Monthly Update - February 2020

Addie

Cooper

Aribelle 

 Conner

February 2020

At the beginning of the month, me and Shane took a little vacation to Cancun with friends.  We had a blast but missed the kids so much!!  Weeks before we left, I thought about canceling our trip.  It seemed like so much was going on in the world and I was getting mixed signals on whether or not we should go. There was an earthquake that rattled nearby areas (Jamaica, etc.), there was a virus scare (COVID), people were talking about food poisoning at the resort we would be staying at, etc.  In the end, I'm so glad we went.  We stayed at Breathless all inclusive resort in Cancun.  It was ah-mazing!! 

Valentines - Addie and cooper used their same valentines boxes from years past.  We added a few things here and there to Addie's and Cooper's we just added a few cutout pictures to.  Aribelle wanted a vanity for a valentine box.  After scrolling through Pinterest, Aribelle settled on about 5 different designs.  We decided to combine each idea into our own creation.  We may have gotten a little carried away with the box but hey, you only live once.  Aribelle was beaming from ear to ear when she brought the box to her first ever Valentines party.  

Party-Time!!! Aribelle and Coop both wanted a Chuck E. Cheeses birthday party. The closest facility is over an hour away.  Instead of making friends and family travel that distance on two separate occasions within a month of each other, we decided it would make sense to combine the two.  At first I met resistance from my two tiny humans but in the end, they seemed to warm up to the idea.  It worked out perfectly!  The party was a hit.  

Baby Chicks - We brought home 18 new baby chicks this month.  We get baby chicks almost every year.  You'd think we'd have hundreds by now because they have a decent lifespan but unfortunately we've had some back luck with keeping them alive in the past.  Several times, our Newfoundland and Great Pyreneese/St. Bernard mix dogs have made chicken-nuggets out of our farm pet chickens.  We've even had a few drown themselves in our duck coop.  Over the years, we've improved coops, wire fencing, dog fencing, etc.  I feel like we've almost chicken-dog proofed our property but only time will tell with this next group.  In the meantime, the kids love holding and petting the babies.  It's nice to watch the kids get into feeding and caring for them.  

Baseball- We've used three tree stumps on the other side of our driveway to make our own baseball field.  It's a really small "field" but seems to work well for the kids' new love for family baseball.  

All about Addie
Jealousy - I've actually never in my life seen Addie be jealous of anything....ever.  She's always been a very fortunate kid so there's really never been much of a reason for jealousy.  This month, we celebrated Cooper and Aribelle's birthdays together.  That meant that attention was pretty much on the two of them for most of the month.  There was a few times that I noticed Addie would get quiet or standoffish when the attention was primarily on Coop and Aribelle.
Bathroom - I get ready in the guest bathroom quite often so I don't disturb Shane while he's sleeping.  Addie started getting ready with me several months ago every morning.  I remember mentioning to her that the bathroom across from her room is the "girls" bathroom and we can make it perfect just for her but she insisted on getting ready with me.  I actually didn't mind the company at all and it was nice to help her keep a good routine so she remembers things like deodorant and brushing teeth.  Towards the end of February, we had family come to visit and needed to give up the guest bathroom for the weekend.  I asked Addie to move her stuff to the hall bathroom just for the weekend.  She seemed fine with it and in fact, moved everything to the "girls" bathroom downstairs across from her room.  She put so much effort into making the bathroom perfect for getting ready every morning.  I was really proud of her for setting everything up on her own.
Book worm- Addie finished the last book in the Harry Potter series (Deathly Hallows).  She's been reading Harry Potter for over a year now off and on.  Every time she finishes another book, she gets so excited to start on the next one.  She's been on me about reading the books too but I'm not sure I've got the mental capacity.


All about Cooper
Introvert- somewhat of an introvert, Coop only comes out of his shell when he's comfortable.  At his birthday party, the hostess had him come in front of everyone and dance the birthday dance with the giant mouse mascot.  Coop looked so uncomfortable at first but I could tell he really wanted to let loose.  Once a few more kiddos came up front to dance, I noticed him let loose a little more.  I love seeing him really unwind when we are at home.  The best memories I have almost always involve Cooper at home being goofy with his siblings.
100th day of school- Cooper decided to have 100 items on his shirt for the 100th day of school.  Cooper is so creative with just about everything and decided to design his shirt entirely himself.  He picked a fairly plain shirt out of his closet and decided to do googly eyes all over.  After carefully placing each eye, he had me glue them down.  The shirt turned out so cute!!

