Happy 6th Birthday, Isabelle! (a day late....)

Isabelle on the day she was born....

8 pounds, 1 ounce

20 0r 21 inches (I know, horrible I can't remember)

It's Isabelle's special day (well, it was yesterday)! I'm of course behind...but actually, I just had a really busy day yesterday celebrating her and didn't have time to blog! Once again, since blogging wasn't a big thing when she was born, here is her story!

Isabelle's birth story starts before she was born. I went in for my regular checkup at 39 weeks and wasn't dialated, infact I went from a 1 to nothing. My doctor began feeling my stomach to try and determine how Isabelle was sitting in there. She checked me, again, and said that she wasn't feeling what she needed to and wanted to do an ultrasound. So, I got dressed and went a few rooms over to let her do an ultrasound. She squirted the gel on my tummy and stuck the camera on my upper belly near my rib cage and sure enough, there was Isabelle, looking right at us. I started crying...not cause I was so excited to see her or that she looked cute, but because I knew what that meant...C-SECTION!!!!! She looked around a little more and determined she was neither breech or transverse, but both, sitting in there diagonally. We talked for a long time about the c-section and what would happen, etc. I told her my fears, which she said she understood, but assured me everything was going to be ok (looking back I'm not so sure why I was so nervous...I LOVED all of my c-sections...I think it was the fear of the unknown/the thought of having major surgery done while you're awake)! We got the day scheduled, for the day after my due date, the only time the hospital was "free" to do it...the operating rooms were booked before then.

Sunday afternoon (a few days after I had been to the dr.) I had a busy day...church, errands, etc. I ate Taco Bell for dinner and walked, A LOT, around Target with my friend, Leah. Delaney was with us and I'm sure Sloan was at home watching football. I really didn't think anything of the busy day.

Monday morning, EARLY, like 3 am early (I don't really remember the time, that just sounds about right), I got up to go to the bathroom and was having horrible gas pains (or so I thought). And because I LOVE sleep and really did think it was "just gas" I went back to bed not thinking much of it. I would fall asleep and then be woken up by these pains...and they hurt. But again, my tummy was upset and so I just thought it was gas. It finally dawned on me about 6 am that these were not gas pains, but CONTRACTIONS!!! Sloan woke up around 7 to get ready for work and I told him he wasn't going to work, we were going to the hospital to have a baby. We both got ready, I called my doctor's office, and they told me to go up to the hospital. In the meantime, Delaney wakes up and is burning up, and I think threw up a couple times...GREAT!!!!!! Thankfully, my brother, Justin, came over so we could go to the hospital. My parents wanted to be there and since Justin was working nights as a police officer in J-ville, he offered to come and sit with D...we found out later that the 2 of them turned a movie on, layed on the couch, and slept like all morning!

So....we head to Doctor's Hospital here in LR. I get to the nurses station to check in and they looked at me like I was crazy to be here for a c-section on a day I wasn't scheduled. Apparently, they didn't hear me clearly say I was in labor and was told to come up there. Anyway, they got me a room and the nurse checked me and of course nothing was happening. I was having some seriously strong contractions...the kind you have to breath through. She would ask me a question, I would be in the middle of an answer and I would have to stop and breath, then finish answering. I asked her if they would give me an epidural. She told me that before they could do anything they would have to call and talk to Dr. Hubach to see what she wanted to do since I was having a c-section later. I remember thinking, look I'm getting one anyway, who cares if you give it to me now or later. Of course Dr. Hubach told her to give me one...especially since she was over at Baptist Hospital delivering 2 other ladies babies (both via c-section) before she could even come over and deliver Isabelle. (Since then, she only delivers at Baptist...I think she got tired of all the back and forth).

