Hat Head

Chandler is fascinated with all things Emilee. Yesterday it was the fact that she wears mittens much of the time to keep her from scratching her face. Yesterday, Gordon helped Chandler get down his mittens after many requests for "Chan Chan Mimims." And while they were down, Chandler got out a hat as well. He spent much of the evening yesterday entertaining Gordon and I with some of the many ways he found to wear this funny little snow hat. . . we finally got out the camera and took some photos! What style!

Sunbonnet Sam

Uncle Jamima
The French Baron
Rapper Chan

I don't even know what to call this one!

first "happy" bath

Emilee screamed through her first bath, and we were worried that was going to continue! But apparently, she just needed daddy to do the job. Today's bath went much smoother, and she even seemed to be enjoying herself! Now we just need to convince her diaper changes are not the end of the world! A nice fluffy towel
After, clean and fluffy!

Talk about "Good Mail!"

Just look at this package, no, this baby shower I received yesterday from a long time friend. There were so many cute things in this package, they just kept coming, I had to share! The kicker was the wool coat on the bottom of the package. I want that wool coat to match! Look at it! I think the person I was on the phone with when I opened this might have gone slightly deaf as I squealed in their ear. So many cute things, and a book for each boy as well. Gordon is just sure Emilee is just ruined now, and is going to expect to be runway gorgeous all the time after this. Buneeface is feeling very loved today. Thank you sweet friend!

A slideshow of our weekend. . .

Guest Blogger: Aunt Keren

So, Rachel's in the hospital with a new baby girl! I have two responsibilities: (1) take care of the three boys, and (2) post pictures of Emilee. I have left the child tending in the capable hands of my husband so I can post the pictures!

Emilee Jane Wilde was born 23 February at 11:36 pm. She was 7lbs and 14 ounces. Rachel was right that she wouldn't make it to her due date. That was supposed to be March 3. I have no idea how long she is; and, although I saw her, she was swaddled pretty tight. I would put her length at average.




Rachel and Emilee are both doing well and plan on coming home from the hospital tomorrow. Until she has the energy to post, here are a few pictures to tide you all over.

All Drama, No Excitement. . .

So, I start this post by saying I am still pregnant, and everything is GREAT. So no worries! Here's what all the hullabaloo has been about over the last 24 hours.
Yesterday I saw my doctor, and told her I thought the baby had been a bit quieter than normal for about 24 hours. They hooked me up to a non-stress test (NST) and then decided they were a little bit uncomfortable with her heart rate and sent me straight up to L&D. I stayed there for 2 or 3 hours, where it was decided that the baby was A-OK, and all things looked great! They are going to repeat this test on Sunday, just to be sure, but we were given the "go home and relax while you can" talk. So. . .
We took the kids and headed out to Safari Sams for the evening. They had filled a jar of marbles (for good behavior) and got to pick the prize, and this was the night! They were very excited! Safari Sams has the largest jungle gym in Oregon, and by large, I mean huge. The max. Capacity for in the gym is like 260 people. It's crazy fun! Also mini golf, chuck-e-cheese type games, pizza. . . a kids paradise!
We had been there about 10 minutes when I suddenly started feeling like my contractions were changing. While they have been strong enough to make my heart pound all month, they didn't hurt at all. All of a sudden, they were hurting! Not terrible, but my back was aching, and they were coming at least 3 or 4 times an hour. I could still talk and walk through them so no worries, we stayed and played. . . until. . .
Aidan fell from a steep ledge and somehow tweaked his elbow. Tears, the works, for about 25 minutes. We seriously considered taking him to an urgent care, but were also thinking he was tired and hungry so we would wait it out. But, this morning, he is still favoring that arm and is having trouble extending it. So, we are off to Urgent Care this morning to get that diagnosed. . . we'll leave shortly, and I'll keep you posted.
So, we put three very tired kids to bed at 8:00, and I layed down on the couch, and my contractions seemed to slow down a bit. At 9 I decided to hit the sack. I slept 10 minutes, contraction. 20 more, here's another one. After a couple of hours of this, and due to my history, we called the doc (the one on call) and he said to head into the hospital for an evaluation. So, at 11:00, we got the babysitter (Mandy) here and off we headed, not terribly hopeful that tonight was the night, but hey, one can hope. They hooked me up to the monitor and checked me (3 cm) and I contracted at about 10 min apart for a good hour and a half. But, they were not picking up in intensity. We were sent on a walk for an hour, and walked the dark halls of the quiet hospital for an hour, shared an ice cream cone, and at 2 came back for a re-check. Definitely still contracting and such but no change. So, they want to send us home. I resisted pretty hard because of how fast Chandler came, but in the end, doctors aren't willing to help you out a whole lot at 2:30 a.m. (it's a sad fact of having babies) and I was sent home with a sleeping pill, orders to rest, and when the intensity picks up, even if the pace doesn't, then we are to come back.
SO. . . no baby yet! But, we are feeling pretty sure that this one may not make it to her due date, there is just too much going on already. With Ethan and Chandler, when I started doing this, we had a baby within about 2 days. I just hope I don't have to do this all weekend until my doc is back in again Monday. That would be an exact repeat of Ethan. . . very exhausting. They gave me another sleeping pill to take tonight to help me sleep though the contractions with the assurance that if they got very intensive I would wake up (and I did when they got strong again this morning). So that's where we're at! Sort of in labor, and headed to urgent care for Aidan! Woo Hoo!!! Hopefully we'll have good elbow news and fabulous baby news to follow in the next couple of days! Here comes another contraction. . . signing off!

