Welcome Keenan Matthew!

I'm sorry this took so long.  We have really been enjoying Keenan and soaking him in these last few days.  But it is time for us to stop being selfish and share him with everyone.  His arrival was absolutely perfect and just as it was meant to be.  This would have been so difficult without Mario and my mom as a support team.  My mother arrived just in time, took over the care of the house and the sick children, and allowed me to focus on myself and Keenan.  I'm sure some would love to hear a long birth story and others would like the short and sweet version.  Bottom line is I was finally able to achieve the spontaneous non-rushed labor most of which took place at home...I even baked Isabel's birthday cake as I contemplated the trip to the hospital.  When we finally arrived at 4:40pm I was 8cm and it was a quick and easy time to the finale at 6:50pm when Keenan Matthew was born!

He is our smallest baby and what I guess we should call 8lb 5oz (it was officially 8lb 4.6oz and I'm not sure how that is rounded).  20.5 inches long and I think 14" head circumference.

The hospital staff treated us so well.  The visitation rules were a little strict because Ashburn has been hit with some very nasty germs and just this week they cut down on visitors.  I was okay with that, because I didn't want to bring home any extra germs.  The staff worked with us to help us get discharged 25 hours after he was born and I made it home in time to give Isabel a hug on her real 2nd birthday.  We celebrated that on the 20th - pictures to follow later. 

The kids love Keenan SO much!  They still have lingering colds and we were incredibly careful at first as to their contact with him - which was hard for them, but they understood.  We have become more lenient and they are so happy to finally have the chance to be close to their little brother.  Keenan is one lucky kid! 

Keenan Matthew

Sheila's 4th birthday

Mario had to travel for work this week (last time before the baby arrives!) So we were very sad that he would miss Sheila's actual 4th birthday. To make up for it, we celebrated early on Sunday. It turns out that Sheila is already too aware of things and that she knew she wasn't actually 4 yet. Celebrating on Sunday felt like walking around with two left shoes on your feet. Still, she got her specials decorations, the crepes she requested for breakfast, a special lunch, and she selected pumpkin pie for dessert. I combined this request with Joey's request to make a pumpkin pie from scratch using one of our little pumpkins. It was really fun to make it and also fun to eat.

So then on her REAL birthday, she was really ready to party. She had pink scrambled eggs (funny how the color really affects whether or not you think you'll like something) and pancakes in special shapes. She then went to the Franzonello's house while I volunteered with reading groups in Joey's classroom. Tara, Andrew, and James treated her very well.

Then we went to my OB appointment at 11:30 only to learn that when I changed times I got the time messed up and had to return at 2 for my scheduled appointment. We grabbed a quick bite to eat to recover from this mishap and enjoyed our meal outdoors on the beautiful day!

Then back to the midwives with a potentially overtired Isabel, but the girls really do enjoy the OB appointments and were so well-behaved. Sheila loves to hear her brother's heartbeat, and Isabel likes to hold my hand when they measure my belly. Everything is looking great and he is head-down as he should, for those who would like to keep track.   Exactly 6 weeks to go (although, I'm banking on 7).

While Isabel napped and we waited for the boys to return from school, Sheila helped me decorate her cake. She had some very specific details in mind, and I think our pinkest cake ever turned out to be very fun. She played more outside and then we dropped MJ off at piano (who deserves his own post from all that he has accomplished). Meanwhile we prepared her dinner selection of Dijon Mustard Chicken, orzos, and steamed broccoli.

She was so thankful for all her gifts, phone calls, and love from everyone. This girl really enjoyed her 4th birthday. I do remember being 4, and I think it's going to be a very fun year!

4 years of Sheila

God, who knew Sheila before she was born, sure made someone special. We love you, Sheila - our sweet, thoughtful, spunky, intelligent, athletic, and beautiful little girl.

BOY!!!
 

 

Here are his hands behind his head.  At first it looked like he was laying back and relaxing, but then with the picture on the left, it appears as though he is doing some sit-ups.  Never too early to work on your core.

Of course, we are all very happy.  Sheila really wanted another little sister and was a bit sad (so sad, it kind of put a downer on the video we took of the kids opening the envelope).  I think she will come around. She still seems to think there's another girl baby hiding in there.  We also working the angle that she is so lucky to be a big sister to a little sister and now a little brother.  MJ and Joey did a brother "mosh pit" in celebration of the new baby boy.  And Isabel just kept repeating "baby!" 

 

MVP

Thanks for the tip Sarah...that was so easy!  I can't believe I didn't notice the triangle edit buttons before.  Here is the minute long version of MJ telling his story.  And a very short video of Sheila describing how she does her hair in the morning.  (She got herself dressed, made her breakfast, and brushed her hair all by herself).  

A week ago, Mario completed his first basketball camp.  I was recommended this camp from a friend who homeschools her children (and I think in general it drew from a large homeschooling community).  Mario had a great time and by Wednesday was running warm-up stretches and drills with Joey and Sheila. 



Friday they gave out awards and MJ describes how they did it (I have a video but it is 2 minutes long and I can't figure out how to edit it).  He says the last trophy was given to the player who always worked hard, tried his best, and wanted to help his team win.  Out of the 100 players, they picked Mario James! 



We are so proud of him and his efforts.  It was a moment that made him really happy; which is hard for him because he doesn't take compliments well.  (He has a problem being too humble which he gets from his father.)



 

 

Happy 3rd Birthday Christian!

Happy Birthday, Christian David! We love you very much and hope you have a very fun birthday today! 


Sweet baby Christian David

Christian at 2 years

 

Looking handsome for Easter

I love everything about this picture.  The cookie, the bike, Christian's expression.   

Vacation fun

Mario has taken this week off from work and we have enjoyed a real family vacation.  More pictures about our week to come later, but our events from Thursday included a trip to see the new baby! 

 

Saying prayers

I had started to feel better and no longer pregnant about 2 weeks ago - and it seems I worry more with each pregnancy.  I guess because I remember so vividly the middle-to-end of pregnancy when the baby's movements and my size make the pregnancy very appearant.  The nebulous, I feel great and yet don't seem pregnant is odd and unsettling to me.  This ultrasound absolutely amazed me (not that I haven't seen this before) but to see this cute little baby swimming around, kicking, being cozy, saying some prayers and yet to not feel a thing at all is just pretty wild.  Prior to this ultrasound I was pretty certain this would be a girl.  However, I had a strong feeling upon seeing this baby that it is a boy.  I've only felt that once before with MJ and he is the only baby I was right about.  Our family votes are 5 to 1 boy to girl (Sheila is still holding out strong that this is a girl baby).