HE's Here!

Most people probably know by now that our Clayton Matthew arrived on Friday and is doing well! We're still in the hospital "living it up". Seriously, Rod and I consider this a vacation. We do go home tomorrow (Monday), whenever we decide.

Clayton is a sweet little guy, he was 8 lbs and 21.5". The boys have taken very well to him so far! I hope that sticks :) The twins are happy that he is 'tame" and they can "pet him". Adam was giddy about holding him.

I'm having some pain, but am doing well overall. It seems a little harder this time with recovery, but i expected that with being older and it being my third c-section.

Thanks for lifting me and our family up in prayer, we have so many supportive friends and family that we wouldn't want to do without! Thank you Lord for another beautiful, healthy boy!! Can't wait to see what the future holds for these 4 boys we've been given :)

Last day with the 3

Today is my last day with 3 kids. It has been bittersweet, knowing it will never be the same. But at the same time exciting to see what the 4th one will add. So far we've made Daddy's birthday cake roll, and had lots of outdoor playtime, including this sprinkler. They all ended up totally naked about 3 minutes after i took this picture. It started making a muddy, sloppy mess but boy did they have fun!

Tomorrow at 12:30 my surgery is scheduled. Can't wait to finally meet this one! Again i'm so thankful for a full term pregnancy, that my back got better, and for so many prayers. He is faithful!

We will be in touch :)

Beauty

"Gaze upon the beauty of the LORD."

Psalm 27:4

Ready for Baby

I really wasn't sure if i'd make it this far (38 weeks), so in some ways i'm twiddling my thumbs here waiting for baby! That's a good thing though and an answer to prayer. I feel ready. Got all the "stuff" set up, batteries in place...I've prepared the boys for the changes ahead as much as i can, through talks, books, pictures. The rest of their adjusting will have to come with experience, after the baby is actually here. They are looking forward to holding the baby when they are watching a video, and getting the baby a pacifier.

I'd love to show you pics of the blanket i made and some outfits, but that will have to wait :)

So we are just eagerly awaiting the babe's arrival. Calm before the storm :) Thanks to those who were and are still praying for a safe pregnancy and delivery. Also my back is not as bad as it was this past week. It's still sore, but not giving me the sharp, constant pain as before.

As we explained Good Friday to the kids last night, I told the twins that 3 years ago they were born on Good Friday. I'm hoping for a good quiet time today to reflect again this year on the sacrifice Jesus made for me on this day.

Happy Easter Weekend Everyone!

Potty trained?!?!

I'm confused, i thought it took months, lots of effort, and several accidents to potty train. But i'm pretty sure Ben just potty trained himself over the weekend! He started telling us consistently when he has to go....wakes up from naps and overnight with dry diapers....and hasn't had an accident in his undies yet. wow! i think he knows that's the only way i'd give him the time of day on this right now :) But like Adam, he wakes up with a poop in his diaper so he hasn't done that in the potty yet. But the peeing, he's got down very good! It helps that he doesn't drink much. I don't need to ask every 15 minutes for him to go like i did Adam. He's already gone over an hour. What a boy! Brad hasn't followed suit yet.

Birthday Party

3? how can that be?!?! We celebrated Ben and Brad's bday Friday night. i wish i could have enjoyed it more, i was still having intense back pain. But it was fun to see them smile and take in their evening. God has shown me a lot through the twins lives and i'm so thankful for them! They are best friends, and such good little brothers to Adam. They willingly play along w/ almost every idea Adam gets. They are very good helpers, sometimes if i don't have enough jobs for them to do they get mad!

Rod deserves some recognition for his efforts lately. He made this cake, the boys wanted a police car cake. And after my back started up on Thurs, Rod decided to make it himself. Without me asking, mind you. I was just planning to cancel the party! Rod is a no nonesense, get the job done, type of guy. And even though sometimes i think "i wish he would slow down and have fun", it's times like these when i so appreciate his character and abilities. He's kept this place running the past few days. And has been doing a very good job. I'm feeling better, after a trip to the ER early yesterday morning and a low dose of prescription pain med. Now i'm wondering why i waited 48 hours to do that! It's like night and day. They aren't sure what's causing the pain, but something muscular...a sprain or spasms. Now i know not to shovel, sweep, and wheelbarrow loads full when 36 weeks pregnant! I feel for people who live with chronic pain. That is not for me! Thank you Lord for relief!

SO, back to the party!! Here's a few shots.

ROD'S ARTWORK:

They took turns blowing out the candles, we relit them several times..
Happy early Birthday to my sweethearts!

Twins 3 year pics

The twins birthday is coming up on April 6th. I wanted to get their pictures done before the baby comes. But I woke up at 4am with back spasms. Painful! I had them all day, with a little relief in the afternoon. I took 5 showers and had a hot pad on all day. So i was going to cancel the appointment, but Rod came home and said he'd take them!! It's in York, a new place i wanted to try with great prices and you get the pictures 20 minutes after your photo shoot! Rod enjoyed the time with them and i'm still in amazement that he took them! More on Rod being "Mr mom" in my next post.

They also give you a disk of the pictures. Here's some favorites:

BEN....

BRAD.....

I took a picture of this one, it wasn't on the disk.Their birthday party is tomorrow eve at my parents. I'm praying I will be in better shape till then!