Happiness

Rosalind Grace was born on Saturday, March 7th at 11:58 am weighing 7 lbs 6 oz with lots of blonde hair. She is such a sweetie and we are SO glad to finally have her here healthy and well!  The kids love her and have helped out a lot! Josh took the time to write down her birth story so I will share it here in the future so that we can always remember it!

We will be headed to the Hospital to meet our newest daughter! I have never had an induction before but this time around, circumstances require it. Nervously, I prayed about the decision and felt that all would be well if we went through with an induction. I have been using these few days- and weeks- beforehand to get everything ready. We’ve washed clothes, repacked my bags, set up the crib, bought a new battery for the new-to-us baby rocker and even painted my nails (a tiny detail)! I’ve been trying to eat clean and healthy, go for walks in the fresh air, spend extra time with my little one Declan- and my big ones too- and drink lots of water. Birth day, here we come!!

Don't EVER let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do. I had a doctor tell me that I was too old to have more children- at the age of 40. I mentioned that my Sister-in-Law had a baby at 43. She said that that was rare and an abnormality. I switched Dr's. My new Dr's wife was 40 and had just given birth to their 7th child. He happily wrote up some tests for us and was lovingly encouraging and helpful. Good doctor make such a great difference! We found out that we had some issues and it took us a good 16 months to work them out, but it worked! Some things I have noticed while being pregnant and {older}: -The chances of having twins are higher. This pregnancy started out early on as twins and one baby made it through.  - I get winded by just walking up the stairs and a day of subbing puts me out of commission not just for that day but for the day after as well! -If I walk longer than ten minutes, my belly starts to cramp. This never happened with my other babies an...

Snow in California over Christmas Break! From the 100th day of school a few weeks ago. Declan was acting a bit crazy, as he usually does after a 7 hour school day! Last night Declan woke up at 3 am with a growing pain. I was already awake- trying to get in a comfortable position (the third trimester is so hard for me!). He complained that he had a canker sore. I asked him if he wanted some water. He replied "Why? my leg hurts!" He was confused! I rolled on some Essential Oil that I keep nearby and cuddled up close. It eased my sleepless anxiety and I realized that I should come and cuddle more often when I wasn't feeling well. That boy is a ray of pure sunshine in my life! As are my other kids! He said to me "I am SO hungry!" "Me too, buddy" I said and we both got up and downed a bowl each of oatmeal- regular for me and the sugary packets for him that he loves. Then he said "I am a BIG fan of food!" "Me too, buddy!" So ar...

We were hoping for a Girl! How exciting!! 

  This was taken the day before I went into Labor- 40 Weeks and 3 days- Done Loading!     The Contractions (or birthing waves) started around 7 pm on Wednesday night (the 16th). I was 3 days over due. The night before I had strong contractions on and off but they were gone by the morning. I realized later that they must have helped me progress because things went pretty fast! I had just finished organizing one of the kid's toy bins (a burst of energy) when the contractions started. I got on my birthing ball and bounced while the kids got ready for bed. Josh was talking with Elizabeth and I had to tell him "Let's get these kids to bed!" After they were in bed, Josh read to the boys while I turned on my "Fear Release" Hypno-babies soundtrack on my phone and relaxed into the contractions on the couch. They were definitely stronger and had more kick than the ones I had before, so I knew this was my birthing time! I was slightly worried that...

Prepping for baby (some of the twins, Ashers and new baby clothes all together!)   Well, my due date (the 12th) has come and gone (and still no baby!). This is pretty much a first for me! Elizabeth's due date was Sept. 14th but I convinced myself that it was the 15th and I went into labor early that morning! The twins were born 5 1/2 weeks early and Asher 3 days early. Everything about this pregnancy has been quite different than the others. I don't know if it's because I am 36 or if this baby is just a very unique boy! With him, I was quite sick from 6 weeks along to almost exactly 12 weeks along. I wasn't very much with the others (more so with the twins). This baby kicks and moves a lot more than all my others did. I've had about 4 long nights of contractions, only for them to fade away by morning. What?! With Asher that happened and then the next day he arrived! And Elizabeth after 2 days too. Aren't I supposed to go along fine and then c...