All about Aribelle
6th Birthday - Aribelle decided to do brownies in lieu of cupcakes for a class snack to share at school.  Her current obsession is Flamingos and after no luck finding some sort of decor that could be placed atop each kiddo's brownie, I turned to our local HyVee Bakery.  They did such an amazing job!! I posted a pic below.  Aribelle woke up to a birthday sash and outfit to wear to school Thursday.  The entire day, she was beaming ear to ear.  When I picked the kids up from school, we picked up two of our friends kids and our cousin AV so the kids could all play.  The evening ended up being a bit of a impromptu party for Aribelle.  We ordered cheese pizza, cookie pizza, and brownies.  Such a great night!
Teeth - Right around Valentines day, Aribelle came home from school saying her tooth was loose.  This was much earlier than her older siblings so it was a bit of a shock to me.  Sure enough, on the 17th while eating cereal for breakfast, Aribelle pulled her tooth out!!  I feel like she was more excited about pulling the tooth herself than anything.
Almost a week after pulling her first tooth, she started complaining about one of her top middle teeth hurting.  She said it's not loose but hurts when she pushes on it.  The second tooth hasn't come out yet, but we're keeping an eye on it.
100th day of school- Aribelle decided to dress like she was 100 years old for her 100th day of school  She was so cute!! (see pics below)

All about Conner
Not going to school-  Conner has always been really excited for his sibling to go to school every day.  He loves walking through the halls on the days we walk them to class.  He's even insisted on several occasions that he wants to carry a backpack with him in the hallways.  Recently he has started saying he's "never going to go to school".  He will also add "I'm staying at home with mom forever".  It melts my heart that Conner loves being with me each day.
Belly rub - Conner absolutely LOVES his belly rubbed.  He will lay on the floor and ask me to rub his belly.  He's like a freaking labrador.

Catching up

With the first kid, I was on top of my blog posts like my life depended on it.  The second baby not as much and the third and fourth had me forgetting I even had a computer.
I kept a cumulative "blog" note on my phone throughout the last four years but never had the opportunity to publish any of it.  Honestly even if I had the chance in the last four years I'm not sure how coherent I would've been.
These days I can't say life has slowed down significantly.  It never does.  But I've at least learned to somewhat prioritize life into what's important and what's not. 

I've decided to get back into my blogging for a variety of reasons but mostly to document our lives in hopes that it will give me something to look back on one day and laugh about.  After all, we could all use a good laugh these days.

Monthly Update - November 2015 Life as a Family of Four

Addie's monthly Photo

Cooper's Monthy Photo

Aribelle's Monthly Photo

Conner's Monthly Photo

All about Addie

Leader - Towards the beginning of the month, I was approached by Addie's PE teacher "coach".  She said that she made a special trip out to the parent pickup area to find me and tell me that Addie is an absolute thrill to have in her class.  She said she is the BEST leader.  She mentioned how well Addie listens and follows directions in class and does a great job when other students need help.  It was great to hear such a sweet compliment.

All about Cooper

"Gruffalo Crumble" - We love watching and reading "The Gruffalo" as a family.  Well Cooper has taken a liking to one scene specifically.  When the mouse whispers to the Gruffalo in his ear that his favorite food is "gruffalo crumble".  So lately, Cooper has started telling us he needs to tell us something in our ear.  He will proceed to whisper "Gruffalo crumble" in our ear and wait for us to make a scared/shocked expression.

All bout Aribelle

18 month checkup - We were a little behind on getting her in for this (by like 3 months... oops).  But anyway.  Doc said everything looks good with Aribelle.  Unfortunately, Aribelle had to have vaccinations at this appointment but she took it pretty well.  She was watching a movie on daddy's phone and we laid her down.  She looked around briefly and down by her legs but then went back to watching the movies.  As soon as the first shot went in, I popped the paci in her mouth and she cried. After the FOURTH shot, I sat her up and she tried pulling all of the bandaids off.  She cried for all of maybe 30 seconds and then started to enjoy her sucker.  All in all, I'd say she took it pretty well.
Weight: 27.5 (85th percentile)
height: 32 1/4 (28th percentile)
Head Circ.: 19 1/2 (98th percentile)

Brushing teeth -  Aribelle's newest obsession is brushing her teeth.  She always loved watching Addie and Cooper brush theirs but we let her start brushing and now she doesn't want to stop!! Any time the bathroom door is open, she will walk in and ask us "brush?"  If we make the mistake of letting her get a hold of a toothbrush, there's a very slim chance that we will get the brush out of her hand without her throwing a HUGE fit.  At least she will have good hygiene :)

Bundle up - Aribelle hates to wear a coat or jacket of any sort.  It seems like it's the sleeves that bother her most, but she will actually forfeit going outside because of her serious hatred of bundling up.

