Welcome to the family: Thomas James

Here we go. Thanks to Tommy's arrival - I'm BACK. Mainly because while we are in the thick of CRAZY right now, I do know that time flies and I don't want to forget anything about this sweet little boy's arrival and his first year. And just document our crazy life in general. I'm not sure if anyone will read this, but that's the last reason I write these. I keep them for my family. So here we go --- historian mom, back in action. 

First up - since I missed documenting anything about my entire fourth pregnancy - we will just start with his arrival. Which luckily, was slightly less eventful than the pregnancy. So that's good news! But little man...how incredibly ready were we to meet you! Let's start with how it was all supposed to happen. Since I had strep B again, my doctor and I decided induction would be a good course to pursue again. Maddie came FAST in the middle of the night. Mikey came faster even during induction, so we came up with a new plan and order to make sure we got the full four hours of antibiotics in. Induction was set the morning of September 7, when I was 39 weeks and 2 days. Per usual, the hospital was hopping (because we apparently only have babies when everyone else in KC is too!), so I was warned that my induction might get pushed back (like it did with Mikey). I mentally prepared for that. So when no one called me the Thursday night to confirm that we should come in, I called the charge nurse to confirm. She said someone would call me between 5-6AM to confirm for sure. Of course, I don't sleep at all because emotions are high and it's like - will I have a baby tomorrow? Will I not? So in anticipation of that....I got Freddy's the night before. Because french fries seem to fix everything! And I posted the image below on IG because patience is not my thing.

The hours of 5 and 6AM...passed and no one called. She had said to call them at 8AM if we hadn't heard. So I'm a rule follower and followed the rules. We got up and got the kids ready and had breakfast together - turns out it was the last one as a family of 5!

It was nice to not have to have our parents come over and get the kids ready and to school, so Jimmy took them off to school and I went upstairs to call the nurse a little before 8AM. Hmmmm - turns out she was a little confused as to why we weren't there yet because they had me scheduled for an induction at 7AM - they were wondering where we were. WAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. I held my composure and explained that I never received confirmation or a call but quickly finished packing my bag and waited for Jimmy to get home to tell him that we were in fact: HAVING A BABY TODAY!

I snapped my LAST bump picture (EVER!). And we headed to the hospital!

Luckily, we got an awesome nurse. I mentioned the confusion and she said they figured we were late because we already had three kids. HA. I'm like, lady - we can run late, but I do NOT run late to things like HAVING A FREAKING BABY.

We had already discussed changing the order of things. Which instead of breaking my water first thing (which is what we did with Mikey and things went fast!), we were going to start the IV and antibiotics and then wait a bit. So we got those things going and then she decided to check me. HELLO - I was already dilated to 5cm. WHAT? Yes, I have no idea because I didn't really feel much. Whereas when I came in with Maddie in the middle of the night, I was dilated to 6cm and was in so much pain. Odd, but I did skip my 39 week appointment that Wednesday prior...so maybe I had progressed? Who knows. Anyways, we were really happy we hadn't broken my water yet or started pitocin first thing!

Then we wait. And wait. Four long hours. Luckily, you can have coffee with sweetener, so Jimbo got me some of that and we waited some more. I kept naturally progressing, so I decided to call the miracle worker - aka the epidural person. They came in, gave it to me and it was bad, but nothing I hadn't experienced before. Then my doctor came in around lunch time to break my water because the first round of antibiotics were done and we started another one.

This time is always so weird to me! Because I'm in labor, but have drugs. Like I feel stuff, but not really...so it's just like hanging out. Needless to say, Jimmy spent most of his time writing in the baby play book and ordering my hospital meals for me - because legit that is one of his favorite things about having babies. Ha. He's weird.

Around 3PM, my parents came up to see me and the nurse kept saying - I think this is going to progress fast because we started the pitocin and boy was she right! Around 3:15, she checked me and it was GO TIME. My doctor was called right away because I historically have these babies pretty fast. Prior to her arrival, I randomly asked the nurse how they knew that the baby's face was down and not up. I have no idea why I asked this - but it was for sure foreshadowing! HA. She told me they can tell by feeling their head when they check me. Welllll....

My doctor comes in, she reminds me of how to push and we start. I pushed SO hard. My epidural was GREAT - in that I could feel just enough to know when I needed to push but not too much to be in pain. Love those doctors!! But I kept pushing. And to put this in perspective, my other kids came out FAST. Even my first one. Like I'm talking I didn't push any longer than 20 minutes with any of them. So we all assumed this kid would just "fall out" because #fourthkid.

