5 weeks early, Ruby is here :)

On Tuesday Sept. 25th 2012 I went to my doctors appt. and never came home.  Basically I was admitted to the hospital for my high blood pressure.  My doctor tried to prolong my pregnancy the best she could, but my blood pressure wasn't getting any better, amongst other things, so a couple of days later, we decided it was time for Ruby to come.  Ruby was delivered 5 weeks early.  Chris said, that a couple of days after I was admitted, Elle went out in the garage, and saw that the truck was still gone, and said, "Man, what is taking so long"?  ha..ha..  I had to laugh!  Here I had gone to a doctors appt. and hadn't come back, and Elle was wondering why it was taking so long.  Our girls have been shuffled from person to person, but all family, and everyone has done such an amazing job helping us with the girls.  And the girls were so good for everyone too.  I just love our families!      

Ruby is amazing!!  She is seriously the cutest baby I have ever seen :)  She never needed any oxygen.  And has been quite healthy.  She is just very early.  And we've had a ton of amazing visitors, (my siblings), who brought the most amazing gifts and their love.  And to all of you, I say a huge THANK YOU!!!!  

This is our favorite nurse, Susan!  We love her!!  And all of the other wonderful nurses that are, and have taken care of Ruby!!  They are all amazing people.  

Ruby's two big sisters, Bree and Elle, getting to see her for the first time.  

Daddy LOVES to feed Ruby.  He just plain loves her so much.  I am so glad, that when I am not able to get there, Daddy can go and be with Ruby for the both of us.  I am not aloud to drive for at least  2 weeks.  We just want her to know that we haven't abandoned her.  It is so hard to leave the hospital without your baby.  But we visit her everyday!  And she should be able to come home very soon.  

Tiny Ruby, in Daddy's arms :)

There were some days in the hospital, when I thought I might loose it.  7 days is way too long to be stuck in a hospital bed.  It was hard to be alone all night long after Chris would leave at the end of each day.  But I am so grateful for my doctor, and everyone else who took such good care of me.  Even the nurses that constantly bugged me for my own good.   

This girl is amazing!!  We are so blessed to have her in our family.  I can't wait to bring her home!!  Now we are complete.  

Some thoughts as of late....

The past two weeks have been eventful to say the least. School has started. We have now completed 2 weeks of school. And the girls completed their first dance class also. After being lazy practically all summer, it has been a shock to my body, to get up early everyday, get both girls ready, clothes, hair, breakfast, packing a lunch, and off to school at different times. Monday's are L O N G! They both have a dance class that night as well, an hour each, and not at the same time. We have to make sure we do our homework and eat dinner before we rush off to dance. I can feel myself tensing up just talking about it. I don't like to be rushed, or have plans on the books. I've gotten a bit complacent I guess. I need to step it up for my girls!! They need a Mom who is willing to spend time doing these things for them. And I am.

But then..... throw in the fact that in 6 weeks, I'm going to have a baby.

This past week, was very interesting. I think we had at least 3 things going on every single day. I ran around buying groceries, running errands, paying tuition, taking girls to dance, etc.. etc...

Pregnancy is NOT nice to me. Oh how I wish it were. There are women who can still do everything and anything while pregnant. I am just not one of those women. My family hasn't been able to vacation much this summer. I haven't been able to hike, or ride a bike, or run around with the girls. It's been very difficult. I mean, I too would like to have more fun! Lets face it, this summer has been down right boring!! My family deserves more. More than I can do right now. I'm sure this is going to seem like a very long winter, since none of us got our fill of summer. And I'm hoping we can make up for lost time next summer. And so we'll see. And I have been seeing a new Doctor this time. Oh, what can I say about that? She is nice, she is good, but I've had enough already!! Almost every time I walk out of an appointment, I feel bad. I feel old. I do NOT make a good sick person. In fact, I am very healthy. But apparently being 41 and pregnant to my Doctor, is like me saying I'm 80 and pregnant. Am I tempting fate? Come on, there are so many women older than me, having children. What's the deal? And so, she puts me through what I feel is craziness, because I am apparently SO OLD....

Yes, I admit, that this past week was stressful. Only the 2nd week of school. New activities, getting up early, and not getting to take a nap. My schedule is off. My blood pressure went up. My doctor thinks that from here on out, I have plenty of time for a 2 to 3 hour Doctors appt. every week, so that we can do a stress test on the baby each time, or an ultrasound, that costs me $40 a pop! At my last appt. on Thursday, I was admitted to the hospital, and got home about 4 hours later. Good thing Chris had the girls. Then I was instructed to pee in a bucket and save all of it, for 24 hours, and bring it back the next night, for another 2 hour hospital stay. All of it makes me worry. And that alone is not good for the blood pressure.

