First Thanksgiving

Uncle Ryan and mommy's Uncle Dale came to meet Audrey for the first time at Thanksgiving.

Mommy's friend Jen made her this cute Turkey outfit!

She was mesmorized helping Daddy straighten out the tree.

We got to see all of Grandma Vicki's side of the family by having dinner at Crappy's. It was also Betty's birthday!

One Month

Audrey likes her food!

At one month old she weighed 9 pounds and was 20 1/2 inches long!

The doctor thought Audrey was having some reflux by the symptoms I described and watching her. She said we could try the medicine prevacid or add rice cereal to her bottles. I decided to try the cereal first.

Audrey was still in newborn size diapers at one month.

She was wearing some 0-3 size clothes, but alot of newborn sized as well.

I was feeding her strictly breastmilk from a bottle and she was feeding every two-three hours.

I have to admit, Audrey, you were a pretty fussy baby at this point!

First Halloween

Miss Audrey slept through her first Halloween.

She went trick or treating to three houses.

Grandma Vicki and Grandpa Pat gave her a Halloween board book and some bibs.

Then we were off to see Grandma Deb and our last stop was at Betty's house.

Hard to think that she'll probably be walking next Halloween!

Merry Christmas!

I really wanted to be caught up on documenting Audrey's first two months of life by now...heck, the girl will be three months next week! However, she wishes you a very Merry Christmas!

Jaundice...ugh!

We left the hospital thinking that our perfect daughter was just that...perfect! However, when we went to the doctor on Monday, she said that word...jaundice.

We were sent next door to the hospital for a blood draw.

I.HATE.HOW.THEY.DRAW.BLOOD.FROM.BABIES!

I'm very thankful that hubby was with me that first day (I had already had my first emotional breakdown on Saturday) because he held Audrey while they drew blood from her heel. She screamed!!! In fact, the receptionist made a comment that she heard her by the front door! We then headed home to wait for the results. Her levels had doubled since we left the hospital on Friday. Doctor said to feed her every two ounces every two hours, put her in the sunlight, keep track of all diapers, and return to the hospital for a blood draw the next day. I have to admit I was a mess that night! Worried that something was going to be seriously wrong and that I didn't do enough that first weekend to protect her.

The next day, the nurse who drew Audrey's blood was awesome. In fact, after the initial poke, Audrey went back to sleep. Her levels were slightly lower, so we were instructed to continue the sun, feedings, and diaper details.

One week later, we returned to the doctor. Hubby was at work, so my mom went with me. Doctor thought Audrey was still jaundice so we headed next door. I was praying this was the last time for that dreaded blood draw. My prayers were answered! Her levels were much lower and we didn't have to return to the doctor for three weeks.

Here is our little sunbather!

Lots of visitors...

The doctors actually released both Audrey and myself a day early. I wanted to come home because the boys were going to their mom's and it would give us a chance to settle in before the boys came back home on Sunday night. My wonderful mother-in-law stayed with us Friday night. However, she was so busy cleaning and doing my laundry that I didn't get to visit with her much.

I'm as horrible at taking pictures as I am of printing them, but we did have lots of visitors in the hospital. All the grandparents were there to meet Audrey as soon as they were allowed in. Tim, Chelsea, & Cooper stopped by early in the day. Betty and Mary came by later.

Since we left early, we had a houseful that night. My Dad and Stepmom were there. Todd & Jill came by, along with Kristie Spencer. It was nice to see so many people.

Cousin Makailee is surrounded by babies as her little brother Cooper is two months older and she will be getting a little sister in March.

Great Grandma Trant was there bright and early Saturday.

My Godparents, Joe & Sue, made a special trip to Galesburg to meet Audrey.

Audrey's other visitors included all the Spencers, Sandi, Tanya & Samuel, and Mary & Reese. She is loved so much already as so many other people sent or dropped off gifts.

Labor...or what I remember of it...