I got my epidural and everything was so much better. I could've waited for her all day long. She got there and came and talked to me, etc. They got me all ready and wheeled me into the operating room. I got my full dose of medicine in my epidural and let me tell you, the c-section meds are so STRONG!!! I remember asking the anesthesiologist if my pinky fingers were supposed to be getting numb. He said I was good, which is always nice to hear. She started the c-section and then realized that the NICU nurses and Sloan were not in there yet. She called for both of them to come in. As she was pulling Isabelle out she told me that she must have turned at the last minute (which I do remember her moving around so much that it literally HURT between 38-39 weeks) because the cord was wrapped around her neck a couple of times and it was kind of wrapped funny due to her moving late. We heard Isabelle cry one short cry and that was all. I of course, was scared and kept asking why wasn't she crying. The anesthesiologist kept reassuring me she was fine that it was only because she was a c-section baby and her lungs hadn't been "prompted" to cry like they do in a normal birth. I knew she must've been ok because Sloan was taking pics with the camera, but was still very nervous!! Well, come to find out, Dr. Hubach told me later that they had to bag her for like 30-45 seconds before they could get her to really breath on her own. I've later been told by a friend who was a Labor/Delivery nurse that that really isn't that long and it's totally normal. I was stitched up/stapled up and went back to my room to recover and actually hold her. She looked so much different than Delaney did. She had peach fuzz and was tinier than D was...only by 4 ounces, but it made her look little. My hospital stay was good and I actually enjoyed being there for 4 days...probably cause we knew we would go home to a 2 year old! :-)

Happy birthday, sweet Isabelle! You are full of DRAMA and are so prissy! You are a girlie girl through and through! You are such a good little/big sister. Thank you for always having something funny to say. We love you and are so very proud of you and who you are becoming.

Happy 8th Birthday, Delaney!!!

Our little family! (Sorry about the poor picture quality. We didn't have a digital camera back then, so this is a pic of a pic)!

I can't believe my baby is 8 today!!! Actually, I can't believe I have an 8 year old!!! Makes me feel kind of old, not too mention, I can't believe she's 8 (I know, I know...enough...I need to get over it, she's 8)!!!!!!

Since blogging was not a "thing" 8 years ago I decided in honor of her birthday, I would just go ahead and write down her "birth story". Now...let's see if I can remember all the details 8 years and 4 kids later. :-)

Delaney was due on December 29, 2002. Sloan was nervous...she was either going to "make or break" us that year on our tax return...and of course, being that he is a CPA he was really hoping for her to come before Dec 31...BUT, she had other plans. I went to the doctors at 40 weeks and she went ahead and scheduled me to be induced the morning of January 6, 2003. If I remember correctly I was only dialated to a 1 and was barely effaced. Again, that appointment was before December 31, so Sloan had me literally out walking in the FREEZING cold to try and get me to go into labor...no such luck. We woke up Sunday, January 5, and just had a lazy Sunday morning (our church was meeting in the evenings at that point, so we were able to sleep in on Sunday am's...so nice). We were gearing up for the next day and the realization that we were finally going to meet our precious baby girl. After I ate lunch, I decided to take a shower and get ready for the day...we were planning on skipping church to go see a movie and eat dinner before the big day, the next day. When I got out of the shower I realized I was having contractions. I honestly, didn't think much of them since I had been having a few here and there towards the end of the pregnancy. This time, they didn't stop. I let Sloan know and he sat there and timed them for me as I finished getting ready. They really fluctuated, not one was "consistently 5 minutes apart for one hour"...I later found out that my mom's were never consistent (why she didn't tell me this before I went into labor, I have no idea). I had already decided that I wanted to wait it out at home for as long as I possibly could before going to the hospital...I had never stayed in a hospital and was semi freaked out about doing so, but excited at the same time. We hung out at home all afternoon and evening timing contractions and watching football and movies. Honestly, the contractions were never horrible or my tolerance for pain was a lot higher than I ever thought it would be. Sloan finally looked at me around 9:30 pm and said, "Let's go now, so we don't have to get up in the middle of the night and do it. I think you'll be able to sleep better there than at home."

