How Many Kids do you have?

We'd like to welcome Ella Jean to our family. She was born on Thursday August 27, 2009 weighing in at 7 lbs 2 ounces and 21 inches long. Her birth was so different from ANY of my other three. Okay for all you people who LOVE to read about birth stories (like me) then read ahead, for those who don't...you're done! Just look at the pics and comment below! hahaha We arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am for my induction. At around 8:30 they started me on pitocin and then I waited. It was already so different because with my last I was already 6 cm dialated before I was induced and this one I was only 3cm and I was having NO contractions. My friend (Candace) was able to be there for my labor/birth and of course my hubby. We sat around talking until approx. 11:30 to which they broke my water because I wasn't really progressing. After my water was broken I decided to go ahead and get the epidural early because I didn't want to risk not getting one, because I USUALLY go fast once my water breaks. I do need to note that my nurse was HORRIBLE! She was not compassionate, nice or really helpful in any way. She did her job and didn't communicate with me unless it was necessary. I was so glad to have my friend and husband there to support me because I wasn't going to get it from her. Anyways, the doctor arrived 5 minutes later and Jon and Candace had to leave the room. The doctor then prepared for the epidural and they had to stick me three times! Holy cow! While they were finishing up I felt a really hard contraction. They told me to lie down on my side so the epidural could take effect. Anybody else know about this? I've had three other WONDERFUL epidural's and I NEVER had to lie on my side. So being a good patient, I layed down and my contractions were coming REALLY hard. I felt so much pressure that I felt I had to push and not to mention PAIN. Of course, they had excuses saying this was normal and the epidural takes awhile and everything is normal, a little pressure is normal. They also told me that the epidural is working and this is how it's supposed to feel. Jon and Candace show up after this and I am just TRYING to breathe through the contractions and waiting for the epidural to take effect, and yes I am crying. It was hurting so bad I look at Jon and tell him I HAVE TO PUSH. The nurse dismisses this request telling me once again this is normal and how epidurals are supposed to feel. Really? I've had three other one's and I HAVE NEVER FELT THE PAIN I FEEL NOW! Jon asks me if I want the doctor to come look into the epidural because it is obviously NOT working. I tell him, it's too late I feel her coming, I don't have time. Now.....I realize these next few minutes are a bit hazy, I don't remember them clearly and have asked Jon and Candace many times what happened but I will give you my version. I HAVE to push, I feel so much pain and pressure and I FEEL the baby coming down. I never knew what people meant when they said they HAD to push, your body automatically pushes on its own and when people tell you not to, it is almost impossible. I look at Jon and tell him again, I AM GOING TO PUSH. My nurse tells me not to push (big surprise)and Candace tells me to do what I need to do. I am not breathing through these contractions and, I am hurting and this stupid nurse won't listen to me. My husband is trying to calm me and hold my hand and telling me what a good job I am doing. I was SO CLOSE to telling my nurse to, "GET THE HE** OUT OF HERE". Yes, I almost cussed because I had enough of her. After every contraction, I am so whoozy and lightheaded I can't communicate and Jon and Candace tell me that my eyes are rolling in back of my head. I do remember them asking me questions and I couldn't answer them. I was just mumbling and couldn't get my tongue to work until a contraction hit and boy I could sure use my voice then. You might think that this whole ordeal is hours long, but really it has only been about 5 minutes at this time. Well, for the final time I tell them, I have to push and the baby is coming out. The nurse FINALLY looks down there and IMMEDIATELY says....can you guess? Don't push and yells for the doctor to be paged because this baby is coming. Really? You mean what I have been saying is true? Go figure! Anyways, a midwife comes in at this time and the nurse says she needs help, to which she says, I can't, I don't have permission under this doctor (insurance purposes) and I look at Jon thinking, you better get down there and deliver this baby because she is coming even if they don't want her to. Well my body had had enough and that's it, I HAVE to push. Chaos...chaos...somebody else shows up (I don't know who delivered me) and I push. Of course the person who delivers me isn't ready and doesn't have gloves but too bad! Ella Jean is born and for the love, I'm not going to lie it hurt really bad! Ring of fire? Yes, I now know what that is. In between my ramblings I do remember yelling at Candace that I felt like I was going to blow out my um...I'll use PG-13 language...bumhole. hahahah I do remember screaming when I pushed and screaming that I couldn't do it. Jon and Candace were so great during this and listening to me and encouraging me the entire time. I was really lucky to have them there, and really lucky that it was really fast. After Ella was born, I didn't get skin to skin like I did with my others. My bizsnatch nurse's fault. She put Ella off by herself and I tell Jon to go be with her. The nurse is doing...who knows what so I tell Candace to get Ella and bring her to me, she's my freakin baby and the nurse can go to....well...another room if she needs. I prepare to breastfeed her and the nurse comes in and in a loud voice says, NO NO NO NO...I NEED TO RUN TESTS. Ella is taken and guess what she does....she flippin takes her temp and then takes mine....that's it! She hands me the baby and before my placenta is delivered asks me about birth control and if...quote...are you ready? "Are you getting a tubal?" I look at Candace....did she really just ask me that? I, of course, say no I have other plans. Anyways, it took me almost 45 minutes to hold my daughter and nurse her. I wish my doctor was there, she's awesome and was planning on having Jon be a part of the birth and myself and was basically going to let us run the show, of course...it probably wasn't going to turn out that nice anyways, because I was in pain but oh well. I don't think THAT negatively of my experience. I'm not upset that the epidural didn't work, (though I wish it had) I wasn't prepared for the birth but it wasn't long so that's okay. The one thing that is upsetting was that one nurse who made my experience less than it should have been. My other three births were wonderful experiences and I have to say atleast I have a fun birth to talk about. I have a beautiful, healthy little girl and I am so thankful for that fact.