I hit 40 weeks tomorrow. And still no baby. That's okay! He's growing big and fat in there, so it's all good. I won a free photo shoot from facebook- here's a few that were taken (at 38 weeks).  I'm glad she got them back to me before the baby arrived. I really liked how these turned out!            

  Asher's 2nd Grade Dinosaur Project. They each were assigned a dinosaur (he got the Apatosaurus- which is like the Brontosarus) and had to write a 4-5 paragraph research paper and make a model. He ended up adding a paper mache nest with egg shells and some rocks. He had a great time doing it!   Baby B's corner in Elizabeth's room. We had her help Dad put up the crib when I was out shopping and she was thrilled to show it to me when we were done!   A bow tie made during Conference (which I loved, btw!) for baby boy. I asked Asher and the others if they wanted bow ties for Easter too and they said yes! I'm planning to make some! 39 weeks (and a hot Asher- it's supposed to be 98 on Thursday!). Josh's Mom has been visiting on Baby Watch and it's been such a life saver to have her here! She helps out a lot and even cooks dinner- it's been wonderful! She leaves on Wednesday, but we are enjoying her while we can!

On Saturday Evening, Elizabeth and I got to go together to the first General Womens Conference of the Church where girls ages 8 and up were also invited- along with the Women. I was excited to have her come with me! She was a little nervous, since it is was a new situation, but once there, she really enjoyed it! About 10 minutes into the meeting, I start having contractions/birthing waves- mostly Braxton hicks, but they I notice they keep coming and coming. I started timing them- 5 minutes, 7 minutes, 8 minutes, 5 minutes. Painful ones. I started getting excited! Elizabeth wanted to get a drink at the drinking fountain afterwards. I wanted to hurry home and lay down and see if they would go away. We got home, I excitedly told Josh what was going on and went to lay down on my left side for an hour and drink lots of water. After 45 minutes of resting and them not going away, I was too antsy and had to get up and do something! I packed more of my hospital bag, started cleaning the bat...

  Elizabeth and I at my Grandma's bday party!    Well, I am at 38 weeks tomorrow- full term! Yay! !The time has flown by so fast! Maybe that's what happens when you are busy with 4 kids in school and keeping busy substituting as well!    And now comes the time when I can't sleep. I just can't get comfortable- the bed is too straight, my curves are too curvy and it's not a great fit! I have a full body pillow but it doesn't help much. I need one of those big, huge J shaped body pillows they sell that are quite expensive! And of course, I am just EXCITED! I know that excitement can cause adrenalin rushes, but I can't help it. I held a nine month old last night and thrilled at the thought of having another one! The kids are getting excited too and ask about when the baby is coming or if they will come home one day and find me nursing on the couch. I reassure them that they will get to visit us at the hospital first!  I love babies. And I get ...

Asher      All the cars, lined up!     Ethan, getting ready to race!   Ethan     Jonah and his car! He won the sportiest award for his design.   Ethan and his car. He won the "most unusual car" award. We thought it should be the most unique car award, but that's okay!   Someone brought an old Model T racer- the kids loved it and loved honking the horn!  " The Red Hot Rod" and "The Blues" Ethan doing some painting. This year, we didn't have a lot of time to work on the cars, since e-mails about the event got sent out late and we were gone during Spring Break. The boys did a great job even on short notice! Josh did a great job helping them too!    Jonah taping and painting.   Oh, Baby! Almost 37 weeks there. Getting ready to meet this little guy! 

I didn't sleep well last night- lots of thoughts and ideas and emotions rolling around. I wanted to share with you one thought in particular. It is this: Sometimes the miracle is when the Lord answers differently than we prayed for. His answer- whatever it may be, includes the miracle and his Tender Mercies. Often it is very hard to see during that time  we are praying for something. This idea hit me more strongly as we, as a Church group, reflected on the pouring rain that happened during Saturday's Youth Cultural Celebration. Everyone was praying for a stop to the rain- the leaders of our area, the Parents and Leaders of the Youth, the Youth themselves. All day there was a circle of blue above the Youth practicing- keeping the field dry and clear. In fact, if it had rained even a 1/2 inch in the reservoir basin they were practicing the city had said they would cancel the event. President Monson would not arrive and the many hours of practice and prep would have no...

