It's a.....

Girl!!!!!

Maple Baby, (her bloggy name is a reference to made in Canada with U.S. parts) was born Tuesday 5/25/2010 at 2:03 p.m. and weighed in at 6lbs 15oz and 20 inches. The labor was induced at 9:00 am with pitocin, the doctor broke my water at 12:40 pm in the afternoon. At that point I was only 4 cm and 50% effaced and then labor ramped up to ready to push fully dilated by 2 pm with nurses calling doctor stat and paging for a "baby catcher". I had to wait holding through 2 painful contractions but after 4 pushes about 6 minutes we met our beautiful girl. She is a calm easy going baby definitely full of Grace, hooray for Tuesday! I delivered all 3 kids naturally and am really happy with all 3 birthing outcomes!!! Recovery is going great.

Sadly our computer decided to conk out so this picture is from my brother's iphone. I was able to use the lap top to send this out for anyone waiting to share our news! Hopefully we'll get a new system up and running soon. In the meantime I am adjusting to the balance of caring for 3 kids while being "Dairy Queen". I look forward to catching up with blogging friends when things settle down.

Sunday Verse

Matthew 18: 1-5 (KJV)

At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.

Eviction Notice

Here is an update on my status. Sorry for any male readers, cover your eyes and go la la la la!
No cervical changes. 1 cm dilated.....need to get to 10 cm. Baby's head is right there between my hips and in position. (I hope it doesn't have to much of a cone head!) Soooo, the doc said if I didn't deliver by this weekend he wanted to schedule induction. I don't really want to but also don't feel like I can live in limbo and I trust his judgement. At least we can be prepared with getting our kids to our good friend who is watching them when due day arrives. Monday was full for labor and delivery, so Tuesday it is. And Tuesday's child is full of Grace and Lord knows I need as much of that as I can get!

Baseball with Daddy

Last Sunday Daddy took Master to his first UT baseball game .

We were not sure if he would sit still, so I sent a secret weapon.

Turns out the Master got more snacks.

What a cute little man!

It's a wonder this kid ate dinner that night!

He practiced taking a picture of dear old Dad!

I think they had a good time!

HOOK 'EM

His shirt says Longhorns Rule.

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(I have a 40 week OB appt. this morning.... I am of course anxious to see what progress the Dr. feels my body is making towards evicting it's current tenant. I'll have my fingers crossed and my legs uncrossed!!!)

Gifts from afar

One of my husbands colleagues was here last week for business from Taiwan. Apparently she wanted to gift him with something for our family. She has asked how old our kids were and guessed their sizes. She brought them shirts from the National History Museum in Taiwan. I have no idea what they say but appear to be either children in history or from various cultures. The kids loved getting a new shirt and modeled them right away.

This was a present to Mommy and Baby. The baby is being born in the year of the Tiger! What a fun gift as I hadn't really thought about this. I have this hanging over the crib. Wonder if this means my babe will have a strong personality like my other kids? I suppose so since he/she is taking such a long time to make an appearance. Grrrrr!!!!!

Productive waiting

Finding ways to entertain my kids has been a challenge while I finish gestating. This activity happened spontaneously the other day when they happened to be playing really well together in their room. I pulled out some felt play scenes someone had gifted us with from the dollar store. They were having a blast using them on the rug. So I impulsively went through my fabric stash and found this flannel and sewed a cover for their art easel. Then I went through my flanned and cut out pizza fixins to play with. It was a hit.

Master creatively turned his pizza into a face!

Stuntwoman decided abstract was more her gig!

I think it will be fun to add to ideas for this with shapes, flowers, bugs, more food play. The possiblities are endless. Any other ideas for felt play?

Now if I could just get on with delivering kid number 3, this waiting is driving me bonkers!

Sunday Verse

Psalm 97: 1

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad;

let the distant shores rejoice.

Bear

I'd like to introduce you to a lesser known family member. This is Bear. Upon moving to Canada we were in the process of arranging insurance with State Farm. After a visit to the office the representative handed Stuntwoman who was just 1 years old at the time this Bear. Bear has been in our lives for 2 years and goes everywhere we go. I tried to go back and request a backup as we have had several close calls with Bear's disappearance. But it had been recalled for eyes falling out in the US. Thank goodness we haven't lost our Bear and it's eyes are still there!

Poor Bear, you look like you have mange.

When people ask Stuntwoman what Bear's name is, she replies matter of factly "Bear" However recently she has renamed Bear to "Koochie Bear". I have no idea where this idea came from or what it means. It is pretty funny to see her and her brother take Bear and make it talk with a gruff voice.

Today I had a fun conversation with her about bear.

~

Mommy: "Is Bear a Girl or Boy?"

Stuntwoman: "Bear is a Bear."

Mommy: "I know but is Bear a Girl Bear or Boy Bear?"

Stuntwoman: "He's a Girl Bear."

~

Well that solves that mystery!

Nesting / Sewing

Well I am supposedly 1 week from my due date today and I think this kid has decided to hold it's arms and legs out and hang on for dear life! I am still carrying way too high and no real symptoms of impending labor. Where is my magic crystal ball so I can get some predictions?
~
Anyhow I have been busy sewing, which must be my way of nesting because I sure don't feel like cleaning. Never have liked house work, hah! But I found a pattern for making your own pack and play sheet. Click here for the link. It's a really cute site with lots of other great ideas.

So these are the two sheets I made with fabric I happened to already have. You can't really see on the tan one but it's little outlines of a tree branch. This was so easy and simple, if you have a sewing machine you can do this!

The plaid fabric is so soft!

Next I got really adventurous and sewed a cover for my changing pad out of an old terry towel. Mom, you got me these as a wedding present! This is the underside for proof, there is a decorative band from the bottom of the towel. Again this was really easy. And best of all no cost.... I had the supplies on hand. These covers are usually around $10.00. Now I have money to buy the baby a new pair of shoes!!!! Hee hee.

Here is the finished cover in action on the free Jenny Lind changing table I just scored. Woot! See the itty bitty diaper up top? I can't believe how tiny they are compared to my just turned 3 year old giant diapers. Lord, I wish she just get her act together and decide she doesn't want to wear diapers anymore but her will is stronger than mine. Again, I need a crystal ball.

I also decorated number shirts for my girlfriend's kids upcoming birthdays and some for my kids too. I'm considering opening an etsy shop and selling these. Do you think people would buy them?

Lastly I made a baby doll sling for Stuntwoman so she can be like Mommy when the baby is being worn in Momma's sling. Link for this pattern here .

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Happy Monday and Happy Sewing if you try any of this out!

Sunday Verse

Happy Mother's Day!

Proverbs 31:28

Her children arise and call her blessed;

her husband also, and he praises her.

Still here....

I'm still here....

Here is my view looking down on my bump.

Hey, where did my feet go?

At least my toes are ready with a new pedicure!

Here's how big my belly has gotten.

At my last check up this past Friday the doctor said there was no change. No dilation, nothing. I am 2 weeks from full term but had deliveries with the other kids at 38 weeks and 39 and a half weeks. This kid is holding it's poker cards close.

The other night we went out to dinner at a steakhouse for the "last supper" and had the kids with babysitter. After we got home Daddy took his boots off and Stuntwoman modeled them. Look at that silly grin!

The most excitement we had this weekend was Chuck E Cheese and some popsicles and water play outside it was 85 degrees here. Thank goodness I don't have to be pregnant much longer in this heat!

Also I got the baby seat cleaned up and ready to go. We tested it out with out our newest Six Flags prize. Th-th-th-that's all folks!

Sunday Verse

John 15:1-2,5,8

I am the vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away: and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, bears much fruit. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit.