The Aftermath of Jane

 Since Jane was so early and in the NICU my Mom changed her flight and got to Texas the day after Jane was born. That was a huge relief to me, not to feel like I was putting anyone else out by having them watch our kids. As it was, my friends Gena and Michelle had done so much to help around my house. Gena spent the night at my place with the girls, and with Michelle they cleaned my entire house! Anyway, the day we got Jane out of the NICU mom brought the girls over to meet her. Kate was ecstatic, whereas Abby was scared of her. She very quickly got over her fear, but it was funny to watch at first!

 I sent Jon out to buy a pacifier, and this is the one he chose, because her nursery is giraffe themed. I thought it was adorable!

 Jane was given a clean bill of health, except for failing her hearing screen, and was able to come home with me. Once we got home, we started to settle into life. We thought everything was going beautifully.

 Abby learned that being a big sister takes lots of work! hehe.

 Jane was a sweet tempered baby, and we all love her!

 The older girls were soaking up all the Grandma time. Even Chance would scarcely leave Grandma's side. we just had fun enjoying time together.

 Then we went back to the doctor for Jane's one week weight check. I was shocked to find out that she had lost a full pound since coming home from the hospital making her 7lbs 4 oz. Considering she was born 8lbs 14oz, that was lots of weight loss! The doctor was worried and told me to start supplementing with formula and a bottle after every feeding to try and get her as full as possible. He also sent us to an ENT specialist to fix her tongue tie. Poor girl got her tongue clipped the next day and was supposed to help her eat more efficiently. Sadly it didn't make an immediate difference. THEN the same day she had her tongue clipped the pediatrician called to ask us to come into his office that afternoon. Turns out there was something irregular in her newborn blood work that we needed to further test. The doctor sent us to the hospital to get blood drawn for further testing. Then a few days later we got a letter from the hospital telling us that her newborn screen showed she may be lacking a growth hormone, so we had to go back to the doctor and get more blood drawn for more tests! Poor baby! In the end it all came back negative--so it was a happy ending, but a stressful 2 weeks. I was so grateful my mom was here to watch the older girls so I wasn't taking all 3 kids to all of Jane's appointments.

And then FINALLY Jane had another hearing test that she passed! So now, all our worries with her are getting her to gain weight. We are giving her formula every other feeding to try and ensure she gets the calories she needs to bulk up! Poor sweet baby is officially 1 month old today, and has spent lots of her time in and out of doctors offices, but hopefully the drama is over!

Arrival of Jane

 On 6-9, at approximately 5:30 am, I woke up to my water breaking. It was 3.5 weeks before my due date, so I had literally nothing ready for her to come. Since Abby was born so quickly after my first contraction we jumped up and got the girls to our friend Meghan as fast as we could. All I grabbed was my cell phone and my kindle. We got to the hospital and I was dilated to a 6, but only having sporadic contractions. So we got all settled in our room to await the arrival of Jane. Jon's office sent flowers before hard labor even started. Since I was feeling so unprepared for Jane's early arrival, I decided to risk a spinal leak again and get an epidural. I just couldn't convince myself to be tough and do natural again, even though I had originally planned to. I was scared to death while they put in the epidural. Luckily the man was amazing and got it put in correctly. After waiting for quite awhile and pushing twice, Jane was born at 5:10pm.

 (excuse the picture.....it was all I have since she was taken away so quick!)

 She was 8lbs 14oz, so luckily for me she was early! Sadly, she was having a very hard time breathing on her own, so I only got to hold her for a few moments before they rushed her off to the NICU. I then had over 12 hours without her in my room while she got stronger in the NICU.

 Since I had an epidural, and was still throwing up they wouldn't let me go see her for a long time. I felt miserable just stuck in my room, but Jon was able to go see her and report back to me. Poor girl, she was a fighter and quickly improved.

The next morning she was brought back to me fully off oxygen. I was so happy to have her back! But I wasn't able to relax, since there were still some concerns about her health. She showed some signs of problems and failed her hearing test. That was just the start of the medical journey poor Jane had to go through. 

Sprint Car Race in Dallas

 Do you remember that one time a long time ago when we went to a NASCAR race and swore we never wanted to go to a race again?? Well apparently we are suckers for free tickets. Jon's supply company offered us free tickets to a Sprint Car race in Dallas and we decided to go. It was our last weekend away before having a 3rd baby (and perhaps the reason Jane came 3.5 weeks early!!) The race was a bit more entertaining this time, mostly because we were with some friends and went to the prerace festivities. It was lots of walking and very hot, but I thought my pregnant self handled it pretty well. But once the race started we were just as bored as we were at NASCAR...hence the pictures.

But we got to have a short visit with Jon's sisters Michelle and Melissa. And it was nice to have some uninterrupted time with my husband.

Memorial Day Weekend

 Jon and Daniel took the kids fishing this weekend! The girls always love when they get to spend time with Dad. This was Abby's first official fishing trip, and she loved it. She keeps talking about how cute baby fish are. Jon even convinced Abby to kiss a fish while they were there!

More of Life Lately

 So part of the reason I'm so bad with the blog updates lately is that this pregnancy is doing a number on me! It really isn't much different than the last two, but I think having two other kids to keep alive at the same time has really gotten the better of me. Even at 7.5 months I've been throwing up so bad I've been to the hospital for fluids. Almost done now! I can't wait to not be pregnant again!

 Kate finished her second season of soccer. Her team was terrible--but Kate could always hold her own. She scored several goals in every game. Even when her team was getting a beating Kate would keep a positive attitude.

 Hot weather is officially dominating southeast Texas again. So trips to find water to cool off in are beginning! This past week we went with Mason to a splash pad to cool off. It was fun to watch the girls run around and have a blast. I have such great girls with huge personalities.

End of Preschool

 This year, Kate has exceeded my expectations in school. My goals with putting Kate in preschool was to basically just get her used to the idea of being in a classroom and following the rules. But Kate has had almost no problems with behavior, and has just blossomed! I have loved watching her flourish! Her teachers, Mrs. Knowlton and Mrs. Smith, were wonderful. She has learned so much! She is more than ready for Kindergarten. I couldn't be happier. I may of may not have cried at graduation.

 At the graduation they announced what each kid said they wanted to be when they grew up. Kate said that she wanted to be a Mom because she loved being a Mom and taking care of kids.

I'm so proud of the little lady this girl is turning into!

Catch up

 I have been so lame at keeping up with our lives lately! So here is a quick catch up. I got to see my friend Leslie a few weeks ago, we went to go see Mama Mia in Houston. Poor Mallory was supposed to come with us but was on bed rest. It was great to see Leslie again- I love those friends that even when they move away you still have the same relationship,

Lately, the girls have been having a blast with their Dad! He really is the best! One day we surprised Jon after work with squirt guns and had a giant water fight.

We also went bowling with Dad recently- and the girls loved it! I love their little feet in their bowling shoes!

Texas Bluebonnets

 My dear friend Meghan helped me take the girls to take some pictures of the girls dressed up looking at bluebonnets. It was a mess to try and get these excited girls to cooperate for a picture, so these are the best we got! I think they are pretty cute!