Early Days

Well, we are doing our best to adjust to the demands and "schedule" of a newborn baby in the house.  I remember how much easier it was with just one!  It didn't matter if you slept in until 8 or 9 in the morning, or how late you went to bed.  But, with a kindergartner and a 3-year-old, it's not so easy!  Life has many more demands other than baby's demands.

Ella is healthy and doing well.  On the 13th of December she had her first well-baby visit.  A whoppin' 2 weeks old!  She weighed 8 lbs. and 5.5 oz.  (Hard to believe that that was just an ounce over Owen's birth weight, and 8 oz. shy of Corwin's birth weight.)  She had grown about an inch as well.  Dr. Fernando said she looked perfect, and all was well.

Ella does well on her 3-hour schedule.  I often worry about her crying all night because she still sleeps so much!  But, she does great!  She's up every 3-4 hours at night, but usually goes back out without a hitch.  I look forward to the days that she'll stretch out those middle-of-the-night feedings and sleep all night.  I'm trying hard not to wish these tiny, early baby days away, but it is hard when you're exhausted all day.

She had her first official bath in the kitchen sink last week.  She was not happy to be undressed....

But, the water actually began to soothe her ....

Until she calmed down completely.  Then, she was mad again when I dressed her.  She does NOT like being dressed and undressed!

The boys are still very proud of her.  In fact, Corwin begged me to take her to his school to show off to his classmates.  So, on the last day of school, Owen, Ella, and I went to Corwin's Christmas party where Corwin very proudly showed her to all his friends.  (Don't worry, y'all.  I kept her snuggly and safely tucked away in her car seat so the little rugrats couldn't touch her.)  I wish I'd gotten a picture of his HUGE grin when we walked in!  Then, he went around to all his friends and said, "Come see my new baby sister!  Isn't she cute!??"

Earlier that week, Corwin had his Christmas program.  It was something about Santa being stuck in Mexico, so all the Elves had to make the toys in Mexico.  It was super cute!  Corwin is on the front row, right in the middle.  He's wearing a green sweater and jeans.  He was "just 'one of the others'".  After being the star of the Thanksgiving show, he was a little disappointed not to have a bigger role in the Christmas play.  But, he sang the songs and did the motions really well.

That's what the Morris Five have been up to lately.  I am enjoying having Jason home for a full two weeks.  It sure helps to have him here at night to share the late-night feedings.  I'm anxious to travel and see the family, too.  I am a little worried about being away from home when Ella is so little.  I'm trying so hard to get her on a schedule, and these first couple months are critical.  Pray for us--that Ella does well, and Mommy does too!  :)

Merry Christmas from the Morris Forest!

Four Become Five

Tuesday, November 29, 2011.  Just the thought of that date brings tears to my eyes.  (I suppose it could have something to do with the fact that I am still freshly post partum.)  This was the day the Morris Four became the Morris Five.

I went to my regularly scheduled OB appointment at 8:30 that morning, expecting to be sent home with instructions for a cesarean delivery the following week.  I even had a long list of errands to run after the appointment--groceries, bank, etc.  Jason's brother, Brett, had come up to watch Owen at home that morning, so I was going to take advantage and get some stuff done!

The nurse comes in with all that I'd expected--all my pre-op paperwork, and instructions on next week's surgery, to be done on Wednesday, December 7.  Dr. Jones then came in to "check me", and had a very surprised look on his face.  He asked if I'd been contracting, and I said I had, but nothing I thought was serious.  He said, "Girl, you're already 4 or 5 centimeters!  Yeah.  5 centimeters.  How about having a baby today!"  Uh.... two weeks and a day early, but ... YEAH!  Okay!  So, he gave me instructions to head directly over to the hospital and get settled in.

So, shaking, I text Jason that TODAY IS THE DAY, and told him I'd call as soon as I got out of the room.  The nurse hands me paperwork, wishes me good luck, and sends me out the door!  I was so excited, I forgot to leave my charge sheet at the window, and the receptionist had to holler at me to stop so she could get it!  I remember her saying, "Dr. Jones will be helping with another miracle today!"

I call Jason, drive to the hospital, call Grandmas, and wait for Jason in the parking lot so we can go in together.  As I wait 10 minutes, or so for Jason, I make a massive text that we were having a baby that day.  We walk in, and get directed to labor and delivery, and the nurses busily prep me for surgery.  It is then that we're informed that this will be happening during the lunch hour.