Audrey entered this world pretty quickly. Of course, I was uncomfortable and ready for her to come long before she did. I had some weird symptoms on Sunday, but felt better towards the end of the day. However, I started spotting and decided to call the hospital. They said to come in to get checked out. I knew I wasn't staying, but it was a trial run for us. We got home from the hospital around midnight that night. Poor hubby had to work all the next day while I got to start my half days. I came home and took a long nap!

I had my weekly appointment on Wednesday. When I had finally sat down around noon, I noticed that my contractions seemed to be pretty regular. They were coming every 7 minutes. However, at my appointment at 2:45, I was only a two. She said to go to the hospital when my contractions were every three.

My evening went pretty normal, except for the contractions which started going irregular. I picked up Gman and helped the boys with homework. Hubby made dinner while I walked the dog, did the dishes, and vaccummed. After the boys went to bed, I decided to take a bath because some people said it would help ease the discomfort of the contractions. Nope! They lied! I was in extreme pain by the time I got out. My contractions were regular again and this time they were every three minutes! I laid on the couch for awhile longer, but then told the hubby to call my mom to stay with the boys because we were going to the hospital!

After getting all set in the hospital, the nurse came in and said I had two options. I was still only a 2. I could go home or take a sleeping pill. She said if I was truly in labor, the sleeping pill would do nothing, but if I wasn't in labor then everything would stop. I just wanted the pain to go away (EXTREME back labor) and thus took the sleeping pill. Forty-five minutes later, I was a 4 and was admitted. I opted for an IV med first, and shortly after that my water broke. At this point, the IV med was doing nothing for my back labor. I decided to have an epideral and all my pain was instantly gone. My midwife appeared early and told me to get some rest, that she thought it would be awhile. My family filtered in and then disappeared. I started pushing after ten. They called the midwife three times and told me I had to stop pushing until she arrived. I remember being in a good mood and joking with my hubby at this point. Finally, the midwife appeared and Audrey was born. We hadn't even been in the hospital for twelve hours yet! It all happened rather quickly and painlessly (once I got my epideral)!

Her big brothers came to the hospital after school and were very excited to see their new sister!

She's here!!!

Actually, she's been here for 9 weeks....

......hey, I've been a little busy being a mommy to 3!

AUDREY JANE STURGIS

arrived 10/7/10

weighing 7lbs. 8oz.

19 inches long

at 10:55am.

It stopped raining!

The weather here has NOT been cooperative!

Golf has been rained out...

baseball has been rained out...
the kids have cabin fever!

Today I had four kiddos and when it stopped raining, I literally jumped at the chance to get outside.

The library had a petting zoo...

The kids were great! They listened quietly to the lady explaining all the animals and then waited in line to pet and hold all of the animals. There was a llama, pony, ferret, skunk, rat, duck, frog, turtles, and others.

This tired little girl was fighting a nap when we got home!

I can do four kids......I think....

Well, let's see what happens with three when the baby comes.....

It's a girl!

It's a girl!A girl who looks perfect and is measuring right on target with the due date!

The sonographer said she's never been wrong...but is scared that there has to be a first time.
Let's hope it's not with us!

1st try-out= SUCCESS!!!

B continues to amaze me! Two years ago, he was refusing to play baseball and now this...

he has MADE the ALL-STAR TEAM!!!!!

The all-star team is a traveling tournament team. There were 17 kids who tried out and they only pick 13. This was his first experience with a try-out and we are very excited for him. We have always said that he can do anything he wants when he puts his mind to it. I think he is figuring that out...

Ryan's home!

Okay, okay...so Uncle Ryan has actually been home from Iraq since the middle of April.

He came home in early May to visit family.

I'm a little behind...

However, can you tell that these boys missed him?

We are happy he is safely back in the United States. Now if only Texas didn't feel so far away!

Good news...

I should be lesson planning or going to bed, but I finally feel decent this weekend and have been keeping this secret too long!

