Back to normal life

Well...kind of.

Reagan came to visit us last weekend so Ella and her got some one on one time.



Then of course Josh thought he'd put all of his "baby holding" experience to good use. But I'm not sure Reagan was too thrilled.



We tried to enjoy all of our extra time with Daddy since he had two weeks off from UPS. I can't even begin to tell you how much I miss him. Tonight is his first night back and getting three kids bathed, ready for bed and taking care of Ella has been a little much on my body. Last night Dustin and I were pretty much a mess because the thought of him being gone was too much.

We like being a family. He likes being home. We like having him home. We miss him. He misses us. And since we've almost been doing this for two years...we're ready to have him back. And two weeks vacation ends up feeling more like a tease sometimes than something to be enjoyed. If that makes sense.

Nonetheless...we tried to make the most of our time together.

The World's Best Big Brother

I can't tell you the joy these pictures bring me. He begs to hold and feed Ella every chance he gets. And tonight at swimming I had to hold her up because he wanted her to watch him swim. Talk about pure joy.

More hospital photos

We took some photos with the kids and my belly that morning. And then of course I had to take one last belly shot.





I had been having contractions for a day or so (but nothing regular) so when they finally hooked me up to the monitor it was pretty interesting to watch the read-out. Dustin kept running over and letting me know how strong they were...like I couldn't tell.



So it seems that Miss Ella would have been coming soon anyway!!!

Things didn't go as smoothly in the operating room as they have in the past. The spinal block was what I expected...several pokes and 20 minutes. I don't know why it is so hard for them to find the right spot on me but I'm telling you...I HATE that part!!! Then they had some difficulties towards the end. I started to panic and then I got nauseous. Really nauseous. Then the panic overtook me and pretty soon they were pumping Versed in me to calm me down. I kept praying for it all to end and all I wanted was for them to bring Dustin back in. But soon enough it was all behind me and I was reunited with Dustin and Ella in recovery.







I look at these photos and cannot believe that was two weeks ago already!!! I'm not quite sure how two sleep deprived weeks don't feel like a month but honestly it just feels like it was yesterday.

The kids had a blast in my room's jetted bathtub. Who knew a little Johnson & Johnson's Baby Wash would create so many bubbles?!?!? I had to have Dustin close the bathroom door because the sight of those two kids hidden in all of those bubbles caused to many painful laughs.



I still can't believe that we are a family of five! I'm sure the utter chaos will fall into some sort of routine soon enough...but I'm not going to lie...it has been a little more overwhelming than I anticipated. Each day there is improvement and each day I feel better than the day before. So I'm hoping that pretty soon I'll feel like myself again and by that time everything will be old hat. Until then...I'll remind myself of how blessed we are and how truly happy I am.

Making the Introductions

Tonight the kids came by and got their first opportunity to check out their new little sister. What a joy it was to watch them react to her, watch them beam with pride and watch them fall in love with her just as we have.







The the kids got to "chill out" in mommy's cool bed with all the buttons and eat snacks and watch Madagascar 2. And Ella got to "chill out" with Daddy.




Ella also got her first bath last night and she barely made a peep through the entire thing.




Mommy also got to take a bath today...and now we both feel like new women!

Ella Grace Bricker is here!!!!

Ella and I are doing amazingly well and I am overwhelmed by what a beautiful, docile baby she is!!!!

She was born at 11:56 weighing 9 pounds, 5 ounces and measuring 20 inches long. She had a little trouble breathing at first but after a little bit of oxygen was screaming with all her might.

She is eating like a total champ and I cannot tell you what a relief that is for me. When we told Josh it was a girl Josh said, "Oh come on, Mom!" But after a few minutes even he admitted she was beautiful. Her hair has a little reddish tint to it and has little curls.

Dustin and I are just glowing and I am filled with a sense of peace that she is here safe and sound. Enjoy all the photos and thank you all for your prayers and well-wishes!!!

I'll post more later but wanted to get these photos out as soon as possible!!!

Love you all!!!!

On the eve of a blessed event...

I'm just sitting here, and to be honest, it's a little surreal.

I went into work yesterday for the last time and wrapped up 99.9% of the tasks I had set out to complete before I left on maternity leave. When I left I got pretty emotional. Sort of like 9 months of anticipation/reality/fear released itself at that one moment. I've been so preoccupied with work, being a mother to my other two children and other life events that this pregnancy has sort of been put on the back burner more often than not. But when I left that office I realized the only thing I had left to do was prepare for the baby to arrive.

Last night was the office March 15th party and, given the timing of everything, we thought it would be best if Dustin stayed with the kids and I would attend alone. Everyone was having a great time but I was ready to leave shortly after the meal - between being tired, missing my kids and my inability to join in the festivities. By the time I got up and everyone gave their well wishes I was all emotional again. Another dose of reality, I guess.

I have had some pretty strong contractions throughout the day so it is obvious my body is ready for what's going to happen tomorrow...but I'm not quite sure I can get my head wrapped around it.

