The kids holding their new sister

Grandma Barb and Contessa

Grandma Cindy with Contessa

Flattering

We are the talk of OB Unit, they don't believe that we could possibly have four children yet. That's just the kind of flattery that Becky needs!

We are actually feeling pretty old. The anesthesiologist looked no older than 26 years old(he was in his 30's) and one of the interns that was in for the delivery seemed 19 and now our two nurses tonight are 23 years old! Probably not, but they do look young.

Contessa Caroline Dirks

Pictures

Here she is!

It's a girl!

Contessa Dirks(middle name still to be determined)
7 lbs 1 ounce
21 inches long
Born at 12:31 p.m.

Baby Time

I was wrong! Baby is coming, it's time!

Nap time

Becky is trying to take a nap at this point and I've ordered lunch. I thought this would be much quicker than this based on how the morning started out. I'll keep updating when I know more. I'm considering this a rain delay, hopefully after a bite to eat things get a bit more exciting again.

Dr. Hintz prediction

I asked Dr. Hintz what his prediction would be for the time the baby would be born. His response: "today." He is hilarious. Becky is wearing a thing on her middle finger that measures her pulse - as Dr. Hintz said his "today" joke Becky went to scratch her head with her pulse thingy and it looked like she was giving him the finger. We all had a nice laugh about that.

No progress

The doctor just checked Becky, and she's not dilated any more than she was the last time. This baby isn't coming before noon. I'm thinking my 2:00 p.m. prediction may not hold. Sarah, our nurse, is supposed to get off by 3:00 p.m. so we are hoping that she's able to see the baby born.

For all of you that know the numbers game when it comes to dilating and thinness, here it is: she started at 50 and 2, and the last two times she has been checked she has been at 80 and 4.

Bring on the pitocin!(Just kidding, there's no way they are going to give her that yet).

Entertainment

Melanie - I'm glad that we can be so entertaining to you! Are you liking the play by play? Becky's now watching Teen Wolf and not feeling a single contraction. The epidural is working nicely.

Water Breakage

Becky's water broke, but she's not dilating as quickly as we expected. Maybe the baby won't be here by noon.

This is funny - not long ago it was crisis stage with painful contractions. Now, Becky asks me, "do you want to turn the T.V. on?" She's feeling much better at this point.

Epidural

Becky is loving the an anesthesiologist at this point. She just got her epidural and it is a night and day difference. I'm looking at the screen seeing three high peaks showing that there were back to back to back contractions and she hardly flinched. Amazing.

In the beginning

Here is Becky at 8:00 a.m. She's not so chipper anymore!

Back in bed

She took a scalding hot bath and now she's back in bed. When she was asked to rate her pain she rated her headache at a seven and her contractions at a six. That must be a bad headache, because I can see what she looks like through each contraction!

No walking the halls yet. Will be back soon.

Not feeling well

Becky started off this morning with a headache, and it's not going away. Now,the contractions have started hot and heavy, and her body isn't reacting well to the jump start goo. She just had to use the puke pail - something I've never seen with our other kids but she tells me is very normal. The nurse is predicting a noon baby!

Off to a rough start, but all seems to be going fine.

In Labor

Okay, this went from having fun talking about having a baby to "OH MY, she's in labor" too fast. I don't think she will let me get too descriptive, but the doctor came in with this goo and whatever that is it has gotten the process started. She had one super long contraction that the nurse and doctor paid close attention to. After that was over Dr. Hintz said "good luck" and headed out the door. I'll be back to update soon.

Dr. Hintz

The doctor popped his head in the door just now, man that guy is a character. Luckily, his dry humor will annoy Becky more than I'm annoying her.

At the Hospital

(This post is from Jordan)

We made it to the hospital! Becky is in her gown, laying in bed, and is getting drilled with questions from the nurse right now. Becky's one and only request for me today is to not annoy her. I'm failing miserably so far - and it's quite fun! She really might kill me so I better cut it out. Our nurse's name is Sarah(unfortunately not Sara Joslin).

In 20 minutes they are planning to induce her, I'll give you an update soon.

Becky and Jordan

Bittersweet

I just got the kids to bed and spent some extra time giving hugs and kisses and reading extra books, saying extra long prayers. The girls are so excited they just cant stand it!

I always have a hard time leaving them to head to the hospital. Just knowing that it will never really be the same with them. Sully will never be my baby again. They will all seem so much bigger when we bring the baby into the house. We will be a family of 6 instead of 5. There is another car seat in the car now. Its just weird!

