And Then She Was Here.

Dear Kariah~

On May 15th, 2008 you were born. So it stands to reason that on May 15th 2009 you turned one year old. It was just hard to believe as it came SO fast.

On the day you were born....it went to see the doctor on Tuesday and he suggested that I do an induction. I told him I was very worried about a c-section result and he said that on babies that were not the mother's first, inductions resulted in less c-sections. I absolutely love Dr. Beck and trust him implicitly, AND I knew he doesn't hand out inductions like candy, so the hospital said we could go in on Thursday morning, they would call at 5 am.

They called and said to call back at nine am. Thank goodness as I hadn't slept a week with anxiety. I slept like a rock till nine am and they said they were still slammed, call at 12 noon. We called at noon and they said "be here by 2 pm."

So we brought Jo and Marc to Aunt Jaime, and Mommy and Daddy had one last lunch before the long haul. We got to the hospital and got all checked in. They were so busy that once I got a room, they put monitors on me but didn't start pitocin or even assign a nurse for two hours. Once we had a nurse she said "You've been having contractions every five minutes this whole time!" Really?!

The worst part was that it took 3, count them 3, nurses to find a vein in my arm. And it takes a long time for a hospital nurse to finally admit she can't find a vein. So by the time the charge nurse was called, I was dying. They were so sad for me at least, that was nice.

We started on pitocin around 4 pm and I didn't feel it. The nurse smiled and upped the dose. Still didn't feel it. She laughed and cranked it to the top. She suggested I walk around, which was so much fun in a hospital gown. Got back to the room, Dad started channel surfing and I finally started feeling some good contractions. Not too painful though just enough to think about.

I progressed pretty well but seemed to stall out at about a 7 I think. I had told the nurse I wanted an epidural before anyone broke my water. She came running in about 7 pm, "Dr. Beck is on his way to break your water, we've gotta get your epidural done now!" Quickest epidural ever, took some adjusting to work fully. Dr. Beck broke my water just as the epidural really kicked in.

I said, "Thanks, I'm going to take a nap now." 30 minutes later the nurse came to check me. "You're complete! Good thing Dr. Beck is still here." I woke up and said "Whatever, I'm going back to sleep." I vaguely remember more nurses coming in, all of the equipment setting up, Dr. Beck coming in. Then instructions "Push" Whatever. Push Again. Fine. Here she is!!

What?!

I was in such shock!! After two marathon labors with your brothers, how could you possibly be born so quickly?? How could you be so perfect and wonderful? Where did all that hair come from?!

It was absolutely, positively the best labor I could have ever hoped for. And you are positively absolutely the most wonderful baby blessing I have ever prayed for.

Something cute for someone cute.

Dear Baby Lila,

You my newest little niece, are due in a mere month. Your arrival has long been awaited by three brothers, one dad, and one sweet mom. Who kept you a secret for a crazy long time by the way! I was so excited for the momentous arrival of another niece that I made you something cute. It was hard to keep a secret from your mom because my best time to crochet is at Grampa's house, when your nephews are out of my hair in the backyard and Kariah is doted over by grandparents, but I never knew when your mom was going to pop in.

Secret was kept and this little outfit made it's debut at your baby shower. Which was lovingly hosted by your Marble aunts by the way. Little one, you aren't even here yet and you are so loved.

Four Years of Preschool. Check.

Dear Markyroo,

The day finally came. Two years of preschool for Jonah, followed immediately by two years of preschool for you. Four years I've been driving to Mrs. Leavitt's amazing preschool, four years I've been watching my boys learn letters, numbers, patterns, and how to share. I can't believe it's all over for you.

You loved preschool, more than Jonah even. You loved to play outside, you loved to show off your knowledge of patterns. You didn't so much love the carpool of 4 girls and then you. But you loved playing with your best friend Wyatt.

Mrs. Leavitt is a really incredible preschool teacher and we so blessed to have her in our lives. I hope Kariah gets to go there as well. I think she will just love it.

Are. You. Kidding Me?!!

Dear Sissy,

There I was, innocently at the computer while you played in the Play Room behind me. Soon I heard your version of "Mommy." It comes out as "Mah Mee! Mah Mee!" The lilt at the end tells me you're in trouble, the slight echo tells me you are in the bathroom.

My quick Mommy brain tells me that since I can hear your voice, your head isn't under water and it can't be too serious. So I grab my camera and find this...

All I can say is that you had at least a 50% chance of that toilet not being flushed. And if it wasn't flushed, the chances are even greater that the outcome could have been totally disgusting as it seems the more time your brothers spend on the toilet, the less likely they are to flush it. You are one lucky (and crazy!) girl.

Jonah +Homework = Drama

Dear JoBear,

Oh the homework struggle. After months of whining and tears we finally figured out a (better) solution. Everyone goes to bed early and you and I get up before everyone else and do homework together.

You, my smart boy, are all smiles when you get your math facts done on the bus, making morning homework time shorter.

Yesterday you got off and showed me 100 Math Facts and bragged that your friend had done them for you, aren't you lucky? When I explained that we would have to erase them so that you could do them, you burst into tears. Why? Because, you explained, if you had known that you would have just done them yourself, now Homework Time will take forever!!

And today, for Teacher Appreciation Week, you wrote Ms. Schmidt a letter and this is what it said. I quote,

Dear Ms. Schmidt. You are a good teacher. I leaned a lot. I just wish school was a little shoter. My favorite part is homework because i do with with my Mom. Love, Jonah

It's a beast, I know. But you are so smart!! And so loved.

5 year old's efficiency

Dear Sissy and Marc,

Your Primary president (and my good friend Cherryl) invited everyone over for a sprinkler-pizza-ice cream party in her backyard. Marc, you played and played until the ice cream came out. I wouldn't let you eat ice cream until you ate a piece of pizza, so you had one in each hand. Yes, on the trampoline. You are all about efficiency. Dinner, dessert, and playing. Talk about multi-tasking.

Cherryl has taught me a valuable Mommy-lesson, anything can be called a party and kids will think it's fun. She has parties all the time. We call it play-dates, she calls it a party. There is a distinct difference, mind you. So don't be surprised if we have a "Wednesday Party" next week. :)

Happy Birthday Auntie!!

Dear JoBear, Marky-roo, and Sissy,

Last night we went to Auntie's to celebrate her awesome birthday with cousin Seth and her friend Donna! We swam in a huge pool, then blew up balloons, ate a yummy dinner, and opened presents.

Seth kept blowinging out Auntie's candles and we kept relighting them, finally Auntie had to protect her candles from her breath-happy son. And yes, Mommy made the hat for Auntie, she wasn't randomly wearing a beanie on her birthday.

You guys sure love your Auntie. She loves to talk with you and play with you and teach you. She one of the best aunts you could ever ask for.

And she really really loves you. Happy Birthday Auntie!

Waterpark Fun!

Dear Marcus,

Your favorit-ist teacher did it again. We went to the Tempe Beach Waterpark with your preschool class and Mrs. Leavitt. We got to bring your friend P with us and you had a blast playing tag, shooting water cannons, sliding down slides (face plant!) and standing under waterfalls. Like you said, "This is totally sweet!"

You are so much fun to take places, always good natured and ready for a new adventure. I'm pretty sad that soon you will be at school 8 hours a day and less portable. But for now, we get to play, play, play!

You are loved.

ps. special thanks to Uncle Mick and Aunt Denise for the cutest baby swimsuit EVER. we got mucho compliments.