WELLLLL (again)...turns out he WAS in fact face up. So yes, in between pushing, I asked 11,000 questions about (A) why was I pushing so hard and nothing seemed to be happening - apparently it's because it takes them longer to come out face up (aka sunny side up aka occiput posterior) and (B) it also means their shoulder have to come out a totally different way and they could have to have a broken collar bone. And overall, it usually takes a bit longer and could potentially mean intervention through forceps or vacuum. Luckily I had done ZERO research on this - so I just kept pushing as hard as I could. And I mean HARD. My nurse was like "it this baby was face down, it would be three rooms over...!!!" and believe me, I felt like it afterwords because my arms and legs were SORE for days!! But luckily, 30 minutes later at 4:04PM...our sweet baby boy arrived!

And he was HUGE. Like I'm talking almost 10lbs huge. 9 lb and 13 oz of LOVE.

I cannot even tell you how excited I was to see this guy. I started to get worried mid-pushing that something was going to happen to him or me...so when he came out all in one piece and was healthy, mama relief sets in. Then the LOVE begins. And the name game. We never decide what our kiddos names are - mainly because we cannot agree. So we ended up coming to an agreement on this:

Thomas James Carter

(aka Tommy) 

Oh my word. This little chub of love. 

And then one of the best parts post delivery - getting to EAT. And hold baby. And try to feed him. And EAT some more. And snuggle some more.

By late dinner, we were moved into our recovery room and his grunting began! I was so nervous because that is why Mikey went to the NICU for potential respiratory issues. Our amazing L&D nurse ended up staying 4 hours after her shift was over to finish delivery with us and make sure we got settled into our room - and told me SKIN TO SKIN! So I didn't take that kid off of me. And luckily, his constant grunting did decrease and we avoided that NICU stay!

The next morning, our whole crew came up before swim lessons to meet their new brother!!! We had talked to them the night before via Facetime and to say they were excited to meet him was an understatement!!! He was getting circumcised when they came in, so of course they were anxiously awaiting his arrival...and it was pure sweetness of sibling love when he came back!

And we got our first picture as a family of SIX. So fitting this picture!!! 

I mean LOOK at that love. They are obsessed.

Was happy to see these kids - and they were happy to get the weird gifts they requested from their newest brother. Maddie got a squishy pie (?).

Let's just say that getting a picture of our crew - was not easy...nor will it ever be!

Overall, I completely forgot what it's like to not sleep. And forgot what those damn drugs do to me. But it was a good and quiet weekend with our littlest man. Jimmy watched a LOT of football and Tommy and I did a lot of snuggling. And we did finally get decent at calling him baby Tommy - it's hard with so many boys!!! 

While he was our BIGGEST babe...he still seemed so little!

The last night, I had to get up and walk around. So we went for a stroll! 

Then Sunday morning came and luckily our pediatrician and OB came in to see us EARLY! And were ready to bust out by lunch time. 

And on our way out...we got to stop by and see my friend and coworker, Amy, and her new baby boy Jax who was born just the day after Tommy was!!!! It was fun to be pregnant with her and it's going to be even more fun to have these babes together!

When we got home....all I wanted was STEAK. So that's what we had. 

And then the next morning was Monday --- and the fun began (and all the coffee) with this little booger. How adorable are sleeping babies?

Overall, so so thankful for a good labor and that we are both happy and healthy. And REALLY happy my induction didn't get pushed because pretty sure he would have been over 10 lbs. And goodness sake, he was big enough for me. I'm writing this and he's just over a month old and those first few days/weeks were a BLUR! While he slept a ton, in a house with three other kiddos - there is always something to do! But feeling so much love with this sweet boy in our house. Lucky he is ours and his brothers and sister are OVER the moon with him!!!

Am I sad it's my last baby? A little - but not enough to want to do it again. Four is the perfect number for us, I can already tell, and I'm embracing every "last" and "first" that comes with our final addition with this sweet little man!

New year - 8 things!

Happy happy 2017 - hope everyone had a great time celebrating last night.  We went to an old friend's wedding and it was literally the most beautiful wedding and by far one of the most meaningful ceremony's that I have EVER been to.  It was a such a great night catching up with old friends and celebrating those two and their new family.

