Spring Time in Oklahoma

This is what was seen just east of us yesterday.  We heard the sirens going off and immediately turned on the news.  I could see the storm from our back porch.  Kind of scary.  A little earlier in the day some rotation went over us and I could see it.  Kind of crazy.  I have never seen such beautiful yet horrifying cloud formation in my life. 

I am not posting this to scare family that has been worried about us.  I just really wanted to save this picture and memory of this.  Along with showing the power of spring.  Just one more reason for me to not like spring time (besides all the allergies I have).  Nature sure does amazing things.

(Because it is a panorama you might have to click on it to see the whole thing)

It's a girl!

So here is the story of our little Anastasia.

 

Contractions started Sunday morning.  They weren't consistent by any means so I thought they were false labor again.  By the time we were supposed to leave for church, I had several that were only 4 minutes apart.  Thinking this might be the real thing we decided to stay home.  Of course a half hour later or so, they all but stopped.  I was disappointed because I thought....oh great, we stayed home for nothing but false labor. We should have just gone. 

 

I continued to have contractions thoughout the day, but nothing consistent by any means.  So we went to bed.  Eric fell right to sleep.  I couldn't get confortable so I got up and wandered around the house, turned on a movie, tried to keep myself occupied.  I wanted to let Eric sleep in case I needed him later.  Around 1am I started to time them.....still about a half hour apart.  Been there, done that, probably false labor again.  At around 2:30 or so I decided to go try to sleep.  When I layed down, the contractions got harder.  Luckily Eric was right there to help me get through them.  I decided that laying down was not what I wanted to do so I went to sit in my recliner with a warm rice pack pressed up to my back.  Yes, once again, I was having back labor.

 

At 3am the contractions were regular, about 10 minutes apart.  They slowly got closer together and much stronger.  I was able to let Eric sleep until about 5am when I just couldn't do it by myself anymore.  I sure do love my husband and all he does for me.  He sat on the windowsill next to the chair so I could squeeze his hand during contractions. For the first time I thought I was going to throw up, luckily I didn't.  I did end up changing positions to the floor.  For some reason I like the floor when I am in labor. 

 

I am not quite sure of time at this point, I think I was a little delirious.  But anyway, I think it was a little before 6 that I told Eric to call the midwife and let her know. My contractions were about 2 minutes apart by then and I knew we were getting close.  I think it took about 15 min or so for her to get to our house.  Right before she got here, I felt like I needed to push so Eric layed me down so I could breath through them better until she got here. 

 

 Just after she had set everything up she checked me and told me I could push at any time.  Oddly enough, I didn't feel the need to push but did anyway.  She slowly came out.  I was so exhausted by this point, I didn't hardly feel like I could push.  Luckily, our bodies are made so the they get pushed out regardless of what I do.  So she came slower than the other kids, but I think that was WAY better in this situation.  I remember that I thought it took forever for contractions to come for me to push.  Never had that before, ususally they are right on top of each other.  Another blessing for me I think with being so tired. 

 

There she was...a beautiful baby girl with a lot of hair  .Everything was slow after that.  Clean up was slow and I loved it.  One of the first things that Eric said after "It's a girl" was "What are we going to do with three girls in a row?"  I had to laugh.  When they weighed and measured her no one believed how big she was.  They actually weighed her several times to make sure it wasn't a mistake.  I couldn't believe I gave birth to a 10 lb baby without any problems.  No tearing or anything.  I guess I was just made to have babies.  I do believe that it was a blessing that she came so slow or I probably would have torn.  She loves to eat and is really mellow.  Looking back now, knowing how big she was, no wonder I was so uncomfortable.  Sometimes I think it would have been better had she come two weeks ago.  We might have just been in the low 9's then.  Oh well, we are glad she is here now.

 

  I absolutely LOVED having a home birth.  I loved not having to wake up my kids or anyone else (besides the midwife) to have the baby.  I loved that my husbands attention was able to be solely on me instead of having to answer 500 questions from the hospital.  I loved that I could give birth in a mostly dark room where I was comfortable, and could be in any position I wanted to be in.  I loved not having to deal with nurses that don't listen or are grumpy.  And I loved being able to get into my own bed after ward so I really could sleep.  And I love being able to let my kids see the baby whenever they want instead of only for a little while.  I am definitely going to do this again with the next baby.  Such a wonderful experience.  And such wonderful midwives. 

 

Me and Tasi a couple hours after birth, in my own bed.

