Summer vacation in photos

4th of July and the Frio River

Graham's Birthday

Since time is flying and our sweet boy is already almost 2 months old, I decided I'd better get his birth story written. I just really can't believe how the days are filled with activity and we are moving through them so quickly. While it seems like his birthday was just yesterday, I also feel like I've known him forever and that he's been a part of our family for so long. So, his birth story goes like this...

At 36 weeks pregnant I had my regularly scheduled appointment with my OB and found out that I was already at a 3 and 70% effaced. I had been having some contractions that were uncomfortable, but nothing too painful. The morning of my appointment I had been doing some yard work and was having some pain, but just attributed it to that. Jeff was at his parents' house for several days helping his dad harvest the wheat, so after I found out about the progress I had already made, I called to let him know. I think we were both pretty surprised. The doctor suggested that I rest and take it easy to try to avoid going into labor before I reached 37 weeks.

The following week I had an early morning appointment on Monday and found out that I was almost at a 4 and was about 80% effaced. By this time I was 37 weeks and having pretty uncomfortable and frequent contractions, but nothing that was consistent enough to time. Dr. Gayle estimated that I would have Graham in 72 hours, but that if I came in to my appointment on Wednesday morning and was a 4, he would admit me. We called Martha that day and asked if she would come stay with us in case it happened before the appointment and she came that night.

On Tuesday, June 18, we had a pretty busy day. All of us made a shopping trip to Gander Mountain and Sam's because I decided I was going to walk what I was pretty sure was a gigantic baby out. That night we had dinner at Frank and Misty's and then took a ride out to the land. I had hoped that the bumpy ride would bring on contractions like it had a couple of weeks before and I guess that did the trick. I started having them, but still nothing regular enough to time. I had been instructed not to come until I had contractions that came every 5 minutes for an hour. Jeff and I stayed up late watching the NBA finals, then went to bed around 11. At midnight I was woken up by sharp contractions that kept coming closer and closer. I remember watching the clock and telling myself that I would wake Jeff up at 12:30 to tell him if they continued. When I woke him, I told him that I would wait until 1:00 and if they were worse we would go. He just rolled over and went back to sleep. But, I woke him again five minutes later and told him we needed to go.

It was such a short drive to the hospital and like the two times before with Ansley and Heidi, it seemed so surreal. I was admitted close to 1:00, my doctor was called and I was hooked up to the machines. The anesthesiologist came in at 3:45 and Graham was born at 10:00 on Wednesday morning. Those hours before he was born were wonderful because I finally had pain relief after days of contractions and back and hip pain and Jeff and I just got to sleep and be alone together in the peace and quiet. When it was finally time to push, I expected for Graham to come out quickly and easily like the girls did, but I had to push much harder and for a little longer than I had before. It felt like there were a ton of people in the room, too. There were three or four nurses, my doctor, Jeff, and a firefighter/EMT in training (which wasn't as weird as it sounds. I don't know why. Maybe because there were already so many people in there. Maybe because Jeff had to watch deliveries when he was in training and I figured it was just something this guy, who was around our age, had to do).

Anyway, Graham finally made it out and was just perfect. I was immediately in love with him and was so relieved that he was a boy since I had a secret fear that he was going to be a girl and we already had his room done in navy blue. He weighed 6.14 lbs and was 21 inches of pure sweetness. I was surprised to see the little dimple in his chin, but not surprised at all that he looked like his daddy. We had lots of visitors that day and the next and went home Thursday afternoon. The next few days Jeff, Graham, and I spent alone together because the grandparents took the girls. It was a sweet time of rest, quiet, cuddles, and getting used to our new little boy. God has blessed our family so much. I wasn't sure I would ever be the mother of a boy and I'm so thrilled that I get to experience it all. What wonderful blessings all of our precious children are!

Introducing Graham...

Born Wednesday, June 19 at 10:33 in the morning. He was 6.14 pounds, 20 inches long, and absolutely perfect. His big sisters are already in love with him and we're all doing well. More to come on his birth story later...

Update on Graham

I'm now 30 weeks pregnant and cannot believe that in two months we will have a baby boy in this house full of girls. I feel like I'm starting all over having babies since I'm about to start a new adventure with a boy. I'm so excited to see how different he is from his sisters and to see what Jeff is like with a son.

I still feel completely different with this pregnancy than I did with the girls. I've gained less weight so far, but that's probably because I'm not allowing myself to eat whatever I want like I did with them and because I barely have time to sit down during the day because I'm too busy. I've been a lot more tired and physically achy. I'm carrying much differently than I did in the other pregnancies. Because he's so low, I'm experiencing a lot of back and hip pain, but not the rib pain I did with both girls. By the end of the day I am hobbling around the house and was convinced that he was a giant baby because of the size of my belly and the amount of pain I'm in and still have two months to go. This was confirmed at my last appointment when I was told that he's measuring three weeks ahead. The doctor says that if I deliver around 38 weeks (which I doubt will happen because I've never really had my babies early), he will probably be around 8 1/2 lbs. That's doable. But, I'm afraid he'll stay in there and chub up until the due date and be 10 lbs. Maybe not. Maybe he's just average size and it's all the way I'm carrying, but it will be interesting to see. But, I do know that I already love this little boy so much and all this pain and what I will face is more than worth it.