But I am also really excited and I know sleep is not going to come easy tonight. I'm praying for a quick and safe delivery and a healthy baby who is up for the challenge of having Lauren, Avery and Sully as siblings and Jordan and I as parents!

We love you sweet baby, cannot wait to hold you and stare into your eyes.

39 Weeks

I'm not sure I like this whole 'getting induced' idea anymore.
I'm kind of anxious about it. Which is strange for me because I am such a huge planner and lover of schedules.

I am trying to EVERYTHING ready. Which of course isn't possible.
I'm trying to give 1,000 kisses to each kid and spend time with each so they have full buckets before I head out and then home with an infant. Which of course isn't possible.
I'm trying to remain calm and not think about the fact that by tomorrow at this time I'll be meeting a new member of my family. A new baby that is going to change the dynamic of our home forever. Which of course is beyond impossible not to think about.

I think it might be best for me to just go take a nap while the kids do. Because of course that wont be happening again for a long time! ;)

Out of spots again

Jordan is out of spots to be wrestled on...

Crafts & Water

I think they each made 4 little crafts. Here they are making egg shakers. Pretty fun stuff...




The fountain was probably their favorite part...

Balloons

They all got balloons and had a blast running through the grass with them. Sully lost his at one point. He was determined he could get it back.







Mommy! Get it back!

So then I got him another one - and he let it go on purpose. Nice game.

Mission Accomplished

Our goal was to have a fun filled weekend for the kids and to do so without ending up in the hospital.
We did it.
Saturday we went down to the Farmer's Market and Arts Festival in DSM and the kids had a blast. They got to run around and enjoy the great weather, eat funnel cakes and drink fruitie drinks, make art projects, play in the fountains and listen to music. What a great day.

I think everyone at the Farmer's Market stopped to pet this dog/horse. My kids thought it was a Dalmation.


Lauren let Sully wrestle her all day.


He also made her twirl him. She is the best big sister.


Avery was just cute all day.

Father-Son Wii Competition

I love how into it Sully is!

Out of spots

I think we have a problem.



Where is the baby going to sit?

HGTV

We recently had cable hooked back up at our house in anticipation of watching the Olympics.

Lauren has discovered HGTV. We watched a toy room makeover today and then she watched a kitchen makeover. Afterwards she recreated the two rooms on paper. She told me she wants to watch another makeover show this afternoon to get ideas for her 'designs'.

Maybe she's going to a designer! :) Very cute.

Update 38 weeks

Pretty low key dr.'s appt today...my last one! I'll be in at 7:30 am on the 1st for induction.
I'm feeling good about that. One week to get things wrapped up and feel totally ready. One last weekend to do something really fun with the kids before we turn into a family with an infant again.

Now of course that I have this planned out in my head; my water will break tomorrow! ;>

Entertainment

My brothers, as usual, added some excitement to the party. After the pinata had fallen Robert put it on his head to be funny. Of course my brother Jordan couldn't resist taking some swings at him.

ROBERT's HOME

Robert is home for a couple of weeks. My kids' human jungle gym is back.

Pinata

Summer birthdays are just so much more fun!





Lauren helping Alexa.


I loved watching Sully hit the pinata. Last year he couldn't stand up by himself at this party and I had to hold him and help him hit. What a difference a year makes. This year we just had to convince him to swing at it like a baseball swing - not a golf swing! So thankful.

Cake and kids

We tried to get just one picture of all the kids together - with them all looking in the same direction. yeah, not working!

Birthday

Avery's birthday was a success. She had a blast. She truly loved every single present she got. Such a lucky girl!

Here she is opening presents with us. She is so obsessed with Giselle and the movie Enchanted. This doll hasn't left her side since Saturday night.

Obsessed Nerd

He takes pictures of his high Wii scores.

Let it be known though that when they first started playing, Lauren could beat him. Now that daddy plays every chance he gets - he can beat her. Uh, she's 6 and she plays approximately 75% less than you do.





Sorry, just a little fun at my husband's expense this afternoon!

Happy 4th Birthday, Avery!

I really do not understand how Avery can be 4 today. I struggle with Lauren being 6 but it FEELS like 6 years ago that she was born, while it feels like yesterday that Avery was born.
Lauren turned our world upside down because she was our first - we had to let her train us to be parents (poor kid!)! Avery turned our world upside down because we had to learn that what everyone was telling us was actually true - "Every child is different and just when you think you have the parenting thing 'mastered' the next one comes along and blows all those beliefs out of the water." Never could two sisters be more opposite!