No more bottle- At the beginning of this month, we decided it was time to nix the bedtime bottle routine.  We were out of the bottle stage with her for a while, but picked it back up when we noticed that she wasn't always eating dinner.  She has since started eating a little more and so we decided it was time to get rid of it altogether.  I don't think she really misses the bottle but if she doesn't we don't hear about it.

"MOM" - Aribelle will follow us around the house yelling our name over and over.  I might have posted about this before but it has become increasingly frustrating and cute at the same time.  She has resorted to screaming our names now instead of just saying them loudly.  She won't stop saying our name either.... no matter if we acknowledge her or not.  There are times that it's cute/funny and there are times that it's frustrating (if we're busy doing something or she's yelling and Conner is trying to sleep).

"OW" - Wether it's a drop of rain on her head or falling down on her butt, she will yell OW!!!

All bout Conner

Sleeping alone - After two weeks of sleeping in our room, we decided on 10/29 that it was time to move Conner to his own room.  He makes lots of grunts/noises while he sleeps and was waking us up between feedings with all of his little noises even though he wasn't waking up.  We of course have the camera monitor on him, so I knew I would be able to still monitor him very closely while hopefully getting a little more uninterrupted sleep.

Hiccups - Like all of our kids, Conner gets hiccups every time he poops.  He doesn't get them as often as Cooper did, but gets them more often than Aribelle and Addie.  I definitely think they bother me more than they bother him. I always feel bad when babies get hiccups.

Squeaker - Conner has this sweet little squeak when he cries or even sometimes when he's eating.  We noticed it actually our first night in the hospital and he still has it today.  So cute!!

No dairy - Around the beginning of the month, we noticed that Conner was becoming a little more irritable than usual.  After following my instincts, and eliminating dairy (cheeses, yogurts, & milk), he went back to better sleeping habits and less fussiness.

First bottle - On 11/4, we gave Conner his first bottle.  In order for Nana to watch him on occasion, he needs to be able to take a bottle, so we decided to go ahead and start small.  He did REALLY well!  He took the bottle without issue, burped and slept great. It is comforting to know that he will be able to do both breastfeeding and take a bottle without issue :)

One Month Checkup -
Everything looked great at his checkup.
Weight: 8lbs 1oz (9th percentile)
height: 20 1/4 (8th percentile)
Head Circ.: 15 (86th percentile)

More photos from the month:

Monthly Update - October 2015 Welcome baby #4!!!!

Addie's Monthly Photo

Cooper's Monthly Photo

Aribelle's Monthly Photo

Conner's Monthy Photo

All about Addie

Reading!! We have received a few letters from Addie's teacher, updating us on what they're doing in school.  I had seen that they're reading more but really hadn't experienced much at home other than books she already knew how to read.  This month, she brought several books home and read them to us!!  I love her enthusiasm when it comes to reading.  :)

BIG sister - Of course she's been a big sister for quite a while now but it never gets old.  She has welcomed her newest baby brother with the most grace.  I absolutely love watching her interact with Conner.  She loves to hold him and gets very excited when she can help out.  Her favorite thing is to give him his paci. She also likes to help burp him and reminds us that it helps his belly out when we finally get one out!! :)

Limo - Addie won a limo ride through a school fundraiser and on 10/22 she was able to take the ride. I didn't get to see or take pictures, but she talked about it for days!

Halloween - Addie was a GIANT cake for Halloween.  She found the costume at Marshalls and just HAD to have it.  Initially, I thought it was a strange costume for Halloween, but it turned out to be a pretty big deal at school and around the neighborhood where she went trick-or-treating.  Good pick Addie!! :)

All about Cooper

Preschool Board - We haven't updated much on this, but Cooper has done well with "preschool time". Occasionally, he will say he isn't interested in participating but with a little encouragement, he agrees. We have stuck with our routine every morning (with the exception of right after the baby came) and Cooper is learning a lot.  Some letters he retains and others are tough.  For his age, I would say he's doing well.  We will more than likely go back through all of the letters once we are done with the alphabet and I'm guessing he will retain more the second time around.

