Merry Little Christmas time...

We had a lovely Christmas this year, it's so fun to see how the kids change and respond differently.  We watched some videos from last years Christmas and the kids all looked so little, I'm thinking we should watch those videos every year as a new tradition just to see a glimpse of our past each year.  

Here is the short version, or I like to say Official Trailer of our Christmas morning.  

Here is the full version with a little more detail.  Marinn was very embarrassed to receive panties in her stocking and Taurin was really excited about it, oh what an age difference makes sometimes.  Shaw got lots of fun cars to push, and drive everywhere.  Blaize just looked really confused and a bit excited that everyone was tearing paper and it was all over, since we are always confiscating paper from him! 

Christmas always seems to feel like you are finishing up a year and new goals and memories are coming so quickly.  This year has been so very challenging in many ways, but looking back and seeing where we are today I realize that the foundation we have created from the beginning of our marriage and the commitment to serve and love one another with everything we have has been the reason for our success in difficult times, challenging situations, and just bad circumstances.  In the end, a year that could have broken our family and relationship has made us stronger and reminded us that the effort that we have put forth to keep our family strong and healthy has paid off,  that is has all been worth it.  It hasn't been easy, but situations have always seemed to work out for the best even though they seemed impossible in the moment.
"We must all face the choice between what is right and what is easy."

I'm excited to say that Andrew will be starting his first day of work tomorrow, I'm so proud of all his hard work and perseverance to complete his training and go for the job and department that he wanted. Sometimes our dreams take sacrifice but it always seems to be worth it.

I found the videos from previous years : )  yay!

Christmas 2010

Christmas 2009

The Joy of Family

The other day, this is what my morning looked like.  All my babies snuggled in our queen size bed. Yes, I had to crawl out from under a few of them to get to my camera but it was snuggle heaven. 

 It makes my heart happy to see how they care for and love each other. 

This morning I had the 3 amigos to help me make pancakes.  They ate about half of what I was taking out of the pan so by the time I was done cooking they were full.  But it sure saved us some mess and syrup. This picture cracks me up... Marinn sitting on the pancake warmer with her feet on the cutting board I'm pretty sure this is not up to code with the health department but she had a great time.  Shaw's job was occasionally opening the lid to the warmer so I could throw a pancake in.  Taurin was the one who let me know when to flip the pancakes and just look cute. 

Raising 4 kids ages 5 and under can sure be challenging at times but just getting to know them and having the opportunity to impact their lives is totally worth it.  They have so much love, wisdom, and excitement for life to share if we just take the time to pay attention. 

Here are just a few moments in the last few weeks that were memorable...

1.     Taking all the kids to the grocery store... well 3 different grocery stores to get some deals with some coupons.  At the first store Marinn and Taurin stood at the end of the line with bags in hand ready to do some serious bagging.  They kept shaking open the bags looking all crazy like line backers, as if they were going to charge our cashier at any minute.  I asked her to please pass them anything they couldn't break so they could bag it.  She looked over at their eager faces and posed a challenge.  She said, "Are you ready? Because this is gonna happen fast!"  This was the wrong thing to tell Marinn, my super competitive child.  She got that "look" in her eye and gave her bag another fierce shake.  The cashier started scanning crazy fast and flinging the items toward Marinn and Taurin.  They were bagging like pros! Groceries were flying into the bags and they were running to the cart to toss them in around Blaize and Shaw (who was constantly trying to escape his safety belt).  It was a site to see and I couldn't help but wish I had put more groceries in the cart just to wear them out.  As I left the store with my cart half full of groceries, half full of children I realized that I could have gotten frustrated with their over eagerness to help.  I was proud of myself for letting them be a part of the process and a valuable asset.  I think we all want that, to feel like we are needed and have something to offer even if it might be small.  

2.     At the grocery store once again, with my pro-baggers at my side.  In the checkout line I decided to hold Shaw so he wouldn't attempt an escape during check out.  We enjoyed pressing our pretend buttons while the cashier rung up my things.  Then all of a sudden I feel something extremely hot on my side right where I am holding Shaw,  I assume he is peeing, but am surprised at how hot it is even through his diaper.  I shrug it off as I watch Marinn and Taurin convince the bagger that they are fully capable of hauling the gallons of milk to the cart.  That was hilarious watching a 3 and 5 year old practically move a grown man out of the way so they could carry the milk.  He was totally impressed.  Then, I set Shaw down for a minute just to pay and all of a sudden my side where there was heat now feels cool? Ut oh?!  Somehow, with Shaw in a fresh diaper fully secured to his body the pee has snuck past multiple barriers including his pants to soak a nice large circle on my shirt.  What's a girl to do in this situation?  There isn't many options, but I know that our perception is our reality and they way we think of things often effects our emotional response.   I thought to myself,  I am wearing my work out attire and who's to say that's not just a result of an intense workout?  So as I walk out of the store with my head held high I think, no need to be embarrassed this could easily just be sweat.  

