We are all adjusting to life with a newborn just fine. I was happy to say that yesterday, we made it to church on time and we were all ready before Nick got home from his meetings. Also, another thing to report, is that Nick was released from YM president and put in as the 1st counselor. He was a little sad, and relieved all at once. This will give us more time together, and more time to get ready on Sunday mornings. He still has a lot of responsibilities, just not as much as the president had.
My family came, and went home. It was great having them here, and I was sad to have them leave. It is a bummer that they live so far away, but you do what you gotta do. Now, I just have to "de-spoil" the older three. They had a lot of fun with Mema and Aubrey and Angela. They went to Chuck E Cheese, the zoo, countless stores, and just had a great time. I really missed my kids while they were out having a great time, and I am so thankful that my mom was able to come take care of me. C-sections are no fun, and the recovery is not fun either. It was just really nice knowing that the laundry was done and that everyone was fed while she was here. Sometimes you just need your mom.
Lucy is doing good. She is a lot fussier than the other three, so that is taking some getting used too. Nights are still crazy. I cherish the few hours between feedings and look forward to naps. Of course I don't get to take naps, "sleep when the baby sleeps" yeah right, not when you have a list a mile long and other kids to care for. She has her 2 week check up on Wednesday, and I know she has out the weight back on. Of course she is still tiny, but I can see her cheeks plumping up as I type.:) We love her very much, and feel the completion she brings.
Bosston loves her and loves to hold her and pat her back. When she cries, he is eager to get the binkie and take care of her. We have had a small issue of jealousy. Mostly at night, he likes to snuggle with me, and so we are trying to work on snuggling with daddy. Emmah, is the proud big sister and is really good at it. I won't be surprised if she is volunteering to change diapers in a couple of weeks. She picks out her clothes and tries to put shoes on her, but they just fall off. Dasher actually held her for a split second the other day. He will kiss her forehead, but that is about it. I just keep asking if he wants to hold her, and he just says, "nah, no thanks." In due time. Nick took last week off which was great. I didn't want him to use vacation to take care of me, I wanted to be able to do stuff, but after he was home I was glad that he took it. We still have more to take, so maybe when it gets warm we will venture out.
We bought a second car on Saturday. Finally. I mean it is the year 2009. We have been a one car family since we were first married. We finally broke the cycle. We were able to purchase a Volvo wagon, and we are glad we finally did. Well, I think that is updated to this point. I will get better about pictures and stuff, but hey, I am just learning. :)

SUPER MOM

It is amazing how much love one person can have for so many other people. I remember when Nick and I found out that we were pregnant with Dasher. Excitement would be the best word. I wasn't really nervous at all, mostly because, this is what I wanted. My whole life, my greatest ambition was to be a mom. Those three letters are so powerful. Motherhood is amazing. I admire my friends who have completed their schooling, live these awesome lives with stilleto heels and handbags, and love it. I would love it too, but I know I wouldn't trade my tennis shoes, and running around chasing kid days for that. Now that our family is complete with the addition of Lucy, I look back at the eight years when our family started. What great times we had, and what great times we have to look forward too. I KNOW I can do this. I can be that awesome mom, who bakes incredible cookies, her lasagna is to die for, her kids are dressed, hair fixed, and we are out the door on time. I CAN BE HER. I can be SUPERMOM. I have an incredible mom to follow, she is just the same. A mom who wants nothing but the best for her children. I will be the crazy one who juggles it all, and still has time to juggle a marriage, (if you know what I mean). I am going to be strong, confident, patient, loving, funny, sexy, and doing it all by dinner. I am ready to for the challenge that four brings. Here we go, no turning back. I am ready to rock and roll.

just some fun shots of her. i will update daily...

LUCY EDITH DURANT

Some of you maybe wondering how it all went. Well here goes.... Lucy Edith joined our family at 2:55 on Thursday afternoon. Weighing in at 7 lbs 4 oz. and measuring 19 1/4 inches long, we just love our new baby. She has so far been a pretty good baby. She has her fussy moments, but you do what you gotta do. The operation went smooth. The spinal took longer than expected, but all in all, I felt nothing, and the surgeon did a good job. Recovery is always not fun. I itch like crazy coming off the meds and well, I just had a baby, so of course, sleep is needed.

We got home today, and it is always good to be home. Here are some pictures. We love her so much and we are looking forward to more fun times with her. Enjoy.....

emmah before seeing the Hannah Montana movie....how cute is she?

