Oatmeal Festival 2010

My family and I showed up last Saturday morning to walk the Quaker Oats festival 5K race in Lafayette, but then everyone else ran and we didn't want to be the only walkers so we ran too. What a great way to kick off our new year's resolution to get in shape!

The weather was great and the snow made everything beautiful. There were about 1000 runners and a health fair that we checked out at the end. We were all kind of sore on Sunday, but it was worth it.

Eva's Blessing Day

We're a little late posting this, but three weeks ago we named and blessed Eva in Church. We had both Ben's and Claudia's parents in attendance, along with Claudia's sister Veronica and brother Hernan. Eva looked beautiful in her white dress. We had a wonderful time visiting with our families over the weekend and were sorry to see Ben's parents head back to Idaho on Monday. It was great to have them here and look forward to seeing them again soon. Claudia's parents are with us through the holidays, so we are not through enjoying our time with them. Lots of attention for our special girl Eva!

"Firsts" with Eva

Our new and precious little Eva has sprung into our world bringing us immense joy and love beyond measure. She was born 2 weeks ago today on October 25th at 1:11 in the morning weighing in at 7 lbs. 10 oz (our smallest baby to date.)

She has been such a surprise to us, beginning when we learned we were pregnant. Ben and I have listed all of the "firsts" we're experiencing with our new little love. We thought we'd share some with you.

First child to...
1. be a girl.
2. be born in Colorado
3. give me migraine headaches during pregnancy.
4. weigh less than 9 lbs.
5. weigh less than 8 lbs. (yes, she's dinky)
6. wear pink clothes, and hair bows.
7. not be allowed siblings visits in the hospital(due to the swine flu policy)
8. not need a circumcision
9. stop breathing at birth
10. spend time in the NICU
11. wear newborn diapers
12. wear newborn clothes
13. need a bilirubin light for 5 days straight at home. Ugh!


That being said, we are loving our new baby girl to pieces and can hardly believe she is part of our family.

The Family that Vomits Together...Stays Together

No kidding...One after another the stomach bug got us all in one week. Beginning with Carter...then onto me 2 days later...then Ethan and Alec a day after that...and finally Ben on the last day.




Unfortunately for me, I was the one who landed in the hospital with dehydration and horrible contractions. All that effort at 3 in the morning and an IV (which I detest) to pump me with fluids. Surely, I will leave here with a baby and it will all be worth it. WRONG. As soon as they re-hydrated me and the baby's racing heart rate slowed down...they sent me home...to wallow in my misery. I hope to have better news in my next post!

The Mouse Strikes Again

This time, he swiped his brothers NEW PACK of Trident Gum and swallowed 17 pieces at 10pm on Saturday night! Then, he conveniently left all of the wrappers on his book shelf for us to count when we checked to see if he had gone to bed. Two days later, he threw up. Was it the gum... or a stomach bug? We'll never know.

When the Cat's Away...

the mouse (with a huge mouth) will eat the 1lb block of cheese. That same little mouse will be smart enough to put it back in the tupperware, walk into the office and say to me "I was HUNGRY for some cheese."

Made Out Like a Bandit

Last Thursday I truly felt "the love" of many local friends here in Firestone. Just when I thought I didn't "need" anything... I was literally "showered" with the most darling GIRL clothes and other homemade with love "goodies" for our new little baby girl. All thanks to a dear friend (and several helpers) who put their own busy lives aside and insisted that they host a party for our new little nameless pumpkin. Along with the delicious food and a copy of Where the Wild Things Are, dedicated with little notes for the baby...my guests wrote down some suggested names for our little one. The following are those suggestions...some more INTERESTING than others.
Feel free to vote for your favorite.

Eve, Tasha, Jane, Olivia, Mary Jane, Samantha, Madonna, Tessa, Claire, Lauren, Chloe, Brooke, Andrea, Lexie, Angalee, Ava, Eva, Elise, Nadine, Loralie, Aubrey, Audra Ann, Savanah, Clarice, Camille, Teya, Mable, Reese, Thelma, Kim Su Chang.

I will admit...I needed some love that week. This fourth pregnancy has by far been the most physically challenging for me. I don't know if it's my age, the fact that I am chasing a three year old Tazmanain devil for most of the day...or the bulging and exceedingly painful varicose vein in my groin. It's been a long 9 months so far. Well, I'm almost there...I know I'm on the downhill slope now and EAGERLY looking forward to meeting out little "Miracle."

Thanks to all who were able to make it to the party and several who let me know that they couldn't be there...I still felt your kindness and support. I was so elated with all of the beautiful "girly" gifts, that I set them up on my couch for my family to look at the whole weekend. (My husband thinks I'm a dork) Eventually, we needed a place to sit...so my sis helped me hang my "stash" on our new little PINK hangers. SO EXCITING!!!