 

Tasi awake and looking around for the first time.  She is really mellow so far and hope it stays that way.  In this picture it looks like she is bald on top, she isn't....it is just still matted down.  We will take another picture after her bath and post that.

 



Our not so little family anymore.

 



Dana, Tasi, and me after a shower.  Dana delivered Tasi.

 



Lottie has been super giggly since the baby came.  Here she is laughing with Dada

 



Lottie likes to look at the baby but doesn't really want to touch her.  I think she is going to like being the big sister.

 



Although Porter was a little disappointed to not get the brother he really wanted, he is still way excited.  And loves being able to hold her, and wants to tell everyone about her.  He has the same problem we all do....he keeps wanting to call her Charlotte.  We'll get used to it.

Christmas and Porter's Birthday

Christmas was so much fun this year.  We were excited to actually be able to get our kids some things that they wanted and things just for fun instead of just what they needed.  Even though we are still far from family we have started to make some good friends here that we enjoy spending time with.  We spent Christmas Eve with our friends the Fosters and some others from the ward, that we were able to get to know better.  We did a nativity with all the kids which was a little crazy at times but fun.

Adie was a shepherd, Lottie was a sheep, and since Porter was the only boy (older boy I should say, there was a baby boy), he was Joseph.  It was a lot of fun.  Here are all the kids in their outfits.

Here is Porter getting his hunting/fishing wii games.  He was excited, but now he keeps begging Eric to take him out to do the real thing.  And it was funny, about 3-5 days before Christmas he started asking for Santa to bring him a fishing pole.....well, Santa didn't come through on that one.  I guess it was just to close to Christmas for that.  But birthdays are coming.

I wish we had pictures of the girls.  Adie just wanted to play with a couple of toys in the princess tent she got from Santa, and Lottie just wanted to look at all of the books that we already had.

On another note, Eric had the best Christmas EVER it seems.  He got a compound bow with arrows and other things to go with it.  Now when he is home from work early enough, he is out in our "backyard" shooting it because you can do that here.  He hasn't missed the bag once.  Now he just has to find a place to go hunting so he can really use it.

We also had Porter's birthday party.  He has been begging for an Angry Birds birthday party for 6-8 months.  So I figured we should stick with that.  It was so much fun.  It kept me busy especially having sick kids the whole week before.  Luckily everyone was mostly healthy on the day of his party.  We made sugar cookies as thank you gifts for all the kids.

And since Porter doesn't really like cake, he wanted cupcakes.  I don't really understand the difference, I would prefer cake that has layers and a filling throughout but whatever, he is his fathers son.  But they were fun and easy to make.  And I think they turned out pretty good.

Here is his table of "treats" and snacks for all the kids.  Thanks to so many people for the ideas and whatever for this.  Stephanie Sams, thanks for the banner.  Natalie Dayton, thanks for the lime slushie drink that my family can't get enough of and can be dyed any color.  Thanks for whoever decided it should be National Popcorn Day on my sons birthday so we will always have his favorite popcorns at his parties.  And thanks to pinterest for the pig watermelon idea.  That was a huge hit in itself.

The kids were excited about everything....boys are fun!  And I am glad that Porter doesn't cry anymore when people sing to him.

They played "Pig Stomp" where they had to stomp on each others King Pigs.  Poor Adie had a hard time getting into this game with all the rough boys.

And I did venture to make a pinata.  Of course I forgot to take a picture before they started whacking it.  But all my fears about it not lasting long were put to rest when we had to bring in Dad to make the initial crack so they could do the rest.  Way to go paper mache, you held up to the test.

It was a lot of fun and good to meet the kids that Porter talks about all the time.  The kids from school that he likes a lot have all invited him to their parties, but they hold them on Sunday's and we just don't do that.  So I am glad that they came to his.  And he did get a fishing pole for his birthday.

I have made a new year's resolution to update this once a month.  So here is hoping I will be able to do that.

Everything

The great thing about living in Oklahoma is that we have big trees that loose all their leaves.  The kids have had the time of their lives raking up all the leaves into a pile so they can jump into them over and over.  Lottie needs a little help jumping in but they all have a blast.

 

We were going to have some friends over for dinner so we decided to make a black forrest trifle.  It had cut up brownie, chocolate pudding, cherry pie filling, fresh whipped cream and some chocolate swirls.  It was so good.  Unfortunatley, our friends had to cancel, so we took it to Eric's work meeting the next day to share with every one.  We got rid of most of it just because it was too much for our family.

