Who doesn't love a great birthing story?!?!

Oh my goodness. It's been two years since my last blog. There is so much to update the world on. I had a SON, in February 2014. His birth story is a pretty amazing one...so, I'll start there. :)

My husband and I had decided that after our third daughter (born in 2011) that we were finished having babies. My husband, I think, always wanted a son, but worried that if we "tried just one more time" that we'd end up with twins. That was a story that my nurse told us, when I was delivering my third daughter, that actually happened to her. So, I finally caved, and agreed that we should be done. Well, in June 2013, I found out, that we were being given yet another present, and that we were expecting a baby around Valentine's Day 2013. I was so excited. I had always wanted just one more. So, I did weekly maternity shoots with a friend, and tracked this pregnancy's progress closer than I ever had, because I knew THIS was my last pregnancy. Well, on September 26, 2013, I found out that we were having a BOY. I couldn't believe it. I thought I would never hear those words, even though with this pregnancy, I had 3 gender dreams, all saying BOY. I was so excited at this new adventure we were about to endure.

Last maternity shot before he came.
He was about the size of a watermelon!

So...time is getting close for baby to make his arrival. Hubby and I were still hammering out what his name was going to be. We had finally decided that his name was going to be Oliver. But, the middle name was just driving us crazy. We went back and forth, and round and round. Nothing fit right. At one point, I suggested Oliver Slade, but for those superhero lovers, you know that Oliver Queen (the Green Arrow) and Slade are enemies! I didn't want my son wrestling with himself his whole life, LOL, so we shot that one down. We also tried Oliver Cato. Cato was Green Hornet's side kick. Hubby thought it was great, and the more I heard it, it started growing on me, but then, he shot it down. Finally, we kind of gave up, and said "GARY". Why Gary, you ask?! Well, that's my husband's middle name, my father in law's middle name (but what he goes by), and my step father in law's name. So, it was perfect! We got all the important guys on my husband's side of the family. WELL...Oliver had other plans, and I guess he decided he didn't want that name. So...here's the good stuff, like so good, you wish there was a video of this!!

Delivery time is finally upon us. My sister kept telling me that Ollie was going to have the same birthday as her husband, 2/6. It's 3am, on 2/6, and I start having some pretty harsh contractions. I had been having contractions every night from midnight till 6am, for the last month, that were 2-5 minutes apart, but at some point, around 3am, they made the switch to much more uncomfortable. So, I go and wake hubby up, and tell him, I think it's time to go to the hospital. He got angry because we didn't have a plan in place for late night deliveries, and went back to bed. So, I sat on the couch (thanks honey), working through them. At 330am, he finally gets up, and asks what we're going to do. I say "I'll call my sister and have her come over and hang with the girls, just in case it's another false labor". So, I call...at this point, it's about 345am. She can't get her hubby up, to drive her over. So, she says she's going to call our Mom, and have her come over. Mind you, my Mom is 35 minutes away, in perfect weather, and we had just had an ice storm the night before. So, my Mom calls me, and asks if it's really it, and when I confirm that I really think it is, she gets off the phone, and heads on over.

Mom shows up at around 425am. I go over the school day routine, as quickly as I can, and head out. Hubby can't get the car out of our parking spot, and is basically rocking (in drive & reverse) the car, out of the spot. We get out, and off we go. At 435am, I made a facebook status (LOL) that said "I think this is it! Hospital bound...and we better get there soon!!!!!!!!Omfg!!!!" We were 10 minutes from the hospital at this point. My husband was so calm, cool and collected, and he kept saying "Your water hasn't broken yet. We have time. We will be there soon". He said that, because, with my third, when my water broke, she was born 12 minutes later, so he was trying to calm me down. Well, we make the turn to onto 5 mile (about a mile from the hospital), and my water breaks. So, I really started freaking out then. I knew he was coming, and there was no stopping him. Well, he finally (felt like 10 minutes, but I think it was like 2), turns into the hospital parking lot. When he did, I pulled my britches down. 