3.     On Monday's we have a play date at the park.  As I was getting the kids ready to leave the house for our play date, Andrew asks if Shaw is wearing a diaper.  I think to myself about the last time I saw him which was moments before and I recall him being in a diaper.  We head to park and everyone is having a great time until Piper and Taurin notify me that Shaw has pooped.  They are very insistent and vocal about me taking care of it immediately.  I walk over to get him and realize that there is a very serious situation going on.... I discover that Shaw had somehow taken off his diaper before leaving the house and has now pooped freely in his shorts.  I take him into the bathroom to clean him up... pretty much a bath.  Now, I will be honest I thought of just placing him inside the toilet and flushing a few times but how could I have posted that blog entry without some serious criticism?  I take off his shorts that pretty much fell off by the time we made it to the bathroom and I place him in the sink.  Well, lucky us it's one of those faucets that you press down and it gives you about 5 seconds of water.  And this one was the kind that shoots out water at the speed of light in very small streams.  Needless to say there was water and who knows what else blasting and flying all over the place, but we somehow got Shaw fully refreshed.  I had left the new diaper and shorts in the van so I wrapped Shaw in a large paper towel skirt and we walked over to get in some fresh clothes.  The the fellow play date moms gave us a cheer for his awesome skirt as we came out.  He finished up playing and had a great time, no embarrassment or shame.  Such a great example of how sometimes life just happens and we have to take care of business.  

Baby Blaize's Birth Story

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS SOME INFORMATION THAT YOU MIGHT CONSIDER "TMI" PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.  

I am sharing this personal story because I believe we need to hear more of these wonderful calm birth stories instead of your common horror/pain stories.  Birth is beautiful and natural and if we let it "do it's thing" it can be strong, sweet and miraculous. 

My due date was April 22nd... that day came and went which we were kind of expecting because I usually go over.  We were all excited and waiting for our little guy to make his appearance. I'd been having contractions off and on for a few weeks just waiting for things to pick up. 

Then... on Saturday April 30th around 9 pm I started to have some more regular contractions that were stronger.  They started out about 5 to 7 minutes apart, we were watching a movie with the kids so I let Andrew know things were picking up.  He got the kids in bed while I timed contractions, by the time they were in bed things had picked up a bit more and he started filling up the birthing pool. 

 

(this is the birthing pool... soft and squishy and comfortable)

By about 10 pm they had gotten longer and were now 2 to 3 minutes apart.  I decided it was time to get into the birthing pool.  Contractions continued to gain intensity and I knew our little guy would make his appearance soon.  After 4 to 5 really strong contractions I felt like it was time to start pushing.

 

(These pictures were during the contractions) 

There were a few contractions that I tried to just push with a few times and I could feel things moving down.  I had another strong contraction and I reached down and could feel my water sack bulging (my water had not broken yet).  At this point I had the option to break my water or wait for it to go on it's own.  I decided I'd wait for a few more contractions and see how things went.  It was definitely a very cool feeling... like a water balloon.  I even remember saying out loud how cool it felt and how crazy it seemed.  I had another strong contraction after that and knew that we were almost there.  Andrew got into the tub with me and prepared to catch the baby. 

(About to make the last push)

One more strong contraction and a push from me... all in one the water broke and Blaize's head slipped right on out and then the rest of him followed quickly.  Andrew actually got to feel the water break in his hand before he caught Blaize.  He was born at 10:43 pm... only about 1 hour and 43 min from when the contractions started. 

Blaize had a nice covering of vernix and let out a loud cry.  He was beautiful and long and lean with a full head of hair.  We snuggled in the water for a few minutes.   This would be the first birth that I've had that I didn't feel shaky or exhausted right after the delivery.  I think this would be due to all the Crossfit training.  I also noticed during the contractions and pushing I was really able to use my own muscle and strength to work with them instead of straining to keep up.  It was amazing at how quickly it progressed and I was happy to add another chapter to my birth stories. 

 

(The paintings you see behind me were ones I painted for my wedding... these pictures weren't planned but I was so happy to have them be the backdrop for another new beginning.)

(I want you to notice the clarity of the water... people always comment about birth being messy but this shows a new perspective.) 

 I'd like to thank my midwife's assistant Dy for taking all of these great pictures with my challenging camera that was only focusing every 1 out of 3 pictures... thanks for sticking with it and helping capture some magical moments. 

Thank you to my midwife Laura for being an encouragement and support throughout this beautiful process. 

Thanks to my incredible husband who has always made it a priority to be fully engaged in the amazing moments of our life... I love that you've been the first one to touch our babies as they made their entrance into this world.  You're a good daddy.

 First pic with the whole family

 

Blaize Jeremiah Coffelt

4-30-11

8 lbs 8 oz

20 inches

*this pic at 4 days old... you can get your own hat here*