Happy Anniversary Babe!!

I know I am a little late but I just wanted to wish my babe a Happy Anniversary! We celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary on July 16! 10 YEARS!! HOLY COW! I can't believe we've been married a decade already! We had so many plans for our big 10 year anniversary, and getting pregnant really threw those things out the window, especially being THIS pregnant. Oh well! We'll celebrate another year, and hopefully one day do something big. Jon's parents were in town and they babysat for us while we went out to dinner and a movie. Exciting huh? Well...it was actually great because I didn't feel the greatest and I didn't want to have to move very much. To start telling you about this day, I need to start back a few days while we were at the zoo. The zoo your thinking? Yes, this whole story begins at the zoo. On Tuesday the 14th of July we went to the zoo with Jon's parents and while there, we were exiting the kangaroo exhibit when I had to go to the bathroom. Surprise huh? hahah I tell Jon I am going and to watch the kids. I come back and look around to find.....only two kids running around him and his Dad. I ask where Jake is, and of course...He's around here...somewhere. I don't panic yet, but we start looking around and realize he is not there. We split up and I start walking/running calling his name. Several people ask me if I am looking for a blonde boy and point me in the direction he was running. Running? Darn it! There is no way I can catch up being this pregnant with a two year old running! As I keep running, people keep pointing me in the direction and finally one person says, "Over there, that lady has him". I run to him, who is oblivious and just smiling ear to ear, and the nice lady was taking him to a zoo worker to report the "missing child". Anyways, forward wind a few days to the day of our anniversary. That morning, we took the kids to the park and then McDonald's for lunch, and then come home for naptime. The older kids had quiet time, and Zach kept coming downstairs whining. Jon and his Dad were off at Home Depot and his mom and I were downstairs. I got fed up with Zach and yelled at him to go to his room and go to bed because he was tired. He goes upstairs crying and I just forget about it. An hour and a half later, Jake wakes up and so I go into his room and start looking for Zach. He's not in his room...he's not in our room, he's not in Hannah's room. I look outside thinking, he must have gone outside instead of his room. Nope! Not there either. Did I mention the front door is open? Okay, I call Jon because I am thinking, he's pulling a trick on me! He knows I got upset about Jake, and now he took Zach because it would be funny. I call him , and nope he doesn't have him. I get a little uneasy and call downstairs to Barbara and ask if Zach is down there. Nope. Okay, I go through every room SCREAMING his name and pulling up sheets and looking underbeds and outside and EVERYTHING. Jon gets home, and I am crying by this point. I can't find him, the door was open, and I really think something bad happened. He goes through all the rooms and closets and beds and outside and down the street and he can't find him. I am getting a little hysterical at this point, and he tells me to calm down because he doesn't want me to go into labor. I go back inside and look more and then (As my mother-in-law points out to me) start mumbling about having to change the kids sheets because they are dirty and I start to undo the beds to wash them. I realize then what I am doing and throw them down realizing I NEED TO FIND MY BOY not wash his sheets. All I can think about is that the last thing I did was yell at him. I go outside again and then I hear Hannah's voice, "We found him mom!" I rush inside and Jon has him in his arms, and he is....sound asleep. Mind you, we have all been SCREAMING HIS NAME for the last 15 minutes! Where did he find him? On our bed in our bedroom. Yes, the same bed that I had pulled all the covers off and didn't think to look under the pillows and pull them off. I can't stop crying....hormones right? We leave for our anniversary date in a few hours and I am just a basketfull of hormones and aching a little bit. We went to Benihana's for dinner, which I had never been to, and then went and saw the Harry Potter Movie (Jon is not a fan but I am!). It was a good night, but I fell asleep a few times during the movie, and I didn't feel that well and I was glad to get home to bed! We had a great week with Jon's parent's and I haven't uploaded the pics yet, but I will edit them in later. I am so lucky to be married to my husband. He is an amazing man and works so hard at his profession, his church calling and his home life. Thank you Jon for being the father to my almost four children and being a support to me during these 10 years! I love you!