I knew he was coming and I couldn't wait. So, I put my hand down, and feel his head, and in that moment, I became doctor and patient. And, in one big grunt of pain/push, he was born. I breathed a sigh of relief and patted his back, in which he started fussing. In the moment, I announced "He's here", and my husband then lost his calm demeanor, yelling "Is he breathing? Is he okay? Is he breathing? Are you okay? Oh my God?!! What the Hell!". That's when the fun really begins!!! Hubby parks at the ER entrance, and runs in a yells "My wife just had a baby in the car". One guy follows him out to see what's going on. They later explained that a LOT of first time dads will yell that, and then the wife is in labor for 10 hours. Ha! Well, my experienced husband knew. So, the lonely guy comes out, and looks at me. I'm sitting in the front seat, and he looks confused. So, I Lion King-ed my baby up, so that he could see him. His eyes were as large as a hockey puck in that moment, and he runs back inside, and out with about 10 people, a gurney, and lots of blankets. It was like 5 degrees Fahrenheit. So, he yells at my husband and me, to NOT open the car. They didn't want to shock the baby. So, they get in position, and next thing I know, I'm being lifted out of the car, and blankets thrown everywhere. I had called my doctor before I left the house, so the nurses knew I was coming in. They were laughing because they had just gotten down to the ER to meet me, before they knew I'd had my son. They were joking that when looking at my file they commented on my fast deliveries. 

In the ER, they made sure my son was okay, and then took me up to the birthing center. There, I was in a triage type of room, and they had nothing prepared. So, they went searching for scissors, to cut the cord, the clamp, needle for stitches, and so on. I made them very unprepared...well, my son did. :) After all was said and done, I had a healthy baby boy that was estimated to have been born at 445am. He was 8 pounds 10 ounces, of pure bliss. He was my heaviest child, of course!

So, we announce his birth to friends and family. My husband called my Mom, when I was in the ER, and he was left to park the car. It was a crazy bit of time. But, hubby's best friend jokingly said "Since he was born in a Ford, you should name him Oliver Ford". We laughed about it, for a bit, and then about 2 hours later, we were like "Yeah. Let's do that!". So, we did! Oliver Ford was born on a cold and icy early morning, in the front seat of our Ford, at 25 miles per hour. I joke and say he is a true superhero...fast and furious. And, he's been that way ever since!
I hope you have enjoyed catching up with me, on his delivery, and I can't wait to share more FUN stories raising 3 girls & 1 boy! My kiddos never make dull days! We are loving our adventure, and living life to the fullest.

Here we are, almost 18 months later!

Swim lessons are a success!

The girls LOVED their first day of swim lessons! The teachers were great, and they really got the girls in the water, and getting comfortable. Charly and Kenna are looking forward to another day tomorrow. I'm looking forward to sleep...I'm exhausted. :)

Kenna doing the alligator crawl!

Charly doing the alligator crawl!

Daphne watching her sisters
       

Time for RIDES!!!!!

Charly is so excited that she now gets
to ride the big rides, solo!

Swings! One of Kenna's favorites!

Daphne waiting for the carousel!

Then, the girls discovered the funny mirrors! At this point, Daphne just wanted to get in the car, so she could go to sleep...so she didn't participate. But, Kenna and Charly hung out here, for about 5 minutes. They would have stayed longer if Daphne would have allowed it! It was so funny!!!

  

And, the Frog Hopper was the last ride of the day. The girls wanted to do so much more...crammed in one day. I had to remind them, that swim lessons are Monday through Thursday, for the next four weeks, so they need not worry...they'll do everything. :) Maybe tomorrow, we'll get to the paddle boats, and a whole 18 holes of putt putt (Daphne got hurt after the ninth hole, so we had to leave...thank goodness I came prepared, with band-aids!).

Overall, the day was a huge success. It wore Daphne out enough that she took a 3 1/2 hour nap this afternoon! She welcomes naps, thankfully!!!

Swim Lessons start tomorrow!

The time has come! Swim lessons start tomorrow, for Kenna and Charly. They are Monday thru Thursday, for 4 weeks. Charly was super nervous about it, because being 8 years old and not knowing how to swim "Is completely and totally embarrassing". Yup...her words! I then explained that that's EXACTLY why she's getting into swim lessons, so she will learn how to swim. That definitely made her feel a bit better. Kenna is just super excited for swim lessons.

I got the girls registered on Friday, for their lessons. Kenna will be in the amazing 3 year olds class, which is a 30 minute class. Charly is will be in the silver class, which is a 45 minute class. Thankfully, they start at the same time, so I don't have a lot of running to do. Charly saw the ages of some of the kids in her class (5 & 6 year olds) and was upset, but the one teacher told her that she is so very graceful in the water, that she thinks Charly is going to be an EXCELLENT swimmer. That made Charly light up! Then, she told me that if Charly starts progressing very quickly, they can always re-test her and move her up to gold level, if needed. After that encouragement, Charly began trying very hard to swim underwater. She could do it last year, but since this was only the second time in the water, this year, she was having a little trouble. She goes under, but isn't quite moving. She'll get there for sure, especially with all the practice.