One lucky mom and dad, we must say!!!

Just another of our glory......

Here is Bosston, sporting his sport coat, with shoulder pads and all.......

An update, before the addition

Happy Easter to all. We hope that our friends and family had a fabulous weekend!! Saturday, we went to the primary activity( a little lame) and then we waited for the washer and dryer, as seen in previous blog. Sunday was hectic as always. Even though Nick didn't have meetings, I still felt rushed. The kids looked amazing in their new Easter clothes. Bosston looked especially sharp in his sport coat and even was strutting his stuff around the house. After dinner we had a ham dinner and then Nick had to go to work. Lame night shift. That is over for the time being.
Monday was another crazy day just getting the house ready for my family to get here. They finally arrived and the kids were overjoyed. So far, so good.

I must say today has been a little struggle for me. This morning, I found myself on my bedroom floor, (trying to figure what clothes to wear one last time) when Bosston came and sat on my lap. Instant tears. I just realized at that moment, he was no longer my baby. I have to admit this pregnancy has not been like my last three. I loved all of them, don't get me wrong, but for the longest time I have been so content with three children, and now that is going to change. With every new thing in life comes the question, "can I do it?" "can I handle it?" "what am I going to do?" Thankfully, my mom is here, and if any of you know my mom, she just sat on the floor, reassured me that I CAN DO IT, and of course, cried with me.
I have felt overwhelmed, exhausted, over anxious, excited, nervous, scared, panicked, loved and happy. I am so blessed to have my dear husband who supports all my crazy antics. He has put up with a lot lately, and yes, there is more to come. He has been up late at night with me, given into all my cravings, and just been there to let me vent, and cry. To my dear sweet children. How grateful I am to be your mom. Heavenly Father knew I could do it, and I am so thankful that I have and that you chose me to be your mommy. It has been tough, but with tough times come better times. Dasher is such a great big brother, who lately has stepped up to the plate to run errands around the house for me. Emmah, who is actually happy to have a little sister to dress up and snuggle with. Bosston, oh my, what can I say. I have loved you from the very beginning, and I mean the VERY beginning. And now to my dear sweet Lucy. I pray that you will feel the spirit in our home. You are leaving perfection to come to this Earth at this time. We pray for your safe arrival, and that all will just fall into place. I do love you my sweet daughter. I promise to be the best mommy to you. I only hope that you love and appreciate all that we can do for you.
Well, there we go. Next time, pictures and details..........

Oh Happy Day!!

Why is that when we were kids, one would get excited for a new bike or toy? As teenagers, the excitement came from a new car, or new pair of sneakers; and now, here I am 27 years old and I am getting so excited about my new washer and dryer. I guess when you find yourself in life happy and content, new things such as this can bring joy. Today was the longest day ever, waiting for the arrival of this. When the truck pulled up, I will admit, I felt like a kid on Christmas morning. Watching the guys haul away the junky ones and bringing in the new ones was priceless. Call me crazy, but I enjoy doing laundry. Mostly because I hate looking at baskets full of dirty laundry. So, yes, I am silly, but my new washer and dryer are beautiful.

When the installation was complete, Dasher goes over to the washer and says, "my she is a beauty!" How funny is that?

So, we went with the Kenmore Oasis Elite model. I had researched this model and the front loading in all brands. They are very comparable and offered the same things. The decision was based on the size for the price and the fact that the entire time, Bosston was turning the dial and pushing ALL the buttons on the front loading one. I could just see him ruining them before I even finished a load. The sale that SEARS had was awesome, and we walked in and out with making a purchase in under an hour. Fabulous!!! I would've chose a color option, but I am too cheap. Wash anyone????

Good Friday...

No, not Catholic, but this is my final Friday being pregnant, so I am celebrating Good Friday that way. I am huge. The circumfrence of my stomach is 47 inches, up and down we are 37 inches. No, I will not tell you how much I weigh, just that it is the most I have ever weighed, and will never weigh this much again.

before and after

no caption needed

End of the Week

So, the week is almost over, and this is my final weekend being pregnant. Hip Hip Hooray. We usually color eggs the day before Easter, but tomorrow, we have too much going on, we decided to do it today. We did find a beautiful washer and dryer which is coming tomorrow, we also have a primary activity and JOE'S sporting goods is going out of business, so we might sneak a shopping trip in. As you can see, busy, not to mention, just getting the house ready for baby and my mom to come. EGGS WERE COLORED TODAY. I have relaxed over the years. The first year in our house, I was the color nazi. I laid down newspaper, made the kids wear aprons and overall, made it not fun. I have lightened up a ton, and just let the kids go to town. Bosston had a blast. His hand, I only hope, is back to normal by Easter Sunday. I always remember coloring eggs as a kid and it taking awhile. Not with these three, they were done in like ten minutes. I think it took longer for the tablets to disslove in the vinegar, than it did to make them colorful. They had a good time and that is all that counts. The above pictures show you that.........\

ps I do do Emmah's hair, she just takes it out. That is why it is so, well, you can see.......

