Has it been a while?

We've missed you!

I got a little busy, then both computers died the same week.  It has not been fun.  If you've ever tried to use a wii to do your emailing, then you know why I've become so abrupt lately!

We survived the end of a very fun football season.  Turns out Wesley is an awesome coach.

Molly's been plugging away at her play practice.

Anthony keeps impressing us with how sweet he is (and how much he hates the car).

Jack and Lillian team up sometimes now.  Cute and frightening.  Jack now rooms with Roland, and Lillian is Molly's new roomate.  She was sad last night, because on her first night, Molly was at practice, and not rooming with her while she was awake.

Go what?

Go Ducks!

What happened when you had Anthony? PT 1

I realized I never shared Anthony's birth story.  I personally love reading them myself, so I will tell mine!  They're kind of like women's war stories.  Incidentally, the Maya believed that if someone died during fighting a war, or giving birth to a child, they automatically went to the highest level of the afterlife.

The week I had him was so hot.  I was hoping to be induced, partially just to be in the powerful air-conditioning!  I had my induction cancelled twice, due to unprecedented demand for the maternity ward.  Since I kept being healthy, I made it past my due date, still pregnant.  Another reason I wanted to be induced, besides just really being done being pregnant, was the fact that my DR had delivered all of my babies, and I trusted him, and wanted him to be there.  I know I'm not just a uterus to him!

August 9th was our day to go in, and we didn't get put off again!  We were to arrive around 12, but the induction didn't get started until around 3.  Our nurse, who was really nice got me all set up, and shot the breeze with Wesley and I, telling us she became a Maternity nurse, because it turned out she didn't really like sick people.

When they checked me, I was still initially at a 1.5.  I was disappointed I hadn't progressed any in the couple days since my doctor's appointment.  I am just not much for premature dilation!  So they added pitocin to the IV, already hooked up to me.

After a while, contractions started, and my mom and Wesley's mom came down to the hospital.  I was still hungry (always hungry), so I kept eating jello, drinking juice and broth, and generally wishing for something to chew.  I used the birthing ball when it got unpleasant to be in the bed.  At this point I'm starting to wonder why I signed up for labor today!

Before he left being the on=call doctor for the day, my DR came by and checked me.  3 centimeters.  This was unbelievably disappointing, as I had been laboring quite intensely for hours now, and felt that very little had happened for all the hard work.  He just broke my water.  I was a little nonplussed, as I knew that laboring was now going to be way more painful, plus I hate that feeling of being soaked.  He also explained he had to pick up the kids in Portland, so I needed to time my birth right so he could be there.  This upset me, but I knew how hard we'd worked just trying to get me in.

So I kept laboring, much more painfully now...

Where is the meet?

One of the kind of fun things about having kids is learning things you didn't know you didn't know...

For instance, until this Fall, I had no idea there were little kid cross country meets around the valley.  But there are!

Molly and Roland have both joined the Salem YMCA's X-Country team, and I am so proud, especially of Molly as she participates in her first sport.

While she is not naturally super speedy, she is a hard worker, willing to do something she's not a superstar at, and has been improving her times!

What day is the field trip?

Lillian went on her very first field trip today!
My mother an dLindsay kindly agreed to go in my place, as I feel that the pumpkin patch is a difficult place to nurse a baby when you are technically in charge of the 4 year old.

She was so excited, though under the weather a little.  Fortunately this didn't stop her.

She fell asleep on the bottom stair this week, having snuck down, and lacking the nerve to reveal herself.

Despite some awesome power struggles, we really enjoy our growing up girl.

What do you want for your birthday?

This is what I want (pictured).  Plus a chance to have just one more before I'm too old (and to know in advance exactly when I will be too old).

Is Lillian enjoying school?

She is loving it!

Her first day was so cute and she was so easy about it.

She put her things away, and didn't look up when I kissed her goodbye.  Another little kid was sobbing loudly, and I was glad, that this time, it wasn't me!

Is he two months already?

Anthony was 2 months this week.  We made the obligatory trip to see our Doctor.