I can't wait! They'll have so much fun, and I'll get to see all the progress they're making! Be prepared for pictures. :)

Charly was worn out after class registration!

This little fish was having a blast!

Kenna needed a nap! She "ran out of energy!" 

Busy 'summer' day!

Yesterday, I took the girls to Goodwill, for their 99c kids clothing day, and then, we grabbed a quick lunch and headed to a natural park with some good friends. At first, all the kids weren't sure what to do without a playground, but soon figured it out, and even went on a 1 mile hike. :) Well, apparently, yesterday completely wore them out, because this morning I had to wake my girls up at 920, so they could get ready to go to Coney Island.

So, they finally get up, excitedly, I might add, and get their swimming suits on! They are so excited! We get there, and they can't wait to get in the water...it was SO cold!! We had lunch there, but sadly, all the rides were closed, today. 

So, after the pool, we took a short car ride, and went to Lunken Park and hit up a play area there. We hung out for a little over an hour, then all three girls were hot and ready to go. Daphne passed out within minutes of getting in the cool air conditioning, of the car. We got home, and the big girls 'accidentally' woke her up...so she was ready to go again! A little toddler running around on not enough sleep and being clumsy is NO FUN! So...we went back outside, after dinner. Charly drove her remote control Mustand, and then all three girls rode their bikes. Then, FINALLY, Daphne was ready for sleepy town! So, I took her up to bed, and let the big girls have their freeze pops. :) Now...off to bed everyone goes. Back to Coney Island tomorrow, for swim lessons registration. Then, I have to work, in the evening, while the big girls go to their Nana and Pappy's!

Another busy day on our hands!!!

I'll post pictures in a bit, my computer is not cooperating!

The Croods

I LOVE SUMMER VACATION!!!! Seriously, not having to get up quite so early (though Daphne still likes to be up around 730-800) and being able to do whatever we want, whenever we want. It's fantastic!

First of all, I would like to give a shout out to all veterans! Thank you for your service, past and present. And, to those that lost their lives, thank you for your sacrifice. Happy Memorial Day. 

So, yesterday, on Memorial Day, I took the trio to see The Croods. We went with family friends (Charly's bestie, bestie's Mom...my friend, and bestie's brother...Kenna's friend). It made the movie trip so much more enjoyable. :) Anyhow, we got a HUGE popcorn and soda, both of which come with free refills. I broke out the paper bags, and everyone got their own bag of popcorn, and we brought color coded straws, so we could share the drink. :) Yes, we like to do things as inexpensively as possible. When raising three girls, now is the time to be saving. All the kiddos (and the Moms) enjoyed the movie. There were lots of giggles and some more serious parts, but it was definitely a hit. Daphne, my crazy baby that doesn't like to watch TV, even sat on my lap and squealed with delight, when everyone would laugh. There was a baby behind us that kept crying, and sometimes that consumed Daphne's attention, but then baby would stop and she'd go back to enjoying the movie. :) I'm glad she wasn't running through the aisles like I had expected!

So, if you haven't already...check out The Croods.

When did I get so old???

So, today, I went to a high school graduation party for a family friend. I remember when he was born. I remember when he started Kindergarten. And, here I am, now getting to remember he graduated high school in 2013.

Then, it donned on me...what the heck!?!?! I graduated in 1998! That's 15(!!!!!!!) years ago! OMG! Where has the time gone??? Here I am, 32, almost 33, I still feel like I'm 21! LOL! Now, I have three beautiful girls, and unbelievably, one is 8 1/2!

Geez! Time does fly when you're having fun, but I didn't realize it would fly so fast!!!

#lovinglife
#feelingold

Sheesh...Time getting away from me...

Ok. With summer break officially here, and much time having passed since my last entry, I'm hoping to SERIOUSLY get started back up. :)

Let's see...since my last post, Daphne has turned one, Daphne went Trick or Treat-ing for the first time, Kenna turned three, we had Christmas in Orlando (and went to Universal Studios), Charly turned eight, the girls went to their first Reds Game ever, and Charly finished 2nd grade! Phew!!!! It's definitely been a busy couple of months! So...instead of continuing to ramble...why not show off some pictures. :)