My new born is not so newly born anymore! I'm in shock that Daniel is already 1 month old! We're slowly easing into our routine - well, as much of a routine as you can have with a 1 month old calling the shots. He walks in the steps of his siblings, so to speak, in that he can HOWL when he is upset - none of that wimpering - it's for wimps! When little man cries we all have our tails between our legs, and wimper some ourselves (just call me wimpy!). So the new ruler of the house has been established.

For the most part, the rest of us are adjusting to our new roles. Rachael babies the baby. Abby was being a bit rough with Daniel earlier today, and Rachael punched her. She's being a little zealous protecting Daniel, I think. Abby takes advantage of the times when I nurse Daniel, and runs around the house like a maniac, getting into as much stuff as she can. Joshua still ignores Daniel. Hey, can't expect too much, he still ignores Abby. Jacob, well, Jacob is Jacob. He has taken mental notes on the new situation, and knows that when mommy is nursing or trying to pacify fussy Daniel, it's prime time for acting up. So we are seeing a lot of aggression, tantrums, etc. He is making his point: "Get me what I want right now, or you'll regret it!" So it's not been the picture of peace and calm, to say the least.

Over the weekend we banned Jacob from movies because he was acting out so bad. He proceeded to pee in his pants every 15 or so minutes. He would look at me or Deren, scream, then pee (repeat process for the next 6-8 hrs). ((sigh))

Well, the girls are waking up from their nap, and the boys will be home from school soon, so let the games begin!

Just popping in to post some pics (below). I had a greasy hamburger for lunch, and a brownie for dessert after dinner, so I've been pacing around the house with poor little Daniel and his upset tummy - BAD MOMMY!

My mother is still here. We're passing around bugs. Jacob, Deren, Joshua, Abby, and my mom are all sick with a cold. Rachael had the croup last week. I hope she doesn't get the new bug on top of that. It all makes sense, though.. after all, next week is a holiday, and the kids are off school until the following week. And you know how we spend our holidays around here!

Indian Princess, our little Pixie, and waking up with a streeeeeeeeetch..

I had a baby BOY! His name is Daniel Grant. He was born at 4:53 a.m. on Saturday October 28^th. He weighed 10 lbs, 9 oz and was 21 ¼” long.
My official due date was October 26^th. I had an OB appt that day. It was the same story – hardly dilated and a little effaced. We talked about inducing on the 31^st, because Deren was starting his new job the next day. Dr. Bass hooked me up to the monitor for 30 mins. The baby was fine, and Deren pointed out that I was having contractions. By the time my appt was over and I registered at the hospital, I had to race home to take my 5 yr old to have a MRI. I was having contractions all the way home to pick him up, but they stopped after we arrived at the imaging place. Traditionally, my contractions have come to a screeching halt when I’m stressed out. And my 5 yr old was manic and hard to control before the procedure, and beside himself when he woke up 2 hrs later. I don’t know how I let my husband talk me into taking my son for a MRI on my due date! Anyway, that was the end of my contractions.

The next day, Friday, I did not have any contractions during the day, and planned to run errands the following day. About 1:00 a.m. Saturday morning my 3 yr old daughter called for me to come lay down with her in her room. I settled down on the couch in her room, hoping to go back to sleep. But I noticed I was having contractions again. I laid there for awhile, trying not to get too excited, because I figured the contractions would stop again. After about ½ hour of pretty regular, but not painful, contractions, I woke Deren up – I thought I should wait and let him sleep, but I was too excited after all! I went and laid down in our bedroom, and Deren started timing the contractions. They wore about 4 mins apart, and picking up in intensity. I called my doula, Sherry. I decided to stay in bed while Deren got ready and packed the car, which I figured would take about an hour – Deren has one speed. He brushed his teeth, he coordinated his belt and shoes, he styled his hair. At the end of the hour I told him he had minutes to go before I started throwing things at him! I had called Dr. Bass. She said to come to the hospital.

We got to the hospital around 3 a.m. I was 5-6 cm dilated and 100% effaced. Dr. Bass and my doula got there about the same time – shortly before 4 a.m. Dr. Bass stayed in the room the whole time - she had went downstairs to eat lunch at the last birth and I had the baby before she could get back to the 2nd floor! She had the nurse bring in the delivery table/equipment soon after I arrived. Meanwhile, the longest contraction I was having was about 45 sec (Sherry was timing it. She kept saying they weren't long enough. I was about ready to get nasty because they were hurting so much - 45 secs or not!). I told Dr. Bass I was started to feel pressure (like needing to go to the bathroom). She checked me. I was 9 cm, and my bag of water was still intact. Another couple contractions and I was fully dilated. Dr. Bass broke my water and I started to push. I figured I was really tired at that point, because I've never had such a hard time pushing. I didn't push long - about 10 mins. But it HURT, and everyone was telling me to push harder (I thought I was pushing plenty hard). I was totally shocked when they weighed him and he was 10 lbs, 9 oz. Even the dr had thought maybe 9 lbs, and my husband and I were thinking smaller, based on my prior babies.

In closing, he looks like such a BOY! I had become used to petite girl babies. This little guy looks like he needs a pair of overalls and a new name of Bubba!