Something funny about him: I feel him get hiccups several times every day. And every time he does, he gets so upset and starts kicking in every direction and making huge movements until they stop. They always only last for a couple of minutes, but he seems to really hate them.

My sweet friends are having a prayer shower for me in a couple of weeks to pray over both of us. I know it will all really set in when we're praying for specifics and I'm getting little boy clothes and things. I'm so excited! Last night we moved the crib into his room and I am slowly starting to get it ready for our son. Can't believe I'm saying that!

Heidi's 2!

Our precious Heidi,

You just turned two years old and are such a sweet blessing to us. Your personality continues to change and I laugh as I think of how funny and sassy you've become. Here's more about you:

-You weigh 24 lbs and are in the 60th percentile for height and 25th for weight. Daddy and I were both surprised by this because we don't think of you as being small in terms of weight, but in height. I guess maybe you're not going to be so short after all.

-You have a HUGE personality. You love attention, to be silly, and to make people laugh. You can also be sassy and independent. You're learning to share and be kind and are very active.

-You have started pretending and love to play dress up and with your baby dolls. Your favorite baby is still your Minnie Mouse and she's always with you.

-You love to imitate everything your sister says and does. You get along so sweet one minute and are fighting the next. I guess that's the nature of sisters. I pray for you to be best friends and to have a wonderful relationship as you grow up. Sisters are so special.

-Something funny you do: We listen to a particular radio station in the car and during their breaks they sing the name of the station (KSBJ). Every single time they sing it, you finish by singing the J. It's so sweet hearing your little voice singing behind me as I drive and it's so funny that you never fail to do it.

-You've also started singing about Jesus and that's my favorite thing to hear you say. I pray for you to know Him at a young age and that you desire to glorify and serve Him all of your life.

-I'm interested to see how the transition goes when Graham gets here in a couple of months since you're so attached to me. You're still my baby and love being held, carried, and rocked, so I'm not sure what you're going to think when Mommy's carrying around and rocking a new little baby. But, you seem to understand that there's a baby in my belly because you are constantly rubbing it and saying "baby Graham."

-Speaking of my belly, when you see it you laugh and say "belly" in a deep and funny voice, like the image of my bare belly is the funniest thing you've ever seen.

You are such a precious little joy, Heidi Reese. I cannot believe the ways the Lord has blessed your daddy and me with such a sweet family. I'm so thankful for the two years He's given me with you and I look forward to many more!

Love,

Mommy

Ansley's 4!

My sweet Ansley,

You're four! You've grown and changed so much in the last year and I just can't believe how much all of our lives have been changed and blessed since we first met you four years ago. You are such a sweet girl, full of love and always willing to help. Here's more about you:

-You are still very tall. We haven't been to the doctor yet, but you are quite a bit taller than most other children your age. You're wearing 5T, but the dresses are a little too short. You refuse to wear shorts or pants and have told me on many occasions that princesses only wear dresses, skirts, and leggings. I'm not sure where this came from, but I love how girly you are.

-You amaze me all the time with your vocabulary. You will hear something once and usually figure out what it means and use it in a sentence, or will try to slip it in anyway. You're learning to write and sound out the letters of the alphabet and can write most of them on your own. You can write your name without help and ask all the time how to spell your friends' names so you can write them. You love to learn and "do school."

-You're so sweet and patient with your sister. Heidi is still learning how to share and treat other people and you usually ignore her outbursts or try to kindly correct her. She is learning so much from you and I love seeing you two play together.

-This year you have been involved in gymnastics, ballet, and Cubbies. You've done great in all of them and love going to see your friends.

-You are so loving and affectionate. You tell Daddy and me that you love us several times a day and are constantly giving hugs and kisses. You offer to help Heidi and hold her hand. This is one of my favorite things about you and I hope we have many more years of it before you decide it's not so cool to hug us.

-Since turning four you have decided that you are much more grown up and mature now. You have told me that four year olds always help their momma, say yes ma'am, clean up when asked, eat all their food at dinnertime, and on and on. I'm not sure where this came from either, but hope it hangs around for awhile.

-Every night you ask where we're going when you wake up the next morning. You love to be busy and to see your friends. We have a very close group of friends and see each other several times a week. They are all such blessings to us and I'm so happy that you will have a group of friends from church that are learning to love the Lord with you.

Ansley, you are such a sweet blessing and pleasure to be around. We love you so much and are so thankful that God chose us to be your parents and are excited to start another year with you!

Love,

Mommy

Bluebonnets