WE ARE EXPECTING!

I've known since Feb. 5th, but didn't want to tell anybody because of the miscarriage a year ago.

As you can see, though, all is good! God is fabulous!

These are actually the 2nd ultrasound pictures. Due to my gene mutation, MTHFR, we were sent to a specialist in Peoria. He said these were the best pictures he has seen this early in a pregnancy. Baby is measuring 9 weeks, so I've received my fourth due date of Oct. 14th. Heart rate was 143 last week and 178 this week. Dr. said the baby aspirin should be all I need and that he hopes to not see me back! Praise God!

Not sure baby liked being poked and prodded with the camera. Baby wiggled and waved an arm at us here.


The specialist took 3-D ultrasound pictures, too. We were sent home with about six new pictures, plus a CD containing more. We would like to go back to this doctor just to see these cool pics again. It'll be so hard to wait another 11 weeks to see baby again!

Here we go again....

February is the shortest month, but NOT my favorite month!

Let's flashback two years ago......

I came home and had to make the horrible choice of putting my dog down and then my grandmother died the next night....

Last year....

I miscarried and then lost my stepgrandfather.

I'm giving my worries to God this year. I hope to blog with GOOD news this month!

Basketball has started...

Eyes wide open...

As I sit here pretending to still be in class because hubby is grumpy and boys are not behaving...I'm thinking about the Dr. Seuss book, I Can Read with my Eyes Wide Shut!

Class. started. tonight.

Does that not say it all....

I really think that I've developed ADHD being a teacher. I CANNOT sit still for three hours straight anymore! This class will be interesting, yet lots of work...

Here is my entertainment during class...

Jack is bored at the moment, however, he likes to bite at my microphone.

Payton has to be right on top of my blanket and sometimes has her head on the computer.

See it's not completely my fault that I can't pay attention!

Stop the clock!

Anybody have any ideas on how to stop the clock? My kiddos are growing up too fast!

When hubby came into my life, Gman was 2 1/2. He was very shy when we first met, hiding behind Dad's leg, but eventually grinned at me and jumped into my arms for a hug. He has always been the cuddly one. We still get random, surprise, attack hugs and he constantly says "I love you!" (especially if his brother is in trouble). However, he doesn't want to hold my hand in congested areas or hug us if anyone is around.

Sigh....

I guess I'll take moments like these when they come and cherish them!

SNOW DAY!!

I really didn't think it would happen...
....to be honest I'm ready to be done with the snow.

However, I had fun this morning with these two guys.....

Procrastination...you've heard this one before!

I'm supposed to be grading....

my house needs cleaned...

there's laundry to do.

Instead I'm blogging and watching...

and my Kindle is calling my name...

Yes! My hubby did AWESOME for Christmas!

Goodbye 2009! Hello, there 2010!

Wow! It's been a year since I started this blog! I looked back and realized I wasn't so good at keeping my resolutions, let alone posting on a recurring basis. Here's to making 2010 better!

Highlights and happenings of 2009:

* Found out we were expecting and then finding out I had miscarried

* Losing my stepgrandfather to cancer, but knowing he is in a much better place

* Handling financial setbacks caused by the puppetmaster w/grace instead of anger (man, that has taken awhile to be able to do, but I'm so glad we are there!)

* Selling our first house and buying something that fits us

* Stressed out as hubby took on the role of coach for the first time

* Started grad school, again

* B got glasses and survived his first E.R. visit, plus won a trophy w/his baseball team

* B got straight A's!

* Let the door close on one business, but opened the door to another one

My goals for 2010:

(I'm going for short term goals that I can accomplish this year!)

* Cooke will be automated by the end of Febuary (this task was started in Aug. of 08....)

* I will lose 25 pounds by June 1st! (unless we end up pregnant....)

As an ending note, why do the years seem to fly now, but when we were young time seemed to crawl?