Things We've Learned So Far About Caroline......

She......

likes to tuck her little thumbs into her fists

looks the most like Gus or Marlee so far

has a birthmark on her hip

is ticklish

is not a fan of being swaddled

loves to be wide awake at 4 AM

makes lots of little noises......our favorite being the billy goat noises

loves to stretch out

has furry little ears & shoulders

gets greasy hair after its' "petted" a few hundred times

is this Grandma's last grandchild

smells so yummy I can hardly stand it!

..........and is quite popular at home and around the neighborhood.

Let the whole world fade away......

I'm the oldest of 6.
So, in my house growing up, there was always a baby's room.
And in the baby's room, above the rocking chair, next to the macrame hanging plant-holder ( this was the 70's you know), hung a framed cross-stitch that said the following........

Cleaning and scrubbing

Can wait til tomorrow;

For babies grow up,

We've learned, to our sorrow.

So quiet down cobwebs,

Dust, go to sleep;

For I'm rocking my baby,

And babies don't keep.

I'm soaking this baby in.

Every little yummy bit of her.

So cleaning & scrubbing will definitely wait til tomorrow, among many other things.

I have the rest of my entire life to run around like a crazy, busy person.

So I'm going to rock this baby for as long as I can.

wow

I forgot how hard this first part is.

I go from being blissfully happy to being really bummed that I did this, right when my life was getting nice & easy.

Then back to blissfully happy, just needing a nap.

Happy Birth Day

Everything went beautifully.

Beautifully, happily, wonderfully normal and uneventful.
What a blessing.
My final delivery room performance.
I couldn't believe I was doing all this again.
And now I can't believe it's all over!

I checked in to Labor & Delivery at about 8 in the morning to be induced, wearing my 'Knocked Up' shirt for the last time.
Then waited awhile for IV fluids to go in & epidural to be put in, then pitocin to be dripped in......
Meanwhile, my cheering section, Brian & Marlee, made themselves comfortable on the couch in my room, doing a little light reading & online shopping & ..........

doodling.


Mars wanted to be there when her baby sister was born, and we felt she was old enough to not be traumatized by it & would be a such a great experience for her. She also agreed to be the birth photographer & I think she did a fabulous job.

It makes me SO happy to have all these pictures of this amazing day.........

I don't think there's ever a moment in life that tops this one right here.
Holding your baby for the first time.

My beautiful baby girl.

So precious. So perfect. So looks just like her brothers & sister did!

I was instantly, absolutely in love with that fat little face.

Little Caroline Lily was born just before 4 PM, on May 14th.

We decided on her middle name just days before she was born. We weren't even going to give her a middle name, but Marlee persuaded us to, and we decided on Lily, which was Brian's grandmother's name.

She weighed 7 pounds and 12 ounces. My smallest baby.

And she measured only 19 inches long, so they were calling her short & fat in the delivery room.

The fat's all in those cheeks! They're so kissable and yummy!

The next day Brian brought the other kids to meet their new little sister.

(Except Zane who was playing with cousins)

Welcome, little Caroline, to our family.

We're so excited you're finally here.

Announcing.......

Caroline Lily

born May 14, 2010

weighing 7 lbs. 12 oz. and 19 inches long

We're in love.

And we're SO happy to have her here safe and sound.

nesting and waiting......

waiting and nesting.

Actually, I'm done with the nesting.

I'm ready to get this party started!

The baby's room is ready. I think I have everything I need. I've had my carpets cleaned & windows washed & couches cleaned & lots of closets & cupboards organized, and if I could, I would wipe down every inch of my house with those Clorox disinfecting wipes (I love them!).

I got a fresh delivery pedicure yesterday & did a big Costco stock-up trip.

And I've been trying to give each of my kids some quality one-on-one time before they get ignored for a while.

But the nostalgic (and hormonal) side of me is really trying to soak this in & burn it into my memory.

There are parts of pregnancy that I love & this is such a bittersweet feeling to be done with......forever.......the amazing experience of feeling your baby squirming & kicking inside of you, or the exciting anticipation waiting for labor to start & heading to the hospital with your diaper bag with a tiny little 'coming home' outfit in it......and bringing home a new little family member.

This is it.

48 hours til I'm induced.

The best job in the world

When I'm saying my prayers & thinking of all that I'm grateful for that day,

The very first thing that always pops into my head is........

I'm so grateful to be a Mom to my precious kiddos........

and that I'm so lucky to be home with them, and not having to juggle a full-time job elsewhere.

There is just no better job in the world.

I mean, I get to do stuff like this during the day.........

Play grocery store with my favorite little 4-year-old guy.

Does it get any better??

Well..........

......... maybe when you're handed that brand new little bundle of love that you finally get to lay eyes on & snuggle after all those months..............

I can't wait!

So Happy Mother's Day to me!!

The day I get to celebrate what I love to do the most.

our newest little cousin

baby Brock

He's 5 weeks old & much more alert & active than a brand new newborn.
He was not about to do any curled-up sleeping poses........

..........but gave us the sweetest smile instead.

Congrats Jen & Cory! Beautiful work!!!

What Marlee's been up to.......

spazzing out with friends

texting

getting straight A's

thinking she's much too busy to ever do any chores

throwing major attitude when we make her help out around the house

being a good Orthodontic patient by wearing her rubberbands

being a photographer for the yearbook committee this year

being constantly annoyed by her brothers

getting her phone taken away when she's mean to her brothers

counting down the days til she gets her driving permit

not getting her permit until she gets her YW medallion

Playing club volleyball with Molten..........

Which she loved.

Here's some pics of Mars in action...........

I really hate to brag...........but she's pretty dang awesome!

still playing the violin & made it into one of the top orchestra groups in high school next year

wanting to take French now that she's taken Spanish for 2 years

texting, with friends......did I already say that?

running track for Stapley - 800 meter

can't wait to be done with junior high

and

can't wait to see her baby sister born any day now!