Emrie Turns 4!

Emrie Turns 4!

A fun day at the zoo with Mama Jane, Papa Emery and Jeremiah for Emries 4th b-day! The weather was perfect and the kids really enjoyed all the animals.
Emrie wore her birthday outfit that she picked out at Target very Punky Brewster-ish & very cute!
Emrie rode on the carousel and really loved that. She brushed a goats hair but was not interested in petting a very large bug or lizard.
She was most impressed with the polar bear and elephant.
I don't know what Henry liked the best but he did want to offer his animal crackers to the elephant.
Greta was most content to be in her sling while we walked around and slept most of the time there.
We had a yummy late lunch at MCL (one of my favorite childhood restaurants.)
Then we went to visit Great Grandma Morgan. She got to meet Greta for the first time and was happy to hold her. As we were preparing to leave and I took Greta from her arms she said she envied me. She loves to hold and rock babies, she has had lots of practice over the years with 8 children of her own and many grand and great grand children. I wish I could take the children there everyday to visit her, I know she finds such Joy in them.
Daddy wasn't able to go with us but when we got home he had balloons and presents for Emrie. She got Disney Princess roller skates, Dora tennis racket, a Caboodle with a hair brush and hair clips and 2 dresses.

Emrie had her 4 year check up she weighed 36lbs and was 41 inches tall. She made a picture for Dr. Gibson when she gave it to her she said "This is for all the people who work here in this hospital." Emrie didn't have to get shots at this appt which I was glad for. Next year will be her kindergarten boosters.

I took all 3 children to the dr and shopping all by myself, it takes a little forethought on loading and unloading from the van to insure that each child is not out of my sight EVER and ALWAYS holding onto my hand. I find myself checking and double checking that I have all 3 right with me, I often get a feeling of panic that I somehow have misplaced one or lost one. This absolutely terrible feeling that I am pretty sure causes my heart to skip a beat. Anyway, I would consider our day a complete success!

Praise God for our sweet Emrie Ann.

So much glad in me!

So much glad in me. While I could be grumbling about this or that, I am going to take the Polly(one of my very favorite movies)approach!

I am Glad for:
Monday a beautiful almost fall like day
Healthy children
Busy children
Baby Greta who sleeps so well
Hard working husband, not to mention smart, funny and good looking ;-)
Food on our shelves & a pork roast in the oven(boy it smells good!)
A house with plenty character, my perfect little home.
Our new van-I am oozing with thanksgiving, it is a luxury for our family of 5 to fit in all together.
Our new windows(I still consider them new) it is awesome to easily slide them open and closed(Easy to clean too!) Allowing the fresh breeze to blow thru.

Praise God for Today!

Almost Gone

Emrie Ann in her "school girl" outfit.

Henry Michael he is in a "whats that?" phase, he looks like he is inquiring about something.

Our last week before Back to School:-(. I dread losing my extra help but I am so thankful that Greg enjoys his work and has a job that has summers off. I am also very thankful that he has taken this soccer season off, i would be terribly lonely on those long days with out him around.
This week had a rough start for me. Sunday afternoon I knew something wasn't perfect with me and by Sunday evening after playing outside and taking a walk I knew exactly what my problem was, mastitis. A few hours later my chills and body aches became more uncomfortable. I went to urgent care and got a prescription for an antibiotic, orders to rest, and to continue with pain relievers. I know rest is important and I did rest but I am not programmed to sit around and do nothing. My mind just goes full force at what I want to do or what should be done and makes me feel worse for not being able to do it. I like the busy hustle of 3 kids, I like to speed clean, I like to fix lunch and dinner for my family. Of course I like breaks from all of that but not when it comes at the cost of being sick. Anyway Greg took good care of the kids and me and Aunt Beth made dinner for us. By early morning Tuesday my chills turned into sweats and relief came shortly after my fever finally broke. I was feeling much better by Tuesday evening. Greg fixed dinner which I found very funny b/c it was a meal my dad would fix when my mom wasn't able, Beanie Weenies & a frozen pizza! It tasted good! Scary how similar Greg and Dad are!
Wednesday i was feeling back to normal we walked with Tanna and Micah, in perfect low 80's weather.
I took the kids out to the backyard and they played in the playhouse for a long time,I let them hose it out and use a bucket of soapy water to clean their house,boy they had fun! Once again I wished for an outside shower for the kids to clean up before going indoors!

