He's HERE!!!

We welcomed our fourth son, Matthew Jon into our family yesterday morning at 2:26 after a super fast labor. He weighed in at 10 pounds 13 ounces and is 22 1/2 inches long. He looks a lot like his big brother Caleb did, and we are sooo thankful for how well things went!

Here's the long story.
Thursday night I was at the Secret Pals reveal party until around 9ish. I was having a few contractions through the party, but nothing that made me think I should go home. When I left and while I was driving home they picked up to about 6 minutes apart, but at 1:30 AM they really tapered off and pretty much stopped, so I went to bed. My water broke with a huge pop at 1:45 and I took a quick shower while Peter got the truck warmed up and my bags together. I went through transition in the shower and on the way to the hospital. When I went from the truck to the wheelchair, Matthew started descending very quickly, and by the time I got to my room, he was crowning! I stood up at the side of the bed, squatted and Matthew slid right out into the nurses' hands with only one tiny push to get his shoulders out not even 45 minutes after my water broke! Needless to say, my dr did not make it for the birth, but he was VERY pleased with how things went. His first words to me were, "see, I told you you could've done it in the McDonalds parking lot. You don't need drs and nurses to deliver babies" lol. When Matthew had been on my chest for 20 minutes or so, they cut his cord and weighed and measured him. His weight made even me shocked! I knew he'd be big, but NEVER imagined that he was THAT big! My dr also took that time to check me out for any tears that would need stitching and found not even a skid mark, also to my complete shock! I think I even asked Peter "How the world did I not tear?!" We spent most of the day at the hospital, but after supper I was discharged and was able to sleep in my own bed already last night. We are so thankful that all went so well, and we're healthy and doing great! We covet your prayers as we strive to raise yet another child in the fear of the Lord.

Another 2 weeks have flown by.....

I really don't know where the time goes lately.... between dr appointments for me and Lucas and Caleb, I've been home (without going anywhere, all day) 3 days in the last 3 weeks! Talk about crazy! I don't mind going out once in a while for something different, but this is getting crazy!

Lucas' surgery was a success... he did SOO well, I was very proud of him! It was hard keeping him calm the rest of the day after it was done, but we managed. It's so good to have him "back" to normal again. He has been a little whiny, complaining about his right ear, and a sore throat, but the doctor said that his ears look perfect and his throat seems fine, but they did a strep swab and we're waiting for them to call us back with that result. We wonder if it's not just out of habit that he's complaining. I guess time will tell.

Caleb had an appointment with an allergy specialist last Monday and we know better what all he's allergic to. Basically anything in the air, plus cats, dogs, dust mites, cockroaches, and peanut butter. Thankfully his dog allergy was only marginally positive so we don't have to give up the dog, but he does have to stay out of the bedroom, which was the rule to begin with. He's getting Claritin in the morning and they doubled his flonase dose too, and that seems to be helping too. He also had a CT scan Wednesday morning on his sinuses, from which we found out he's got a sinus infection and moderately enlarged adnoids. Right now we're taking care of the infection with a strong dose of antibiotics before we decide if it's worth the surgery to have his adnoids removed. Hopefully breathing will get a little easier for him soon!

Daniel has had a hard time with all the dr appointments for his brothers. I think he feels a little left out, so we're making more effort to spend one-on-one time with him. The night before Lucas' surgery he told us that his ears hurt too and he needs tubes put in. Although it's kinda funny that he'd say that, it was kinda sad too, because he just wants a little more attention. He has been so healthy that it seems a little unreal. We have made the joke that he's just too wiggly for any germs to stick to him long enough to get sick. :) He loves to be outside in the snow now, so he's happy he's healthy most days. He's also keeping up with Caleb quite handily in his school work, and even getting ahead of Caleb some days, especially with his math. The reading part is starting to come too, where he realizes that every letter makes a different sound and he's remembering what sounds letters make.