"I wish we could have that toy" - We went through this with Addie for a while too....  Every time a toy comes on a commercial, Cooper recites "I wish we could have that toy".  Every. Single. Commercial...... LOL.  At first it was cute but it is starting to wear on mommy.  I've reminded him that Christmas is coming up and he can pick ONE toy that he REALLY wants and tell Santa.

BIG Brother - Cooper has done wonders welcoming yet another baby into our lives.  He has gotten much better with Aribelle so I figured he would do nicely with Conner.  He LOVES to kiss Conner's head and stroke the top of his head.  He also loves to sit and hold Conner.  He doesn't usually sit as long as the girls do, but I love seeing him take interest.
In addition to loving and being so gentle with Conner, he has taken on a new helping role in the house.  He will randomly ask to empty garbage cans (small ones throughout the house), clean rooms without being asked, and help out with Aribelle.  I love my little Coop!! :)

Halloween - Cooper picked out a dinosaur costume that looks like he's riding a dinosaur.  To add a twist, we dressed him up as a caveman so he looked like a caveman riding a dinosaur.  Nana added some "dirt" makeup to his face and roughed up his hair a bit and wahlah!

All about Aribelle

Climbing ladder - On the playground, Aribelle surprised me one day by climbing the ladder all by herself!! I think it took Cooper much longer than it took Aribelle, so I was shocked when she did it on the first try!

Toddler bed 10/9 - With a new baby arriving and knowing that I wouldn't be able to lift Aribelle out of her crib right away, I decided to go ahead and move her into a toddler bed.  She did fantastic!! Only one night in the first week I found her sleeping on the floor but other than that, she did great. We don't use night lights and we keep it very dark in the kids rooms when we move them into the toddler beds.  My main reason for this method is that if they can't see, then chances are, they won't get up.  I don't know if that's why all three kids have taken so well to the transition, but it seems to be working out so far.  I also don't do night lights because if they get used to them, then traveling can be tough unless you have the room lit perfectly.

Toys in nose - We really didn't have to deal with this with the other two.   I knew eventually our luck would run out.  I have Melissa & Doug magnet books that Addie and Cooper love playing with.  Unfortunately, they have a few small pieces that I wouldn't consider choking hazards (too small) but definitely nose hazards.  Shane and I were resting from a long weekend fresh from the hospital and my mom came into the room saying that Aribelle keeps pointing to her nose and saying "Nose" like something is bothering her.  Sure enough, she had shoved a magnet up her nose.  Luckily it was not too far up and we were able to get it out quickly and safely.  Needless to say, that magnet book is put away now.

Halloween - Aribelle was Cookie Monster this year for halloween.  We just passed down the Cookie monster that Addie and Cooper had worn in previous years.  She was cute as ever.  :)

Vocab -
"Did it" - She says this after she is proud of herself for doing something.  She will also say it if you do something :)
"way wab ooo" - The cutest way to say "I love you"!!
"Yook" - "LOOK".
"Butt" - This is her new way of saying "Button"
"ON" - If she wants you to turn on a toy or lights

All about Conner

10/4 Movement - Conner kept me up all night moving all around and I couldn't help but feel like he had flipped again.  I knew I had a prenatal checkup the next day, so I didn't panic and decided to let the doctor be the judge.

10/5 Breech.... AGAIN!! UGH!!  Unfortunately, Conner had his own plan for his position in my belly.  At my 10/4 prenatal checkup, it was found via ultrasound that Conner had flipped to head up again.  I talked to the doctor about my options.  One of the options was still of course C-Section.  The other option was waiting until the "very end" to see if he would flip on his own again.  I didn't see that as a viable option because we really wanted to guarantee that my doctor delivered this baby.  Doc said after she checks me at my next appointment, we would confirm a definite C-Section date.

10/9 Losing part of plug.

10/13 Prenatal Checkup - Conner is still head up and I'm dilated 2cm 60% effaced :(  Because I'm showing a progression since the previous appointment, doctor schedules my C-Section one week before due date (the 17th).  They don't normally schedule on the weekends, but we knew that the possibility of me going into labor on my own was high and didn't want to risk a breech emergency C-Section and didn't want to risk the "wrong" doctor delivering Conner.

10/15 Change of plans... I get a call from the doctors office that my doctor had a family emergency and needs to move the C-Section up to TOMORROW!!  A total mix of emotions.  Excited that it's happening sooner but scared to death that it's happening sooner!! LOL

10/16
Conner moved all night long.  I don't know if it was my nerves or what but he kept me up quite a bit. Fortunately, I was wide awake when my alarm went off at 4:00.  I was unusually calm while getting ready.  Lots of thoughts went through my head as I scrubbed down in the shower with the hospital-recommended antibacterial soap.  I wasn't sure how the day was going to go, but I was at peace with it.... for now at least :)  Shane was upbeat and helped keep my nerves down.

