Christmas Program

Last night was Carson's Christmas program with his prechool. I was way sad that I couldn't make it, but I didn't want to take Mason out yet. Here he is getting ready to leave.

Here's a cute video of him singing!


And of course I had to throw in some cute pictures of Jonas and Mason.

Gratitude

While Mason was in the hospital, he had dropped weight down to 6 lbs 4oz because my milk wasn't coming in (the nurses told me its common with early babies for the mother's milk to be delayed in coming in). Also, his bilirubin count was moderately high (you can tell he looks a little yellow in some pictures). So on Monday we headed into the pediatrician's office and he is back up to 6 lbs 13oz and his bilirubin count is normal now. The doctor said that he was looking great...a big relief to me!

I want to thank everyone who has given so much time and energy into helping me! Its hard to feel so helpless while I am still in so much pain and heavily medicated and I am thankful for those who have stepped forward to help me out.

Random pictures from the week...

Can you believe Carson took this picture of Jonas? Pretty good photography skills for a 4 year old!

Coming Home

I love being a mom. Its seriously the toughest and best job to have. I love how a newborn brings such a wonderful spirit into your home. I also love how Heavenly Father blesses you to have instant love for a new child. I can't describe it...but everytime I've seen my babies for the first time I've just felt this overwhelming love for them. I felt the same way when Jonas came home (you can read about it here). Even thought Mason was a "surprise" I know that he was meant to be in our family. He just fills a hole we didn't know was there. He's ours...forever.

Christmas came early to our house this year and I can't think of a better Christmas present than my sweet little boy!

Mason Wynn Birch

Here's the newest member of our family!

Mason Wynn Birch

December 1, 2009

9:54 AM

6 lbs 15.5 oz

21 inches I started having irregular contractions at 8 o'clock Sunday night and went into the doctors office Monday and was dilated to a 1. At 10:30 Monday night my contractions became regular and we headed to the hospital at about 3:00 AM. When I got there I was dilated to a 3+. After observing me for an hour and determining that I was in labor and still dilating, they decided to go ahead and do the cesarean. He is different from Carson and Jonas in that he is bald and what hair he does have is very blonde (our other boys were born with dark brown hair). We are all doing well and will be in the hospital until Friday.

Deck the Halls

Its amazing how much you can get done when you have your awesome, hardworking husband home for four days! Jeff even put up lights on our house; just a few for now, but more to come in years to follow. We're ready for Christmas...well, almost, Santa has a few more presents to pick up and I have to sew a stocking for the baby. Here's wishing you a wonderful Holiday Season...its the most wonderful time of the year!

Have I told you how much I love these little guys?? They did an awesome job decorating the tree today!

Thanksgiving

This year I hosted my first Thanksgiving because I obviously couldn't travel too far with the baby coming in a week! It was a lot of work, but it was all worth it to have our family come visit us. It makes me realize how much I miss them. I am so thankful for all that we've been given this year. Especially the opportunity to have another baby and to get our new house. My heart is so full of gratitude for everything and everyone that has made this year amazing.

After dinner the kids played outside on the teeter totter and in the unfinished sandbox.

Then when it was dark we all sat down and watched The Grinch, one of my favorite holiday movies!

On Friday my mom and I went to go see New Moon and then I braved the crowds and did some Christmas shopping. Only one more week to get all those presents bought and wrapped before its time to have my baby! A baby. In a little over a week. Am I ready?? Not sure, but my SIL Maria was inspired and made me a cute diaper bag so I'm feeling a little less worried about that.

This is Jonas

The other night the boys were wrestling and I happened to get this cute video of Jonas. I love it because it shows his true character....head butting the camera (or anything for that matter) and showing his cute, but cheesy smile. Man, I love that kid. Enjoy!

Ramblings

Aren't they cute? I think so.

My c-section is scheduled for December 7th at 7:30 in the morning. That means I have 2 1/2 weeks left until my baby comes and I do not feel prepared...mentally or physically. The thought of having a newborn seems so foreign sometimes. I think its because Jonas is so young and I feel like I still have a baby. I feel like I just did this. My nursery isn't in order and my bags aren't packed. In fact, I don't even have a diaper bag. I got rid of all of my old ones because I wasn't anticipating needing one again for awhile. A part of me is panicking that I don't have my bags all ready to go and I don't have all the newborn clothes freshly washed. In fact, I don't even have a place for our new little guy to sleep because the crib mattress in on the toddler bed and my bassinet is in Idaho. Its okay, I know it will all come together in the next few weeks, I'm just the type of person that likes to have things done beforehand.

I've been getting these bursts of energy where I feel like I have to clean everything from top to bottom or hurry and finish all of my projects right away...yes I am nesting. The other night I stayed up until 1:30 in the morning trying to get a quilt finished that I had promised my aunt. The good news is that the quilt is almost done, but I still have two other sewing projects that must get done before I go to the hospital. Today I spent 2 1/2 hours in my basement moving and organizing things. Did it really need to be done? No, but for some reason I feel like my whole house has to be organized right now.

Anyways, I'll end my ramblings for the night. I should get to bed soon so I can get up at 5 AM with Jonas.....I wish that boy would just sleep in sometimes!

Love

It was one of those days today. I went to bed last night with a migraine and woke up with it throbbing even worse. So I stayed in my jammies, let the dishes and laundry go undone, and laid on the couch wishing that the horrible pain would go away.... and that no one would stop by to see my house in such disarray. Around noon, I dragged myself to the kitchen and made some grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch. As we sat down to eat Carson said to me, "Mommy, I just love you. You are beautiful." Beautiful was the last thing I was feeling in my old jammies and greasy hair pulled back in a pony tail, but obviously my son thought different. It made my day. What a difference one little comment can make. Love you little man! Thanks for being such a big help today.

Halloween 2009