Finally Introducing TLC

Here is our sweet Tristan Louise - she arrived after an extremely long day of waiting. We were scheduled for our induction at 8AM, but we kept getting bumped for spontaneous births! We had a private recovery room but you are sent to a separate birthing room to deliver so we didn't get in until 4pm - it was a long day.

Once we got in though it still took some time to get started but then it went fast. Officially it took 3:50 hours but it wasn't hard labor until the last hour or so. They do things a bit different here but here is what I do know -

Tristan weighed either 6lbs 6oz or 6lbs 12oz - depends on the conversion of grams to lbs...she passed her Apgar, but they don't do length until the home visit on the 10th day....her birthday is Nov. 21st and she was born at 8:28pm.

She's been really sweet - the first night was hard - they don't let spouses stay - even if Mike could have - but he had to do the other kids - so I was on my own - I was exhausted! I got to come home the next day after 24 hours - I was ready - I'm glad she wasn't my first baby and I knew what to look for or what to do - they didn't really check on me all night - or her - no temperature checks or anything. Luckily I had everything normal - I did the 50/50 gas thing - I don't think it really did much but it was therapeutic - no tears or stitches or that kind of thing so all is good. My belly has even gone down quite a bit I'm happy to report! It was a little strange not having my friends come to hold the baby and bring me chocolate in the hospital! My hip is doing so much better - it's a good thing.

My mom got here today - she brought goldfish and rice crackers for the kids - so far it's been very nice. I've forgotten how much time nursing takes and how tired you can be so one handed blogging is a bit of an issue. But all is good and thank you so much for the good wishes! We're just so happy she is out and healthy so far!

D-Day

Just finishing a few last minute details..... tomorrow is the big day - I'm very nervous!!!

Peptol Bismol & Bday Pix

Either we're having a girl or I spilled Pepto in my laundry......I'm getting ready finally - I started washing all the clothes yesterday and boy is there a lot of pink! After 10 years of having boys it's a definite change.


I've also been nesting - well that and it's hard to walk a lot with my hip - my crochet hooks and knitting needles of course didn't make it in the shipment (I found quite a bit of things missing - I think they ran out of room and shoved everything else in storage but failed to ask or tell me) but I finally found a craft store - so I went and got some yarn... I made a little hat and booties and I started on this blanket....



I haven't said much about the health care here.... well - since this is #5 I do see a difference - I think that ignorance is bliss a little bit...you have to bring all of your own supplies for after the birth - and I mean literally - diapers, wipes, bathing supplies for baby & yourself, blankets, clothes - t-shirts for baby, TOWELS to dry yourself after a shower, pads and disposable underwear for yourself.... no sweet little gift pack for the new baby, no "take everything in the drawer" - no "welcome to the world little one" - I've even heard from one lady they don't even bathe the baby - so the next day if you don't think about it there's afterbirth on it..... lovely. The nurse that gave me the tour was really cute - she was so honest she said, "The food here isn't that great and they don't give very large portions unfortunately so our nursing moms tend to be a bit hungry". No chocolate cake upon request like at Valley Care. Well at least she told me, Mike will have to bring me food! They don't even measure the length of the baby the first day. They wait until you are home and send a midwife measure later. Oh and I didn't mention - that is with the Private Health care that I have, not the National Health Care!! Just imagine....We shall see - I'll return and report :)

These are pictures of Mike on his bday - welcome to middle age!



Hopefully all goes well - we're scheduled to go in next Friday to be induced... Mike is going to Paris on Tuesday so hopefully I don't go spontaneously on my own - or maybe in spite of the trip she'll want to come early.... yikes!!

I also have forgotten to mention church lately - well I thought with a bun in the oven I'd get a break, but unfortunately I already have 2 callings!!! Mike & I were called to Activities Directors - would be okay but we have to do the Christmas Party - and it will be something like 2 weeks after I have the baby.... hmmmm. And then I was called to teach RS - which is something I quite enjoy anyway and is easy for me so I like the once a month Sunday calling! Which I'm also supposed to do in December, but my VT's said they'd cover for me if I wasn't up to it. Whew!

The kids are excited about the birthday: we'll have one on the (obviously different months) 3rd, 4th, 21st, 22nd, & 23rd.... funny huh?

So the next month will be busy - the baby on the 21st if all goes well, my mom on the 24th, my in-laws on the 2nd, baptism for Ian on the 6th, blessing hopefully on the 7th, mom goes home on the 8th, in-laws go home on the 17th - that doesn't include pinewood derby (yes they have it in December!?) holiday celebrations at school, and school concerts.... good thing I hibernated most of last week and the week before... better do some more in the next few days!

Happy Birthday Mike!

The fall is a busy time for our household - we have lots of celebrations between now and through January. Today is a special one - It's Mike's big 4-0 birthday. I can't believe how fast time flies. We had a very fun surprise party for him in California before we left and tonight our new friends the Hamberlins came over for dinner (we missed you Smiths!).

