, I went to Target yesterday and easily a dozen people asked if I needed help (and not just employees), and another dozen asked when the baby was due.  I love that this indicates that people are thoughtful, but when I go to the store in a hat and no make-up, I'd rather just be left alone.  *snerk*  Plus, these people don't know what they are getting into if they acknowledge my other two children, because then it is at least five minutes before I get the girls to stop talking long enough to make my escape!  Where DO they get that from?!?

5.  Is anyone else as inept at getting stains out of clothes as I am?  My kids seem to stain everything - and if it doesn't come out with the first treatment, I can never get it out!  Any tips out there for set in stains that someone has seen work?!?  And please tell me my kids aren't the only ones who figure out a way to get something on every piece of clothing that touches their skin?!?

6.  Made a modified version of Pioneer Woman's Chicken Parmesan last night for dinner.  YUM.  Seriously satisfying!!!  Going to try to make her Peach Cobbler sometime this week too.  Because, you know, I don't have enough butter in my life.

7.  I am dying for a trip to the beach.  The end.

8.  Lauren is becoming a follower -- and it really cracks me up.  She says her favorite color is now blue, because Camryn's favorite color is blue.  Then she immediately says she still loves pink, only now she loves blue just as much.  She is also obsessed with dinosaurs, because Porter loves dinosaurs.  She can tell you all about them from a game she plays on PBS!  I just can't wait to hear the funny things she will suddenly love after making new friends at school.

9.  I had a wonderful weekend with Jaclyn - we went shopping, went to the spa, and ate a LOT.  It was really nice to focus on our friendship without having to field our children, and a welcome relaxing break from the routine!  Thanks for making it happen, Jaclyn!!!

10.  Anyone have fabulous ideas for simple meals that are mostly pantry items?  I need to stock up a few more things to make once the baby makes her appearance, but am officially out of room in my freezer.  Thoughts?

Happy Tuesday to all!

TonT

1.  We are in the home stretch now, less than three weeks until my due date!  Baby seems to be doing fine, and while I am having some pressure and pain - nothing close to regular contractions... so I am biding my time.  I slide back and forth on the eagerness scale, from feeling anxious to see her sweet little face - to wanting to go all the way to my due date so I can get a little more sleep in before she gets here.  ;o)  

2.  It is HOT!  I literally can't stand to be outside after 10AM!!!  I need someone to teach me how to be a homebody for the summer, because I get cabin fever after just one day!

3.  Really excited to spend the weekend with Jaclyn!  We are getting spa treatments, going out to eat, probably some shopping... it will be so nice to have some kid-free girl time!  Can't wait!!!

4.  The girls are feeling tortured that they don't get to play outside much these days.  They must ask me 100 times a day.  Sometimes I really wish we had a nice big pool to use on a daily basis.  They DO have morning swims in the play pool from time to time!  Thanks Grandma & Grandpa!!!

5.  Looks like we will have a birth photographer after all!  As long as we can give her enough time to be there and it all works out (there is always a chance that it just can't happen).  I am so excited to be able to experience the other side of the lens!  Not only will it give me more insight into this area of photography, I will get to have images to treasure forever!

6.  I want a iPhone 4.  There I said it.  I am a freak!  Do I need a new iPhone?  Noooo.  But it is so COOL!  Face-time?  Awesome.  Multi-tasking?  Dream come true.  A camera that works well in low light and has a flash?  Hallelujah.  Now I just need to drum up an extra $200... *snerk* Yeah, right.

7.  The girls are both obsessed with "Super Why" on PBS right now... which I love!  Superheroes with the "power to read" - what parent doesn't love that?!?  They run around the house saying, "To the book club!"  ;o)  

8.  Potty training Paige has proved to be very difficult.  She has perfect days, where she even stays dry over naptime!  Then, the NEXT day - we have nothing but accidents.  I wish there were an easier way!

9.  Are you on Twitter yet?  I can't believe how many people don't use it - I love it!  Much better than Facebook or MySpace (does anyone still use MySpace?) - I love the networking possibilities it provides.  Anyway, if you start using it and follow me - once I am in labor, that is where I will most likely be posting updates from my phone.  

10.  We think we have chosen a name!  Don't be mad that it wasn't even on our initial list, OK?  ;o)  Jaelyn Faith Beeler.  All four of us are very happy with it - so that is a very good thing!  Unless something else magically drops in our lap, this is the name we are planning on using!  YAY for checking things off the list of to-do's!!!

Five years

On Friday evening we finally got around to taking Lauren out for her birthday pictures! She was a better sport than usual about the camera - I think she was just excited to be the center of attention for a little while!

We took these out at the Anthem park. It is so pretty there, with lots of fun spots to pose in front of. We chased bunnies and ducks, it was an all around nice evening outside!

Lauren's classic head tilt. If she is posing, this is what she does. So pretty, though - I just love that sweet smile! I still find it hard to believe I have a five year old. A Kindergartener. She is awesome - funny and clever, learning all the time and asking questions, my story-teller and very imaginative - and I am so proud of her! I can't wait to see the girl that she will grow to be this year.

There is a little "luxe" treatment on that one of the two sisters, and I just love it! They can be so sweet to each other... you know, when there is nothing to compete over. ;o)

Daddy's girls.

I love that you can't even tell that they are both in tears there because it was time to leave. The park is just too much fun!

I had to grab one of our two and a half year old as well! While she does her fair share of testing the boundaries these days, she is far from terrible in her twos! She is sweet and kind and full of laughter!

Those Beeler Girls! Can't wait to see what #3 has in store for our family!

I am alive...

... just lazy.  There hasn't been much getting me motivated lately, including blogging!  Funny how pregnancy can alter your behaviors and thoughts so dramatically.  I will save most of that whining for another time, don't really want to bring down this perfectly fine Thursday with my negativity.  So, I will share some pictures instead!

On Memorial Day we drove up and met some friends out in the woods for a day of dirt filled fun!  The girls were in heaven, as usual!  They sure love the outdoors!!!

We all finally shot the new 22 Justin got Lauren for her birthday!

With some bubbles...

dandelions...

 sticks...

and twirling in the breeze...

we had an all around wonderful family day!

Hope you all had a wonderful Memorial Day as well!