Mimi's birth story

Before it gets too far away I think it is time to document each of the girls birth stories.  Daddy and I already remember some things differently so I better get it all written down before I forget the truth.  :)  Since Mimi's birth is the most recent I will start with her. 

Mimi, your pregnancy, like the rest, was pretty easy.  I wish you wouldn't have been born in the summer, the heat was unbearable at times but you didn't give me any problems.  Minus the crazy amount of swelling.  Oh, and the one time I "saw stars".  I was at home with the other kids and daddy was at drill.  Since it was a drill weekend I also had a friends daughter with us.  For some reason I kept seeing stars while sitting on the couch.  Luckily the other kids were playing well and my friends daughter was eating so I could take a break.  But I made the mistake of calling and telling daddy.  Not only was he home in the blink of an eye but my friends (both parents) were there to pick up there daughter as well.  We then went to the volunteer station where they said my blood pressure was high but by the time I got to the hospital everything was fine.  That was about two weeks before you were born Mimi. 

As it got closer and closer to your due date your daddy and I started to get worried you wouldn't come on time.  I hadn't really been getting any good braxton hicks and daddy was going to have to cover for some people at work so he wouldn't have as much free time soon.  So, we set an induction date for Aug 18th, although I really didn't want to be induced. 

It was already though, you had no intention of being induced either.  On the night between Aug 16th and 17th Bumpkin woke me up because she needed help going to the bathroom.  When I tried to go back to bed I couldn't get comfortable.  I didn't really think I was having any pains, I just wasn't comfortable so I went to lay on the couch and watch some Army Wives.  I knew something was up though when I couldn't get into the show.  I keep moving and fidgeting.  Then the pain came.  It came on so quick I wasn't even sure what was going on but I couldn't move.  I tried to get up off the couch but I couldn't so I grabbed my phone and tried to call your daddy who was upstairs sleeping.  That didn't work.  I called him multiple times and he never answered.  (I found out later his phone was dead sitting on the bookshelf next to me.)  I had no choice but to crawl up the stairs.  Once I finally got over to daddy I told him it was time to go and he asked me "where".  haha.  I told him it was time to go alittle more forcefully and he got up.  :)  Since Aunt Heather was staying with us at the time I then slid down the stairs, turned all the lights on in her room, threw something that was laying on the stairs in her general direciton, and yelled at her to get up.  She loves me, I swear.  :)  And we were off. 

Aunt Heather stayed with your sisters and daddy took me to the hospital.  When we got in the car he asked me how close my contractions were apart and I told him they were probably about 3-4 minutes apart.  When we got in the car and used the same clock the whole time we found out they were about 30 seconds apart!  Daddy started to get a little nervous then,  The whole way there I kept chanting "just get me there".  It was a good thing it was the middle of the night. 

By the time we got to the hospital and they got me checked I was already a 8 1/2.  I had just had a doctors appointment that morning and I wasn't even a 2 yet.  When she told me how far along I was I knew this would be the first time giving birth without any type of pain control.  The nurse who checked me made a quick call and all of a sudden there were people buzzing around me.  Good thing too because you had no intention of slowing down.  I did stall a little bit at a 9 1/2 but I was feeling an intense need to push so the doctor told me to push through it.  Within about 45 minutes of arriving at the hospital you joined the world.  You were 9 lbs 3 oz and 21 inches long. 

After you were taken care of, mommy had a little bit of trouble with the placenta that broke apart.  I was very close to being forced into surgery but luckily on the last try it all went well and I was able to recover quickly so we could get to bonding. 

A short time later Aunt Heather brought your sisters to the hospital to meet you before Bumpkin went to school.  Bumpkin and Troublemaker were so excited!  They loved holding you and watching everything you did.  Bumpkin was so sad when she had to go to work but we convinced her by reminding her she got to tell everyone at school that she had a new baby sister.  And she was so excited the next day when a storm knocked out the power at school!  haha

March extras

We have had a busy March girls!  Lots of family visits, birthday parties, and playdates.  Throw in spring break and there has been lots of activity.  Here are the miscellaneous pictures we have missed this month. 

