4 Babies Later

When we bought our house we got a GREAT deal on it. Honestly I don't think now we could ever buy a house as big as we have for what we paid without needing a lot more work than our current house. We also bought our house knowing it was a project house. Maybe it was more a project than we had planned though. Truly our house is beautiful. It has so many wonderful windows. The ceilings are high on both floors. It just is very light and airy which Anthony and I love. It just is well over 100 years old... built around 1890. We had a grand plans when we moved in and so far we have a few of those plans. It has also needed so many other things like fence, furnace, new windows, lots of insulation, and just normal upkeep. The upstairs to us was a huge blank slate. We had plans to add another bathroom and master bedroom. We moved in when Eli was 8 or 9 months old and lived in the downstairs. The upstairs we didn't heat and it was just there.

Fast forward to spring and we both were ready for another baby. Now, I remember looking at this house and saying oh we can just paint the walls. Well my dear husband said now the upstairs plaster and lathe had to go. It is the old horse hair kind. At the time I just said ok whatever. He at that point had done a lot of demos on houses I knew he could handle it. 

I was just barely pregnant with Lilliana and we  decided to gut these two rooms and go from there. 

Hallway looking into half of the upstairs. To the left are stairs. To the right is an entrance to a bedroom. Behind is a wide short hallway.

First room that is as big as our dining room and looks exactly like the downstairs with a bedroom off of it.

Taken from other side.

Bedroom off of big room.

We began gutting and had lots of help from Anthony's brother.

Life happened with being pregnant and us realizing we may have bitten off more than we could handle in that short time before Lilliana was supposed to arrive. So honestly there it sat. It became a huge storage area and a gutted mess. We shut the door and it just wasn't talked about because it was overwhelming. We wanted to finish it. Oh we did, it just was so overwhelming. We couldn't agree on a floor plan and exactly what we wanted. We didn't "need" the space. Then Ari happened and well that was a huge surprise. Anthony and I had a lot of disagreements about getting it done. We just were honestly at a point in our marriage though that this entire project was such a sore subject. So basically it still got ignored. I didn't even pressure to have it done before Ari came although I wanted it to be done.  I thought for sure it would happen within a year after Ari. It didn't. It was overwhelming having the 3 kids so close together and Anthony was working a lot. We could barely hold our heads above water it seemed mentally with 3 kids so young.

Finally 2014 we made goals to finish this upstairs. We wanted another baby as Ari was finally growing up and we were doing better. It just needed done. We didn't know exactly how it would work. Then the lead and window issue came about so this got put on hold again, but we got new windows which was another goal. My grandparents began talking about coming out. I actually didn't know if they would for sure. Life can come up and change things like it had in the past, but they were sticking to plans. My grandpa could help with the electrical which was the big thing holding us up. He also could help Anthony hang dry wall. In the mean time SURPRISE! I am pregnant again 6 months sooner than we had talked about trying. I told my grandma on the phone. I don't care what happens you have to come!! She just laughed and said they were.

Fast forward to October of last year and Anthony and my Grandpa came up with a plan for a big master bedroom and then homeschool/tv room. I was not expecting that at all because I just was planning a kids room. I was thrilled. They also ran electrical and put up drywall in a week. They worked so hard.

New Design, our bedroom looking into homeschool room

 

Hallway looking into homeschool room and our room.

 

What it looked like when my grandparents headed back on their long drive to Idaho.

Anthony has been working non stop since they left. He has gone to work early and come home to work many late nights. We have had some help from his brother and cousin which we are so grateful for. It has left me and the kids which can be challenging pregnant, but we have made it. Finally this past weekend we finished everything enough to begin moving everybody's room around and getting everything in place for the babies. We still need to pick out light fixtures and have some trim to install, but at this point we will do that later. We also have a bit of paint to touch up on trim. We just need to get moved. I am thrilled with how well it came out and my wonderful husband worked so hard. It is amazing how everything came together in just the right time. 

Master Bedroom

Homeschool/TV room looking in from hallway. 

View from other side of homeschool room

 

Now for decorating....I am waiting for my dear sister to come visit and decorate for me. The girl can turn any Pinterest project into reality and truly I am decoration challenged. She was influential in paint colors and flooring. Seriously, I am decoration challenged. Now that we have this huge project done I think we can breath again and move onto the next thing of replacing the carpet downstairs and the rainbow carpet upstairs. I can't wait to finally have a wonderful space to relax after the babies are born and not feel any pressure of the house not being done over my head!! We started with one baby and finally 4 babies later it is complete. 

