She's One!

Presley Faith turns 1 today. I'm so happy and so sad at the same time. It's a weird feeling. I want her to progress and grow. I just don't want her to progress and grow.

• She knows and can say several words-mama, da, shoes, bath, purse, uh-oh, dog, ball, nigh nigh, juice, bye bye and shhh.


• She loves to wave at people and blow kisses. Her smile melts my heart. She's a smart girl and feisty, too.


• She will hear me turn on the faucet in the bath tub and make a run (or really quick crawl) into the bathroom and try to climb in the tub.


• She hates getting her diaper changed and will only lay still if I give her a book to read.


• She loves books-right now her favorite is Peek a Who and Moo Bah la la la.


• She loves her sisters dearly. Her face lights up when Avery gets home from school. She squeals with glee when McKenna sings to her.


• She loves food-pretty much any kind of food. Except peas. She hates peas.


• She loves her blankie-she takes it everywhere.


• She's the best baby in the whole world. I don't know how I got the blessing of being her mom, but I'm forever grateful. I love her with my whole being and pray she grows to love Jesus and others the way He created her to.

Sorry, no pix to show. We have a fun day planned at Friends U. homecoming parade, block party and game. Hopefully I'll remember to bring my camera and actually take some pictures.

Dream come true

Ever since Avery started riding a bike, I've had a dream of going on bike rides together as a family. I was the last one in the family to get a bike, got one for my b-day. This weekend, we put a seat (thanks, Aunt Shawna!) on the back of Kevin's bike for Presley. And we found an infant helmet, that cost twice as much as all of our helmets. None the less, my dream came true last night.

Spoke too soon

Kevin and I were talking the other day about the fact that no one in our family has gotten sick this year-no colds, no flu, no stomach bug. Nothing. It's been nice. I haven't made any late night trips to Walgreens for medicine. No dr. visits or co-pays.
Friday morning, I went in to wake Presley up, and see the right side of her face swollen. Yesterday, we went to the dr. and he said she has allergies. Ugh...I feel so sorry for her. Her nose is gross and she is constantly sneezing and coughing. She doesn't want to eat and has little tolerance for her big sisters. Poor Presley.

Presley's Perfect!

Presley had her 4 month check-up/shots yesterday. She was great. Avery had an online class to take, so Kevin stayed home with the older girls and I took Presley by myself. It was crazy cold out. The Dr. said she was perfect. She said to keep feeding her every 3 hours. Darn, I was hoping to go to 4. Some nights, it's almost impossible to stay up 'til the 10pm feeding. Anyway, 3 shots later and we're done for another 2 months.

Presley Faith at 4 months

14 lbs 2 oz

24 1/2 inches

perfect in every way!

Last year on this day...

I found out I was pregnant with #3. It was the day after McKenna's birthday. I went to my friend, Sally's baby shower. In the midst of conversation and talk of babies, I began thinking about when I was supposed "to start." After I did some quick math, I realized I was already "late." After the shower, I had to rush to church for a Financial Peace class. On the way, I stopped at Walgreens and got a test. I waited until after class. We all came home and I immediately went to the bathroom. Positive within seconds! I was speechless. I was trying to decide if I should wait to tell Kevin or not b/c this was not planned and totally out of the blue. He didn't even know I stopped to get the test. I went into the kitchen to where he was and I just couldn't stop smiling. I told him and he handled it very well. I didn't know what to expect and I'm still curious to know what he was really thinking. We kept this to ourselves until Easter weekend. Actually, Kevin let it out of the bag to some friends at church on accident. But, whatever. This was probably the easiest pregnancy of the 3. I remember being so excited, yet so uncertain at the same time. I think I still feel this way. We aren't "normal" anymore. The world caters to the family of 4. We don't fit that mold anymore. But, then again, who wants to be normal? I love being a mom and there was a time in life when I didn't know if I'd get to be one. I don't ever want to take these precious children God gave me for granted. I only have them for a short time. I want to enjoy every moment of their lives. I am so grateful for this season I'm in right now. January 26, 2008. My world changed for the better...

ok-unfair question, but what happened to you last year on this day?