Sure enough, at 12:54, Ella Joy slips into the world.  7 lbs. 10 oz., 19 inches of healthy baby girl.  Dr. Jones makes a comment that he thought the choice for a c-section was probably a wise one, "once you see the noggin on this girl."  I wanted to say, "And her brothers were much bigger!!!"

This is our first sight of our daughter:

My smallest baby yet! 

It was a couple hours before we could see her again, because they wanted to monitor her body temperature for 2 hours.  Then, I think they forgot about us because we had to call the nursery for them to bring her to my room.  Finally--heavily drugged--I get to hold my baby girl!  Even at this point it is hard for me to believe that I am no longer pregnant.

Owen is in awe!  He gets really close and says "Hello."  He then starts to show her his toy motorcycle that he brought with him.

 Corwin is a bit more stand-offish, which I thought was odd.  You could tell he was proud and excited, but I think he was trying hard not to look TOO excited.  (After all, he is six years old.)

All three of my children.  THREE!!!

She sleeps so good during the day, and is fussy for the first half of the night.  Poor Jason.  He had to take care of Ella and me, so little rest was had.  Fortunately we had a private room (as all c-section patients do at our hospital).

Finally, on Thursday, December 1st, we are given the clear to go home.  So, we start preparing for the ride home.  Mommy is showered and dressed!  Now, Ella is sporting her pink and ready to go home!

She sure didn't like Daddy putting her in that car seat, but soon went sound to sleep.

As we pulled in, big brother Owen met us at the door, told Ella hello, and welcomed her to her new house!

He showed her her bedroom...

 And her new bed ... 

Then, of course, he had to hold "him".  He kept saying, "Aww..."

She likes her new crib, and sleeps well in it!

Then, bigger brother Corwin came home from school.

Owen likes to help feed Ella and hold her.  He calls her a "him" all the time.  Makes comments about how he likes "his" fingers and "his" nose.  I finally asked Owen if Ella was a boy or a girl, and he said, "Um... a boy."  I told him no that she was a girl.  He said, "Oh.  He's a girl!"

We have found Corwin's reaction ... strange.  He doesn't want to hold her a whole lot, or help feed her (because he's afraid she'll spit up, and that makes him gag), but he sits near her a lot and wonders when we'll get her up.  Today we've let him get her out of the crib (with Daddy close, of course) and carry her to me or to the couch to hold for a few seconds.  He watches her closely and has a ton of questions.  I think he is a little scared of hurting her because she's so tiny.  I don't know, but he is definitely interested, but tries to play it cool.

Anyway, we are now the Morris Five.  I love having a girl!  I love seeing the boys dote over her, and I love to see Jason's gentleness with her.  She is so soft and warm!  She has been doing great at night.  She has a fussy period from about 9 o'clock to 10 or 11, but after that 10 or 11 o'clock feeding she goes right to sleep.  Then it's usually every 3 1/2 hours until 7 or 8 in the morning.  Then we have her on a strict 3-hour feeding schedule.  She hardly ever cries (except that nightly fussy period), and eats about 2 1/2 oz. of formula at each feeding.  So far, she has been such a good baby!

And, for my friends out there who will be asking:  I am doing well.  I'm not sure which method of delivery I prefer.  I definitely love the c-section for it's ease and speed, but not necessarily the recovery.  Of course, I can't say that this recovery is any WORSE than my first natural delivery.  It's about the same.  But, every day is getting better.  I am ready to be able to move with more ease and not have to take pain meds any longer.  But, so far, we're doing great!  I've had lots of help from my mother-in-law, and my mom is coming tomorrow to stay for a week.  With their help I am able to rest and heal, and take care of my baby.  They, thankfully, have taken care of the house and my boys.  I know Jason is incredibly thankful for them, too.  Otherwise, his evenings would be awfully hectic after work.

God is good.  That's all I can say!  He has blessed us beyond measure!

The Trimming of the Tree

I was given some tough news by my OB the week of Thanksgiving, and that was to STAY HOME.  He told me, unless I was prepared to deliver in a foreign hospital with a foreign doctor, to stay home.  So, I heeded his advice (which was tough) and the Morris Four stayed home for Thanksgiving.  This was the first time in my life that I'd ever been at my house for Thanksgiving.  It ws strange, sad, yet nice and peaceful.