What a fun week.

The week started out glorious. The sun was shining and it was actually warm. We were able to watch General Conference and still enjoy the sun in between sessions. It was so sunny, I even bought sunglasses for the kids. They are always taking ours and losing them, so now they have their own to lose. This was us waiting outside on Monday for FHE to start. I miss the sun already. I am not pictured because I am the one taking the pictures. It was just the best to sit in the sun and do absolutely nothing.

frustration

so, last night, I thought I would throw a load of laundry in and get a head start on the wonderful chore. The wash cycle went flawlessly, as usual, so I proceeded to put the clothes in the dryer. Well, just 20 min after I hit the start button, the buzzer went off, but didn't shut off. It usually just goes "BUZZ" and then done, but this "BUZZ" lasted for like 45 seconds. I jumped up off the couch, (paid for that later) and ran to the dryer. The clothes were still damp, so I restarted the dryer, and could hear the motor running, but realized the drum was not tumbling. So annoying, now my dryer is broken. Granted, this washer and dryer is ancient, given to us by my mom and dad, but still, the blasted things are so expensive, I really did not want to have buy something like this before the baby, reunion and summertime activities. Luckily, Sears always has deals, so hopefully this weekend, we'll see. In the meantime, I had to take that load, plus the load that I stuck in the washer, to the laundromat along with three kids this morning. Man, do I need a vacation from children. Just a few hours will do........................

ps if anyone absolutely loves or hates their washer and dryer set, please feel free to comment so we know what to look for and stay away from.

We had a fun weekend. Our neice and nephew came and spent the night with us, and yes, I was able to get all five kids and myself ready for 9am church and we were even early. I am amazing, and no excuses from us for being late. Just a pet peeve of mine. Anyway, some of the pics are in the car, others at grandmas house with all the cousins, and then the last one in the corner in us at the hospital after Winter had surgery. I didn't realize I was in the picture SO MUCH, but hey, I am just 11 days from giving birth, that is why, I am so so PREGNANT. Just documenting until the day..........................

A little scare

This pregnancy is really giving me a run for my money. You would think with this being baby number four, nothing would fool me. WRONG..... Friday, we went grocery shopping while Dasher was at school. Then I continued to tackle my to do list. Well, Friday night, I spent about 45 min on the phone with the OB advice nurse. I was having some weird pains, and issues, that I had no idea if they were pains or labor or what. Well, since I am still pregnant, we ruled out labor, and summed it up that I just over did it that day (shocking) and needed to go to bed. I woke up Saturday feeling fine, but I now officially have to STOP and take it easy. Whatever!!!!!!

I have been spoiled

Just recently, Nick and I have been spoiled. We don't usually get to spend much time together, with Nick's calling, and work schedule and not mention we have three almost four children, alone time, is something that doesn't exist. But just in the last month and a half, we have been able to see more of each other. It started with a fun date night just the two of us with shoe shopping and dinner, and then the next weekend with our friends, the Bradfields. Thanks to Candi for taking Bosston, and one of the YW watching the other two, we were able to go and have a great time just as adults. Then just recently, we went to Claim Jumpers, already blogged about that.
Well, this last Thursday, it was Nick's turn to be recognized at work. He has been with Chevron for five years, and to say "thank you" we got to go to lunch. So, we went to Salty's a seafood resturant and it was FABULOUS. I have just recently realized that I do enjoy seafood. So yummy. There were five of us, myself, Nick, his dad, and his two bosses. If you think being surrounded by that was intimidating, think again. I kept the conversation going. It was a great day, and to hear other people, especially his bosses, sing his praises, made the proudest wife ever. Of course, I didn't take any pictures, but it was fun, and I totally recommed the resturant. I love my husband, and I am so proud of him for all his hard work and dedication with the company. Counting our blessings..............................