A Battery a day. . .

There were a couple of months there, where the trains didn't come out every day. Where it was not requested of me on a daily basis to make a complex and exciting track system for Thomas and his friends to zoom around on. Aidan seemed to be moving onto other things, and to be completely truthful, I was ready for a break! And then, after about two months in the closet, Thomas was rediscovered by our youngest engineer. I think it's because on Sunday mornings, when Gordon takes the big boys over to the chapel to help set up the chairs, Thomas just happens to come on PBS, which gives me a chance to do my makeup and hair. And with that little 20 minute TV opportunity, Chandler has fallen in love with all things Thomas the Train! He lovingly calls him "tom" and we are definitely back to train play every day! It's fun, as he's still willing to just let me set up a small circle for a track, and doesn't demand bridges, tunnels, turn-tables, etc.

He did discover recently though that we have one Thomas that is battery operated, and will chug down the track with a push of the button! He LOVES it! He plays with this for at least an hour a day, usually not on the track, but just on the carpet. He'll send it off down the hall, get all excited, run after it, attach more cars, crash it into the walls. He loves it! But, he's burning through batteries at an alarming rate! Like one a day!

I knew that I should definitely pick up another pack of AA's at Costco this week when he learned to say "battery" and "screwdriver" and where exactly both of those items are kept. About every evening around 7 o'clock, the train gets brought to me with the screwdriver with a request for a new "batty." "Coo-drier, mama!" And off Thomas goes Chugging for another day of battery burning play!

Choo Choo!!!

Sleeping Update and Mama Update

THANK YOU to everyone who had a useful suggestion with our sleep situtaion. I am happy to report that putting Chandler to bed earlier seems to be improving the mornings dramatically! Bed time is right around 7:30 now (an hour earlier), and he's been sleeping in to at least 5:30, and even made it to 6 this morning, and 6:30 three mornings ago! What a strange phenomenon. . . Naps have stayed consistent so I feel like this was just the wake up call we needed! I even remember reading about it years ago, I had just forgotten! Thank you!!!

Also, in the update category. . . Mom is home now, and recovering from the comfort of her own abode. We are so grateful she made it home without any major headaches (traveling) and are now hoping that lots of R&R will be just what the doctor ordered. Thanks for all of your inqueries prayers and good wishes!

Where Did Winter Go?

Today has been so gorgeous! Gordon was home for presidents day so we headed out to the park for some sunshine and some 60 degree weather! It was heavenly to sit in the sun and be warm and toasty. And the kids had a blast! Chandler spent most of the time scaring me to death at the top of the ridiculously high play structure, and then moved on to swings and bikes. It seemed like a good opportunity to take some photos, so here are some highlights of the fun. . .

This is how Chandler rides his bike. Right foot on the pedal pushing, left foot on the ground scooting. One of these days we expect to see two feet on the pedals!

Wow, that woman has a beer belly. . .

Baby Blues

Thanks to everyone for sleeping advice. We've decided to try putting him down earlier. In the least he'll get more sleep, even if he doesn't sleep in! I'll let you know how it goes. In the mean time, doesn't he have some gorgeous baby blues?