But, Friday night, before I headed back to the hospital, I had a nice talk with my mom. She too had to do the pee thing. Almost every week, when she was pregnant my little sister Camber. And there are many people who take the stress test. And it doesn't mean anything is wrong. Then she came over and watched the girls, so Chris could come spend a couple of hours with me at the hospital. Well, after talking to my mom, I felt so much better. And just having Chris with me, made me feel even that much better! And Friday night, my husband and I were able to have some of the best conversation we've had in a while. My blood pressure was normal, the baby was wonderful, and life felt good. We even got to hear the baby having some hiccups :)

I am starting to feel super huge! I can't sleep at night. I have to pee all the time. And I can barely tie my own shoes people! Only 6 more weeks to go. I hope I can make it. I have to make it. The only thing that might not make it, is my mental state. I need to cheer up!!! I'm having a baby :) It's been a long time since I've felt like myself. Oh I don't want to wish away time, but if there is ever a time when the next month can go by fast, this would be it. And I won't complain a bit!

This is the only time Chris and I can have a family. Here on earth! Yes, I'm older, but some of us get married older. Those are the cards I've been dealt. Time is almost up. What we sacrifice to have a family is so short compared to having these wonderful people in our lives forever! I can do this :) The time is NOW. There won't be another chance. And it's just so important. Yeah, being a mom is one of the hardest things I've ever done, but one of the BEST things I've ever done! Oh how I LOVE my children. Sometimes it hasn't been all fun and games getting them here, but so worth it!

Yes, tears are running down my cheeks as I write this. My spirits are a little bit down, but I'm hanging in there. In a few weeks, I'll have another beautiful baby, our family will be complete, and I can start on the road to recovery, and start feeling like myself again. I'll be able to exercise again.... Breathe again.... deep clean the house again.... Oh I can't wait! :)

Ruby's Face (only 6 more weeks)!!

Today I had my final Ultrasound.  I went to the hospital, so the specialist from the UofU could look at it, and make sure everything is good with our little Ruby!  I knew it would be, and it was.  I almost didn't go, just because I know it's going to cost me.  But once I saw her sweet little face for the first time, I was glad that Chris told me to do it!  

We only have aprox. 6 weeks until she's here anyway.  So this was pretty much the last day we would be able to see anything.  I'm far enough along now, that Ruby is too big to see much after today.  

I've got to say, that I'm so excited to meet her!!!!  

She is aprox. 4lbs and 6oz.  I guess when they get bigger, it's harder to measure them.  But that is the estimate give or take 10oz.  So she's really anywhere between 3&1/2 and 4&1/2 lbs right now.  

This first picture is really hard to see.  It took me a while.  It's basically a picture of her nose and lips.  Yeah, I'll understand if you can't see it :)  

And this picture is of Ruby's face!  It's beautiful!!  She is turned right to the camera, lying on her side, and you can see her whole beautiful face :)  This is the best Ultrasound I've gotten the entire pregnancy.  I just love it!!  This made my day.  I love this little girl so much already!   

How blessed are we, to be able to be parents to 3 sweet little girls?!  It is amazing to me.  

The girls first day of school! 2012

I can't believe Bree is in 2nd grade this year!  She's getting so big and grown up.  All of her cousins went back to school a couple of weeks before Bree, so she was really excited for school to start this year.  I love how excited she is about school.

Waiting for the bus.  Bree has a lot of great friends.  Almost all of the kids are in our ward too.

This is Elle's first day of preschool.  She started a day after Bree.  We've been talking about her going to school for quite some time now.  She has been very excited for a while.  Elle's preschool is at Bree's elementary school.  So she feels like a big girl.  She is going to get some great education, and be ready for kindergarten next year!  I'm so excited for her.  I always cry when my girls do something new and big.  I cried the day before Elle went to school, but held it together that morning :)  I know I've posted a million pictures, but I just can't help myself!  And wow, can I say that the house was so quiet for those 2&1/2 hours while both girls were gone.  That is until our new baby girl comes in Oct.  Then I won't be home alone for a while :)  And that is just fine with me.  

While we were waiting for her teachers to come out and get them, Daddy called to tell Elle to have a great day and to be a good girl at school.

P.S.  Last night was back to school night.  Bree has a fabulous teacher that she loves!  Very cool.  And it was so fun to see Elle's name on the bulletin board outside her class room!  Love you girls :)

Labor Day 2012

Labor Day was our last official day of summer.  My parents invited us for a BBQ and Boat ride.  The girls loved every minute of it.  Playing with cousins and riding in the boat.  And the food wasn't bad either!  Oh, I'm kind of going to miss summer, but I think I'm ready for a change too :)