Bailey Mae is here!!

I am still waiting on my sister to send me over the pictures of my labor but my baby girl is going to be 4 weeks tomorrow and I have to post already!! As soon as I get my hands on those pics, I will post right away.
So, on my 38 week doctors appointment I asked Dr. Schuremann if he would be willing to induce me a week early. That put the date at January 14th. He said "sure!" and I was scheduled before leaving the office that day!! I was a little nervous once it was all said and done because it was really happening and lets be honest, labor hurts!! haha... All week I kept having the famous Braxton Hicks contractions and thought she was coming any day. On Sunday Brie went to bed telling me her belly hurt so I put her in bed with her Daddy and I. Well, don't you know, around 1 am she woke us up puking everywhere!! Ahh, I'm talking on our bed, on the floor, and everywhere in between. It was awful and the poor thing looked so sick :( I put her into the bath and Daddy cleaned up the room. I really started to freak out because it was Monday and I was scheduled to be induced the next morning!! I called my sister, of course, crying and telling her I didn't know what I was going to do. She told me to calm down and try and see if it was just a fluke thing or maybe a 24 hour bug, I was not holding my breath on that one. I stayed awake all night and watched her and she, thank GOD, didn't get sick anymore and felt much better in the morning/afternoon when she woke up. I was crying and praying so hard!! hahah...On top of her being sick, I didn't want to be bringing a new born home to a sick house!! That night we took the kids over to my sisters, she was being really brave taking them for me! It was hard because she had already taken the day off of work and we had everything planned out for my delivery. I went ahead and called Brie's school and had her miss school that day, just in case. The next morning, Tommy and I got up and packed the car and were off to have our baby girl :) It's so crazy to know your life is going to be forever changed when this new little being is coming into your world. I took a quick last belly pic before we headed out. I just kept wondering what her little face was going to look like. My sister brought my kids back to our house and my little brother watched them for us while my mom and sister headed up to the hospital. I checked in at 7 am and had my IV's and pitocin started by 7:40 ish. I told the nurse I had a feeling it was going to be quick ;) Dr. Schuremann came in at 8:30 and broke my water. I told my nurse to go ahead and send for the anesthesiologist to come and give me my epidural, I wasn't going to play around this time! haha..by the time she got up to my room I'd say it was a little after 9. I was already starting to feel the contractions come on harder and closer together. My sister and mom got to the hospital a little before 10 and Dr. Schuremann came back in and checked me at 10:30, I was at 6 cm and 100% effaced. He said he'd be back in about 2 hours and we should be good to go. My mom said no way, I was going before then and I agreed. My sister and mom wanted to go down to cafeteria and grab a quick bite to eat before labor started so they headed down. My brother had called my mom's cell phone so I called to tell them and decide to tease and say I was in labor, opps! Shouldn't have jinxed myself! haha....After getting off the phone I told Tommy I was having a lot of pressure in my bottom and didn't know what was going on. I told him to see if I went number 2!! hahah...I don't remember feeling that with the other two, I think my epidurals were a little too strong before! Anyway, he went ahead and hit the call button for the nurse and when she came in I asked if she would check me because I was having so much pressure. She said "yep, it's time, you're 10 cm!" She called for Dr. Schuremann and had other nurses come in. It was all happening way too fast and all I could think about was my mom and sister needed to get back and quick! I had Tommy call them and say, no kidding this time, she's ready to push! They got everything ready and my legs in the stirrups and I had to wait to push until they came in, I wanted my delivery on tape and Lindsay is my person! haha...they came in and Tommy handed her the camera and I asked if I could go ahead and push. I pushed once and could "feel" her coming down. It's weird because I was numb but I was definitely aware of what was happening down there. Ha. Doctor said yes and one more push and her head was out! The umbilical cord was wrapped around her little head so he had to cut that away first but then she was out! Tommy got to cut the cord and off to the next little room she went :)She was born at 11:06 am. I was so curious to hear what she weighed, this was definitely my most uncomfortable pregnancy so I thought she was going to be my biggest. Nope! She only weighed 6 lbs 12 oz!! My smallest!! Of course the nurse said "she sure looks like her Daddy!!" haha.. I said "they all do!" She is absolutely perfect and I love her so much already. We didn't get to see how long she was until we got to our room upstairs but she was 19.75 inches long :) I honestly feel so complete with her finally here. It's like she was always going to be here and I couldn't imagine her ever not being here with us. Brie has a little brother and a little sister now :) and Noah is a little brother and a big brother too! I am so over whelmed with how much love I have for them and Tommy. I really feel so blessed to have them all in my life.