No Rest for the Weary

Sleep has become a hot commodity around here lately. About 6 weeks ago, our little monkey Chandler started getting up at about 5 a.m. on an almost daily basis. If he slept until 5:45, I actually felt like that was "sleeping in." And on the occasional weekend day when Gordon was around and I slept until 6:30 - WHAT LUXURY!!! So, we decided it was probably time to let him stay up a bit later in hopes that he would start sleeping in a bit more. So, his bed time was shifted from 8 to 8:30. (the other boys go to bed at 7:15!!!) Since then, he started to sleep in a bit, after about 2 weeks. But the last three days, our little 5 a.m. alarm clock has been going off again! I'm about ready to lose my mind. (Not to mention I can't take him ANYWHERE after 10 a.m. without him getting all zonked out in the car.) He obviously needs more sleep than 8-9 hours a night, with a one to two hour nap. I don't know what his deal is. If you have any advice, I'd love to hear it!

ANY HOO - today he took a 3 hour nap, and at 5 I decided it was time to wake the little sleeper so he would actually go to bed tonight, and not be up at the crack of (2 hours before) dawn tomorrow. He looked so cute zonked out I took his picture. . .

Which woke him up. . .and then he wandered into his closet. . .Where he layed down and tried to go back to sleep. OH! I hope he sleeps until 5:30 tomorrow morning! That would just be a lovely valentines treat. . . May you all rest more than me tonight. . .

I did it!

I've been trying to figure out the ins and outs of customizing my blog FOREVER!!! I finally think I've got it down. . . Thanks Maryann and Nancy for all your great pointers. I'm sure I'll be tweaking it slightly in the future, so bear with me, but for now, how do you like my new look??? Of course, I'm going to have to add Emilee's photo to the banner in just a few weeks, but that shouldn't be TOO difficult!!! :)

and Readmitted. . .

the Saga Continues. . .

The hospital accidentally gave mom a bit too much of her BP meds on her way out the door and she basically was fainting in her wheelchair with her BP at 70/40. Way too low. Apparently there was quite the ER scene as people rushed to her side to stabilize her. Just what she needed. So, she has been readmitted and is looking at going home tomorrow now. This does not affect her overall health or her heart condition that she was having, it's a stupid error. . . thank heavens. Anyway, hopefully we'll get the final installment tomorrow with a "she's home!" post, and no more drama!!!

Mom Released!

Mom's Echo came back completely normal this morning and her heart seems to have healed from the problem! She is being released from the hospital as I type this and they are heading home this evening. Hard for me to beleive! Yea Mom!

the Newly Refurbished Nursery

This weekend we took advantage of some free time and put the crib back together in the nursery. This proved highly entertaining for Chandler, and he spent the whole rest of the day tucking in his teddy bear under Emilee's new quilt. We are definitely feeling like this is going to be the most "interesting" bringing home of a baby we've done. Chandler is such a monkey, and climbs in and out of the crib, and I'm afraid we're going to have to really protect the new baby, with a lock on her door or something!!! Only problem. . . it's his door too! We'll see how it goes. . . Anyway, here are some photos of all the new cuteness in the fun but very crowded nursery!

The Girly Side

Chandler's Boyish Side

This is the new dresser I picked up off of Craigslist to house two kiddo wardrobes. So far it's working great!

Here's Chandler climbing into the crib for the 100th time and being told, "no no, that's the baby's bed!" for the 100th time. We thought we had him trained at one point, turned our backs for 30 seconds, and he was right in there, tucking in his bear again!

Mama Jane Update 2

Just a quickie update. Mom is still in the hospital, but was moved out of the ICU a day and a half ago. She is making progress on her medication, and the doctors are predicting that she'll probably be released sometime next week. It depends on how the follow up tests go. I beleive they opted out of the Angeogram because of the risks and minimal benefits for her condition, and they are going to do some other non-invasive tests to confirm that everything is going well. (high tech ultrasounds and such). Thanks for all your thoughts prayers and good wishes. Hopefully everything will continue to progress over the next few days and she'll start feeling a bit stronger.

Chandler Boogies Down

Chandler has really been developing some new dance moves lately! Oh, and he loves to be naked. I tried to dress him four times yesterday before I finally got him pinned down and in some clothes. This is a bit long, but if you can hold on until the end that final dance is worth the wait! Shake it Chandler!