Arrived at hospital at 5:15.  We checked in at the nurses station and they took us to our room.  My nerves started to grow.  I was still calm but more talkative as though trying to take my mind off of the reality that surgery was inevitable.  By 6:00, I was in a hospital gown, my IV was started, baby doppler's placed and they were getting things in motion for surgery.  The nurse indicated that the baby dopplers were picking up a heartbeat lower than what she would think a breech baby would be in.  Although I had a small amount of hope, I was pretty sure he was still breech.  When the doctor got there, we had an ultrasound to check Conner's position.  Sure enough, he was still breech.  From that point on, it was surgery time.  The anesthesiologist came in and introduced herself, and 15 minutes later, I was walking into the surgery room with my IV pole in tow.
Surgery - The room was FREEZING.  There were at least 5-6 people in the room and they all seemed to have a job.  One nurse helped me onto the table while the anesthesiologist laid things out  to get the spinal block in.  My teeth were chatting partially from the temperature but I think also from my nerves.  They began the spinal block and promptly laid me down.  A sheet went up in front of me and I waited to hear Shane's voice.  Finally I heard him come in and I could breathe a little.  I felt pressure and pushing on my stomach and the nurse continued to ask me "can you feel that... can you feel THAT"?  Luckily, I was only feeling pressure, but no pain.... Cue the green light for surgery.
I became a tiny bit nauseous (apparently meaning my blood pressure had dropped slightly), so they gave me oxygen.  Shane stayed right by my side, occasionally looking over the drapery to watch the doctor dissect my belly.  I felt pulling, tugging, pushing, and pressure you really can't describe.  And then.... crying.  It was him, Conner.  My new baby boy was born.  His cry was perfect!  It sounded healthy.  I could breathe!  Well as much as one CAN breathe while your insides are hanging out.  I cried.  I cried like I've never cried in front of another person.  I'm really not a crier but when I do, I'm a closet crier.  Away from others and quietly.  Apparently I cried enough that it concerned Shane because he asked "are you okay"?  LOL  I nodded, yes, not being able to talk because of my mess of tears streaming down my face.
I tried to paint a picture of what was unfolding on the other side of the curtain but all I could picture was my three other kids and what THEY looked like when they were born.  I listened as closely as I could trying to juggle several conversations going on in the room.  Some was from the doctor stitching me back up, some was Shane meeting his new baby boy, some was the nurse up by my head asking me questions about how I'm feeling, and some were from the students in the room.... Yes, there were students watching my insides get pulled apart.  Like on a scene in The Walking Dead.... Only a bit more sterile.
Finally, I met him.  The nurse brought him over to me to see him for the first time.  He was PERFECT.  I couldn't believe how tiny he was!!  His color, was PERFECT!!  Wow, he is perfect.  As the nurse brought my crying baby in for skin-to-skin contact, I wondered how I would hold him. It was awkward at first to have my arms stretched out like I'm on a cross and have someone else lay Conner on my chest but I didn't care.  I could see him, I could feel his warmth on my face and chest. I was eventually able to pull my arm over to touch him. My crying baby suddenly stopped crying.  It was like he knew he was with his mommy again.  The moment was, well, PERFECT.  I love him.  I started to get some extreme pressure from the doctor putting my insides back in place and closing me up and had asked Shane hold Conner for a bit.  I loved watching Shane meet his little guy for the first time too.
Once the doctor was done, the curtain came down and I was put onto a hospital bed and wheeled into my recovery room.  I looked around me as though making sure they didn't forget to put any organs back in.  Luckily, I didn't see anything left behind.  Once I was in my room, I was ready to hold Conner.  The nurse brought him to me and promptly put him on my chest.  The feeling is indescribable.  I have my new baby boy. After holding him and nursing for a bit, I realized that Shane hadn't really held him much yet and could tell that he was eager to bond.