Happy New Year!!

This year we decided to finally head on over to our friends house, Amy and Eric. It was supposed to be a themed party, ugly sweater. With me being 9 months pregnant, it just wasn't happening! haha...Tommy would have if I did but seeing as how I didn't, neither did he. We picked up my sister, Shaun and the girls on our way and I was the DD for the night. When we got there it was already a packed house! Amy and Eric invited a bunch of their friends but we didn't really know them. We said hello and went downstairs to play some pool. The kids ran to the play room and were there the rest of the night, mostly. There were kids everywhere!! After a few games of pool Amy came down and put in her dance game on the T.V. and that was fun to watch. I didn't participate like the last time because I have to have a few drinks in me to get my booty moving ;) Wish I wasn't like that, but I am! haha....Tommy had a pretty good buzz going and was being a little social butterfly, which never happens unless he is feeling pretty good! My sister is absolutely hilarious when she drinks, she just giggles and thinks everything is wonderful! Love her :) Shaun only ended up having one or two so he was pretty sober with me. The kids all got to take a turn on the dance game and Avery ended up being really good!! She can work it! haha...Brie got up with her a few times but Avery just loved it and ended up dancing with Noah too. He wasn't too bad either ;) Over all, it was a good night. A really good night for the kids, which is all that matters! :)

Christmas and Santa!!!

Every year we go over to my aunt Carrie's house for Christmas Eve. We pull names on Thanksgiving and see who each kid gets. There are 10 grand kids and 12 (adding Bailey) great grand kids, so it gets a little much trying to buy for everyone!! Carrie makes all the food and we all try and bring a side or dessert. This year I brought a strawberry cheese cake and everyone made fun of me for it being so small! haha...well, I had a couple of slices and there was one or two left, I promise!! ;) After eating and letting the kids play for a while we go ahead and let the kids get into a circle and wait for their gifts to be passed around. I remember doing this as a kid and it's so exciting!! Still is!

My sister (sickening how perfect she is!) and I always like to get a pic of each other and a family shot! ;)

So after we left Carrie's house we headed home and had the kids sprinkle reindeer food and set out some snacks for Santa :)

annnd....I forgot to take a picture of the snacks!! Grr...well, we set out carrot sticks for the reindeer and cookies for Santa! Oops, can't believe I forgot to snap a pic!!
I did manage to snap a quick picture or two of the tree when Santa left but we always video tape them opening up their gifts so no pictures of that either! Ugh, I'll work on that. haha

On Christmas day I wake up the kids, can't take the anticipation of them waking up!! So, I run up and wake them because I can't take it anymore!! haha...I literally laid in bed and kept asking Tommy if he thought I should go wake them up or not! He knows I'm crazy so it's okay ;) So, anyway, the kids get up and unwrap all their gifts and then Daddy puts everything together for them. After they play for awhile it's time to get dressed and head over to uncle Steve's for more gifts!! Steve made all kinds of goodies and we brought salad and potatoes. Yummy!! He always has tons of food and it was a really good time :) We all kind of stayed in the basement and the kids played while we talked and ate food. We pulled names with them too and the adults each pulled a couple. Matt and Lori had us and our gift is to come after Bailey arrives :) So here are some pics of the kids opening all their gifts...

And yes, Brie is wearing the same dress as the night before!! She threw a fit to where it again so here we are! haha...got to love her :) She just felt so pretty in that darn dress, she didn't ever want to take it off!
After we left Steve's house we headed over to my sisters to do presents with my grandma Nancy and Mom and Dad. Phew! These kids get a lot of gifts!!! I was a little stuffed from Steve's house so didn't really want too much at Lindsay's but she made the infamous potato salad and I can never pass that up! :) I brought the lunch meat and bread for everyone and yes, of course, forgot the cheese!! :( Oops! So, after letting the kids play (again) we had them open up even more gifts and exchanged with each other too.  I don't know what happened but I don't have any pictures of that?? The kids had a blast and so did we! It's a long day but love spending it with our families! Can't wait for Bailey to be with us next year!! She will be almost 1!!! Craaaazzzzy!

Santa!!

Now that I am all caught up! Whew...