This morning we got up and went to church, went out for breakfast and ran over to the hospital for my pre-surgery lab work. You'd think it would be old hat by number three but it seems just the opposite. As I sat at the hospital today I just kind of looked around and got very nervous. Maybe it's because I've done this twice before and I know what's all going to happen tomorrow, maybe it's because I'm about to receive the honor of becoming another little child's mother tomorrow and from experience I understand all the responsibilities that come along with that, maybe it's because even though I've done this twice before every birth is different, maybe it's because I'm forgetting something...or maybe it's just because I'm having surgery tomorrow. No matter what the reason...it made me emotional.

So here I sit with the constant nagging realization that in less than 24 hours we will be a family of five. Five! This is totally uncharted waters for us!! No matter how nervous/scared I am, I'm beyond ecstatic to meet this little person. I can't believe that only a few short months ago we had no idea what God had planned for us and now here we are...on the eve of a blessed event.

Prayers are welcomed and genuinely appreciated. I will try and post as soon as possible with pictures and information. Because, honestly, the hospital will be the easiest place for me to blog. I have a feeling that once there are three kids screaming for my attention, time to myself will pretty much be non-existent.

My last OB appointment

I'm huge. Baby's huge. Still on for Monday.

New Beginnings

This weekend Dustin and I had the honor of being two of Reagan's sponsors for her baptism. Reagan has her nights and days mixed up; good for baptism, bad for mom and dad. So, of course, she slept through the whole thing.




It was also the first time Lauren got to see her new cousin. She kept her distance with all the extra company around at the house. But by the time everyone left she was ready to see the baby. I have to say...if she has this reaction with her own brother or sister I will be ecstatic!!!

At first she started off by touching her feet. And once Reagan started moving her feet Lauren giggled with excitement!




There was no jealousy there whatsoever when I was holding her. Let's all just hope and pray that holds true in a week or so!

I had worked 14.5 hours on Saturday and had gone into work at 2:00 am the morning of the baptism so by the time we actually got home on Sunday afternoon...I was wiped out!

Yes...I am ready for tax season to be over. I have worked every day for the last three weeks (going on four). And I'm ready for a break...even if that means I have to have surgery in order to get it!

I had my doctor's appointment on Tuesday. Dr. Hocking was happy to see that I had not lost any weight but looked at my legs and realized it was all water weight. I guess that's what 14 hours in heels will do at this stage in a pregnancy. My blood pressure was awesome and baby's heart beat was at 135.

I'm measuring huge and am not progressing at all. By the time we walked out of there I felt like Dr. Hocking had just whacked me up aside the head with my medical file. I mean honestly, at my emotional state the last thing I wanted to hear was how huge I am and that nothing's happening "down there". Grrreeeaaaat. Thanks for the encouraging information.

I sulked back to the car and immediately started crying. I know it's the hormones. I know it's the exhaustion. I know it's the stress. But at that moment, the thought of almost another two weeks was too much to handle.

On a happier note...Dustin and I have some other exciting news! We are officially transferred to Bethany Lutheran Church!! We have been contemplating the transfer for some time and have taken almost a year to find a church we wanted to join. It was an extremely difficult decision to leave as we have such a history at Zion. However, it became a necessity when we realized how much we had pulled away from the church.

So...our newest addition will be baptized at our new church and are tentatively on the schedule for April 26th!!! We are very excited and hope that this will be an excellent way to introduce our family to the congregation!!!

Other than that, not much is new. Dustin had his one year appointment for his burn on Wednesday. They were pleased to see that he has 100% strength and mobility back. However, they are still aware of the pigmentation problem and the future risk of cancer.

Lauren's allergy appointment is coming up next week and we are hoping to get to the bottom of her frequent rashes. She's also really starting to talk up a storm...but still no "Daddy".

Josh has started getting daily nose bleeds and is scheduled to go the doctor tomorrow to see if his adenoids are the cause. As someone who got frequent nose bleeds as a child (and even still today) it is upsetting to watch him be burdened with this. Tonight he got his fifth one today at dinner. He started to cry and said, "Mom, I hate this. It's painful." I knew exactly what he meant. It doesn't hurt physically...but the frustration and embarrassment hurts. Poor guy.

Dad and Thomas are coming this weekend and I'm hoping we get the final things ready for baby's arrival. My urge to nest has been overpowered by my urge to sleep/work/attend to other children. So since I have neither the time or energy at this point...I'll let my father do my nesting for me!

Baby Update: 38 weeks

Your baby has really plumped up. She weighs about 6.8 pounds and she's over 19 1/2 inches long (like a leek). She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test when you hold her hand for the first time! Her organs have matured and are ready for life outside the womb. Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? If she's born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old.

Two weeks left!!!

Or less!!!

Well, two weeks from tonight I'll be holding a baby. Not sure if he/she will be days or hours old by then...but nonetheless.

I have another appointment tomorrow and am going to see if I can find some time to blog tomorrow. I worked a ton this weekend and am physically exhausted. So...it's off to bed for me.