Yesterday Elijah looks at Brent who is holding Mariah and says "Daddy, she must like you." Right then she started crying and Elijah says, "Well, maybe not!"

Overheard while at Nolan's school at eat lunch with him:

Other student: Nolan, you are right. There is no ice cream in the cooler.
Nolan: See, I told you.
Me: What are you talking about?
Nolan: I told him that I heard on the news that they are removing unhealthy items from schools.


I didn't have any clue about what he was talking about but I got the best laugh out of this. Nolan doesn't forget these things that he hears on tv, etc. He is also the family expert on what movies are coming out when. He knows all about the as seen on tv products. He can tell you about the upcoming weather forecast.

Here's a picture of me waiting for Mariah's arrival.
Dr. Mills was an EXCELLENT doctor and happy for Mariah's arrival.

Is everyone going to leave me here?

Here's her official weighing.

Daddy adoring his new little girl. (he's in love!!)

Nolan and Elijah were happy about Mariah's arrival and excited to get to the hospital to see her.

Anyone notice the resemblance here??? Isn't she beautiful? I just love her to death.

The boys getting an up close look at their little sister. Grandma got them these cool t-shirts. Nolan's says "biggest brother" and Elijah's says "I have a very important job being the big brother"

Nolan loves his new sister. He was just about to give her a kiss here.

Here she is wearing her first of her many clothes! I love baby gowns.

Sleeping good here in Grandma's arms.

She is the sweetest thing ever. It's amazing how quickly you love them with all of your heart!!

Baby Mariah Grace!!

Here is the last pregnant belly picture of me prior to Mariah's birth.
Please excuse my appearance and focus on the adorable baby girl!!

This is me holding Mariah for the first time. She is so CUTE!!

I will add more pictures when my mother comes back to the hospital and I can download her pictures.

The boys and I dyed easter eggs on Monday night. Elijah is really enjoying Easter activities this year. He wanted to know if he could help me put out our Easter decorations. Pictured below is the only Easter decoration I have for the house! I did locate an Easter hand towel and I let him put that out! We had lots of fun. This was the last activity we did together before baby sister arrived!

I am so blessed to have some of the most AWESOME friends and family. Thank you all for what you've done to help us prepare to have Mariah Grace join our family. It is so touching to think of all the things that everyone has done for us and given us in preparation for her birth. The nursery is almost completely stocked with necessities (and extras, too!). We will be going to the hospital in the morning to start the process of bringing our new baby girl into the world. I am in awe when I think of the blessing that God is going to give us in her and that He is allowing us to have her in our family. Thank you in advance for the prayers and thoughts that you will have for our family in the coming days and weeks. We will definitely be needing them!

Do pregnancies ever end?

Well, of course, they do and I should remember that...but, somehow, I'm I've forgotten and I am impatient anyhow.

Yesterday Brent and I spent a good part of the day at the hospital due to false labor. Those Braxton-Hicks contractions can be tricky things. I was having regular contractions...they were getting a little closer together and a little stronger but...............nothing else was happening, so they sent me home. I was not a happy camper. I just didn't like being wrong about it being the real thing. Brent was the perfect supportive husband and told me that it would all be okay.

I spent the rest of the day dozing on and off and feeling yucky.

I reported to the doctor this morning for my regularly scheduled appointment and the conclusion was the same...still nothing else happening. My supervisor, doctor, Brent, and I made a decision that I need to stay at home until Baby Mariah arrives to rest. If Mariah doesn't make an appearance on her own then we will have her induced next Tuesday. (Something I said I wouldn't do again unless I have to...I'm officially eating my words.) It will be safe by then to induce her for sure, it will be nice to know that Brent can plan to be there (there's been a little fear for me that he would be stuck at EMS and miss her arrival), and either way, I'll have a beautiful little girl from God to add to our family probably by this time next Tuesday.

Keep us in your prayers! All of the members of our family's lives are about to change!

Pregnancy update

Last night I was miserable with back ache and Braxton Hicks contractions all evening. I almost thought I might be in labor...I finally went to bed figuring that if it were the real thing I would definitely wake up!! I didn't...I went for my regularly scheduled check up this morning. She informed me that in 3rd+ pregnancies the Braxton Hicks contractions can be constant and quite painful. How exciting!! I'm measuring 36-37 cm and that's right along with my due date. They always say the baby sounds "really happy" when they listen to her heart beat.

My wardrobe continues to shrink everyday while my belly continues to expand!! The worst part is finding something to sleep in...my largest t-shirts and Brent's t-shirts aren't quite right anymore...I can't find any comfortable pants that don't bind my belly. I'm not buying anything else.

I'm still working my regular 40 hour work week. It's very difficult but I'm making it. The doctor very gently suggested/requested that I not do anything at home in the evenings since I'm working 40 hours per week. Ha! She has 4 boys - she's funny!! (see previous post)

While I have enjoyed the miracle of this baby growing inside of me and I do want her to be born at the time when she is ready, I'm also quite ready to have my body back. On the other hand, I'm not looking forward to the sleep schedule that is soon to come either. Someone at work said I should pray to God that I am ready for the baby to be born because He answers prayers. My answer was, "I am praying and I think He wants me to learn to be patient!!" (this isn't the first time I've been supposed to learn this lesson either!!)

I know that God will bring Mariah into our lives at just the right time. I'm so excited to see what she looks like and hold her. I can't wait to have a little girl to love. I keep trying to tell myself regarding the discomfort I am having now that it will all be worth it in just a few short weeks.

Motherhood

Some days being a mother is the most rewarding and wonderful experience in the world. Others it's like being in a war and going to battle.

Before I had kids I could have told you exactly what I thought you should do and say and allow and not allow in order to be a good parent. Today I just pray through every moment that I am making the right decisions as I'm parenting.

Knowing whether or not I'm making the right decisions as I'm 36 weeks pregnant is a hard call!

child #1
Mom, why do I have to take a bath tonight?
Mom, I want to eat supper right now. I don't want to wait until everyone is ready to eat.
I don't want to do my homework now.
It doesn't matter if my homework is neat or not.
I'm hungry and I need to take a snack before I take a bath.
I'm not taking a bath...I'm just going to eat these and then put my pajamas on.
(again) Why do I have to take a bath?

child #2
I'm not going to eat right now.
I'm going to eat later.
I'm ready to eat now. (food is warmed) I don't want to eat now.
No, I don't want to take a bath.
I'm so hungry...let me eat before I take a bath.
I''m sorry...I'll be nice now.
The water is too hot. It's burning my butt.
I don't want to wash off.
I want to wash myself.
I want you to wash me.
I don't want anyone to wash me.
The water is still hot.
I don't want to let the water out.
I wanted bubbles in the water.
I wanted to play with my toys.
I don't want to get out of the bathtub.
I don't want to dry off.
I don't want to put my pajamas on.
I want to do it myself.
I want you to help me.
I'm hungry.
I don't want to put my pajamas on before I eat.

child #3
"It's so nice and cozy in here."
"It's sounding crazy out there."
"I'm staying here."
"There's no way I'm going out there with those crazy people."
"Who are those people?"
"Am I going to have to live with them?"

me
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Why in the world do I have these kids?
Why in the world did I want another?
Get out of me - you're killing my back and I feel miserable.
No, wait, don't come out yet...I'm not ready for the lack of sleep on top of all this "fun" I'm having.
Baby girl, I want to see you....I'm ready for you to be born.
Thank you God for blessing me with these kids. PLEASE help me through it, though. I have no idea what I'm doing down here!