The pain.... Shortly after surgery, I began to experience a large amount of pain/pressure all over my belly. The nurse gave me different meds but nothing was taking the edge off.  We Found out shortly after that that the Anesthesiologist forgot to put morphine in my spinal block. Once the nurse finally realized the mistake, she promptly gave me new meds to help with the pain.  I. Felt. Drunk. LOL.  I've never felt so drugged in my life.  It was actually comical because I was tired and so very awake all at the same time.  I would talk to people in the room with so much energy and close my eyes at the same time.  Shane said I kept asking the nurse the same questions over and over again.  Silly me ;) 

Siblings meet.... That evening, I was feeling well enough for Conner to finally meet his new brother and sisters.  Shane left to pick up Nana and the kids.  When they arrived, a whole new energy poured into the room. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.  All three kids were ecstatic to meet Conner.  They kissed, hugged and even sang to their new baby brother. I love my family.

Recovery.... I was up and moving only a few hours after surgery.  It's encouraged that you move around a lot after c-section to help with healing.  It's not an easy task by any means to move after, but it makes recovery easier for sure.  I had them remove the catheter the first evening because I was eager to start the process of proving I was ready to go home.  Sure enough, I was able to potty right away but still needed to do one more thing..... fart.  Yep, the hospital wanted me to fart at least a few times before they would let me go.  Easier said than done, apparently.  The first night, I was not able to and it wasn't until Saturday that I finally did.   I basically went into the bathroom and danced.  I wiggled my hips side to side and back and forth until finally.... FINALLY.... the loudest, most obnoxious fart I've ever heard, came out.  I had temporary relief and then more pressure.  The next several hours I spent "dancing", walking,  and moving as much as possible to relieve more pressure.  Just when I would feel a sense of relief, minutes later the pressure would build again.  I wondered if my belly would ever feel normal again.

10/18 Going Home.... Sunday we were able to go home.  Nana had been at the house watching the kids and they were all super excited for our arrival.  Sure enough, Shane and I walked in with Conner and were immediately surrounded by all three of Conner's new siblings.  My heart was the happiest it's ever been.

10/20 - First checkup.
Height: 19in (12th percentile)
Weight: 6.5lbs (9th percentile)
Head: 14in (72nd percentile)

Halloween - Of course he's too little to trick-or-treat, but Conner wore a skeleton onesie.  I wore him in a  baby carrier on my chest while the other kiddos walked around door-to-door.  It was a bit chilly, so we kept him covered and snuggled.  :)



More photos from the month:

Occasionally I will catch the three of them

playing together with one toy and not screaming.

Picking up the trailer from Uncle Dillon's.  

Aribelle always asks one of us

to hold her hand and walk her across

the grass/rocks and into the playgound. 

 They DO love each other!!! :) 

Nana loves her new grandbaby 

Silly girl! 

She LOVES to feed the chickens 

When she can't get one of us to hold

her hand, Cooper is quick to help out. 

Grandma Handley reading books

during a quick visit 

Aribelle and Cooper soaking up some book

time with their Daddy 

Aribelle LOVES books.  She will climb up on the

couch and plop down next to us and continue to

say "book... book... book" until one of us starts reading. 

Addie at Cheer camp 

A little visit to one of the local pumpkin patches. 

Riding the hay rack ride that takes us to the pumpkin patch 

A petting/feeding zoo at the pumpkin patch 

The kids playing in the corn bin 

Daddy buried Addie in the corn!! 

Mama/Addie selfies 

Aribelle watching the cat lounge 

Playing outside with a little baby belly silhouette 

We only have one of these chairs and they will

occasionally share it 

And then theres this.... 

On our way to the hospital.  Last day 

of being a pregnant mama!! 

One more selfie before we go. 

Bye bye baby bump 

Meeting Conner for the first time 

Aribelle was very interested in baby 

Addie spoke so softly to him.  ADORABLE!! 

Cooper was so gentle and sweet 

He LOVED being able to hold

his new baby brother 

My FOUR kids!! 

Daddy getting some snuggle time in 

Mommy getting some snuggle time in 

So peaceful 

Daddy was beginning to get a little sore

sleeping on the "daddy chair" so I let him 

have the hospital bed for a bit.  

Time to burp 

I love him 

Time to go home 

Addie didn't want to leave his side from the

second we got home.  She loves him!!! 

Quite possibly the best big sisters in the world 

Aribelle kept crawling up on the couch

saying "baby?.... baby?".... Apparently that 

translates to, "I want to hold Conner" 

Sibling love 

First doctor's appointment. 

Weighed 6lbs 5oz 

Addie's school costume parade.  

Bedtime book routine was temporarily

moved to the master bedroom so that I could

be included.  I love them! 

Cooper visiting with Mickey 

Happy Halloween!! Our little caveman 

riding a dinosaur!  

Trick-or-treating in Nana's neighborhood