Christmastitis

We've been going up to my parent's house and celebrating Christmas on the 23rd and 24th. It was nice this year since we all made it, except for Justin (he's on his mission).
My parents love being grandparents. I love to see them enjoy my kids.
My sister (Lauren) got Hannah the coolest present. She Looooved it.
Christmas Eve morning I woke up to open presents and had a clogged milk duct. By the time we were done opening the presents I had full blown mastitis. Misery and flu like symptoms set in. I tried to sleep it off, but nothing helped.
I had to drive from Bakersfield to Glendale, it was the worst drive. I was miserable at Kevin's family's (his Dad's side) party. Some kid kept playing a drum and I thought my head was going to explode.
I finally got my antibiotics that night, I was still miserable Christmas morning and missed my kids open their presents.
We went to Burbank to spend the day with Kevin's Grandparents (his Mom's side). I didn't start feeling better until Christmas night.
Every year I am amazed at the mess all the Christmas loot makes. We spent all day putting it away, along with the Christmas decorations. We are ready for the New Year and our fresh start. It's time to start thinking about our New Year's Resolutions now.

Christmas Fun

Not much has been going on at the Jones house except trying to adjust. Kevin went back to work last Thursday, it was something that needed to happen to get our life back to normal. On Friday I decided to go to the mall, yes I went all by myself. I talked to Hannah and Gavin Thursday night and told them the plans for Friday. On the way to the mall I told them exactly what we were doing and there were a lot of bribes (or incentives) for them. I had Hannah and Gavin in my jogger and Luke in the sling. It was a success. I ran in and out of three stores looking for an outfit for Luke since I was taking him to Kevin's work Christmas party. Luke slept the whole time and Hannah and Gavin were so good. They played at the play place and we got Hot Dog on a Stick... yummy!
Saturday night we went to Kevin's party. It was a lot of fun!
One of my favorite memories of a little kid is getting cards from my Granny Fitz (my dad's mom). She would send cards for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, just about every holiday you got a card with $1! At Christmas you got $5! Now that I have my own kids I don't get cards anymore, but my kids do! They were so excited to get mail with "dollars" in it.
We have been singing a lot of Christmas songs around here. I love Christmas songs. I even try to get to church on time just so I can sing them!

Cousins

Hannah and Gavin have two cousins, Sam and Elise (Kevin's sister's kids). We don't get to see them too often, but when we do, it's as if they were never gone.
Between the four kids, every toy we own was pulled out, even the ones shoved deep under the beds and in the back of the closets.
The kids had so much fun playing in the leaves. They were all giggling, it was priceless.
Poor Allison got her own personal leaf shower from the kids!
Then the four helped put all the leaves in the trash can.
We were sad to see Sam and Elise leave. They have grown up so much since we saw them in the Outer Banks. Thanks for visiting guys! AND thanks for cleaning up all the toys too! Hopefully, we'll see you in the spring!

2 Weeks

Luke is 2 weeks old. His umbilical cord fell off yesterday, he's already growing up so fast! He's a pretty good little baby. He sleeps with me and for the most part I get decent sleep. He wakes up to eat and the next time I wake up it’s time to eat again.

It’s hard to get him down for a nap sometimes, but when he does finally fall asleep and stay asleep, he’s a good sleeper.

Hannah and Gavin are big helpers, especially Hannah. Gavin does a little baby talk and has thrown some tantrums that are out of character for him, but other than that there hasn't been much regression from the two of them. I'm looking forward to getting Luke on a schedule.

Hannah is 5!

I can't believe Hannah is 5. It seems like the time has flown by, but then so much has happened.

Birth: Hannah was 9 lbs. 13 oz and was my hardest labor and delivery, 28 HOURS! I remember feeling very overwhelmed with the responsibility of taking care of a life. The third baby is so much easier! Hannah was a sweet little baby, but a bad sleeper. I enjoyed her very much. I was so eager for her to be able to play. I talked to her all the time.

