One Week!!

 To celebrate, Tess and I dolled Eden up and took some quick shots.  I seriously could eat her face off.

Heaven Scent

 It is no secret: we are obsessed with breathing in this baby.  Literally.  

Not uncommon are noses nuzzled in her wrinkly neck.

 But she is irresistible.  And smooshy.  

And she smells intoxicatingly delicious.

(Eden is 5 days old in these pictures)

Mama, I'm Coming Home

 After two more nights in the hospital, we were all set to head home.

The highlight of the day was watching Ryder and Linley's excitement when they got home from school.  It was a mommy-melty-heart moment.

There is definitely no shortage of love for this precious person.  This feels complete and complete feels content and content is an inexplicable form of happiness.  We are all under it's spell with no desire to lose the magic.

Sleep, however...I could use a lot more of that.

A Baby Story

 Because I was barely 1cm at my last check-up, my doctor wanted me to check into the hospital Sunday night to start Cervedel.  However, after checking-in and a quick exam, it was determined I wouldn't actually need the Cervedel.  I was hoping they would send me home for a decent nights sleep, but instead I got hooked up to monitors and an IV, sent Allen home with the kids, and took an Ambien.

My pit drip started Monday morning, September 17th, at 8:30am.  The doctor broke my water at 10am.  I received my epidural at 10:45.  Started pushing at 12:35.  And welcomed Eden Rose to the world at 12:45pm.  

 It was a sort of surreal labor experience.   The only way I can explain it is to say it felt like Christmas. Beyond the pain, the room was blanketed by calm and warmth.  It felt sacred and sweet and miraculous.  Needless to say, I will aways treasure the moments that made this day extra magical. 

 Meet Miss Eden Rose: 

8 pounds 13 ounces, and 22 inches long.  

It is no wonder my ribs had been bruised past feeling.

My three little princesses and the newly crowned fab four.

 The kids had school off that day, so they happily played at a friend's house until it was time for them to eagerly meet their baby sister...4 hours after her arrival.

 Hot dang that's a lot of monkeys.

Mom flew in just a couple hours later.  She spent the week slaving over my every desire, keeping the three biggies pleased as punch, and loved on the pretty little piece of perfection.  I hope you realize how amazing and appreciated you are Deb Wallace!!  Come back and make me more food?!?!

Party of 5

 Ready or not...our last day as a family of five.

And my two handsome men.  

They may be outnumbered, but they refuse to be outstyled.

Past Due

Pictured: A 3-day overdue impatient pregnant chick

I kept going to the doctor, hoping they would give me an induction date.  

Instead, I would hear, "You are still a zero and her head is still too high.  Let's schedule another appointment in a couple days" again, and again, and again.  

Finally, I resorted to begging.  And was rewarded with an eviction notice for the little squatter. 

After 41 weeks of carrying this baby being, I would finally get to kiss her face.  And maybe even regain feeling in my ribs.

So Long Sweet Summer

Thursday morning officially ended the beauty that was Summer Break.  We hobbled out of our beds with the sunshine, ate a hearty breakfast, calmed our luscious locks (or made them extra crazy if you're the boy), shouldered our heavy backpacks, and headed out the door at 8am.  

Daddy even stayed to spend the morning celebrating/mourning with us.

 My big first and third graders.  Featuring Ryder's 3rd shirt of the morning.  The first he got syrup all over.  The second he decided he didn't want to wear, because I picked it out.  And so, a t-shirt it was.  I am not fond of relinquishing control. But I lost.  Obviously.

Linley was super brave as she entered the "big kid" school (kindergartners go to a primary center then enter the elementary school in first grade).  Her big, experienced, brother was ultra supportive and helpful, which was adorable.  After meeting her super sweet teacher and finding a few friends in her class, she was all smiles and anxious to get rid of me.