So...off we went to the hospital. We go there and they checked me in. They checked and I think I was only dialated to like a 3 (so not much had happened at home all day). The contractions weren't all that bad still so I held off on the epidural, which honestly, scared the crap out of me (now I would say, YES PLEASE...LOVE those things)!!! I had a room with a tub, so I was able to relax in it for a little while, which was nice...the best part about it was that they gave you juice...so yummy when you can't eat anything! When I got done with that, they hooked me back up to the monitors and I was having some contractions that they said were off the charts...they still didn't seem to be that strong. My nurse was shocked that I still didn't want the epidural...she said most 1st time moms come in and demand it immediately...she said she was highly impressed and kept asking me if I was telling the truth about this being my first kid. Whatever...I was just seriously freaked out by it, so I wanted to put it off for as long as possible. They did give me some Stadol for the mild pain...which in turn knocked me out. I slept soundly for a few hours while poor Sloan tried, but didn't succeed at it so easily. The doctor who was on call that night for my doctor came in around 4am and told me that he wanted to break my water since it still had not broken...I was around a 6 or 7 at that point. He asked if I was ready for the epidural and I told him I still wasn't sure. He proceeded to tell me it would be better if I did it now, before he broke my water, rather than after. I straight up told him, I needed to think about it and tell them in a few minutes. Mind you, I was drugged up on Stadol and was not thinking straight...who tells an OB/GYN that they need to think about getting an epidural...NO ONE...again, in hindsight, I would've and should've said YES, right away. Sloan and I talked about it and I decided to do it before he broke my water. So, I got the epidural and while I'm getting it the anes. says, "Are you a gymnast? Or were you? You have a back like one." Whatever that means...apparently it's a good thing. And to answer the question, I took gymnastics for like a year when I was 4. Anyway, epidural was in and working, water was broken and we waited some more. Around 5:30 am the on call doc had called my doctor and she said she would come in to deliver me...so thankful she does this (she's delivered all my kiddos)! The nurses have me start pushing...I pushed forever. I got sick at one point and threw up...Sloan had to leave the room to get some air...he does not do well with that kind of stuff. Dr. Hubach finally shows up...around 6:30 or 7:00 am. I push...A LOT more. Delaney was face up(which explained my horrible back labor) and every time they tried to turn her back around, she would flip right back up...which is so her...she wants to be apart of everything. I pushed, and pushed and pushed. Sloan was exhausted(remember, he had a horrible nights sleep) and was barely able to help hold my leg up, so we called his parents and had them tell my mom to come in because I needed help and someone there to encourage me. I kept pushing...got an episiotomy and then Dr. Hubach got the vacuum extractor out and suctioned D's head out while I kept pushing. At one point she looked at me and kind of threatened me with a c-section if I didn't push harder and get her out...which was the LAST thing I wanted (little did I know that my other 3 girls would be c-sections). I FINALLY pushed Delaney out...we heard her cry and she laid her on my chest. I saw Sloan jump up from out of the chair he was sitting in (if this doesn't tell you how exhausted he was, I don't know what will...except the one picture we have of him where he looks horrible cause he is so tired) and he started bawling; it was so sweet. I was way too tired to show any emotion at all...I was just so thankful she was finally out and I could just lay there and not have to push at all anymore.

Delaney Abigail weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. She was a sweet, round, bundle of joy!!! She is developing into such a precious young lady and both Sloan and I are so proud of her. She is a big helper around the house and with her sisters. And she is our soccer star!!

We love you, Delaney! Hope you have a special day today! (Lunch at school sure was fun)!!

Growing up.....

Clinton review 2010

Click here to view this photo book larger

Love her...

Happy 6 months, Eleanor (or LaLa, like Madeline likes to call you)!!! Mommy (and daddy, and your sisters) love you so very much!

Way behind...again!

That feels like the story of my life right now. I love having 4 kiddos, but with the different stages that they are each in (school/sports, BUSY 2 year old, & infant) I feel like sometimes I run in circles and just can't keep up. I mean, don't get me wrong, all the "life" stuff is good...house is clean, groceries in the house, clean clothes, etc. It's just all the "fun" stuff gets pushed to the back burner, which is why I haven't updated the blog in a few weeks. I actually don't really have time to sit here and do this right now, but I am taking a few minutes to update. And since my "few minutes" are about up and I hear Madeline rummaging through the kitchen looking for something (and probably about to make another mess) I am just going to stick up a few pics from Thanksgiving and call it a day.