Kimberly has also been extremely healthy this winter. She is gaining more of a personality by the day and quite often will make us crack up at her antics, which makes her do them more, and us laugh more. She's such a joy in that way. You can never be down too long with her around! :) She got her first haircut last week and now looks more like a little girl than a baby, and she has been talking so much, we wonder how long she's been holding it in! She has learned to do prat falls and thinks that is sooo funny. She really does love anyone that will talk to her and isn't (and never has been) afraid of anyone. With her, there's always a kiss in it for you if you ask. :) Chantelle has taught her to say "I Love You" and it cracks us up every time she says it.

Peter's work has been steady, but not too crazy right now, so we're able to see him a little more than we did in the summer. I love the fact that we can usually eat together as a family for supper and lately breakfast too. The kids do so much better when they can see dad for a little while before he leaves for the day. God has so richly blessed our family!

I have 4 days until my due date, but right now I feel any day would be good. I have always been late though, so I'm not really holding my breath, although I'm so uncomfortable and sore that I'm hoping baby comes sooner rather than later. I have never before felt this uncomfy, or this impatient! Some days just moving is a struggle, but when there's 4 kids 6 and under, you really don't have much of a choice. On good days I try to get as much done as I can so that the bad days I don't feel so guilty for not getting too much done. Peter has been awesome with helping with laundry, and Chantelle has been invaluable when it comes to an extra hand! SO thankful that she's here! Thanks to her, Peter and I were able to go for coffee/ dessert last night for the last time before baby arrives. It was nice to just get out without kids, doctors or grocery shopping involved. lol

Well, it's almost feeding time here, so I better get some lunch started... Can't promise anything about next post, but I hope you all have a wonderful weekend, and especially a blessed Sunday!

It's about time, 'eh?

The last couple weeks have been extremely busy here. I'm soo tired lately that anything out of the "norm" is taking its toll big time. Lucas' ears have been really bothering him again, and come to find out he had yet another double ear infection! We did see the ENT specialist last week Thursday and his surgery is scheduled for this Friday at 8:50AM. I'm praying all goes well and we can finally sleep through the night again! Lately he's been up anywhere from 2-5 times a night and although Peter has also been getting up with him, I still hear him and wake up. We weren't too excited that we have to put him under general anesthetic for the procedure to put tubes in, but are hoping it makes the difference we need it to.

We have had a couple things with my dr that we were starting to wonder if we'd made the right decision, but thankfully those have been resolved and we're still working towards the natural birth we want. (Dr was starting to get concerned about me having too big a baby, but after meeting Peter, he knows a big reason my babies tend to be so big lol. Talk of induction has stopped for now, but I will not be showing up for an induction unless MEDICALLY indicated, to which big baby or post dates do not particularly apply. We still don't know for sure any due "date" so we're just taking it a day at a time and seeing what happens. I have never felt this "ready to be done" thing until now, but yet, I'm still willing to stick it out until the beginning of March if that's what baby wants... Considering that's what I've always figured, it doesn't seem to be "late" then, but we'll see. I'm just hoping that baby waits until Lucas' surgery is all over with and things have gotten back to "normal". I know normal is a relative term though, as everyone's is different and it even differs week to week sometimes lol.

Caleb is 6!!! His birthday was the 21st of January and I can't believe he's already 6! We are so thankful to God for the 6 years he has been a blessing in our lives for! We didn't do a big birthday party this year, but he did have a couple friends over last week Friday for a couple hours, and a cake and a few presents. He was so thrilled! He's been really big into playing with Lego lately and has been making his own trucks, trailers and tractors. He has also been coloring a lot and trying to write words by sounding them out. It's so much fun for me to see that progression with him.

My sister Pam had a healthy baby boy, Tyler Joseph, last week Friday at 12:47 AM, and all went well! We are so thankful that they are both doing well and have returned home. After such a difficult pregnancy, we can definitely see God's hand in the way things went. She had a very quick labor and delivery, and Tyler is a pound and a half smaller than Dakota was! Congrats again, Tim, Pam and Dakota!

That's all I got for now... will keep you all posted on how Lucas' surgery goes on Friday. I'm thankful that he's still somewhat oblivious about it, and is one to just go with the flow. (Daniel needs to be VERY prepared and STILL freaks out about a lot of different things...) I'm just hoping that I'm not too nervous that he picks up on it and starts getting anxious... Pray for grace.