He was pretty sweet, smiling nervously at him throughout the exam.  Hi stats:

23 inches, 47th percentile.

12lbs , 3.5 oz, 50th percentile.

So he's clinging to the middle of that growth curve.

He did great with his shots, and was pretty happy all day.  He even slept 9 hours that night, so he's my favorite.

Why can't I have both?

Yesterday, my lovely Mother-in-law, Evelyn took both Lillian and Jack for the day.  Once a rocky morning start with Roland was over, I had a nice, peaceful day with just Anthony.  He napped great, we went for a walk (the first time he and I have done that).  I made myself some tortelini soup from scratch for lunch, and I wondered...

Why can't I have children and peace.  I enjoyed my day so much, but of course wouldn't give up my small children so most days could be like that.  But why can't they be more like that?  Why does there have to be a melt down every day?  Why can't I just clean up my kitchen without paying for it in another part of the house?  Why do I still feel envious of pregnant women, what's that about.  Why do I want to put off the 'last' baby pretty much forever, because I want to keep having newborns for the rest of my life.  Why can't I be content with one path or the other.

I know no matter what we do, our small children time will come to an end, nature ensures that, and while I know that will be a happy time too, I'm just not ready for all that peace (plus then there will be non stop activities and teenagers, so I'll have that to deal with).  I'll have to settle for trying to make my life more peaceful, and hope for the best.

An early sleep smile

Is Molly going to do another show?

Maybe you haven't been wondering that, but she is!  She auditioned for 2 community theater productions last week, and booked Pentacle Theater's  upcoming 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate factory'

My friends Crystal and Allison helped Molly prepare her audition song, my brother downloaded the karaoke version of 'Oh the Thinks You Can Think' from Seussical the musical, and this was in my head for weeks:

Molly singing her audition song

I wanted to upload it to the blog, but I couldn't figure out how to do it, since it is unlisted.

My friend Andrea brought her 4 youngest kids, which was nice, since baby Anthony had to come to the audition too.  It took place in the lobby of the Pentacle Theater, and I got there very early,  hoping for an early exit.  It was not to be, though they meant to do the singing auditions in the order in which people had arrived (and they arrived for almost an hour after the start time), the stacks got mixed up, and we were among the last to get a spot to audition   There were just so many children and teenagers there, and it was intimidating for me the sheer number of competitors for four slots of girls 8-11.  I knew Molly wouldn't be considered for one of the ticket holders, Violet or Veruca, because she is so young.  Molly wants lines so she had no such belief.

Astonishingly to me, the children auditioning were about half tone deaf.  There were lots of great auditions (enough to make me feel anything but confident about Molly's numerical chances), but so many children couldn't carry a tune.  I wondered 'can't their parents hear them?'  But couldn't ask.

Toward the end of the endless afternoon, they realized their mistake with the order, and apologized to us early arrivers.  A mom of a young actress we know suggested I ask to go next, since I had my small baby.  I didn't, not wanting to seem like a demanding stage mother before my daughter was even cast.  However, that mom asked for me anyway, and I appreciated it.  Molly did her song, giving it about 50% of what she'd done at home (the video above is at about 75%).  I was disappointed, but proud of her for doing a nice job, and glad she was getting more practice at auditioning, that necessary evil.

When we got home that night, there was a message saying she'd made callbacks and I was so happy to be justified in spending all that time at the audition!

What should we do for Ashley's Birthday?

Ashley is the brave pioneer among us (although in moving East she is sort of headed in the wrong direction).  It is hard to be apart on special occasions.

We made a video last night, but I couldn't down load it, so I'm waiting for Brad to work his magic.

Will you ever return to the Wednesday Market Before it Closes?

We made it!

Looks like my mom was instagramming it up!

Without her, I certainly wouldn't have had any fun, as the wheels on the double stroller were not functioning properly, and I had to lift it to turn it sometimes!

Jack wouldn't wear his balloon hat, but he liked it and promptly popped it on the way home.

Can you post any recent pictures?

