Still Ticking!

We've made it through Madison's first few weeks. A newborn and two toddlers! I am surprised that I have been much "calmer" since she has been born, than I was before she was born. Maybe it is from being anxious about the birth or the fact that I feel like I am holding a little angel all day everyday- but things are good here. 

We do have a lot on our plate. And much of our plate is being wiped clean to accomodate the new addition the Blackhurst family. I don't really go very many places and I am much more "picky" about what I do decide to do. So far I don't feel totally overwhelmed with three kids- but knock on wood- maybe it is coming :)

The picture below is Ben's present to Madison- A pirate ship

As for the updates we'll start with Madison. She is three weeks old. Sleeps like a newborn and isn't too fussy otherwise. It's been amazing to me to watch Ben and James with her. It's like she has some magical spell she casts on them.. Whenever they are near her they go into soft and gentle mode. (I didn't know that mode even existed in Ben ;)  They hold her close and hug her like their own. I am so impressed with my little guys- I hope they keep up the trend. So far if I could say anything about her little personality- she has smiled the earliest of any of my children. It seems like it only took a week for her to flash her pearly whites- - O -- I mean her gums.

Next I'll tell you about James..... HE IS WALKING!  We waited over 18 months for this glorious event and it happend a few days ago. He decided to walk, he is so cute. He doesn't crawl almost at all anymore. I am soo glad/relieved/happy I don't have to carry two babies anymore! A few more details about this cute little tyke. He is the nursey favorite-- he steals all of his teacher's hearts! They love him! He also loves wearing hats!  He puts everything on his head, his toys, blankets, and cereal bowls-- I am constantly wiping yogurt out of his hair because that is where it goes when he is done eating out of his bowl.

As for Ben, he is growing up fast. He is starting to scold his brother for "making bad choices" he'll tell me James is being naughty- when he takes off outside or runs down the hall wtih one of Ben's toys. Ben also likes coloring more now-- as I've already mentioned, he has marked up our walls a few times. But I hope he is finally determined to keep it on paper - because we haven't had an incident in the last week.... Ben is as active and curious as ever. I'll be excited when he is old enough to put all that extra energy to good work! Right now it keeps me on my toes!

As for us - we're moving to Kaysville- into a slightly bigger home, with a big fenced in back yard- I'm hoping to give the boys more space to use up all of their energy! I am not looking forward to packing and moving my little ones- but it will be worth it when it is all over.

Will is good. He goes into work everyday now and scours the town looking for medical marketing clients. We are hoping he finds lots soon! I work at night as usual and lose lots more sleep. But I can't complain Madison is worth every missed hour of Z's. Well I better get back to the little "Z stealer." Wish us luck in our adventures in raising three children and switching up our crazy work schedules to accomodate!

Madison Elaine Blackhurst...

...Is our dream come true. We almost can't believe she is here! We are so in love!  Dad, Ben and James adore her and we couldn't feel more blessed.

I didn't want to take forever to share this post so I'm staying up for a minute-- probably to suffer later-- to share with you the experience we had as she came into this world. Saturday afternoon Will and I planned a date- before baby came. On the way over to dropping Ben and James at Jarom and Brittany's for a couple hours I felt what I thought was a contraction. I had another one while we were talking to Brittany. After I left another in the car and by the time we got to Costco we realized I was in labor. If I could tell you how sweet Will's look was when I told him- it wouldn't even do it justice. He was grinning ear to ear. We tried to at least "finish" a date but neither of us could focus. After getting our Costco supplies and ordering subway sandwich at Jimmy Johns, and then eating half of it Will decided it was high time to take off grab the boys and head on our way…. Long story short (so I can to sleep tonight before babe wakes up) we ran a ton of errands and dropped off the boys. Finally we ran one last errand for last minute groceries- bad idea. After dropping off the groceries I knew it was go time but I had no idea how fast "go time" would be.

By the time I got to the hospital I could barely make it out of the car. I stood frozen on the sidewalk in pain asking Will to warm me until my contraction passed. We finally made it to the fourth floor reception desk and were taken to our room. This is where things got complicated. For anyone who has gone natural - they would be embarrassed if they were in the room watching me. I was a mess. Screaming I can't do this and help me and where is the epideral. I told her I wet the bed she said it was my water breaking. I told her I was about to "poop" on the bed and she said that isn't poop. I was having a baby. Luckily I was still at an eight and we had time to get the epideral in.  The relief swept over me and the pain subsided and 20 minutes later when the doctor arrived the baby was born after three quick pushes.