Afterthoughts pt. 2

These 3 weeks have flown by. I go back to teach one week from today. Every time I think about it, I start to freak out. I just can't imagine leaving Presley right now. Next Friday is going to be rough. Some more post-pardom thoughts-

• Nurses ROCK! I've had the best nurses with all 3 births. Our nurses in the operating room were amazing. The recovery nurse was wonderful. And all of the post-pardom nurses were great!


• I don't know why I didn't get one of these before. Kevin's mom made this and I LOVE it! I'm going to buy more fabric this weekend, so she can make more.
  


• We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of our friends and family. We've gotten clothes, meals, gift cards, diapers, gifts for the older sisters, money, and offers to watch Avery and McKenna, so Presley and I could rest. Thanks so much! One of my favorite gifts, the one that caught me off guard, was the new Steven Curtis Chapman Cd. Every time I listen to Cinderella, I start to cry. I don't know how SCC can get through that song without breaking.


• This has been quite an adjustment to our family. It's been almost 4 years since we've had a baby in the house, 24/7. The older girls have had there moments, but overall, they're doing very well. We're working on a new routine. Trying to figure out what the new normal is for our family.


• My emotions have been all over the place. I don't remember being so emotional with the other 2 (except when it was time to go back to work)
  


• I would do it again in a heartbeat! The thought of Presley being the last one makes me sad. I'd probably even have another C-section. (We haven't gotten the medical bill yet, though) The first week afterwards is definitely the WORST, I've never been in that much pain before, but it's temporary. And there was no pain before or during the surgery.
  

We have a big day planned tomorrow-our family is going to a pumpkin patch! The girls are so excited. We're going to have pumpkin donuts in the morning and I searched online for pumpkin soup recipes to make tomorrow night. And Kevin has big plans for carving pumpkins to look like the characters from the Wizard of Oz. Should be fun! I love fall-

PTL!

Presley gained 3 oz since last Wednesday! She's still not up to her birth weight, but we're rejoicing the fact that's she's gaining now and not losing. We weigh her again next Monday.

We started school up again yesterday. It was a long day! Kevin's mom is making me a sling for Presley, and I'm quickly realizing I need it, like, yesterday. Presley loves to be held and I love to hold her. But, for some reason, I need my arms to do school and carry stuff up and down the stairs. Go figure! I made my first meal in 2 weeks last night, too. Green chili enchiladas-and Presley doesn't have an upset stomach. I'm thankful for that too. Kevin got firewood last Saturday, and the girls have been asking for a fire ever since. He made one last night. The AC kicked on 10 minutes later. The atmosphere was nice, though. I'm excited about the changing seasons. It came so fast-I wore shorts to the hospital to have Presley 2 weeks ago and today I'm wearing sweats! Time to make the chex mix and get ready for the holidays!!!!!!

Weight Watchers

Presley was born weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz. She was over a pound bigger than her 2 older sisters were when they were born. Since her birth, however, she's been slowly losing weight. She eats well, I'm making enough milk for her, she's not a fussy baby, her color is good, etc... We don't know why she's not gaining weight. We're still waiting for the initial blood tests to come back before we do anything. She goes back to the dr. to be weighed again on Monday. Right now, we're simply praying that she would gain weight. Kevin and I would appreciate your prayers for Presley these next few days.

Afterthoughts part 1

Several thoughts keep coming to mind as I process the events of the last week. Some things we forget from pregnancy to pregnancy for a reason. Otherwise, there would be a lot of "only" children.

• true maternity leave only happens w/ the first child


• Breastfeeding really hurts the first week. I mean REALLY hurts.


• it's amazing how much you can love a person (baby) you've just met


• I know it was hard recovering from a "normal" delivery, but c-section recovery sucks


• it's difficult to realize that the pain is temporary


• I cry alot, over silly things


• I have the most amazing husband in the world. I can't imagine going through this without him. He is incredible. I am so blessed to be his wife.

Party of 5

Presley Faith Osborn was born last Friday, September 26, at 5:45pm. 8lbs 3oz. and 19 in. long. She is perfect in every way.