Update Update Update!

I've got about 10 minutes to write this so I will make it short, sweet, and to the point!

First of all, my first born Alexander is SEVEN now. There aren't any words to describe how crazy I think that is! He has grown so much and it seems like so much has changed these past seven years. We celebrated Alexanders birthday with family and friends on the 12th. We had a lot of fun playing a game of bowling and he got a strike so he was totally stoked about that. It really didn't cost as much as I thought it would so that was awesome!

Then, as most of you know, I was scheduled to have my c-section on the 16th and I did. Gavin Benjamin was born at 7:45am and he was 9 lbs 2oz and 21 inches long. He simply was perfect. J and I could not be more happy that now our family is complete. The awesome thing about this birth was I actually got to kiss my son when he was born. The anesthesiologist was my best friend, she spoke up for me when I wanted to see my baby! Our family is now complete!

I did have a tubal ligation. While I sometimes touch my belly and kind of feel 'empty' to know I will never harbor a child there again (I say that and get teary eyed) I know that is how my husband and I want it and it was a good decision for our family.

Breastfeeding- I am not breastfeeding anymore. I tried breastfeeding for 3 days and John and I both decided that it wasn't for me. I tried with Alexander and I was young, going to school, etc etc I didn't continue. With the twins I did not try at all and this last time I was very excited and pumped and ready. But after the 3rd day and my breasts were blistering because he wasn't latching right, he wasn't getting anything at all, he was sucking so hard his poor lips bruised, and I did not sleep for anything...We went to bottle. I cried for a very long time. Not only did I feel like I was letting my son down, I felt like I was letting my husband down and my self down. It was not an easy decision to make..It was one of the harder ones I've had to make.

The rest of the bunch- Alex, Aiden, and Miley got the opportunity to come up to the hospital and see us. They seriously loved Gavin so much (as they still do ) and I am glad they got the experience. Joseph and Dylan did not get to share the same experience because they were battling an upper respiratory infection. But as the other parents weekends ended on Sunday the boys and the rest of the kids got to come home. Dylans first words were "hi baby!" then soon after "shut up baby!" But now he is coming around more. He really loves to hold him after taking a few hours getting used to the fact that there isn't a baby in my belly anymore and that it's in our house. Joseph still hasn't held Gavin yet. He is being very shy...Every once and awhile I will catch him looking at him and he will talk about him to John, but that is about it. I think it will take him a little while to adjust to another boy in the house. I was kind of worried at first that they didn't show any interest like the other 3 did and still do...But I think its just going to take some time.

Well, this took a little longer than I wanted it to and it's time for me to get off and spend some time with my wonderful husband who has been very supportive and helpful to me! I love you!

Blizzard blues

Here it is late Thursday morning and I thought I would write a blog. I don't know if I have anything that is worth writing about or anyone to read about but I figured what the hay...Might as well let some of my thoughts out since I have not a thing better to do.

So there has not been school since Monday. This blizzard or whatever you want to call it started Tuesday afternoon so they canceled school all together. I haven't been out of the house since Monday afternoon and I seriously feel like I am losing my mind. We stocked up on groceries and things and prepared for the worst. Thank God that we did that and didn't blow it off like a few people I know did. Yesterday Patrick took the 3 kids for the day so that kind of gave not only myself a break but all of the kids a break from each other. 5 kids under the age of 8 it gets pretty crazy around here. I'm just glad that he lives in Knoxville for the time being otherwise they would have been stuck here again.... So I was really glad and thankful for that.

In the meantime I have realized that the children have tested my patience. The time out chair has gotten a lot of use, there has only been one good argument between J and I, and I have only had a few contractions.

Although, I feel like this snow in has made me learn more about the children..and they have learned new things being shut in. Joey knows how to spell his name first and last...Aidens speech has slightly improved (and I also have been thinking about some things with him but that's for another time) and Dylan's vocabulary has expanded so greatly I am in such awe...We have learned that Miley IS in fact the queen of the pack and Alexander is our super speller. J quizzed him just the other day on several words and he knew them all....He's ready for a spelling bee :)

That doesn't change the fact they are driving me nuts...But I will take the good with the bad.

aaaannnddd H ELLO!!!! My baby that is causing me so much discomfort is going to be here in THIRTEEN DAYS! I am like seriously...oh-em-geeing here. I'm not so much panicking for things we need because I just ordered his bed set and it should be here the day before he is born at the latest (crossing my fingers that it comes before that) and also my Grandma ordered the car seat online that we wanted (so happy) and those were the two main things we needed. I am very happy. His room is almost done (we are waiting for the weekend) and the boys rooms are almost done (again, waiting for the weekend) and then we should be set.

I am considering taking some of my laundry that seems to never diminish to a family members house so there will at least a smaller amount of laundry when the baby comes home that I could do while I am recovering from surgery. It's all a  process. 13 days we will be going from 5 to 6 and I could not be more scared but excited!