We decided we'd take this time to prepare for Ella's arrival, so that when she decided to show up, we'd be ready.  (Little did we know it'd be the following Tuesday).  Friday night we put up the Christmas tree.  Owen and Corwin had a blast!  Needless to say, Owen will not grow up to be an interior decorator.  Every ornament he put on the tree was in about a 4-inch square.  And, most were on the same branch.  He was so proud of what he'd done, though!  (We left it that way until the boys went to bed. This OCD mom could not stand it to stay like that forever!)

He also insisted on wearing this "gasses," like Mommy.  The house was already dimly lit, so I'm not sure how he could see very well.  That may explain why all the ornaments were on the same branch.  He couldn't see!  ... Uh, nah! 

The finished product!  Good times!

The following Monday I finished up our Christmas shopping on line.  Now, we're ready for Ella Joy!

Squanto Help White Man

Yesterday was Corwin's Kindergarten Thanksgiving Play, where he starred as Squanto. Enjoy the video!

The whole cast and crew!

The End of the Season

This is an almost-complete filming of Corwin's last basketball game.  His team won the game, 14-8 (I think), and his Daddy will proudly tell you that Corwin scored every point that his team made.  His Mommy will tell you that Corwin is a little bit of a ball hog, and that is most likely the reason behind that fact.  (Daddy doesn't care, though, because they won.  And that, above all, is the ultimate goal.)

I must admit, kindergarten intramural basketball was a lot of fun!  Corwin enjoyed it, and so did we.  So, enjoy the video!  (Oh, another fact that Jason would freely share is that the opposing team is composed to two first graders and one kindergartner.  Wow.  Corwin beat some 6 and 7 year olds.)

Kindergarten Basketball

Corwin had his first interamural basketball game today. Needless to say, it was a ton of fun. I'm not sure who enjoyed it more, the adult spectators? or the 5- and 6-year-old kids.

Here he is...warming up!

Excited, and ready to play!

Game time!

Here is a video of his team in action.  They were so cute!  Their little legs took them up and down that court a hundred times, or more.  Oh, and by the way, Corwin's team won the first game 14-4.  Corwin scored, probably, 8 of his team's points.  The second game was tied, 8-8.  Corwin made 6 of the team's 8 points.  My memory card got full, and I failed to get him sinking in a shot.  Sorry.  :)  ENJOY!!!

Pumpkin Carving

Saturday afternoon we carved our pumpkins.  And, regardless of the expressions on the boys' faces, they were very excited and had a ton of fun.  They just didn't thoroughly enjoy the camera in their faces.  (To their defense, I was experiencing camera issues and had asked them to smile about a dozen times.  They were tired of smiling, obviously.)

Corwin was exctied because we allowed him to carve his own pumpkin this year.  (He is 6, you know.)  He and I chose from several different facial features, then I drew on the pumpkin the designs he chose.  Then, I handed him the kids' carving knive (not sharp AT ALL, all you concerned readers) and let him at it.  He took a little freedom with it, but stayed fairly true to the agreed-upon design.

His dad did the mouth, because Corwin's arms and hands were quite tired after the eyes and nose.

And, the finished products!  Corwin especially loves his jack-o-lantern's right eye, in which he took some artistic freedom.  He thinks it looks kinda creepy, which is--obviously-- very cool.

The boys, their jack-o-lanterns, and their zombie looks.  Creepy ... I know.  (Creepy is Corwin's new word these days.)

That evening we had ourselves our own Morris Four bonfire.  Usually we are able to participate in at least one good bonfire/hayride activity, but because of our recent relocation, hadn't had the opportunity.  So, Jason had cleared some brush and pruned some bushes, we piled them in the back corner of our yard, and had ourselves a bonfire and weenie roast.  The boys loved it!  Who am I kidding?  I loved it!  The weather was perfect, and we were able to enjoy time with just the four of us.  (And, we didn't have to watch football that evening with Daddy.)  The boys came in grey with ash (from playing in the fire), bathed, and quickly went to sleepy-town.  It was a good, fall day.

P.S.  Little did we know, the church we'd visit the next day had their hayride/bonfire that Sunday night.  We were surprised to find old friends now pastoring that church, so we returned that evening to enjoy their bonfire.  So, we enjoyed two this year!  :)  'Tis the season!!!

Halloween Hoop-Lah!

Corwin had is first, ever, school party on Friday.  The kids were allowed to all bring their costumes, put them on at the end of the day, enjoy some healthy snacks, and participate in a costume parade.  Owen was welcome to bring his costume as well, and participate along side his brother.  I am so proud of Corwin.  He was proud to let Owen share in the festivities.