Yes I will.  I still have camera to computer issues, so I've been blogging older uploaded photos.  But mom's iphone to the rescue...

Anthony is getting very social.  He likes to coo, and smile with a big open mouth, and a wriggle in his body.

Why aren't there more cute baby pictures?

I'm getting there.

Slowly.

When does Lillian start school?

It's tricky to type over a nursing baby, but not completely impossible.

Lillian went to her preschool orientation.  She was excited, I was excited, Jack was excited, Anthony was there too.

She's waited patiently for her school journey to begin, packing her backpack (where I finally found her missing,unworn, swimsuit this week).

We toured the room in scavenger hunt fashion, Jack and Lillian loved the lentil filled sensory table.  Lillian hated to leave when it was time for Anthony to get out of there.  I'm grateful to have found an affordable option for her first year of preschool, she was beyond ready.

Can Ashley Take This?

This little guy..




look away Ashley!











Slept from eleven to seven last night! 9/23  I really love him.

Who is your visiting teacher?

I have had the same visiting teacher since we moved back to Salem.  That's seven years now.  She is really one of my very favorite people on earth (and I know a lot of great people).  I feel happier every time I see her, my children love and rely on her.  I've learned a lot from Linda, both spiritually and practically.  She's raised four great boys, and she is a parenting role model for me.  She's artistic, elegant, and intelligent.  I'd like to be her when I grow up.

She came to see the children in Sleeping Beauty, and the kids were so excited.  She has taught them both in Primary (with her husband in Roland's case) during the all important year that they were baptized.

I am blessed to know her, and blessed by a program that pairs women with other women, despite differences in age or other circumstances, and tells them to be friends.  We really are.

What does Jack say?

 A new cute thing he does: For greetings and farewells..

He says 'Hi Jack!' or 'Bye Jack!'

Did you make those dresses?

Yes I did, last year.  Now they fit better, and I had to get a photo this Summer while they still did!  I've made the pattern Molly is wearing once before, and Lillian's pattern has been used in various forms seven or eight times.

I can't believe how lucky I was even before Anthony was born.

Where does the sidewalk end?

Molly was on the Newspaper's website today.  WE went downtown to a used books store called Where the Sidewalk Ends and helped sort books for Salem Keizer to distribute to families.  (Well, Roland and Molly sorted books, I sat in an armchair and nursed Anthony.  Lillian sat in the bookstore, got her picture taken a lot, and read board books.)

ttp://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20120917/UPDATE/120917022/Hundreds-volunteers-sort-books-Salem-Keizer-kids?odyssey=tab|topnews|img|Home&nclick_check=1

Check her out in the photo reel!

Are you still there?

I have been composing so many posts in my head, but have no pictures to share, because I can't use either of our computers to transfer pictures out of the camera!  At least I'm taking them.  (Lillian destroyed our camera when Jack was a few weeks old by throwing it to the ground from the top of the fridge)  (There are a shortage of Jack baby pictures)

Anthony is wonderful, sweet, beautiful, hungry.

I want to remember how every time he tries to sneeze, and fails, he makes a little oh, or ooh sound of disappointment.

I want to remember how he always seemed a little to surprised to start recognizing us the first 2 weeks--oh, it's you!

I want to remember how soft his skin is, and how good he smells.

Oh what do you do in the summertime?

Well, for one thing, backyard broadway!

Madelyn at  slip n' slide day

What's his name?

Introducing...Anthony Adam Hare.  Born 8/9/12 at 10:55PM.  8 pounds, 10 ounces, 19 3/4 inches, and completely delightful.  His parents are besotted.  More to come.

When are you due?

Boy at the end, you hear that question a lot!

But...we have decided to go ahead and bring this chapter to a close.

When I saw my Doctor on Thursday, he asked if I'd like to be checked.  He wanted to know how much of a hurry I was in to have the baby.  I said I wasn't in a desperate rush, but I also wanted to get done, so I was in a medium hurry.

