Jeremiah Arlo Newell - 7.5.11

After giving up that he was going to come early like his sisters. I woke up last Tuesday morning (7/5/11) and got out of bed. Within minutes I was having contractions 5 minutes apart, which soon turned to 3 minutes. I called mom and said I needed her to bring me to the hospital and I called Ryan to take the girls to school. We got to the hospital around 10 am and I was dilated to 5. It took awhile to get to a room since they needed to call some nurses in. I was at 7 when we finally got to a room and my favorite doctor (the anaesthesiologist) was there within minutes to alleviate the pain. He did a great job and by the time Dad came in (who knew the anaesthesiologist) and then Steph. I had no pain and we all just hung out for a few hours. Dr. Purhoit came in, since Dr Watters had left out of town on vacation that morning (so Dad didn't get to deliver this one), and after 3 pushes he was out. All 9 pounds and 1 ounce and 21.5 inches of him. I was shocked when they told me how big he was. He looks like his sisters, but thinner and longer. He is such a great baby and it's hard to imagine our life without him in it. It's funny how an instant can change your life so dramatically. Joel was surprised at how well I feel after having him. I guess it just gets easier the more you have. He loves to snuggle into my shoulder after he eats...and he sleeps most of the day and night. He makes the cutest little noises when he eats and he hardly fusses at anything. The girls are fantastic helpers. Gabby is more concerned about him than I thought she'd be. She loves to get everything ready for a diaper change and puts it all away when I'm done. They both love to feed him and hold him. I think they are a little disappointed at how much he sleeps, but that won't last long. They give him the cutest kisses. Gabby is very protective of him. The other night mom and dad stopped by and Gabby was holding him. Dad asked if he could hold him and she put her hands over him and said "No, he's my Jeremiah". A few minutes later she said he could hold him "but only for one minute." Today Nana watched him while I took the girls to gymnastics. When we went to get him we had been chatting and then Gabby came up and said "Nana we need Jeremiah so we can go home". We still have some transition moments, but it's been easier than I expected. Bella I think would just sit and hold him. We are very blessed family of five!

36 weeks

It's hard to believe that I'm 36 weeks. Although I feel like I've been pregnant forever. The girls cannot wait for brother Jeremiah to get here. They keep asking when is going to come. I've been having some strong contractions on and off. A few weeks ago I told Bella it was too soon for Jeremiah to come, so she said I needed to wish on 3 stars at midnight so they would go away. Before Joel put her to bed she came out and said "Remember Mommy 3 stars at midnight." They both say good morning and good night to Jeremiah by kissing my tummy. The girls came at 37 weeks, so I'm anticipating next week but think I may be psyching myself out. I do think he's bigger than the girls were and even though I haven't gained much weight it is all in my belly this time so I feel like I'm carrying a bowling ball around. He just keeps dropping so my back is starting to hurt and I have pee constantly, so I am ready to get here although I'm nervous to see how the dynamic of our family of 4 will change when we are a family of 5.

Here are a few pictures Steph took of the giant belly. The girls went with us and of course were quite characters...you don't need to encourage too much to have them turn on the diva.

Gabby is 3 (well last month)

Gabby turned 3 last month. I know I'm a little late. She had a monkey party and had so much fun. At her check up she weighed 35.8 lbs and 37 inches. She is so funny and a keeps us on our toes. She is so quick to respond to anything and her hand gestures - she is so animated.

Bella's funny sayings

Today I picked Bella up and she said, "Mom I have a really sad thing to tell you." So I asked what happened today and she proceeded to tell me that she had a big boogie come out of her ear today, "but don't worry I washed my hands." Then she asked if we could go see Papa so he could check her ears for more boogies. When we got there he checked her ears and said there was a little more wax in the other one, but then Papa asked her why she had a band-aid on her arm. She said she had "unskinned her elbowed at school today." She had fallen on the play ground and skinned her elbow pretty good. Papa thought it was more appropriate how Bella described it as "unskinned".