With a new year, there is lots of reflection too!  I found this article on pop sugar and loved it.  This morning, Jimmy and I went out to breakfast sans kids after a NYE wedding and night in a hotel downtown (so fun!) and were talking about goals.  Goals for 2017.  He said he's not a big goal guy - but I challenged him to think about where he wanted to be this time next year - welcoming in 2018.  Where did he want our family to be?  What did things could we feel better about in 2017 than we did in 2016?

I LOVE conversations like that.  I'm a weirdo - I know.   But I feel like sometimes you can just get SO wrapped up in the day to day and then that turns into the week that went by and then the month.  For me, having that conversation with someone means so much.  And I'm so thankful we got to start the new year off like that!!  Talking about our individual and family goals.  Personal and professional.  Sharing our prayers and fears for 2017 as well.

In addition to personal stuff, I'm always looking for ways to simplify my personal and our family routine...so I'm sharing 8 ways that this article mentions (you can read it there) and add a few of my own comments.

1. Keeping a well stock pantry (I'm also going to add FREEZER to this one because you know my love of freezer meals).  But I totally agree with this one and what a better time to keep this up with our new pantry that we (meaning my dad!!) made in 2016.  While I feel like you need to be aware of your pantry and freezer inventory - meaning you're not stocking up on the same thing over and over again at the store - it's so nice when I meal plan that most of the meals I already either have the stuff in my pantry or it's a full meal already prepped and ready to go in our freezer.  (Check out some freezer meals ideas here and here that are healthy on my heath and fitness blog!)  Helps relieve so much of the stress on a weekly and daily basis and we never have to ask the question "what's for dinner?"
2. Commit to a Regularly scheduled toy purge.  Oh BOY.  We need to do this ASAP from all the Christmas toys - but this is a MUST on our quarterly to do list for 2017.  Plus when we involve the kiddos and give back to kids that don't have toys - we teach our kiddos about giving and I love that.
3. Do a better job of budgeting.  YES.  YES.  YES.  This was on top of my list of things that I feel like Jimmy and I didn't do a good job of this year.  Do we manage our money?  Yes.  Put money into savings?  Yes.  Did we just pay off our minivan and are finally car payment FREE?  YES (seriously I'm so excited about this!).  But what I don't like is not having the visibility and feeling of knowing at any time throughout the month where our money has gone, planning to go and how we are doing towards our plan.  I have a plan in action that I talked through with Jimmy and we are SET on this one.  I just hope we can keep it up!
4. Take the easy way out (sometimes).  Totally love this one.  We have a lot going on in our family.  I have a lot going on personally.  I don't like taking the "easy" way out, but sometimes it's just necessary.  Make my kids halloween costumes?  Not my thing - so just buy!  School parties?  Don't feel guilty about signing up to bring plates.  This means continuing to be conscious that there is not all the time in the world and sometimes it's needed to say no, keep your PJs on and just be with my family.
5. Only make time for the people who matter.  This one is hard for me and always will be.  I have friends from forever and all stages of my life - I love them all so much.  What I learned in 2016 was something that wasn't easy. Friendships change and evolve.  People that you thought were going to be your best friend forever - might not be.  And that's OK.  It was hurting me too much to keep holding on and it took lots of reflection and conversations with people smarter than me that had been through it before to realize that is really is OK.  I'm not a bad person and those people aren't bad people - but we just aren't the same as we were and the relationship isn't benefiting either of us.  Not a fun lesson to learn - one that was filled with sadness, anxiety, tears, etc.  But I'm thankful that I went through it in 2017 and know that with the limited amount of time, it's important to focus on those that you value the relationship with AND (the key) that they value the relationship with you as well.  Easier said than done, but I know I will continue to reflect on this in the upcoming year.  On the super positive side?  As folks funnel out of your life, some amazing people come into it.  I'm so thankful for all the friendships that have grown in 2016 - those with old friends and those with people that I just met this year.  It's quite an interesting circle (friendship is), but I'm thankful for my old, dear friends and all the new ones as well.
6. Make sure you can manage your extracurricular commitments.  Three kids.  Two old enough for activities.  Here's what I'm NOT doing in 2017.  Over scheduling.  Making our kids do things that they don't want to do.  I learned that in 2016 the hard way when I tried to be all strategic with doing indoor soccer for Charlie and Maddie in the fall.  Our Saturday mornings turned out to be WAY too stressful and just made for a horrible start to the weekend.  I'm nervous because I do have them signed up for gymnastics at 9AM (Maddie) and then basketball at 10AM (Charlie) on Saturday's - so I might already be off to a bad start on this one, but I learned that if it's too much - we can adjust and change and even quit as needed.  In addition to the activities for kids - being conscious of my involvement in things.  I manage a HyVee freezer meal group.  I like have regular girl's night.  I want to be a bible study.  I love my personal blog.  I am a health & fitness coach.  We are involved with a small group at church.  That's quite a lot.  Yes, I like busy.  I thrive on busy. But I also need time with my family to do nothing.  And be with Jimmy.  And my extended family.  I know this will just continue to get harder, but keeping this on the top of my mind is important to me!
7. Get your schedules in sync.  I'm hoping Google Home will help with this one :)  Ha.  But in all reality, we are pretty good with this one between Jimmy and I.  We use google calendars and then I also have a planner that I write stuff in - because I like that aspect of it.    
8. Consolidate your errands.  If only I could JUST go to Aldi, I would be one happy lady.  Haha.  I have professed my love of Aldi for grocery shopping and now that they have baby food, it is pretty much the guaranteed place you can find me on a weekly basis.  Most everything else we do subscribe and save via Amazon.  But the things I feel overwhelmed with are when I forget something for the kid's school, a birthday present, body wash (other personal items) - and I'm not able to get it off of Amazon prime.  #firstworldproblems right?  But seriously, I am trying to be mindful of sitting down each Sunday to plan this out and order from Amazon as needed and then stick to my weekly Aldi trips - because Aldi is the BOMB.

