For Unto Us A Child Is Born

On Wednesday December 16th I went to the hospital at 7 a.m. to start my induction. I was already dialated to a 3 and dr. said if I wanted to have the baby I could. I didn't want to be in the hospital or recovering too close to Christmas with my entire family home for the season so I said sure!

I was finally underway at 8 a.m. with pitocin. The rest of the morning and afternoon was spent in boredom and watching tv with Jaime at my side. At around 12:45 the dr. came to break my water because that usually gets things going quick. My kids have all arrived shortly after the water breaks. However, since the baby's head kind of floated up he decided to wait a bit to not risk the umbilical cord coming out first or wringing around the baby's neck. Bummer! I was so disappointed. So, on to more waiting, turning up the pitocin...again. Finally at 3:30 p.m. I was having some strong contractions and dialated 5-6. My mother-in-law came to visit at 4 and Jaime told her that it would probably still be a while since my water hadn't broken. Around 4:15 I decided to roll on to my side thinking it would ease the pain...I was wrong! So Jaime started to help me roll back and then my water BURST! I was so shocked. The dr. was called. A few contractions later the nurse asked me if I felt like pushing...well yeah I sure did! I was fully dialated and at that time the baby was coming on his own! The dr. was getting himself ready and the nurse was trying to get the bed raised and taken apart for delivery but this baby was coming whether they were ready or not. I couldn't help it so I pushed! The nurse turned and delivered the head, dr. came round and then took the baby's head in his hand and told me one more push to deliver the shoulders, out he came healthy as could be at 4:32 p.m. weighing 7 lbs 6 oz 20 in. long.

We named him Tyler Keven Morales (Keven after my Dad). It was hard to come up with a name for us but we finally did it! He has a few similarities to a couple of our kids but really, he looks very different from them right now. It will be interesting to see how he changes. Aidan looks nothing like he did as a newborn!

We are all happy and healthy. The kids all love Tyler, they say it all the time. Aidan has done surprisingly well. I thought he'd be jealous since he's such a clingy momma's boy but he's very intersted in his new brother. He loves his little toes.








Aidan and Uncle Marcus looking at our new guy.



It's so nice to be at home in my own soft bed!

The Joys of the Christmas Season

I love this time of year. The kids absolutely love all the lights and decorations. The other night we just drove around looking at Christmas lights. Even Aidan enjoyed it as he pointed out the window at some.

Halloween

Halloween usually seems to be a pretty busy day for most people. However, this year it wasn't busy just getting costumes together, rather it was spent working out in the yard. Kids loved playing in the millions of leaves that our tree drops(and there's still a billion leaves left just waiting to fall!)





After some great naps for the kids they were eager to get ready for "their night."


BATMAN!



A Princess...
Lindsey has been fascinated with princesses her entire life...probably because she knows that she is one. :)




Aidan was our little skeleton. His outfit was so cute and it glows in the dark! I, on the other hand wasn't so cute. I was supposed to be a scarecrow, I needed something quick and easy, but it didn't turn out to be so cute and many could't tell what I was. The general guess was a bumb and I think it's because of my preggo belly. :) Oh well. We had a great day anyway.

Halloween Traditions

Ok, most everyone carves pumpkins for Halloween. Monday night our family carved pumpkins. At first the girls were unsure of sticking their hands inside a pumpkin to take out the gooey insides but....

They ended up really enjoying it. They did an amazing job really.



Olivia spent a lot of time scraping and getting the inside of hers clean.



Lindsey designed the face of her pumpkin all by herself. Star eyes and a heart nose!




They turned out great





Hope you all have a spooktacular Halloween!

Baby Fro is Gone

I was able to hold out until Aidan was one but I knew I needed to cut his hair. It was long enough to reach his eyes! Jaime said he was growing a mullet so I knew I needed to cut it. I sat Aidan in his Bumbo and with Olivia's help, she took pics, gave Aidan snacks to occupy him and give the confidence I needed. She says that Aidan's hair looks cute. What do you think?

Before the cut...



I swear I didn't know he had the scissors until I was looking at these! THANKS for your help Liv. :)



He was a little hesistant to have this buzzing thing near his head.


He moved around quite a bit but he did alright. At least he didn't cry or scream!



The finished product...


It's a little shorter than I wanted. They say the difference between a bad haircut and a good one is two weeks. Hopefully it'll grow in nicely. It's not the best but it's my first time. Boys' haircuts aren't as forgiving as little girls' are that's for sure. The flaws are more noticeable in a boys' short hair. I'm a perfectionist so maybe it won't look so bad to others who see it. I look at it and see what I wanted and it's not that. I had pictured something a little different. Hey, we learn as we go with this parenting stuff right?

The big ONE

I can hardly believe this kiddo's already one. He was hesistant about the cake. He just squished his first piece in his hand then tasted it, then ate all but three bites.
He loves his new silky blanket. Definitely a blanket boy! He liked to play the "piano/xylophone" It took him awhile to be able to get his gifts open. My baby almost looks like a little boy and not so much a baby! They grow so fast. It's amazing how much I love them and how it continues to grow as they grow.

Letting Go

Yes, I too sent my first off to school for the first time. I knew it would be hard for me and it really was. On Friday August 28th, Lindsey had her first day of school. The night before we put her clothes out so in the morning she got dressed and was stoked to head off to school. She was so excited and looked so adorable. I took her to her class. She was a little nervous but by the end of the day when I picked her up she had so much to talk about. She loves the songs and the activities they play and her best friend is in the same class which makes the day a ton better! I did cry...but not until I got back in the car. Liv told me that she would miss Lindsey and she did! She would ask when we pick Lindsey up and things like that. My visiting teacher came and brought her kids so that helped both Liv and me make it through the day. I watched the clock tick till it was time to pick her up. Lindsey is so kind and smart and even though she's ready for school...I wouldn't mind keeping her around a little longer. She's such a big help and a great friend. I feel for working mothers who have to send all their kids off to daycare and preschool all day, everyday. Sending one off for me is hard enough! It's always been our family tradition, as well as Jaime's family, to take their picture on the first day of school. So here's my big girl...ready to face the world....so it seems to me. :)



Liv needed to have her picture taken on Lindsey's first day of school as well. She already talks about when she goes to kindergarten. I tell her not until she's five...and I have no trouble keeping her here until then. :) She's helped me a lot since Linds has been gone. We cope with missing Lindsey together.