Henry requested for breakfast one morning sausage raisins pretzels and M&m's. Breakfast of champions! I did give him the sausage and raisins. He has been toting around a purse all week long he must find it very convenient to load it up and carry his toys in the bag.

Emrie is getting very anxious for her birthday. Crazy to think she will be four next week. Aunt Beth took her birthday shopping(outfit pictured above)Thank you Aunt Beth she had lots of fun! My girl is quite the shopper, I am beginning to worry about the future and how we will pay for our shopaholic:-)

Praise God for Gregs job and the summer that we can spend so much time together!

21 days!

They love their baby sister!

Sisters!

3 Weeks

Greta is 3 weeks old today, it seems as though she has always been part of our family & like I've known her for so much longer.

She has been a very laid back little girl, I often wonder if it is because I am more laid back. Emrie was high maintenance and demanding from day one or did I miss all the cues that a baby gives being a first time parent? Henry was laid back as well but needed his swaddling and white noise from the very beginning and until his little blankies couldn't wrap around his growing body. I felt more at ease with him, not a beginner anymore. With Greta though I feel more confident even through all my constant worries. Mostly experience has taught me those little things I worried overly about before are not likely & now they are more fleeting, it has to have an effect on the child. That all being said I still do not consider myself an expert in this field :-)

Henry seems like he has grown up so quickly since Gretas arrival. He can do and say so much. I think I have failed to mention that he has developed a love for chocolate milk(thank you mama Jane!). He is completely hooked and he is now frequently in the fridge getting the chocolate syrup to make his favorite drink! Oh well if I had his metabolism I'd drink it all day too:-)
He has been expressing his love for everyone all the time here recently. Lots of I love you's!

Greta has been sleeping so well, she is usually ready to be swaddled around 9 and gets her belly full and by 10 we are in bed. She is sleeping in bed with us, Greg far off to one side- me to the other, she occupies the center. I set my alarm for 2:30 am but she is usually beginning to stir a little before then and we move downstairs to the recliner for the remainder of the night.
During the day she is eating about every 2 hours sometimes a little longer if she happens to fall into a deep sleep.

She went to Wednesday night church for the first time this week. She got to meet Great Grandpa & Grandma Howdyshell and Aunt Karen and Jeffy for the first time there.

Thursday night we watched Daddy win the tennis tournament he played in!

Friday we had pizza at Nornie and Poppys and had a nice visit with Julie, Tim and Taylor.

On our way home Greta began to fuss and Emrie said "She needs her Fire Paci.". I think she meant pacifier, he he. A fire Paci sounds a bit dangerous!

Praise God for the hot/beautiful weather and for a perfect 21 days!

July!

I'm lovin' this! Really this is perfection! Dickerson party of 5. Party would be an accurate description of the vibe around the house right now. Emrie Ann and Henry seem to be extra excited and even more energetic than usual. Emrie Ann is loving dressing baby Greta by picking out each outfit,it has been lots of fun! Henry is full of love for his baby sister. He is catching on,but the reminders are constant that we have to be gentle and use soft hands with the baby. He has an occasional melt down when mommy can't carry him around but I suspect that those will get fewer as time passes. Besides he seems so heavy to me now, did he grow or does he seem huge just because Greta is so small? Emrie Ann jumps at the chance to hold baby Greta and rub her skin, she is in heaven while rubbing that super baby soft skin.

