Grace Clara

Get ready for a LONG post!!  I just wanted to post an "update" officially announcing Grace Clara into our family!  I can't believe it's already Friday and how much our lives have changed (for the better) from 1 week ago.  It seems like we were waiting and waiting and waiting, and now suddenly she is here and almost a week old!!!  She is such a wonderful blessing to our family.  We ALL love her very much.

So, here is the start to our week:
Last family of 5 photo on Sunday night before we headed into the hospital bright and early Monday morning

Ready to see our new little one

 Monday morning (doesn't look like spring at our house!!)

 Mark and I were awake (without an alarm) at 4 a.m. and got to the hospital by 5:45 a.m.  Here we are ready to head into the operating room.

 1st picture of Grace just out of the womb still with an umbilical cord!!  Grace Clara, born at 8:05 a.m. weighing 8 lbs 10 oz and 21" long.

 Not so sure what she thinks of this new world!

 This time, the hospital has changed their policy and instead of taking the baby away while they were stitching me up, she got to lay right on me and stay with me all throughout recovery.  This was very nice, since I usually wasn't able to see my other babies until 1-2 hours after they were born!!

 Getting footprints

 Here is the "waiting crew".  Although I was happy to have the baby with me, they had to wait and wait and wait to see the baby!!  Luckily Mark was able to go out and tell them they had a new baby sister!

 1st meeting with their new baby sister.

 Grandpa meeting Grace

 I think they are all pretty proud and happy!

 Caleb initially wasn't too sure what to think and preferred sitting in bed with me

 All the 1st visitors

 Papa taking a turn

 Grandma, Grace, and Lilly

 Daddy getting a turn and showing off the new sibling

 Sweet baby Grace

 Our next round of visitors!  Robin and Jake came in the afternoon after Robin was off of school.  They got to see Grace get her first bath.  This made Jake happy because he wanted to see her toes!

 1st bath

 All clean and cuddly

 Lilly taking a turn holding her new sister.  "I've always wanted a sister"!!

 Kissing her toes (although I think she may have wanted to nibble!)

 I think Hayden loves his sister!

 Little feet

 Grandma Great was up in Spokane for the day on Wednesday for a dentist appointment so she stopped by to meet little Grace

 For Christmas, our friend made cougar shirts for our family, each numbered for each of us.  I think we'll be set for the coug games this fall!

 Family of SIX!

 Ready to head home!  I always forget how small they are in the huge car seat!

 Happy to have Grace home!

 Caleb searching for Grace's toes.  He loves his little sister and loves to pat her back and say "baby"

 This was taken yesterday - already changing and more alert!

 Amy brought over dinner for us last night.  Here is princess Robin getting a turn holding Grace (she told Grace that this was her first time to be held by a princess!)

 The "newness" of Grace still hasn't worn off.  Each time I'm nursing on the couch the kids gather around to see what's going on and to "help" with Grace.

 Caleb likes to point out her different body parts.  Here he is checking out her nose!  Can you tell Lilly's making sure he isn't poking too hard??!!  They are good big brothers and sister!

Hospital photo shoot

Just thought I would share the photos we got from the hospital today. Grace was a little fussy, but we were able to get some cute ones. A little different than when Hayden and Lilly were born and they just took 1-2 pictures in the same pose.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Just thought I would blog one more time before this baby comes!!  We had a fun St. Patrick's Day together. It was fun having it on a Saturday....the celebration lasted all day long!!!  It was fun how the kids remembered about the tricky leprechauns from last year and were searching all day to find one in the act of turning things green (although I didn't even have to be too sneaky about what I was doing because they didn't suspect me!!)  Hayden was up bright and early and dressed in green before even coming out of his room.  In the morning, the kids were surprised with their own rainbow waffle and green applesauce. 

 Hayden worked hard making a leprechaun trap and got it all set up with a picture of a leprechaun in the trap, so that they would know where to go.  We never caught any leprechauns, but the leprechaun's did leave them some green candy!

 The kids had fun wearing their masks and necklaces from Grandma and Papa great (and are still wearing them).  We finished off the day with green jello/cottage cheese/pineapple salad, corn beef and cabbage, green milk, and creme de menthe cake.  I even got to get a pedicure with a friend.  We can't believe we'll be in the process of the c-section in just 12 hours!!

Happy Birthday Mark

On Wednesday, we celebrated Mark's birthday.  We had a fun night with a spaghetti/meatball dinner, presents and cherry pie.  The kids made their own cards for dad and were excited to finally get to give them at the end of the day.

We gave him ski blades  this year....so although he may not be able to use them this year, he's looking forward to using them next time he goes skiing.  (They are basically mini skis that are easy to maneuver).  He thought they would be easy to use when teaching the kids, because now his skis wont get in the way when he's skiing in front or behind them!

Happy Birthday Mark!  You are the best husband and Dad!!!!

Auction Night

 This weekend was the Guild's School Auction.  Mark made some crafty items for the silent auction which our friend's mom painted and then the poker table for the loud auction.  All of the proceeds went towards supporting this 0-3 program for kids with special needs.  It was a fun night, seeing all the high bidders (not us) and seeing the final painted projects, which looked even more amazing in person.  We were surprised at how high the silent auction items went for!  It was fun walking around and watching each item get higher and higher....we tried to help it along by commenting on how cute they were as we walked by!!

The shark chair went for $185

 Giraffe growth chart went for $100

 Butterfly chair went for $250!!

This year, the poker table will be "custom made" so whoever bought it gets to pick what color/logo they want for the background.  This year, it sold for $1100 and will have a EWU background/logos.  We'll have to blog a picture once the final colors are done.  Overall, it was a successful night!!