If you haven't guessed, Corwin is Bumblebee, and Owen is Optimus Prime--both Transformers.  They love their new costumes!  (Thank you, Aunt Vernece!)  Apparently, Transformers are a big thing this year.  There were several around the school that day.

After they enjoyed their snacks of pretzels, caramel apples, yogurt, juice, and crackers, they headed out to the basketball court for a costume parade.  The kids all got in lines (according to their class) and paraded around in their Halloween costumes.  There were very, very, VERY few that did not have a costume, thankfully.  They loved seeing each other and seeing what kind of character their friends were!

It was a really good day.  The boys had fun, and came home very un-hungry.  :)  School party #1 -- complete!

Hillview Carnival

Saturday, Corwin's school put on a Halloween carnival, and we decided to take the boys.  I remember having a carnival similar to this at my elementary school, and I looked forward to the event every year.  The boys agreed to spend a little of their birthday money for games, so there was really no excuse not to go.

Corwin went in last year's costume, Darth Vader, and Owen went in Corwin's old costume as an astronaut.  Owen was very excited to dress like a space man.  All the way to the carnival he asked if we were going to go "3-2-1 blastoff" in the space shuttle.  How do you explain that a minivan is the closest thing he'll probably ever get to riding in a space shuttle.  :)

Both boys entered the costume contest.  They had 3 or four categories, divided by age.  Astronaut Owen won his division of ages 3 and under.  He got a blue ribbon, $3, and two vouchers for free french fries from McDonald's and Burger King.  He wasn't nearly as excited as Mommy was.

Corwin didn't win his division, but the competition was pretty stiff.  I told Jason that modern costume costumes don't hold a candle to the old ones.  Now, every kid has a store-bought costume.  Gone are the good ol' days of homemade costumes.

They had the typical carnival games (fish pond, dart throw, pie throw, etc.), jumpy houses, and a haunted house.  Corwin was convinced that he was big enough and tough enough to go through the haunted house.  I had my doubts, but he insisted.  So, Daddy and Corwin went through it.  Apparently, Corwin only had his eyes open during the first half.  He came out with tear streaks down his face.  Daddy was laughing and vouched for it being a really, really, GOOD haunted house.  Not appropriate for a 6-year-old.  Corwin kept talking about it afterwards, how it wasn't nice for those people to scare kids like that.  Ha ha.  I tried to warn him.  Sometimes we just have to learn by experience.  (I'm afraid he might have a little of his Mommy in him.)

Anyway, we had a good time, and the boys thoroughly enjoyed themselves.  It was fun to see Corwin interact with some of his school friends.  He played the dart throw about a dozen times.  We came home with a collection of candy, some cheap toys, and prayers for no nightmares.

Nursery Update

So, I have been busy brainstorming and creating.  I've had to completely change gears, mentally, from baseball and trucks to flowers and PINK.  This was a difficult thing for me to do.  But, now that that train has come around the bend, I've jumped aboard and we're going full-steam ahead.

This first picture is not of a nursery item.  Instead, it is a picture of Jason's Granny's spoon collection.  (I thought the family might like to see this.)  She passed away about a month ago, and this is something that Jason wanted to keep of his Granny's.  I was not happy at first, until I figured out how to display it in our home.  Shadow box frames are the key!  Now, I LOVE it and am happy to have it in our home.  (This is just half.  I'm waiting until payday to buy the second one.)

Okay, now to the birds in the nursery.  I saw a version of this "bird mobile" online and thought, "I could do that."  Fortunately, I found a free pattern for sewing my own birds, and took some of Granny's fabric that I'd received, and went to town creating eight little birdies.  Add some sticks from outside, and a few silk cherry blossoms, string it together with fishing line, and viola!  A bird mobile.

Each bird is made from a different fabric.  Ain't they cute!??!

I also had a brown frame that wasn't being used, so I decoupaged the background with pink scrapbooking paper, and cut out letters from brown and teal fabric, and made framed her name, "Ella Joy".  On the bottom two corners of the frame are little tiny birds' nests (also from Granny's craft bins).  I also made the basket liners that you see on the changing table.  They were red before (both boys used them in their room), and now they're a cutie-patootie pink!

The room is coming along nicely.  I just need to hang my framed art, get an area rug, hang the curtains, and put on the finishing touches.  That might all get done this weekend, since I'll have my husband around to assist.  I'm excited to see the finished product, and share it with you!