We are SO thankful for our families!

Celebrating with Sloan's family on Thanksgiving day!

Celebrating with my family the Sunday before Thanksgiving.

Again, Tasty Tuesday (on Wednesday)...

Yesterday was such a busy day...Mom's & More Bible Study Brunch, errands, a little visit and lunch with my mom and then another little visit with Sloan's parents at their office, picking up big girls from school and then home to clean up a little more (trying to do a little everyday this week before we have my family over this Sunday for Thanksgiving), make dinner, homework and bed for girls. All that to say, I didn't have time or really get a chance to post this recipe on the blog..and by the time I did, I was too tired and HAD to watch the DWTS results show (a shocker this week, if you didn't see it)!

I love this soup recipe...got it from a friend...it is SOOOO easy and so yummy. We had it for dinner on Monday night. I love Fall because I can start busting out the soup recipes again and also chili (which my kids love). This soup is not too high up on the list of foods my girls love, but Madeline ate her fair share while the big 2 ate Mac & Cheese that I made for them (that was a special thing...usually they have to eat what we eat). Anyway...here is the recipe..enjoy!!!

Easy Potato Soup

2 cans cream of potato soup

3 cans of milk

8 bacon slices (cooked and crumbled)*

1 onion (chopped and sauteed)

16 oz. Velveeta cheese

1 package Uncle Ben's wild rice (cooked according to box)**

Saute onion in a big pot (I add a little bit of butter to it so it doesn't stick or burn).

Add soup, milk and cheese. Stir to melt...make sure the heat is pretty low or the Velveeta will burn.

Cook rice.

Add bacon and rice, cook until bubbly and simmer.

*I use the real bacon bits you can buy in the salad aisle...so much easier to dump those in than having to cook bacon.

**Uncle Ben's makes these packages of rice that cook in 90 seconds...I use one of those. Super easy to throw in the micro and heat up.

Tasty Tuesday (on Wednesday this week)...

I made this recipe last night and took it over to my in-laws for dinner. My mom-in-law was hemming some pants for Sloan (I know, I know; I should be doing this, but she is so much better at it) and I thought the least I could do was make dinner and bring it with us. Needless to say we all loved this manicotti, so I thought I would share it with you all in blog land!

BEEF & CHEESE MANICOTTI

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

4 teaspoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

1 pound ground beef (I used ground turkey last night in mine)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

14 (8 oz. pkg.) manicotti noodle

1 (15 oz.) container whole-milk ricotta cheese (I used part-skim milk ricotta)

3 cups shredded mozzarella

1 cup grated parmesan

2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves (I just sprinkled in some Italian seasoning blend that I had)

2 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups marinara (of course, she has her own marinara recipe but I used Emeril's homestyle marinara sauce...our family is addicted to this stuff)

2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil, onion and ground beef (or turkey). Season with salt and pepper. Saute until the meat browns and the onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool.

Brush 1 teaspoon of oil over a large baking sheet (I skipped this and just used my baking sheet with silpat and it was just fine). Cook the manicotti in a large pot of boiling salted water until slightly softened, but still very firm to the bite, about 4-6 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the manicotti form the pot to the oiled baking sheet and cool.

Meanwhile, combine ricotta, 1 & 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup parmesan and parsley (or Italian seasoning blend). Add the garlic, salt and pepper to taste and mix. Stir the cooled meat mixture into the cheese mixture.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brush remaining 2 teaspoons of oil over a 9x13 glass baking dish. Spoon 1 & 1/2 cups marinara sauce over the bottom of the prepared dish. Fill the manicotti with the cheese-meat mixture. Arrange the stuffed pasta in a single layer in the prepared dish and spoon the remaining sauce over.

Sprinkle the remaining 1 & 1/2 cups of mozzarella cheese then the remaining 1/2 cup of parmesan over the stuffed pasta. Dot entire dish with butter pieces. Bake the manicotti uncovered until heated through and the sauce bubbles on the sides of the dish, about 30-35 minutes. Let the manicotti stand 5 minutes and serve.