 This boy could have done without me completely, but he still let me smooch his cheeks before he headed off to class.  Good boy.  He was ecstatic to be assigned one of the two male teachers in the "whole entire school."  His class is full of buddy's (trouble???) and he is convinced it will be the "best year ever!!!"  

Tess and I spent the day cleaning and eating and napping.  It felt a little luxurious.  Just she and I.  All day long.  By the time we needed to pick-up the two biggies, we were ready to embrace the happy chaos.  Which is a serene sort of sensation.

The kids came home bubbling with excitement over their days and the year to come.  A perfect start!

Here's to another fabulous year of learning, growing, maturing, and memory-making!!

About August...

Holy Crap.  That was a crazy month.

1. We went to the pool nearly every day.
2. We sold our house.
3. We moved.  Into a temporary rental.
4. There is a baby busting out of my belly.
5. We got all set for school

1.  This one is self explanatory.  I am huge.  It is hot.  The kids get bored.  There is only one solution. Bless that swimming pool.  Linley passed the swim test this summer and was able to go off all the slides and diving board with Ryder and their friends.  Which left only Tessa and I to play with our friends in the baby pool.  It made for a pretty perfect daily experience.

2.  We put the house on the market in April.  We got an offer 5 days later.  We turned it down.  Then we got more offers.  And went under contract.  Then it fell through.  We had some serious "trust in God" moments.  And let expectations go.  Agreeing we would take the house off and relist in February if something didn't stick by August.  Naturally, we got two offers that weekend (God rocks!!).  And one stuck.  So out we are.  Moving two weeks before I am expected to expel a child out of my body was awesome.  It actually wasn't completely awful.  Or not completely more awful than any other move.  I spent a couple weeks purging every inch of the house (a perfect job for a crazy OCD nester), then my parents flew in to help with the big stuff.  And help they did.  Troopers those two are.  They were amazing.  So amazing we canceled having the Elders Quorum come help us...keeping all my pretty pieces....pretty.  Who knew a 61 year old man was capable of so much (of course, the handsome hubs wasn't too shabby either.  But we've all seen his guns.  This was to be expected).

3.  The building of our new home, which was supposed to be finished in October, then December, is now shooting for a completion date of April, or May, or The Second Coming...who knows??  Point is, with the house sold, we needed new living quarters.  In another major "trust in God" moment (there was a definite theme to August), we found someone who was willing to rent to us on a temporary basis.  We began our search in Berkeley Heights, where the house is being built, and found a perfect option. Then when we were ready to sign the contract, it had rented that morning.  Depression.  So we moved our search back to Summit, where there were a couple options willing to rent to us.  Two were a decent size, but old and dingy and dirty, and one was teensy tiny, but pristine.  We felt strongly about the itty bitty place.  Which was crazy because it made so little sense.  But one night after we signed the contract, Allen went over to the owner to spend some time chatting about her home.  She was widowed a few years ago, and has been plagued with various misfortunes since.  At the end of the conversation, it became apparent that this home was where we were suppose to be, not because it was perfect for us, but because it was necessary for her.  Rad lesson in how sometimes we are used as tender mercies for others.
We are settled and cozy and happy.  We'll be even happier when we're living in 4 times the square footage.  But who's counting??

4.  This chick is due to be born tomorrow.  That will not happen.  Oh rebellion.  Already.  A full-on move and I am still at a zero.  Cement cervix.  But I won't complain.  Much.  The extra time to get the kids settled in school and a routine going is appreciated.  And Tessa and I are enjoying having the days (all two of them thus far) to ourselves.  And is one ever ready to parent four freaking kids???

5.  School shopping was completed.  Online.  Obviously.  Who goes inside stores anymore??  School supply shopping was completed.  In person.  I guess I still frequent stores.  Or at least Target.  Appointments galore were attended.  Eye glasses, well-checks, teeth, and baby docs.  We smooshed them all in.  Before baby was born.  Someone come pat me on the back.

And that was August.  Ridiculously busy with fun and craziness and chaos and preparing for this next chapter that is already being written.