Other things I'd like to focus on in 2017:

1. Sticking with my morning workouts - I loved getting into this routine in 2016 and plan on keeping up with that in 2017.  While the 4:45 alarm is early - the energy and endorphins I get when I kick off my day with a quick sweat session is amazing and it's my time to myself that I'm investing back in me
2. Spiritual/reflection time - this is something I always TRY to keep up with and is one of the most important things, but I am going to be honest here - I seem to always have a reason why I can't take like 10 minutes in reflection everyday to pray, be thankful and just be with God.  It's only TEN minutes right?  I'd like to start there - maybe push my alarm 10 minutes early and reflect then?  I just need to find a time (and spot in my house - I think I have a good journal and this 3 minute devotion) and commit.
3. My marriage - this man that I married almost 7 years ago (in April).  He is the best.  Seriously.  Even when I want to hate him, I can't.  He was gushing to me last night how much he loves me and I almost started crying.  I'm so lucky to have him and I don't want him to forget how much I love him!  
   

OK - whew for lots of reflection.  What are things you are looking to do in 2017?  I'm ready to crush these goals and have an amazing year!!

Soaking in the weekend

Lists, early wake ups, kisses goodbye and hugs hello.  That's what our weekdays look like now that I'm back to work.  It was a pretty amazing 11 weeks off...and while we are all adjusting...going back to work makes the weekends that much sweeter for all of us.

There was a whole lot of this going on.

Which I love!!!  Maddie is a little momma to Mikey. 

We decided indoor soccer wasn't our thing...so we made our own outdoor soccer fun Saturday morning.

Pretty sure Jimmy and I had more fun kicking the ball to each other, showing off our "skills" and chasing after Maddie and Charlie trying to get them to dribble than our kids did.

That might have been because a huge playground was tempting them....

It was a gorgeous fall morning and it was so nice to be outside and soaking in the cooler weather (but not too cool!).  My mom and dad came and met us too since one of our favorite parks is right by their house...gotta love some nana and papa park time!  I'm not sure who leaves more exhausted!

When we got home...I busted out the rusty baby gear sitting in the basement for this little guy.  One because let's just say that time hop when your kid's birthdays are all within a few weeks of each other (2 years apart...) it makes for an easy reminder at what stage the other kid was in at this time.  

So when I saw this old picture of Charlie come up from 4 years ago...

Mikey got to have his own fun!!  He did ok and it's hard to believe he's big enough for this already (well kind of- he has a pillow underneath his legs!)

Saturday after naps our older kiddos went over to nana and papa's house for a slumber party.  My mom has been asking and when the kids started saying they were wanting to go - there done and done!!  And Jimmy and I went grocery shopping, out to eat and to Walmart with Mikey.  Relishing in the days when we just had one kid one second and then missing our older two kids like crazy.  Even though it wasn't very glamorous, it reminds me just how great this guy is and thankful for time with him to have some meaningful conversations!