1 Year Old: Hannah likes to share that she turned 1 in Hawaii. She is dying to go back to Hawaii because as she says, "Hawaii is the beautifulest place on Earth!" Hannah took her first step in Hawaii too! Hannah was my little buddy, we did everything together.

2 Years Old: Hannah became a big sister. She was so good with her little baby brother. When Gavin would cry I would ask Hannah what he needed. She would always reply, "He needs Mommy."

3 Years Old: The beginning of the Princess phase. Hannah LOVED Cinderella. She started pre-school too. She continued to be my little helper. She really grew up and was so independent.

4 Years Old: Hannah became such a big girl. She became totally self-sufficient. She likes to pick out her clothes and dress herself. She is more interested in make-up and asked me for a cell phone. I asked her why she wanted a cell phone, she replied, "So I can call Mamo J whenever I want!" (Kevin's mom). She is such a creative little girl. She is excellent using scissors. I can't believe how well she can cut out shapes.

5 Years Old: This is Hannah building a rock fence along the side of our driveway. She moved about 30 rocks all by herself and put them in a perfect straight row. She got creative half way through her project and tied a rope to a storage container lid. She would put 3 or 4 rocks on the lid and pull them over to her project from the garage. Such a smart little worker. Hannah is able to do things so well that I feel less and less like I need to "fix" it because it's not done well enough. I'm starting to see her controlling personality (wonder where that comes from?) come out. She is particular with how she likes things done, for example... when she brushes her teeth she wants her toothbrush wet, then toothpaste applied, and then wet again (wonder where she gets that too?) My brother, Michael, calls her the mini Courtney. It's wonderful to see your good qualities and scary to see your bad qualities come out in your child.
Happy Birthday Hannah! My sweet little baby girl! You keep our house full of life and energy.

Luke J Jones

Luke is one week old today so I think it's time I finally sit down and record his story. Everything went exactly how I wanted it to. I made it through Kevin's business trip when I was 38 weeks pregnant, and then finally until Kevin's mom flew in. I had a scheduled inductions, which I love because it's predictable and under my control. I had been having inconsistent contractions for a couple of days, but on Monday they started to get more consistent and stronger. As we drove to the hospital that night, my contractions started to intensify.
I had the most wonderful nurse, I was her only patient!

(I hate all those monitors, they get so itchy!)

One of my favorite parts about Cedars is the view from the labor and delivery rooms, so beautiful!I was all hooked up by 11:00pm and got my epidural around 12:30am and about 10 minutes later, rolled over and my water broke! I fell asleep, when my nurse came in at 2:15am she checked me and I was already 10cm! She told me I was going to start pushing soon. I wasn't ready, I wanted to sleep some more. My doctor walked in at 2:30, I pushed 6 times and Luke was out at 2:44am! Easiest delivery ever!Since my delivery was so fast, he didn't get squeezed enough so he had a lot of fluid in his lungs and tummy still. He was really grunty.

Luke weighed in at 9lbs. 5oz. A BIG boy! He was 20 inches long.

It always amazes me when I hold my new baby. It is amazing that their body was inside mine, how on Earth did they fit?It feels so good to see Kevin hold our new baby. I have a picture just like this one of him holding Hannah and one of Gavin. I can't believe I have 3 kids! Our family feels complete now.
I'm trying to soak up every moment with Luke, he is changing so fast. My recovery has been very easy thanks to an easy delivery and probably all that exercising I did.

Now, on to the name... Luke was one of our favorite names when we were picking Gavin's name, we had a little conflict with the spelling though. J is Grandpa Brown's (Kevin's Grandpa) middle name. It was supposed to be "Jay" but the person who filled out his birth certificate spelled it "J." So in honor of Grandpa Brown, we chose "J" as Luke's middle name. When we told Grandpa Brown he teared up.

Settling In

Together for the first time.