So he checked, and said he couldn't believe it, I was at a 1 and a half.  I couldn't believe it either, for a different reason.  He said my cervix seemed like I was having my 1st, it was in such good shape (that has got to be the weirdest compliment ever).  I couldn't believe I had progressed that far.  It was the furthest I've ever been when I've been checked in the office.  For both the girls (who were both induced) we were waiting to get the the fingertip of dilation we arrived at prior to induction.  (Yes Molly was at a finger tip when we started her induction at 7 days overdue).  I never even got to a finger tip with Jack, despite being in the office less than 24 hours before he was born (he came on his own 5 days overdue).  So yay for me and Anthony.

The doctor said he was willing to induce me, or I could just wait, and if I was still in this state next week, we'd induce.  He said just call him any time if I couldn't take it.  So I asked if there was a particular day it would be good for me not to be able to take it.  Anytime would be fine, but he did note that he was in the hospital all day Saturday.

Not wanting to make any firm plans without Wesley, I went home and called him.  He was all for being induced Saturday, but wanted to attend Roland's football game first.  He is assistant coaching it.  Since this isn't my first, I was not offended, but amused that he cared so much about Roland's flag team.  So we negotiated with the Doctor, and he said arriving in the evening at 7:30 would be fine.  He's off at 7:30am, so I feel a little under the gun, but he did return to deliver Lillian after he was off, so we can probably work it out.  He has delivered all four of my babies, so--we have a good thing going.

I have to admit, once the appointment was made, I did feel nervous.  Now I actually have to do that thing where you get the baby from the inside to the outside.  I've been induced, but in a "I'll meet you at the hospital in a couple hours" kind of timeline.  So this is scheduled, and I have to choose:  get those last items on the list 'before baby comes' done, or admit:  I don't care any more.

Things I will miss about being pregnant with Anthony Adam

The 'Christmas is coming' feeling

The knowledge that my baby will be the youngest baby around (that distinction doesn't last long, but I love it)

Being able to eat whatever I want and not exercise, and still not really gain weight (why aren't I like that normally?)

Things I will not miss about being pregnant

This is a really long list--there are just so many things.  I really am in the pregnancy business for the babies.

So there it is.  I'm excited, grateful for the help of our families and a little tiny bit anxious.  Next post--hopefully some more news!

So are you still pregnant?

Why yes, yes I am!  I am 36 weeks tomorrow.  I realized I haven't said much about this pregnancy.  It's not that I think pregnancy is boring, it's just that there isn't much to say about a normal, healthy pregnancy (broken foot notwithstanding).  The doctor is pleased.  I am starting to feel as if I am running out of room for the both of us in this body.  My due date is August 7th.  I have been induced once at 39 weeks (Lillian).  I have been induced once at 8 days overdue (Molly), and have gone into labor at 5 days (Jack) and 6 days (Roland) overdue respectively.  My OB is great, and would be happy to induce me earlier, however, I am a reluctant dialater, and both inductions were attempted when I was finally a fingertip dilated.  I agree with his general philosophy that an induction is a good idea only if it is unlikely to force an emergency C-section.  I am grateful we have C-sections, that's the way I came into the world, as did 3 of my younger siblings (my mom is a saint), but I'm not aiming for one!

So I try not to be too attached to my due date (that's pretty futile though).  One funny thing about me is I've never delivered in the month I was due.  Roland was due in November, born December 3rd, Molly in January, born in February, my little outlier Lillian was due in September but arrived August 30th (and then had jaundice so I spent several days in September in the hospital anyway!), and Jack was due in August, (day before Lillian's birthday), and was born September 3rd.  So I feel like, since I'm due at the beginning of the month, rather than at the end, I could have a late July baby, rather than a mid August one!

For photos, I have nearly a year worth of photos from my better camera, that finally got uploaded.  Last year sometime I made dresses for the girls!  I figure Molly will not always be willing to match Lillian, so I need to take advantage while she's still so accommodating!

My mom bought the fabric, and these cute buttons from Greenbaum's on Lillian's jumper.

Here's the boys too.  I didn't make their clothes but I did make them!