21/52: The past two weeks are a blur!

Wow. The days have been flying by! Two weeks ago I was still in the hospital after the birth of our baby girl. It seems like ages ago! Carissa Joy was born almost 5 weeks early....and isn't she cute?

We have spent the past two weeks caring for a newborn and our other three girls and continuing to unpack boxes while I recover from my c-section. We've been tired, but loving it! Fortunately, my in-laws adjusted their dates and came to Florida for a week to help out and then my brother and sister-in-law were able to come for a few days this week. Having additional hands has been a Godsend, especially this week when my husband had to get back to work.

I neglected to post pictures of the "birth day", so before I get into the "fun" pictures, here they are!

4am: Just waiting for my doctor....getting tired since we had been at the hospital since 1:30!

6am: On our way to surgery

Welcome Baby Carissa!

With each baby we have, it seems difficult to imagine how we could possibly love another child as much as we love the others.
How could our hearts be capable of even more love?
Yet, once again we are hopelessly in love with our sweet baby girl and are blessed beyond belief with how amazing she is!

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52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. Moms are typically the ones behind the camera, this is OUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family.

So, get yourself in the picture every week for 52 Weeks. Be in a picture with one or more or your children and post your "family photo" on your blog every Thursday - don't forget to list your post on MckLinky on Carin's blog

Welcome Carissa Joy!

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry...."

We had a plan...
We were plugging away getting ready for our baby girl, due on February 19th...
God and Carissa Joy had other plans....
And we couldn't be happier!

This past Monday night my water broke. It took me a while to figure out what was going on since most of my experience has been with scheduled c-sections. I wish I had video of mine and my husband's discussion about whether or not it was the real thing or I was just peeing my pants!

My doctor had discussed what to do if I went into labor early - but to be honest, I didn't pay much attention. (sorry, Dr. P!) I figured I never needed the information before, why would I now?
Besides, I really needed as much of that last month of pregnancy as possible to get ready....
We still had boxes to unpack after our move, laundry piles were growing, baby supplies needed to be bought, and there was a suitcase to pack. The baby was due February 19th, we had a c-section scheduled for February 12th, and I needed every last bit of those 24 days to get everything in order!

Carissa Joy arrived early Tuesday morning this week. Exactly one month to the day from her due date. Everything went well and we have a beautifully healthy baby girl! The hospital is treating her as a premature baby delivered at 35 weeks, but her tests all along the way have been fine!

We stayed in the hospital until Friday afternoon and we are being released in a couple of hours. This morning the baby's bilirubin levels were slightly high and we will be treating her with a special light blanket at home for a couple of days (which is common). With all of the things that could be a concern with an early baby, we are blessed that there has been only one small issue. Thank you God!

So, as far as those 'best laid plans' are concerned....
Yes, I wish I had finished unpacking boxes and that we were completely settled in our new home.
I would like to have a couch to sit on and a dining room table to eat at.
I am wishing I had washed the baby clothes last week.
And why didn't I buy a nursing bra when I was at the store weeks ago?

Those things all pale in comparison to the "joy" that has been added to our lives this week!

Carissa Joy
Born Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
6:38am
6lbs 3oz
19 inches

My husband brought me my computer last night, but I forgot about the cords for uploading the photos!
This is the only picture I have on my computer at the moment. I'll be posting more from home very soon.
We had to take our kids to the hospital with us at 1am on Monday night and then get a friend to sit with them while we were finally in surgery at 6am...This is the exhausted family after sleeping for just a couple hours over the course of two days!!

CHRISTmas Wishes! (19/52)

Merry CHRISTmas to our family and friends!

It has been so long since I have blogged...

And I sure have missed it!

We have had a lot going on - and I have been using most of my time and energy working on this:

(yes, those are her toes in front of her eye!)

And of course, these take up a lot of our time....

CHRISTmas blessings from our family to yours....

Happy Birthday Jesus!!

While you are here, have a listen to my current favorite Christmas song:

(be sure to pause the player on the right first!)

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52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. Moms are typically the ones behind the camera, this is OUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family.

So, get yourself in the picture every week for 52 Weeks. Be in a picture with one or more or your children and post your "family photo" on your blog every Thursday - don't forget to list your post on MckLinky on Carin's blog

18 of 52: If You Give A Mouse A Cupcake

We've had a full schedule lately; it seems like we are always on the run. Fortunately my energy level is really high at times (which helps me keep up!) and really low at others (not so good).

I thought I'd share a picture of our new little energy-zapper :)

Yes, Baby Girl #4 will be here in February. We are so excited!

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Samantha had a field trip to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater for a special performance of If You Give A Cat A Cupcake. Our kids (along with me) love those series of children's books, so we had a great time! I only wish we could have taken pictures during the show!


Sammie outside the theater....

Ready for the show to start!

*********************************************************************

52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. Moms are typically the ones behind the camera, this is OUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family.

So, get yourself in the picture every week for 52 Weeks. Be in a picture with one or more or your children and post your "family photo" on your blog every Thursday - don't forget to list your post on MckLinky on Carin's blog