Lottie can fit most of her hair into a ponytail now.  I was so excited.  It was super cute!

Isn't she cute?

 

 

Porter had to disquise a turkey for school so they would be safe for Thanksgiving.  He decided on an army guy.

 



 

We finally got Eric's diploma from dental school and it is finally spelled correctly.

 



Adie had her 4th birthday and she wanted to have a Little Mermaid party.  I racked my brain trying to figure out a cake for her.  I finally figured out what I wanted to do and unfortunately started late doing it the night before and was up until 2am finishing it.  Lottie kept me company until 1 then I was on my own.  Even though it took so long I really liked how it turned out.

 



We have a fire pit in our back yard and the kids LOVE to go out and build fires.  And eat s'mores.  So we do it on a fairly regular basis.  Can you tell they are having fun?

 The other day I was looking for Lottie because she had been so quiet.  I found her on the side of the couch like this, fast asleep.  Poor baby, mom and dad don't put her in bed when she is tired.

My cute kids

Lottie is getting so big and is climbing on everything.....and I mean everything!  She is also running now everywhere she goes.  She is in the 88th percentile for height, and in the 12th percentile for weight.  We decided today that she has the Ricks genes and will just always be tall and skinny....lucky girl.

Porter and Adie love each other.  My favorite is their embrace after school every day when Porter gets off the bus.  They really do miss each other throughout the day.

Lottie loves it when Porter pushes her around on the tricycle and she smiles the whole time.  Aren't they cute?

And this is what happens when your 10 year old digital camera gives up the ghost.  The shutter speed is now so slow, there is no way to capture pictures unless we did like they did in the early camera days with posts behind them to help them hold still until the picture was taken.  (Apple Dumpling Gang is what I picture in my mind).  So we don't have any more pictures and won't until we are able to find a camera that we want.  Sorry, I have already missed some great moments that I wish I had pics of.

You know you are in Oklahoma when....

Well, first things first.  A was invited to her first birthday party of someone we didn't know before.  I am glad we went as we were the only ones who came that weren't family.  Anyway, it was a My Little Pony birthday and so I decided to make a necklace for the little girl.  I am quite pleased at how it turned out.  Yeah for me and the help of my wonderful hubby!

A has been getting lonely without her brother home and gets sad on and off.  But the good thing about it is that her and L have really had some good bonding time and really like each other now.  What a blessing because they used to just tolerate each other.  Anyway, so one day she was really sad so we decided to make spiral cookies.  They were hard to do and took way too much time in my opinion, but she sure did love them and actually just asked to make them again.  They were good though.

I walked into my kids room the other day to help clean up so I could....so P could vacuum and this is what I saw.  AAAHHH IT'S A GIANT POTATO BUG EATING CINDERELLA!!!!!  I was laughing pretty hard.

And to the title of this post.  I just looked outside our front window and this is what I saw.....our neighbor across the street practicing his bow shooting as hunting season is just around the corner.  I thought that was funny.  If Eric wasn't working I think he probably would have gone out and talked to the guy to ask him where to go hunting and if he can tag along.  He was a pretty good shot too, or at least it looked like to me.  I think most people here do bow hunting and Eric doen't have a bow yet.  Someday.  Anyway, I thought it was funny.

Big Man on Campus

Well, today was the day.  My little man started Kindergarten.  He was so excited he not only made his own bed, but he made his sisters too.  He did everything before he even ate breakfast.  I was way more nervous than he was.  I think he was just super excited to ride the bus, and use a lunch box for the first time.  It is angry birds.  So cute!

As we waited at the bus stop for his bus, he would not stop talking.  He kept telling me that after kindergarten we were going to go back to Buffalo.  I hate to break it to him, but that just isn't going to happen.  And then he said that he was "going to be good behave, and listen to Jesus Christ and his teacher."  I think that we need to add mom and dad in there too.  Anyway, he was jumping up and down as he saw the bus come around the corner.  But when it stopped and opened the doors, the look on his face changed.  You could see he was nervous, but didn't want to let anyone know.  So he climbed right up and went to an empty seat in the back all by himself.  Poor kid, so nervous.  But the driver was so good, and said he would watch out for him after asking if it was his first day on a bus, and in Kindergarten. 

Needless to say I walked home (across the street) in tears to a husband who was laughing at me.  I did drive to his school to make sure he was ok, but it was a zoo!  So I found where the busses dropped off and saw that of course it was organized and that he was going to be just fine.  I can't believe it.  Adie was crying about missing her brother, and doesn't really know what to do without him.  He is going to be gone so long.  I am sure that I am going to be in tears on and off all day.  I can't believe he is so big.  Way to go Port!!!  I know you will do great!

my teeth are singing...