But I did get to eat this delicious blackened shrimp salad which is my new favorite and I'm wondering why I can't whip something like this up of my own.  Looks like 1.5 greens (maybe 2!), one red, 1/2 yellow (corn) and an orange.  (Can you tell I'm trained in beachbody container eating??!)

Sunday morning, little Mikey slept in because he's the #bestbabyever and then we all went out to breakfast.  I went into work for a few hours while Jimmy held down the fort and Maddie napped because #grandparenthangovers are real.  She seriously took a 4 hour nap!!

While the Chiefs played at 3:30, we got ready for that and our neighborhood Halloween/fall party.  

Everyone wears a Jamal Charles jersey under their Elsa dress, right??

Love these girls on the mom's council that I'm lucky enough to call neighbors.  Fun crafts, snacks and candy!!  And super fun games this year too!!

Even better--- fun with friends!! I can imagine these three boys will be up to no good someday!!

We celebrated a beautiful night with dinner on the patio and mini ice cream cones.  And we sat there laughing at Charlie and Maddie and talking with our neighbors.  Wondering how we got so damn lucky.  Seriously, weekends like that are nothing special but everything I need.  Laundry, lists, meal prep, cleaning up--- all baked in there.  But it's all worth it.

Hope you had a great one too!! 

Five things: Bandaids, DIY and end of leave

So it's "officially" fall- but I'm not buying it with these 90 degree temps in KC!!!  Looking forward to next week when it's a HIGH of 70s each day- yes!!!  

{ONE}

First things first.  How is September almost over???  But remember about the link up/Instagram posts promoting Noah's bandage project!!!  Even if you can't grab some bandaids or donate- I so appreciate your support in spreading the word about this amazing project and family!! See this post for more details and the image for the link up for next Wednesday!

{TWO}

You know I'm a sucker for DIY projects.  But DIY with all the supplies provided + you can bring your own drinks in...I'm sold!!  A girl I went to college with recently opened the most amazing store called Pink Antlers that I've been dying to go check out.  So when I saw the post about a workshop October 2 where you get to make this adorable double sided sign....

...I immediately asked some neighbor friends if they were interested in going with me!!! And now I'm so excited for a girls afternoon DIY session and for this amazing sign!!!!  And j can't wait to see the whole amazing store!!

{THREE}

 How about some more DIY for super cheap?  I'm SO excited to try out this DIY sign that a friend and other local KC blogger from Baby by Oakley posted earlier this week.  I've had an idea to do a sign with Jimmy's favorite toast about the bar area my dad put in earlier this year but wasn't sure I wanted to spend a ton of money on a personalized one.  So this is just the perfect way to give it a try with some extra scrap wood, chalk and paint pens!!!  Thanks Mackenzie for an awesome tutorial and tip!  Check out her blog post here.

{FOUR}

While we didn't have fall weather this week...we sure pretended with a fire pit (pot) and some smores!  In Iowa last weekend, the house we rented had a fire pit out back and Charlie was just dying for smores.  Even though we didn't get any, Papa held his promise that Charlie would get some!  And be delivered Wednesday night!!  We all enjoyed some yummy smores - but they would have been much better with Reese's instead of just chocolate!  But isn't everything better with peanut butter????!!

These two are crazy!!!

{FIVE}

This guy.  He was two months old this week - which is crazy!!  With the end of the quarter coming and the beginning of another forecast cycle, I'm back to work in just a week and a half, which doesn't seem possible.  We had a minor day care issue--- but I'm so relieved that's resolved and I'm happy to say that Mikey is starting up on October 5, which is the same day I go back to work. 

I'm going to miss his ADORABLE face and snuggles and the amazing smiles!!!!! Ugh - he's so awesome!!

Charlie is going to miss the Mikey snuggles and morning silliness!!!  Mikey - likely not so much :)

Me and my babe!!!!!!!

And so are the lazy mornings where I can drink and enjoy coffee and my breakfast with my little man and the Today show.  Such is life.  I am excited to see my coworker's (because they are the best!), but I'm anxious about the morning routine.  I have gotten into good daily workouts and eating healthy and want to continue!!! So I'm kicking off my first challenge group and there are some amazing ladies in it and ready to kick some work out butt starting October 3 (want to join in the fun???  Go here for more details!) Ahhh!!! I can do this!! 

We have some fun weekend activities planned and I'm looking forward to my last weekend before my last full week of leave!!! Happy Friday!

Linking up with:

Sept Farm | Oh hey Friday!

A. Liz Adventures | Five on Friday

Momfessionals | Friday Favorites