Bella has been on this healthy eating kick lately. So Monday night I was bringing in Gabby's cake for her birthday and Bella said, "Mom can I tell you something...I know you're an adult, and the boss and pregnant, but eating cake isn't very healthy but it's okay you can have some."

The girls have been so cute talking to Jeremiah and wondering when he's going to come. I do have to admit I miss being able to cuddle the girls on my lap...the belly is just too big. Gabby always brings Jeremiah toys and Bella is always talking to him. They both have been overly sensitive lately, so I'm not sure if it's because of it getting close to time or if it's something else. Hopefully it will turn around, it is exhausting these days.

Two Peas in a Pod

As we anticipate the arrival of Jeremiah the girls couldn't be more close. We can't wait for the new adventure to begin and the girls are starting to ask every day when will he be here? Here are their school pictures.

It's been so nice outside and we've been spending time at Papa and Nana's house. Mother's day Bella decided to try her roller skates. She almost has outgrown them, so it was a good thing we put them on.This weekend we went to my friend Eve's house. Eve and I used to ride together, but she has turned into quite a cowgirl these days. Of course Bella loved riding Bonita and Gabby swept the barn and stayed away from the horses unless Daddy was holding her.Monday, Gabby joined Bella's gymnastics class. They had so much fun together. It's hard to get good pictures in the gym so they are a little fuzzy.

Wrapping up Bella's Soccer Season

Bella finished up her soccer season with 6 goals!! Her record was 8 and she became quite a scoring machine. She had a great coach and really worked with all the kids and taught them a lot as far as dribbling and control of the ball. We can't wait for the fall league to start where Gabby will get to play! She has quite a leg of her own so it should be fun to watch even though she'll only be 3. Bella will move up to an all girls team, so hopefully we have good coaches in the fall too.

Gabby's Trip to the ICU

Well after 4 days of a fever that started on Easter, we went to the pediatrician on Wednesday. Her pulse/oxygen level was 84 (normal is usually 98). After two breathing treatments her lungs were still congested, after giving her a little oxygen her numbers came up but then went down as soon as she was taken off. They got as low as 78. We were sent to the ER and the she was admitted. After 9 breathing treatments, blue lips and no progress they sent her to the ICU. They continued with more treatments and more steroids and antibiotics, she started to progress. It was a long few days and she was stuck in the bed until yesterday. They finally changed her oxygen line so she could walk around her room. They started to wean her off the oxygen but it took 5 days to get her off. It was quite a challenge to keep an almost 3 year old in one spot for 5 days. We took "rides" on the bed and played with the buttons, styled her dolls hair, blew bubbles to help her lungs, Nana brought scissors, glue and tape which were the biggest hit. It was a long 5 days, but we are happy she is home. They think she had a virus (probably what Joel & Bella had a few days before her) and the mucus collapsed part of her right lung so she couldn't get enough oxygen. They think she has underlying asthma issues and we talked to the pulmonologist. They ran allergy labs and they all came back negative, which surprised us. Since she hasn't had any wheezing for 18 months, I'm still skeptical of the asthma diagnosis, but I'm just glad she home. So she's on two inhalers and a steroid for a few more days. doing crafts with NanaBella came to visit Friday night and brought Gabby McDonalds for dinner. Bella was so worried about Gabby although I think she liked hanging with Nana and Papa a few days. When we went home Friday night she kept asking what was wrong with Gabby and saying she keeps praying for her. When we came back Saturday after her last soccer game she didn't get to stay long as she went to hang out with Nana. Mom asked her what was wrong and she said she was having a sad day. They went to help McKenzie get ready for prom and Bella wanted to buy surprises for Gabby. They ended up with two outfits and some new crocs - which Gabby promptly put on and would not take off.

This morning Joel sent this picture and I was so excited that they had taken her oxygen tube out. She still had to have oxygen over night, but during today she was able to take an almost 2 hour nap with no oxygen and her levels stayed around 91 (they just wanted her above 88 when she slept) and she was at 98 when she was awake. Thank you everyone for your prayers. They really helped get our baby well.