8+ Months

I was actually 8 months about a week ago. . . I'm only 3 and a half weeks from D day at this point, but things have been so crazy, I haven't had time to remember to snap a photo! So, if you remember from my "seven months and still happy post," things have definitely changed a bit. About a week after that post I hit the wall. Since then, I've definitely had to slow my pace a bit. I've taken to riding around stores in their handicapped carts (I have no shame), and actually I won't go to any store that doesn't provide them. Chandler rides on my lap and thinks it's great fun when I let him steer. I would really have very few complaints if I could stand or walk. That would be nice. But I can sleep better than with any other baby at this point and my hips and pelvis don't hurt (a miracle!). I've just got this ripping pain down the left side of my abdomen that feels like the muscles are ripping in half whenever I stand up for more than 5 minutes at a time. My doctor has reassured me that that is indeed probably what is happening (how comforting!). But, like most symptoms, it will go away after delivery and of course falls withing "pregnancy norms." Yea! So, here is a photo by Aidan of me this morning. Looking forward to the end!!!

the Shark

Some time ago I posted that we had a little wiggle. When it was discovered (3 months ago!!!), I was just sure that this little first loose tooth would be out within a couple of weeks. Gordon and I even bet on it! I guess I was remembering about how I would wiggle and wiggle my teeth until they were out. I couldn't leave them alone! I loved having loose teeth! But, Ethan seems to be a bit more patient. He's never really been a picker, or a nail biter, and apparently he's not a wiggler either. The tooth is just slightly looser than it was when it was first discovered! Only now there's another tooth, right behind it!!! He's like a little shark! Hopefully it will come up and forward and push that other tooth out and not cause problems, but for now, he's our little SHARKY BOY!

Update and Snow fun

First things first, Mama Jane is feeling better and better and here is the update we got from dad:

Mom ate tomato soup & a grilled cheese last night, and ate today. She's ordered pasta for lunch & roast beef for dinner. She's slightly ambulatory and sitting up otherwise. She has her glasses on & read a bunch of information that was printed out about her condition.Heart meds were tolerated well so they're upping the dose. Sounds like she'll be moved out of ICU into Cardiology soon. Would rather have her in ICU for more constant monitoring & attention, but the move signals progress & improvement.

So, tomorrow brings the Angeogram and we'll see after that. Grandma Hazel's funeral and buriel have been moved to her Birthday, February 14th. Valentines Day. One last party for Grandma.

So now that things are settled down a bit, I feel like I can get back to posting everything I'm behind on. . . here are some photos from our super fun weekend up at Mt. Hood with the Boyntons. We had such a wonderful time with Amy, Brian and their four (soon to be five) kids. Imagine the crew we will take along with us on our next adventure! 9 kids! We had record snowfall, and were basically snowed in because movement in and out of the driveway was so difficult. But, with their Suburban they were able to get the kids to the mountian for some skiing, while the prego Mama's hung out with the little ones at the cabin. Here are a few photo highlights. . .

All the kiddos

There's nothing like a hot tub and snow!

Mama Jane Update

Grammy made it down to Grand Junction yesterday and is currently in the ICU. Her ventilator came out this morning and she is breathing fine on her own, although they are giving her a heavy dose of oxygen. They will continue to wean her off of that. We think we have a diagnosis, which is better than we were expecting. They don't think she's had a heart attack at this point, but beleive she may have a syndrom seen in some asthma sufferers that causes the heart to enlarge and become irregularly shaped. If all continues to go well, they will do an angio-gram on Thursday to get inside and really check it out, and hopefully get more blood pumping through her heart. So that's where we are. Thanks for all your prayers!!!

Mama Jane

So many fun things to write about, but they will have to wait. As I write this my mom is in the hospital, in Grand Junction, CO. They were up in Aspen when apparently she began to get short of breath and her heart was pounding at 160/min plus. We got the call from my dad at 6:45 this morning that they were headed by ambulance down to Grand Junction, to get her out of the high altitude. She would have been taken by life flight but the weather was too bad and it was impossible. Apparently this is all happening in the storm of the century up there. We are awaiting further word on what exactly this is. There is some speculation on a heart attack, but nothing conclusive yet. She is under medical sedation and has been intibated, and a machine is breathing for her. She is currently in the ICU. So if you can spare a prayer for my mama today, it would be so appreciated. I'll post again when we get any word.