New York Fun

Uncle Brian's Cabin

In June, we were able to visit Jon's Uncle Brian's Cabin in New York! We had so much fun and the kids loved it! Hannah even got her first ride in a canoe (sorry no pics). We spent time hiking, canoeing, and swimming. I also am posting a BEAUTIFUL pic of me at 29 weeks! I told you I won't be camera shy! Love it or hate it!

Family fun at the Zoo!!!

Father and Son Campout

To start talking about the campout is a little emotional for me. I am a complete wuss and I admit it. The Father/Son Campout was in June and Jon was all geared up to take Zach. We agreed to leave Jake because he is a little young and I worried about him sleeping and let me be honest, I worried about Jon taking BOTH kids, especially MY BABY. As the time drew near, and Jon started packing, little Jake went and got "his stuff" and was so excited to go on the campout with Daddy. Jon looked at me and said, "I can't leave him Bella, it'll crush him". So, we packed him too and Jon took off with the boys. Now...this is where I come on and I LITERALLY started crying as he was backing out of the driveway. Not that I didn't trust my husband, but because Jake is my Baby still (For another month and a half atleast). I was a wreck and my husband just laughed and said they would be fine. That left Hannah and me to have a TOTAL girls night for ourselves! We had so much fun together. I took her out to eat to Chili's and we were going to go to the movies, but decided to go rent Hotel for Dogs instead. We stopped off at the store and got treats and came home. We had a sleepover on the pull-out couch in the basement and stuffed ourselves full of candy and went to bed REALLY late...hahah like almost 10:30!!! The next morning we got up and we went to the library and by the time we got home the boys were home! I have to be honest, I had a great time with my little girl. And Jon, had a great time with the boys. AND YES, they all survived! hahaha Although, the guys were making fun of me because I DID CALL a few times to check on Jake.

Hannah's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HANNAH!!!

Hannah turned 7 in May and she had a total girl party. I have a few words to say.....It's all DRAMA!! I had one girl in particular who just cried almost the entire party...about EVERYTHING!!! We started off painting nails, and YES JON did the girls' nails too! I should have gotten a picture of him doing this, but I was a little busy! Anyways, I can't believe she is 7! Since I think it's fun here is a before and after of her! Look how cute she is!!

Hours old 2 years old 7 years old

Niagra Falls and Palmyra

Last month we were able to take a trip to Niagra Falls and Palmyra, NY. Our first day we spent at Niagra Falls and we were able to meet up with Jon's Uncle Brian, who we hadn't seen in years! The kids LOVED it, especially the boys who wouldn't stop talking about the waterfalls. I was honestly a little disappointed! I expected these Long and Tall waterfalls I see in movies, and although the beauty of the Falls is undeniable, it wasn't what I expected. Jon thinks I am a dork and he LOVED them!