Mike is definitely my soul mate - I'm so glad he found me - he is the most patient person - and he loves adventure. He has taken me on most of mine - we've known each other now for almost 19 years - yikes that sounds so old. We've been to obviously England, France, Australia, Indonesia, Spain & Italy. I'm sure I missed some place - doesn't count all the domestic travel of course - but it is quite a feat with life and kids in between them all.

We used to do lots of biking and hiking and other outdoor stuff - he'd still prefer to go dancing with me than sit on the couch and watch a movie.

I love him with all of my heart and I am so proud of the person he is. He never shirks responsibility, he is so intelligent and yet so naive in the same breath - sounds silly doesn't it? He has accomplished so much in life and work which I don't talk about too much - but I would imagine many of his goals in this life he's met (or at least I hope so). He is so generous and always tries to think of the sunny-side. He is my other half - he makes me into a nicer person - and he is very supportive.

The things we have done together have filled my memory books - I love to be with and just plainly - I love this man.

Happy Birthday to my one and only, the father of my sweet babies, my companion forever....

Happy Birthday Mom & Linda!

Oh - 2 of my favorite people share the same birthday! It's hard being so far away from them - but at least I'll be the first to wish them a happy birthday since we're so ahead of time!!

My mom since moving to Las Vegas 10 years ago has become this major craft lady - it is so funny - I of course love to craft - all things - she has always sewn - then one day I told her I was taking a quilting class - and she was like - I think I'll do that - well - now the lady doesn't go anywhere without looking for the local quilt shop in town - she's coming here to visit me when the baby arrives - she's already looked up where the quilt shop is!

My mom makes all the matching PJ's for the kids for Christmas, makes all the Halloween costumes (she stole that from me a few years ago) She uses all my chinese food ingredients when she comes to make Chandler and my brother their favorite foods (so deprived in Vegas) She's also the secretary for the Quilt Guild - it's pretty cute for a grandma under 60 (I have to do the math I think she is finally over 55). My mom was born the year of the Dragon and a Scorpio so she's a spitfire. One of my great-friend's husband is older than my mom. Yes my mom is pretty young for a grandma of 4 1/2 (and I didn't start that early!) but she loves doing the craft thing with Tyler and the boys love to play video games with their Pau Pau - I can't stand to play video games - but I think my mom really loved Tetris when my brothers were growing up and I was in college so she can handle a joy stick - but a computer mouse she is still working on - but now that we're here we're forcing her to learn more about her high technology since it's so easy because we are far away!


Not the best picture I have of my mom, but she's camera shy - she's usually the one always taking the picture (along with a covered flash or a finger) We love you mom - hope you have a great day!

Today is Linda's Birthday too! Mike's is Sunday so every year for the last 12 years we've had a "Birthday Dinner" - Chris and I seem to get left out on this celebration - however it is a very fun tradition I'm very disheartened to miss this year. We kinda had it early this year - but it was really was the guise for my surprise par-tay for Mike.

What can I say about Linda - we've grown so much in the last 10-12 years - luckily not just in the waist! She is the sister I've never had, my BFF & one of my closest friends and it is so much fun to have someone your own age (although she is older - wink wink - by a month) and with husbands the same age and kids the same age - we always have fun. She's super fun, she loves to shop and she teaches me about make-up, clothes, and the latest celebrity or TV happenings! I miss our shopping excursions and our lunch dates and just our regular conversations - even the mundane - you know - "what's for dinner??".

I have a ton of pictures of Linda - but she'd kill me if I posted some of them- you know, camping trips, vacations, cooking, just having a baby pix, getting her brows plucked..... I'll have to save a few for bargaining chips...It's so sad to be so far away - and for their impending move - I always expected them to be there when we got back (if the market stays the same for a while maybe I'll get my wish!) - that's one place I won't follow to move to....

There's not much hidden about Linda - what you see is what you get and that is a lot of fun, she's beautiful, caring and all those boys! Those boys are my kids BFF's and cousins and they love their ma-ma! We spend every holiday, birthday, Sunday dinner and event together. Such a lucky girl I am to have such a great friend - love you lots and hope you have a great day!





As for me - I'm looking forward to the weekend - the baby is coming if not on it's own than my Dr. may induce a tad early - likely within the next couple weeks - my hip from my cycling accident last year isn't doing all that well - so we need to get the little alien out. So I spend quite a bit of couch time right now - and I've been getting reaquinted with my crochet hook!

Uncle Ryan in London

Uncle Ryan is our official first visitor to our new house! He was in France about the same time we were and was able to jet through London for the weekend before heading back to NYC. We hope it is the first of many trips!

Mike and the 3 bigger kids took him into town and they got to go to the London Bridge and the Tower of London. It was raining cats and dogs but they made the most of it!

Big Ben & Parliament!

London Bridges Falling Down!

Watch where you sit!
Chandler's France project that is due tomorrow - he has been working on it for a couple weeks. We included pictures of our trip as well. Good thing I brought a bunch of craft stuff! Unfortunately I've been going through my things and I'm missing TONS!!!