I'll never forget the day when Jordan and I walked into the living room and my heart stopped beating because we could not find Avery. I had left her in the middle of the floor on her tummy on a blanket. She wasn't there anymore - but the blanket was. Then we found her - behind the couch...she was 3.5 months old! Its been a wild ride ever since.

And one that Jordan and I wouldn't change for one second. Ok, maybe there are moments in the day when I wish she weren't quite so fast, intense and wild...but those moments are always replaced by childlike laughter - from me, the world's best hugs - from her, the sweetest 'I love you's - from her, and tears of joy - from me again.

Avery I truly pray that you never lose that zest for life that sometimes drains me. I pray that you will always wake early and look for adventure like you do today. I pray that you keep your energy and your spark. You are so special to us - a simple smile from you can pick me up and keep me going when what I want to do is lay down and give up. I love to imagine what God has in store for your life. I can see you as a nurse or doctor - you can be so caring and gentle and you seem to love the site of blood and owies and always want to investigate all those things - not something you got from your mother. I can see you as a comedian on television - please oh please no. I can see you as an artist - using some of your uniqueness to shine. I can see you as a scientist - mixing things together to see what will happen or taking them apart to see how they will work.


Avery what ever it is that you become remember first and foremost that you have a Father in Heaven who created you exactly the way He wanted. Look to Him for your stregnth and your refuge. And remember my sweet baby girl, there will always be two waiting at home who will forever be your biggest fans.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Love,
Mommy and Daddy


Avery at six months.

I should be in a bubble...

So, I pulled it together and we made it to a SS class picnic tonight. Within 30 minutes of being there I experienced the following:
- Fell into a hole and dropped the bars and veggie tray, grass stained my capris and landed on my knee. Did not go into labor. Did not cry. Did want to swear and go home immedietly.
- 10 minutes later - spilled 1/2 of a pitcher of lemonade all over the serving table, napkins, cups and utensils. Did not cry.
- 5 minutes later - dropped my plate and Sullivan's all over the serving table as I was trying to fill two plates at the same time. Yes, the tears seriously welled up at this point. I was so very close to leaving the plates and walking directly to the car. And I totally would have but I knew it would break my two daughters' hearts to leave.

Then fast forward to 11 pm. I told Jordan I was going to sleep on the couch because I just knew I'd sleep better there. I went upstairs to get my pillows. Yep, slipped down 6 steps. Hit my tail bone, elbow and heal of one foot. Bawled. Like a baby.
Jordan came running, quick like a cat I tell you. He got me settled and I'm pretty sure he thought we were on our way to the hospital. Possibly for some mental health counseling for his wife more than anything...I could not stop crying and talking which is a wonderful combination and I'm sure I could not be understood.

Now its 2:30. My back is fine but oh mamma does my heal hurt.

Seriously, for the safety of myself and those around me - I think its time to get this kid out of me!

If I didn't have kids...

I would not be out of bed yet today.

I seem to have developed some type of head cold that is really knocking me on my butt. I'm hoping my body knows enough to not go into labor until I'm over it.

I'm trying to make these last few 'baby free' days fun for the older three. Luckily being in the baby pool in the yard is all it is taking to accomplish that right now!

Here's to a nap this afternoon!

Some New Questions

Avery and Lauren just put on some lip gloss. When they were done they said, "Mommy, look what daddy showed us to do!"

They proceeded to blot their lips and say, "Juuuuust right! Daddy taught us how to blot!"

Uh. Their DADDY showed them how to do this????

What? Is there someone other than my husband that they refer to as Daddy? He knows how to blot? He can teach a girl how to blot her lipstick?

I will have many new questions for him when he walks back through the door tonight!


:>

Pretty Purple

Now the room belongs to Lauren and Avery. Avery says she has the prettiest room ever. They love being in it, they love playing in it and I think they like sleeping in it!

My mom hung the curtains today. I still need some type of shade/blind...Im working on it.

Over their beds I am ordering an 'L' and an 'A' in fancy scroll with pretty pink, purple and green.



Lauren's favorite part of the room - the flowers and her magnifique sign - which she tells me is French for Wonderful!


MY favorite part of the room! Who wouldn't want this closet?


The curtains up close - they are sequined and so cute. Avery loves them.


The curtains from far back - and apparently too dark.

The old

Ok, Im finally getting some project pictures posted. Here is what the playroom looked like before - it is just off our kitchen.