  I am 33 weeks along as of Saturday! Crazy! The time seems to be flying and going slowly at the same time- amazing how that happens, right? I wish I could speed time up and slow it down! I can't wait to hold this newborn in my arms and yet, who knows if this is our last pregnancy. I need to enjoy these days while I can. The other day when I was feeling especially tired and sore, I thought "There is nothing more important that I can be doing right now at this moment- growing a human being." I repeat that often! Last Saturday, my Church group threw me a lovely, yummy, beautiful baby shower. We already have a lot of what we need since we were prepping to do foster care, so they made it a diaper and freezer meal shower. We got a ton of diapers and wipes! Lots of people came and I (we) felt very supported and loved! What an awesome Church we belong to and what great friends! I didn't get any pictures there, but this picture is of afterwards.   32 Weeks   W...

It's that time again. The time of restless anticipation until the baby is born, when you can count the weeks you have left on less than both of your hands. The time where your belly is big and it's hard to sleep. The time when your clothes fit tight and you don't know how you are going to make it another few more months.  The time when, if you don't get enough calories during the day, you wake up hungry from dreams of visits to an ice cream parlor and getting a cake and 3 scoops of ice cream to go. The time your children love as you are often found in the kitchen baking something yummy. This is a time that is new for me too. A fter two miscarriages, lots of foster care work and 6 year of waiting, it kind of seems like this baby will not arrive. His very, very strong kicks and hiccups tell me that he is very much alive and doing well. My Dr. told me months ago that there is less than 1% of losing this baby.  But, my heart wavers. Will we really be bringing thi...

Maximilliano? Declan? Antony? I am thrilled to be on the hunt for a baby boy name but for the life of us, we cannot settle on just one name. We are at a loss for a good, strong, meaningful baby boy name. Let me emphasize WE- I have quite a few that I really like (Brigham, Ephraim, Bennett, James) and would use in a heartbeat. Josh, on the other hand, hasn't been able to persuaded in any direction.  And this is a team process. Me and Him.  With Elizabeth, we went through just a handful of names, and when I said "Elizabeth"- my Grandmother's name- we both agreed and felt that it was to be HER name. In fact, when we found out it was a girl, we called people and told them "We are having an Elizabeth!" It has been a perfect name for her (Elizabeth Renee- Renee after her Grandmother on Josh's side) and fits her perfectly (don't all babies names fit that perfectly after awhile? Well, most of them!) Ethan and Jonah were going to be 'Nathaniel...

 a picture in Wisconsin that my Mom took recently I am awake- still in the throes of a serious headache on this early Monday morning. Ah, well. I can use this time to write. On Train Track Switching.  When we first started on the foster-to-adopt track, a long while ago, we would often be told that now we would find ourselves pregnant. Stories would be told. Things rehashed. So much so that I began to expect it. I would buy things for the baby- wondering if it would end up being for a foster baby or for one that we had ourselves.  When we started taking the required 33 hours of foster care classes and I didn't particularly feel like leaving my children for 2 hours and sitting in a classroom every Monday night, I began to wonder "Is the whole train going to switch tracks this week? Are we going to find ourselves pregnant and not ever have to come here again?" I would even pray before almost every class: "Heavenly Father, do I really have to go to class ag...

  Can you see that precious smile? Baby Abbott at 12 weeks. Hey, bloggers! I am finally feeling better! I hit 12 weeks a week and a half ago and began to start feeling better soon after that. That Sunday I was able to do everything I normally need to do! Hooray!! I still need to eat more often, but that is doable!   Crazy Hair & Mustache Day!   You can't see Elizabeth's hair very well- but those are cupcakes back there- with a cherry on top! So...I've decided to change my blog up a bit. From now on, this blog is going to be more of a monthly, Family Update blog. Look for a blog post the beginning of each month.This way, if I ever make this blog into a book, it will be a lot shorter and a bit more concise. Enjoy!