While walking along the sidewalk, Jon dropped our camera and broke it. Luckily we were able to save the few pics that we had taken of the falls and the family. But we didn't have a camera anymore and there was no way we were going to finish this trip with no pictures. The next day, we woke up to pouring rain and decided to head out as soon as we could to see the sights at Palmyra, NY. We decided to drive until we saw a Best Buy and we could pull over and see what they had. We had our trusty, aaahhhh what's it called! Dang it, I know I am going to get laughed at for this and I am too lazy to go upstairs and see what it is called so I will call it Automated Direction giver! We had just bought it, and didn't trust it yet, and therefore got lost a little but we finally found a Best Buy and a Target next to each other. Target had the best deal so we bought a new camera and decided to try to fill our children up with junk food that we had in the car and look at the church sites before naps and before the rain that was behind us. By the time we got to Palmyra it was around 12:30 or 1:00 and first we went to The Hill Cummorah. For anyone who has been there, we hiked up the Hill....not an easy task. We found out later that they don't allow people to actually HIKE the hill and you have to use the path provided. I barely made it up the hill....Man I am out of shape. Jon tried to give me an out and say...Honey, you're pregnant! You're carrying an extra child around....but I snapped at him and said, "Then why didn't you have any trouble carrying Jake up the entire way. You carried an EXTRA child too". Ohhh these hormones! Anyways, it was awesome being there.


This is PART of the dreaded hill....

If you can tell by this last pic, the sky is not bad but you can tell something funny is going to happen. We went to the Smith Farm next, and of course, fed our children MORE junk food to keep them going. First we went to the Sacred Grove. I have to tell you, it was awesome. But...I wish we went without kids! hahah Not all the time, but being kids, they didn't want to enjoy the feel and the spirit that was there and just wanted to keep running and seeing things. We were also able to go inside the Smith house, which was Hannah's favorite! During this time the weather was AMAZING, and no sooner had we finished and put the kids in the car the downpour came and we were finally able to feed the kids some good ole' healthy McDonald's! While we were there, I noticed this old man eyeing us and the kids. Usually this doesn't bother me because, to be honest, we get looks all the time with three kids and the fourth on the way. People are not shy at asking whether we are done after this or if I am going to get a hysterectomy after this baby is born. But this nice man had a gleam in his eye and after a little bit of time came over to us and gave each kid a dollar and said, "Here kids, this is because I won't see you on your birthday". He gave us a wink and walked out the door, where his wife was waiting for him. The kids were a little baffled but were excited to have money, (except Jake who had no idea).



Jon likes to point out that we were making funny faces in front of the Sacred Grove. Yes....that's me! If you also can't tell, I decided it was time to leave vanity on the backburner and take pics of me in it even if I am pregnant. Since this is most likely our last child, I wanted to document it because I rarely did with the others and now I regret it. SO bring on the pictures, especially when I get HUGE! I just think of the song, "I like em' big and chunky" from Madagascar 2! If I got the lyrics wrong, sorry!! You get the idea!

Well, after this we traveled to Rochester, NY here some of our friends live. Heather was my friend from highschool. We always had a blast together and sometimes got into trouble together. After a few years of marriage, Heather married Sean and moved into the same apartments as us and we had too much fun together. We hadn't seen each other in 6 years and I had never met ANY of her children!!! She had only met Hannah as a baby! It was past time!
This is my babe, Heather! The first night we got together for swimming at our hotel and burgers and some place. She has two daughters, Savy and Celi. I wanted to steal Celi who, is four months, because she was so stinkin cute! The next day we were able to meet at a really cool museum for children. I felt bad for Heather and Sean because our children were out of control. Needless to say, we were "Those Parents". We got, not one...but TWO "Code 66's". Which is, missing child. Yes....we couldn't keep track of our children. First Zach ran off and I found him in the train section. And then Hannah got lost, but she was smart and went to the gift shop and told someone she couldn't find her mom and dad. As I started to look for Hannah, a kind worker asked if I had a missing child. I told her no, Not yet, anyways. Let me look around. She kindly said, "Well we had a Code 66 child that was just called in." I am HOPING...no PRAYING it's not MINE...AGAIN. She asked what her name was and I go through the protocal of name, shirt she was wearing, looks....and of course they come on their little system and say, she say's her name is Hannah." I look at Jon and fess up, yes, that's my child. By this time, we were done! We all went for lunch at the cafeteria and then split up for naptime at the hotel. The evening was spent playing games and eating pizza at the Rigby's apartment! Thank you guys! It was so much fun!

This is us, in all our Royal Glory! We even MADE those crowns! How cool are we? And of course the boys, trying to act all cool! We had so much fun on this trip and can't wait to see Heather and Sean again. We promise it won't be ANOTHER 6 years!

Well, I think I have caught up for this post! YEA! Have a great day.