I guess we are going to go backwards since I don't know how to use this new blogger format (obviously I haven't posted in a while).  Here was our fathers day gift to Eric.  A malt ice cream and dark chocolate brownie cake.  It was soooo good.  And really super easy.  Every one loved it. (Port calls it the spunkin whoppin cake, really it just had whoppers on it.)

This is what we have been doing to keep ourselves entertained in a small apartment when we don't have a car and it is too hot to walk somewhere to play outside.  It has actually been a somewhat fun experience, but I think it will be good for everyone's sanity when we get to our new house next week.

When we were in Utah we went fishing up in Mantua (for non-Utahn's it is pronounced man-a-way).  The kids thought that it was great until they actually caught a fish.  Then they didn't want anything to do with it.  And ran from the front of the boat to the back and drove everyone crazy.

We said goodbye to all of our wonderful friends in Buffalo.  I really miss everyone and feel a little lonely down here in OK, but we are hoping to make friends soon in our new ward.  There are some other couples that have just moved in that are residents so we are kind of in the same boat.  It will be nice since thats what we are used to.  But we miss you SO much.  Feel free to visit us anytime!

Our little froggie turned 1.  I can't believe it.  She has been my slow baby, slow crawling (compared to my other kids), really slow teething, and slow walking.  She has finally figured it out this last week and officially has 4 teeth.  She just walks and tried to run everywhere, and doesn't really want to be held anymore.  She is so much fun and chases the other two from room to room.

This was her cake.  I wish I would have gotten a better picture of it.  It was a lot of fun and she got the whole top to herself.  She ate some of it, but mainly just destroyed half of it.

ERIC GRADUATED FROM DENTAL SCHOOL!!!!!  YEAH!!!!

I am officially married to a dentist.  And I still don't let him watch me floss my teeth.

Adie had a dance recital that she actually danced in.  They danced to bibbity bobbity boo.  She did really good and was so cute.  But I think her favorite part was the dessert afterward.

Eric had a senior dinner/award dinner thing.  I didn't want to go in my old church clothes, so I made myself a cocktail dress.  I thought it turned out pretty good, but there are some things that I would change if I did it again.

And as for the title of the post.  The other day we were swimming in the pool and Port was shivering.  We asked him if he was cold, he said "no, my teeth are just singing."

11 months and busy

Our little froggie turned 11 months old.  She wants to walk but is scared.  She has taken a couple of steps, but just won't do it without someones finger to hold.  She has weaned herself in the last 1 1/2 weeks (which is great for me) and since has gained over a pound.  I guess I just didn't have enough for her.  Now she is a happy, starting to get rolly baby.  And she smiles at everyone, but don't touch her.  She will glare at you or cry.

The other day it was warm and I sent the hippo and the monkey out into the backyard to play.  Neither of them could find matching shoes, so they improvised.  I guess I should be happy that they are problem solvers.... but I couldn't not take a picture. 

We went to the Franklinville, NY maple festival this last weekend.  A little disappointed by it.  It was basically a fair crammed into a very small area.  But the kids were excited by the parade and the petting zoo.  I was amazed by the fact that they make maple soda, and maple cotton candy.  It smelt so good there, and the pure maple syrup was cheap.  Too bad we're moving.

And of course my kids find a playground and wanted to stay there the rest of the day.

Eric and I just celebrated our 6th anniversary.  We figured that in the last 6 years we have lived in 4 states, two of which we moved back to (UT, ID, AZ, ID, UT, NY).  Between the two of us we have earned 3 college degrees and 3 certificates.  And we had 3 beautiful children.  After all that accomplishment, we decided to do something fun.  We went to a restaurant that we had never heard of before but has been featured in Guy Fieri's (the food network) show Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G2zFpveYeo )  Grover's bar and grill.

We had the famous Bruiser burger which is the most delicious hamburger I have ever had and a bowl of their famous cheeseburger soup.  They were so good.  We shared both and came out completely full.   Now just to learn how to make it on our own.  Another thing about this burger is that even Eric couldn't fit the burger into his mouth.  It was that big, but oh so good!

On a side note, two weeks then we move back to Brigham City for about 3 weeks, then on to Tulsa, Oklahoma for who knows how long.  We are excited, just going through the stress of moving.  I can't believe how fast time has gone.  More pics to come soon for graduation!