Today we took the kids to see Santa. I don't think I've ever went this late but by the size of the line at the mall, lots of people wait this long!! haha...Wow, the line was so BAD. It took us a good 45 minutes to an hour to finally get up to see him but the kids did AWESOME!  I was taken back by how shy they both seemed. Brie is my little chatter box and Noah kind of lets her take the lead. When they both sat down their little faces got red and they acted all sweet and innocent :) Santa had to be tired from having all those screaming kids on his lap all day but he took the time to ask each one of them what they wanted :) Noah kept saying "umm, ummm" squeezing his hands but finally said "monster trucks and ninja turtles!" Brie told him she wanted the Frozen DVD (not even out of the theaters!) a Frozen doll (check) and some play doh (check)! I love my babies so much!! They each smiled so good and look as innocent as can be. Wink, wink! haha...

Christmas play!!

Brie had her first play!!! I was asked by her teacher to help and couldn't be happier :) I made the elf hats. I didn't take a picture though :( They were pretty easy to make, I was a little nervous. I'm not the craftiest person out there but I gave it my best and they turned out really cute! Brie was a doll and her hat was pink and purple with sparkles. I didn't get the best pictures, I didn't even get the best video, but I did take as many as I could and taped the best I could!! My Mom ended up taking the day off and came with me. Thank goodness, I had to bring Noah, Addyson and Ashlee with me and I wasn't sure how that was going to pan out! Brie was over the moon to have her there too :) I love how she isn't shy and loves to get up in front of people, there isn't a shy bone in that girls body! haha....I hope it stays that way. I was like that and then as soon as I hit middle school you couldn't pay me to talk in front of a group. It was such a cute little play. The kids were seperated into different groups to do a song and then they did Rudolph and Wish you a Merry Christmas all together at the end. I am so proud of her. I teared up a few times watching her and loved how she sung the songs and looked to make sure I was watching her :) Noah gave me so trouble but wasn't too terrible. He just can't seem to sit still! haha...little stinker. After the play was over we got to go to her classroom and sign her out for the day. My Mom had me take a quick picutre of Brie with her teacher, I wanted to get out of that crowded room so bad but am so glad I snapped a quick picture. Brie just loves her :) I let Brie pick what she wanted for lunch and then we headed back to my house and spent the rest of the day with Mawmaw. Brie took a nap with her, of course, it's Mawmaw favorite thing to do! haha...

Gingerbread house!

Last year my sister and I got together and had the kids build a ginger bread house and thought we should do it again this year. Last year it was tough but it all ended up working out in the end. This year, yeah, not so much! haha...We gave it our best shot but we just couldn't get the darn thing to stay together and the icing (glue) that holds it together was getting a little out of control and dripping everywhere. So after several failed attempts and the kids starting to get restless we decided to just let them decorate one side of the house each and use the gum drops and hard candy however they wanted. That ended up being a really good idea :) The kids were just happy to finally get their hands in something and use the candy because we told them eating it was out of the question. The ginger bread house was a couple years old and we didn't think it was safe to eat. Not to mention you would probably break a tooth trying to eat it!! Ekk! I have to say these kiddos are very creative and they all turned out just as cute as can be! :)

SNOW DAY!!

I am a little behind so I'm playing catch up!...
 We had our first official big snow day of the year :) It was on a Friday so the kids and I were snowed in together. Tommy went into work and didn't get home until after 9 :( I had cleaned the house gave the kids baths and we even baked cookies and decorated them! :) It was a day, to say the least! haha...I decided after all the cleaning and going stir crazy we should try and do at least a craft or make something. I got the idea from my sister ;) I let the kids help me make sugar cookies and then opened a tub of icing and gave them some sprinkles! They were in heaven. I just gave them each half and let them go to town. Brie took her time and tried to make the prettiest cookies ever and Noah, well, he just made a mess! hahah...I honestly don't think he could have fit any more sprinkles on his cookies but he sure didn't have any problem eating them! I let them have two each :) They loved it and I actually had fun doing it with them. I am always trying to keep it as neat as possible but I tried to just let them go this time, I did pretty good :)

The next day the kids were so excited that they got to go outside with their Daddy! Tommy was really awesome with them and helped them build a snowman and even had a snowball fight too! Almost as soon as they got outside Noah was on the ground making his snow angels :) He was so excited to make one! Brie took a break from helping Daddy and couldn't resist making a couple herself too! I don't really like the cold so much so I just stayed in and went outside to take pictures every so often. I have to say, their snowman was pretty cool AND he stayed together for over a week! The weather here is so unpredictable and it snowed Friday and the following Friday it was all melted and gone! Their snowman reallly hung on though! :) The kids were pretty sad when he finally tipped over and melted away. :( We will just have to make another when it snows again!! :)