Somebody likes pears.... or is really wanting a bath.  : )

We had our other playdate night where we watched our friends so their parents could go out for a date night.  My friend has four kids between 5 months and 5 years.  The kids were bouncing from activity to activity but it all went smoothly and they love playing together. 

Troublemaker broke me down.  This is her costume for Halloween, we bought it after Halloween last year and I haven't been letting her wear it but I finally broke. 

I'm not sure when we found this hat but it was after St. Patty's Day.  We have lots of cute pictures of Bumpkin with this hat when she was a baby so we couldn't deny getting pictures of Mimi with it too. 

Mama made this cake for my first client that I didn't know.  She couldn't find what she wanted in the store so she wanted it specially made.  No pressure! 

Aunt Janet always gets the most creative presents for the girls.  For Troublemaker's birthday she got the girls tutu's.  It's nearly impossible to get a good picture while they are spinning so we had to make  them sit for the pictures. 

And I can't forget Troublemaker's cartwheels.  She makes us take a picture of her doing cartwheels or handstands at least once a week. 

Grandpa

It may surprise mom to know that I remember, but today is the anniversary of my grandfather's death.  (Every year she asks me if I know what day it is, and every year I say yes, but it doesn't matter, she will ask again next year.)  To be honest, I'm not 100% sure on the year (it was 1998) but it was today.  I think of grandpa often and am always amazed that he still plays such an important role in my life, years after he has passed.  I just want to say thank you grandpa for all the life lessons you provided; thank you for allowing me to be your summer camping buddy; and thank you for being such a wonderful grandpa.  I miss you!  I often think about how much you would have loved my girls and the nicknames you would have given them.  I miss you, love you, and know you are looking down on my family.

Nana's Installation

The next weekend we went back to my hometown for Nana's Installation as Queen of Nile.  Unfortunately, I forgot my camera so I didn't get any pictures of our family all dressed up.  Hopefully I will be able to steal them from a family member soon but I haven't had any luck yet.  I will upload them when I get them. 

The girls were so excited to go back.  We haven't been to my hometown in awhile so they were counting down the days.  They did lots of playing with grandma, grandpa, Nana, and aunt Heather.  They also got to see some cousins when we went to Nana's Installation. 

After the installation was a banquet to honor the new Queen.  Nana gave all her granddaughters a role in the Installation and mine was cake decorator.  : )  She helped start me on my cake adventures (she gave me my first class for Christmas) so I thought I would surprise her.  She thought I was just making a sheet cake but I surprised her with a cake to go with her theme, high heels and pearls.  She also asked me to make her a cake for a lady who was having a birthday that day and was doing grandma a favor by helping out on her birthday.  So here are the cakes I made. 

Here is Nana with her cake.

And finally, here are close up's of the bow and shoe, both edible.  The pictures were taken mostly because I sent these home with Heather one time when she came to visit and I needed proof incase she broke them.  : ) 

Troublemaker's 4th birthday

Troublemaker,

I can't believe you are 4 already.  We have a game where I always say you are going to be a year younger than you are turning (so I said 2 this year instead of 4) and you love to play the game with me.  Bumpkin doesn't really care, but when I slip up and say your right age you will correct me and say "Don't you mean 2 mom"?  I love you little lady! 

Mama



The day after St. Patrick's Day you held Troublemaker's 4th birthday party at the local gymnastics place.  Troublemaker loves gymnastics and she was so looking forward to the party!  Before the party we went to Texas Roadhouse and had lunch.  They sang to Troublemaker and brought the saddle out for her to sit on.  She was ok with it but Bumpkin thought it was awesome!  haha

Then it was off to the birthday party.  Let's just say my sister loves to take pictures and this event was no exception..... I promise I weeded them out! 

After all the activies we went upstairs for cake and presents.  This was my first attempt at making a cake person.  It wasn't too bad but I did learn some things to make sure I do or don't do next time.  Troublemaker also had quite a few requirements for her cake but I think I met them all.  : ) 

Blowing out her candles! 

Enjoying the cake. 

Mimi didn't care about the cake, but she found herself in the mirror. 

Happy birthday Troublemaker!