I think they must have whispered around that the cord was wrapped around the baby's neck twice because I had no idea. All I knew was that she was not crying and they were not telling me how she was. Through it all Will was calm which made me calm. She was not placed in my arms until 20 mins later after she had been given oxygen and her color came back. After a brief time in my arms they took her to the special care nursery to monitor her and then gave her back to us 40 minutes later. She was fine. She had a little trouble breathing the next hour and some low blood sugar the next day but nothing too problematic.

Will and I felt so blessed that Madison came on Saturday (before the Monday induction date). We knew she would need to come early- even thought we didn't know why- we prayed that the Lord might bring her early so we would not have to be induced and he opened the windows of heaven and poured down the blessings. We are so grateful she is here with us. Our lives are forever changed. The Lord is mindful of all of his children and all of their prayers. As we exercise faith we are blessed. And right now our hearts are full of gratitude.

Baby's coming

 

Dear world,

I think you should know I am being induced on Monday the 10th, instead of waiting (my due date is the 14th). Baby is good, and everything is normal with my pregnancy, so it was a hard decision to make, and I'm not sure why I made it-- it seems like it is some combination having to do with my "mother bear" and prayer. As most of my readers know I am kinda of a  "halvesies" when it comes to natural child birth. AKA I prefer to go into labor on my own but use an epideral the last few hours to pick up the worst part. I don't do pitocin. Well Monday I am doing something that goes against some of my preconcieved notions and Will and I are trusting that things will be OK. That the Lord directs our paths and that he is the author of all things. He knows our hearts and our past and future. So with hopeful/happy hearts we are anxiously awaiting the birth of our baby girl Monday afternoon sometime. In the meantime, I hope our baby girl knows how much she already has our hearts. And when I say our hearts I mean Ben and James too-- Ben says the cutest things and jumps around everytime we talk about her. He picks up her little pink clothes and says "these are sooo cute." He also insisted on getting her a present--- he picked out something he thinks she will love- a pirate ship. He can't wait to give it too her when she is born. As for James he loves pulling up my shirt and patting my tummy and laughing. Finally, Will is already in love with her-- I sometimes wonder if I'll have to compete for the place of first girl in his life after his little princess is born. He is sooo cute about her.

Since we are on the home stretch Will and I are trying to spend these last few days spoiling our boys. Tonight we went to city creek and got them pizza and spagehtii and rootbeer (the boys favorite meal) - and we watched the fish, and then picked up penny candy from Desert Book and ate it while we watched the trains (trax) pass underneath us. Ben and James Loved it!

So for the update on Ben - he is soo close on potty training- few accidents now and he still has to be reminded a lot. But I'll take it. Lately a  favorite quote of mine is he says "Mom I love you because I love you." I hear this at least a handful of times a day. He has also taken up art. Unfortunately it is generally on our wall instead of on paper-- I swear I thought this phase came earlier like 2 years old- not closer to four.... grrrrrr... Lets see -- anything else... him and James get along great! It is soo cute to see James tackle Ben any chance he gets - they are a great brother pair. James is more laid back and Ben is more serious so the to are a great balance for one another.

Speaking of James-- melt my heart this kid is so cute! He laughs alot and gives great hugs. The little stinker is still not walking (18 months old!!!!!!!!- is that enough "!!!" or should I add a few more?!) But we think he is on the way up-- he is finally taking 4,5,6 and 7 steps and lifiting himself from the ground... the walking day can't come soon enough for me-- the little stinker! Also he thinks he is sooo funny. When he is done with his food he picks it up one piece at a time and drops it on the floor or chucks it at me or Ben or dad. He is such a tease. O and one more thing... we've got a "daddy's boy" on our hands. James complains whenever his dad walks out of the room and can never decide who to hug first in the morning... mom or dad!

Will and I can't be more thankful for the beautiful family we have been given. Stay tuned for the latest on the baby.

O and I've included a picture of the building Will works in downtown- he is working more hours all the time and we're hoping that it will continue to produce a good income-- mostly I'm just really happy to see him so happy working there!