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!