Still Smiling

I really wanted a new family picture. We hadn't done one since baby Jack was born. So I dressed us all up in cute coordinating clothes and had my sister snap a few pictures. It was not easy getting two 4 1/2 year olds, a 22  month old, and a 2 month old to take a good picture. Surprisingly we managed to get one that isn't terrible. It's now displayed proudly on our bookshelf.

But that isn't the picture I want to share today. It's this one:

This is what life with four kids under five is like. Jack (2 months) was tired and crying, Anna (22 months) was desperately trying to be anywhere else, Erik (4 1/2 years) was whining and refusing to stand up straight, and David (4 1/2 years) was yelling and refusing to look at the camera.

This photo really shows how my life feels. Not picture perfect. Not glamorous. And often fairly frustrating.

But through it all, Steve and I are still smiling. Sometimes we're smiling to keep from losing it, but we're still smiling.

Baby Jack's Birth Story

John "Jack" Oliver was born on March 26, 2013 at 12:49pm. 6lb 15oz, 21in, and perfectly adorable.

I had an appointment on March 25. I was dilated 2-3cm, so we decided to sweep my membranes and see what happen. I had contractions off and on all day (I had been for the last 4 days), but nothing really time-able. Later that night I started losing my mucus plug, but still no regular contractions. So I went to bed.

At about 2am I woke up to contractions. I tried to sleep, but by 3am they were keeping me up. So we called my mom to come watch our older kids and then headed to the hospital.

I got checked in and labored for awhile. My past labors had both started with my water breaking, and the contractions were awful. This time, the pain was really manageable. My nurse was amazing

At around 8:30 my doctor came in and checked me. I was 6cm! So we decided to break my water and really get things going.

The contractions starting getting more intense, and then all of a sudden the pain was really strong. So I got an epidural, and things were great. My doctor checked me again, and I was 8cm. We knew it wouldn't be long!

After another hour or so, my nurse checked me, and I was 9.5cm with just a little lip. We waited about 30 minutes, and it was time to push! Baby boy was head down but facing sideways, so my doctor helped to turn his head as I pushed. Once he was in the right position, he came right out. Just 16 minutes of pushing, and baby Jack was in my arms.

I honestly can't believe how easy my delivery was. And my recovery has been the easiest one yet, even easier than my last VBAC.

Brand new baby Jack.

Jack and Mommy

Welcome Jack

I finally got baby Jack's birth announcements done. Unfortunately, I made a mistake on his weight. He was actually 6 pounds 15 ounces, not 16 pounds 15 ounces. Ah well. They are still really cute announcements. :) 

Welcoming Boy Birth Announcement

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