Luke is here

This time it's for real. We got into the hospital on Monday night at 10:30 PM and by 2:30 AM we were pushing. 2 contractions later, or 6 pushes, out he came. 9lbs 5oz, 20" tall.

Courtney is doing well and recovering quickly. More to come at a later time.

Update

Hopefully, tomorrow I will be holding my new baby boy!
I'm having contractions about 10 minutes apart, not close enough to go to the hospital yet. Looks like I'm going to keep my 10pm induction appointment tonight. Hopefully, I can go in at 10 and not have to wait because there are too many mommies.

SHE'S HAD IT!!!!!!!!!

With me that is....I think Courtney is cranky.

Baby Update

I had my last doctor's appointment today! YEA!
I'm 3 cm. I think I'll pack my bag tomorrow.
I just need to last until Sunday morning.

Halloween 2009

Hannah wanted to be Sleeping Beauty

(singing at the La Mirada Senior Center with her Preschool class)

Gavin wanted to be Shamu... ok?
I love making their costumes every year. I had to get creative with the Shamu costume...
Thursday morning was Gavin's Halloween party, Thursday night was the YMCA's party,
We took Deiter and I made him a red cape...
Friday morning was Hannah's party, Friday night was our church Halloween party. By the time Saturday night rolled around, Kevin and I were so tired of celebrating we stayed in. Kids didn't know. Instead we worked on the house. I think we finished our last project before the baby comes.

Gavin is 3!

I get super sentimental on my kids' birthdays, I try to soak up every little thing about them that day. I love to see how much they've grown and developed.
Gavin had a good birthday. He had his preschool Halloween party, went to Daddy's work (Kevin found me a flu shot at one of his doctor's offices), went to lunch (with Daddy, Hannah, and Mommy), took a nap with Mommy (my favorite part), went to the YMCA Halloween party, and had dinner at Chick-filet with Uncle Aaron and Aunt Rachel. Aaron and Rachel gave him a nerf gun, he is sleeping with it right now. Perfect present for Gavin!

Baby Update (late)

I went to the "baby doctor" last Thursday for a check up and ultrasound. I took the kids the past two visits and they behaved well so I decided to take them again. They were excited to see their baby brother with the special camera. The same ultrasound technician has been there, well, since I got pregnant with Hannah. I told them Julie (the ultrasound tech) was the first person to see them when they were in my tummy. She was super kid friendly. She made a big happy face with the ultrasound gel on my giant tummy, the kids enjoyed that. We saw his femur (my poor children know way too much about the human body than other children their age) and heart. Hannah counted the chambers. Julie gave them stickers at the end.
By the time we got into the exam room the kids were done. Then I got the bad news, I had to do my GBS (Group Beta Strept) test. Then the questions started coming....

Hannah: "Mommy, why are you wearing a big paper towel skirt?"
Gavin: "I can see your butt!"
Hannah: "Is the doctor going to see your butt?"

I didn't know what to say so I just tried to change the subject. The kids left the room during my exam, thankfully the Medical Assistant watched them. I heard them running up and down the hall laughing the whole time. It wasn't too awful, but it did suck! We survived.

So at 36 weeks, Baby Boy Jones was estimated at 7 lbs. 2 oz. I was dilated 1 1/2 cm. My doctor thinks I won't make it until 39 weeks, but this baby still has at least 2 more pounds to gain. We'll see...

Hannah's Primary Program

Today was Hannah's primary program. She was so beautiful up and on the stand singing her songs. She did such a good job saying her part into the microphone. We talked about how she had to talk slowly and "medium" loud so all the grandmas and grandpas could hear her well.

"As I forgive, I will be forgiven."

She is growing up so fast!

Happy Birthday Gavin!

We celebrated Gavin's birthday last night with our family. Instead of going big this year, I decided (with a little persuasion) pizza and cupcakes at Grandma's house was just fine.

I made pirate cupcakes, unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures of them. I melted white chocolate chips to make the skulls, they ended up looking like scary old school hockey masks. Oh well, Gavin likes hockey too. Gavin made the blue frosting and I rolled them in blue sprinkles.

