Mama got back-literally

You know, I just had a baby and that my wonderful Mamacita has been staying with us. She's been awesome, helping out around the house, cooking wonderful meals, sharing her stories from her childhood, walking down memory lane as she recounts mine. She's played with Ellie and Pooh, acting silly for their amusement- she never did that for us as kids. But I guess grandchildren are a second chance at some of life's do over(s). I love seeing her with my kids. It makes me want to beg her to stay....more like have an adult meltdown until I get my way. I've been allowed to go off and take naps thru out the day when I've looked like road kill after a night with Miss I need to be held and eat or else I shall DIE party gal Evie.

She treated Chris and I to dinner and a movie this past Friday. Free sitter with a family member who loves them as much as we do. At home, where they are safely tucked in their own beds. Free. Loved. Free. And did I mention, she sprung for our date?? Fa-reaking awesome. And I forgot to mention, earlier in the day, she watched the kids so I could sneak out and get a much needed hair cut and style. Spent the whole morning to myself. Lovely. It was.
We ended up going to Shady Sues for dinner, followed by The Hunger Games. It was great to just reconnect. Catching up on what we wish to accomplish as a couple. And of course, we talked about the kids. How Ellie is maturing into a beautiful young lady, she's five going on sixteen, what a great helper she is with her younger siblings. Pooh, how much of a little charismatic little clown he's becoming. He just wants to make you smile. And how they both love their new little sister, Evie. How big she's already become and has it already been three weeks?? And are we really discussing having a fourth? Already?? A wonderful night. Of course I know that we love each other but it was wonderful to have a confirmation, know what I mean? Hand holding, the squeezing of my knee during dinner, the "you look beautiful tonight"-which I must admit meant a lot, considering I haven't been feeling too HOT as of late. Post baby weight and all.

Which brings me to: since we will be taking my mom back to her home this coming Friday, she advised I should go out with some girlfriends Saturday night. Chris second that (did I mention I have a WONDERFUL man?). No husband. No kids. Just some much needed girl time.

As I was attempting to get ready (realizing I have a long road of workouts in my future), my three year old walks up behind me and states (rather loudly):

"YOUS GOT BOOBIES ON YOUR BACK!!"


Not. Lovely. Know what I mean. Fat back rolls. Ugh.

Oh, lil' siser

"look mama, I made Evie a tiara, a necklace
and a gown. Now she's a real princess"

Sisters. The perfect two

Big brother

giver of sloppy kisses

with the biggest heart

She can't get enough of her

"mama, we're best friends already"

Pooh, how close are you?
"jus wike dis"

We are all in love with this little angel! But I can not begin to express how much Ellie and Pooh love having a little sister. Ellie, because she's been wanting a sister since I mentioned the possibility. Pooh because that is just his nature, already taking up the role of big brother. Both are constantly kissing her, hugging her, and wanting to hold her. I hope and pray that we can be the type of family that stay close and that the kids remain the best of friends as they mature and eventually have their own families.

Father Daughter Dance

March 24th

Isn't she lovely?

Isn't she beautiful?

Thinking about the dance with daddy

This little man thought he was going too.
Ran up to his room and found a "matching yellow outfit"

Before we informed him that he would be staying home.

On their way to the ball.
Pooh, VERY upset, kept repeating
"but I a good boy, I a good boy"
Broke my heart.

Daddy with his first girl

The night is coming to an end, Cinderella

Little man and his mama went on their own date.

WHOA BABY!

March 20th

Woke up excited. This is the day that we have been waiting for since we found out that I was pregnant. I really had thought that I would have gone early but no. Didn't happen. So, here I am. Getting ready. Getting weepy. Getting excited. Are you a boy? Or are you a girl?? So EXCITED!! And surprisingly, very relaxed...

Had everything packed and ready to go. Said good bye to both grandmas, kissed Ellie and Pooh. Explained how we would call them and let them know if they had a brother or a sister. Started getting a little teary eyed. Aside for when I had Pooh, we've always slept under the same roof.

Get in the suburban and attempt to start it up from the passenger side. WHA? Try again. WHAT? DEAD BATTERY. I swear, we are like distant relatives of the Griswolds. I'm panicking by the time Chris gets back. "Oh my God, Chris, DEAD BATTERY!! We're going to be late!!" I screech all panicky,  because I'm in a panic. Chris, being very relaxed, explains how they will not start without me. So, we take his pick up truck and away we go.

Arrive at the hospital and the first couple of hours just fly by with filling out paper work. Waiting to be taken into the OR. And the whole time, I'm fine. I had asked if at all possible, if I could recover in my room instead of the recovery room. That way, I'm able to nurse the baby right away. Because this time I am really going to give it my all. Got my whole birth plan down. Going to have a boy. Going to recover in my room where I can start to nurse baby boy right away. I'm ready. And off we go.

And like the time before (Pooh's birth) I start to panic as my body starts to go numb. So, like the time before, I request a wet washcloth be placed over my eyes. For some reason, this seems to help me relax as my doctor is inquiring, "can you feel this?" as he pinches here or there to make sure that I am completely numb.
Finally, he starts the c-section. The whole time, I'm thinking, "are we finally here? Is this really happening?" I'm waiting with anticipation as they pull the baby out, for that first cry, and finally the big announcement if we have a baby boy. Or a baby girl.

If you get queasy, then stop. Because I've got pictures:

Here we go

UNBELIEVABLE!

Finally, I hear a wail

That's no penis

          Chris looks down at me, teary eyed and announces, "We have another girl". I am completely shocked because I could have sworn we were having a boy. I washed all of the boy clothes, I was so certain. I was in disbelief, "What? Where's the penis?" I ask as they held my baby so I could take a peek.

Evolet Olivia Grace (Evie)
3/20/12
12:34pm
7lbs 10.5oz
19.5inches

Evie had fluid in her lungs.
she needed to have an IV and oxygen

Nothing played out as I had planned. I ended up having the most precious baby GIRL. Beyond thankful for her. I stare at her every second that I can, in total awe and disbelief that she is ours. How blessed are we? Even though I was able to recover in my room, I didn't get to nurse Evie like I had planned due to the fluid in her lungs. I didn't get to hold her for almost 7 hours. Torture. Nursing? That's another story.