I realize it has been a month since I updated my blog, shame on me! Lots of fun has happened in July. The kids enjoyed the 4th and the fireworks. Henry was too busy to sit still and watch so he and Papa Emery did lots of wondering around. Emrie Ann enjoyed the light show but Mama Jane had to hold very tightly her hands over Emries ears. Mommy was quite uncomfortable at this point with Baby and I am pretty sure my walk had turned into a waddle!

My weekly OB checks began, which was a good feeling to know the end is getting near! Although I was absolutely sure that I would go past my due date as I did with Emrie and Henry. Kids have a way of proving you wrong, huh?

We did some shopping to prepare for Baby and Emrie enjoyed helping pick out the outfits for a newborn baby boy or baby girl. She talked Alot about the baby in HER belly. We all got quite a kick out of her and HER baby. Emrie said one evening during a dinner she didn't really care for that her baby in her belly didn't like that food. A good excuse in her mind for getting out of eating. It worked the other way around too if it was something she really enjoyed-Surprise her baby did too!

Henry is so busy and just loves to be outside! In typical little boy fashion he can find dirt anywhere and requires a bath after most every trip outside! And it is not uncommon for him to eat some dirt either! He is still in the midst of his terrible twos and diaper changes are one of his least favorite things to do. (hmm maybe potty training soon, we'll cross our fingers for an easy transition!) Henry is oozing with orneriness, he has been a little stir crazy at home since the arrival of Greta. The crazy heat has kept us inside and he gets a little squirrel-y bring trapped indoors.

We also did our first camping of the year on the big hill with the Martins. It was a perfect evening for a fire and all the yummy camping food! The kids sure enjoyed the toasted marshmallows, I did too(with a side of Tums!). I made one short attempt to sleep in the tent with the kids but quickly decided that being that far along in my pregnancy made sleeping on the ground even less desirable than it is non-pregnant! So mommy and Henry caved and went to sleep at Mama and Papas! Emrie was so proud the next morning, she was so happy to have seen shooting stars and to have made it through the night in the tent for her first time! The first time Emrie saw me after having Greta and she realized my belly was somewhat deflated belly she said "Now we can go camping mommy!"

Greta Jane arrived on Friday July 15th at 2 in the afternoon. My water broke Thursday evening 11:30pm after just dropping off to sleep. I was not prepared to dash off to the hospital and neither was Greg but Dr Santino had advised us to quickly make our way to the hospital. So we gathered up our necessary items and left home feeling nervous and anxious. Beth and Jeremiah came right up to watch the kids which were sound asleep when we left. My contractions were regular and 5-7 minutes apart. Progress was slow through the night and sleep was not obtainable. Friday morning around 9 they decided to give me Pitocin to help speed up and regulate the contractions. Shortly there after I received my epidura, Praise God! l:-) Mom had arrived early Friday morning and after slow progress she thought she would have plenty of time to run to Logan. Greg got a little..(okay a lot!) anxious without her there and contractions becoming stronger and more frequent. I called mom and she turned around and headed back to the hospital. (Thanks mom for being there you certainly help to keep Greg calm!) Mama Linda waited anxiously in the waiting area eager for the arrival of our new baby! (Thanks Linda for the new pj's!) After intense contractions began around 2 it was time to start pushing and at 2:13pm Greta was in my arms!
7 lbs 6 ounces a beautiful miracle, a gift from God!

Aunt Beth and Jeremiah brought Emrie and Henry to meet their baby sister just a few hours later.

Uncle Aaron and Aunt Ea took Emrie to see her first movie that evening, Winnie the Pooh. She LOVED it and ate a whole bag of popcorn!

Saturday afternoon exactly 24 hours after Greta was born we left the hospital very anxious to be at home.

Aunt Beth and Mama Jane were busy around the house doing laundry washing up all the baby girl clothes and assembling the pack'n plays into changing tables and bassinets. Mama went to the store to load us up with groceries and fixed our dinner. Aaron and Ea came over that evening and Daddy and Aaron hung the swing/glider that Baby Greta got for her Big Sister and Big Brother! A fun, exciting, exhausting day!

Praise God for a month filled full of blessings!