(Thank you Melissa for taking these pictures so I could protect the candles from Hannah)

Gavin really got into opening his presents. Kids start to grasp the concept of a birthday around 2 1/2, so their 3rd birthday is really their first real birthday.
My mother in law found some pirate stuff on sale and sent it to me. Gavin loved his pirate badge. He's all ready for the drive home! Kevin and Gavin are going to Hockey Giant to get his hockey helmet today! He loves going to the hockey store.

Fly Lady

My friend introduced me to Fly Lady. Basically, it's a motivational/organizational cleaning website. I think I might be hooked, perfect timing for all my nesting impulses. My bedroom (zone #4) is now de-cluttered and de-dusted. I finally cleaned out all the things I've been procrastinating doing, like that random bag of stuff I packed when we moved 5 MONTHS AGO!!!! It had just been hanging out next to my bed.
Now I'm trying to think of all the other things I've been procrastinating...
What have you been procrastinating?

35 Weeks

I've been trying to decide what is worse... Being pregnant or having a newborn. Up until lately, I've decided I'd rather be pregnant forever than have a newborn. I'm starting to reconsider my decision as my belly gets bigger and bigger and bigger. In about a month I will be able to bend over, sleep on my stomach, and not have to pee all the time.
I've definitely started nesting these past few weeks. Starting to panic that I'm not ready for this baby to come yet.

Here you go Anie Jenkins!

I'm looking forward to:
My ultrasound on Thursday to estimate the baby's size. I'm taking the kids to it. They behave well at my appointments aside from calling my OB "Dr. Cheetos" (where do they come up with this stuff?)
My Baby Shower! I was touched when my new friends in my new ward offered to give me a baby shower. It was totally unexpected and I'm excited for all the yummy food and of course presents!!! Baby showers always have the best food!
My mother-in-law to come into town.
AND of course.... my pre-labor pedicure. The only time I DON'T feel guilty spending money on a pedicure. I think I'll get that extra 10 minute foot rub!

It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

Part of having a baby is nesting and if you are having a fall baby, nesting includes Christmas preparation! I made this rag quilt out of left over fabric from last year. So bummed that the white turned pink. Hopefully, with a couple more washes the red lint will wear off and it won't be so pink.
Here's Hannah Christmas stocking. I think I'll get her name embroidered on it and add a trim or something. I saw the fabric and knew it was perfect for her. I love the little pink snowflakes!

Monday

Kevin takes great pride in his lawn, he brought it back from the dead when we bought our house. Gavin is following in his Daddy's footsteps, quite literally. I had to grab my camera when I saw this.*Kevin has thrown away his crocs several times and I keep pulling thiem out of the trash...
They are perfectly good for yard work! Sorry Kevn

The forecast predicted rain today so we spent the day preparing for our first rainstorm in our house. We have a lot of wood scraps from various projects and I asked Kevin if we could have a fire. I'm not sure if that was such a good idea. As I was loading the dishwasher I saw huge flames in the reflection of the window in front of me. I turned around and saw him feeding fuel into our first fire. It's been such a warm and cozy day with a fire, I've loved it.
Gavin is pretty good at building guns and airplanes with his legos... here he is showing off a "gund" he made. Poor little guy busted his eye open today in our front yard. I cuddled him, gave him an icepack and told him it was like Daddy's hockey boo boo and he was ok.

Dodgers!

Dodgers! Dodgers! Dodgers!

Hope you all watched the end of game 2.



Mind you the Dodgers were down 2-1 with 2 outs and nobody on base. Miracles do happen.

New Year's 2008 Resolution Complete

My New Year's resolution last year was to complete my unfinished craft projects. I finally finished just in time for Halloween. I started this cross-stitch when I lived in Hawaii, right after I got married. I've taken it so many places, on so many vacations. Now it's finally done!