January Cabin Fever

I have no idea how it is already February. I am still in disbelief. January was a little rough around here. Right after the holidays everybody began getting sick with an awful cold that seemed to linger for weeks. Lilliana and Ari still have a bit of a cough and runny nose. I also had the awful cold and I can't say it was the easiest. I think I hit a wall at about 30 weeks pregnant and having a cold. Thankfully I am feeling much better. Needless to say we spent a lot of time on the couch cuddling. 

I was even inspired to grab my camera a couple times during that time. Ari is so expressive I love taking photos of his silly, grouchy, and funny faces. 

Eli and I pushed hard through school and we are almost done!! Overnight he just has taken off with reading. He was reading before, but it finally clicked. Now his days are spent with telling me how to spell words and bringing me random things and telling me what they say. We have had some very warm days for January so most days he is out at 8:00 a.m. playing in the little snow we have or the mud now. It has been good for him.

The younger two have discovered my DS. It is nearly 8 years old and they get a kick out of playing it. Eli does too, but these two only ever get about 10 minutes and they spend it usually snuggling together. I have to admit it was a nice little break while I was sick. 

Lilliana who has always been this sweet easy going child has not exactly kept that temperament. It has been a little hard to adjust. Don't get me wrong she is not terrible, but she has always been soo very easy and any time she isn't it throws me through a loop. We had a couple rough days and I thought I was losing my mind. Then I sat down at lunch and saw her with the banana sticker on her head and just laughed. 

I started the banana sticker when she was a baby. I always would grab them off and put them on their foreheads and laugh and say they were my Chiquita babies. They have continued at now almost 5. Eli does it too. There was a point they even fought over the bananas for the one with the sticker. All those rough moments just made me smile and laugh.

I have lots of cabin fever. I was not able to walk as much outside in January, but I hope that is put on hold since we are back to little ice and warmer weather. I plan to do a big post on pregnancy progress this week. I have not done the best job documenting this time, but I have plans to take a few photos this week and update with the progress on the house. Needless to say floor begins going in today:) We are so close!! The best news is I have made it to 33 weeks. Each week they stay put is even better. The next goal is of course 34 and 35. Every day after that is a huge blessing. My ultimate goal is 38 weeks, but more on that later this week. Happy February to everybody! It is a favorite month here with birthdays and our anniversary.  

Christmas 2015

Oh truly this may have been one of my most favorite Christmases (is that even a word?) we have had. It seems so silly because truly I did only a tiny bit of what we normally do, but I think that is why it may have been my favorite. In this instance less really was more. 

I spent much of December sewing for 5 children! 2 quilts and 6 pair of jammies for the kids. I had begun this project well before we knew we were sending our Christmas to Ecuador. It was a lot of sewing, but it was worth it. I used knits for kids for the first ever. That was an experience and the seam ripper and I may have become best friends much to my displeasure. Either way I am very glad I was able to sew them their clothes. 

Anthony surprised us with Christmas Eve off. It was so nice. We enjoyed a relaxing day. It was nice for me to just breath and put my feet up. Then we went to the Christmas Eve service. The kids had a great time. Of course holding their own candles was their favorite part. We came home to a quick dinner and clean up. Then they opened their Christmas jammies. 

I have wanted to make her a nightgown for her for several years, it just never happens. Finally I did it this year. This girl and her nightgown slays me. Anthony and I just laugh when we see this. She pretty much would live in it if we let her.

Yes, my stomach is really that big!! I don't realize it until I see pictures. 

The kids were actually all asleep by 8:30 which I think is a first. Presents were all wrapped well before 9:30 and we actually were not up all night getting ready. It was really wonderful. I only had presents to wrap from family and a set of pjs for each child.

Unfortunately I slept on the couch due to  being uncomfortable and had a little girl up almost every hour trying to look at stockings etc. My child is so me. That was me as a kid. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep, but that is ok. They did stay in bed until 7:30 so I can't really complain. 

Anthony and the kids gave me the best present by helping me get the house really clean. I have been neglecting certain things and we did a really good clean and organized a few things. It felt good. It was driving me nuts, but I had no energy to fix it. It may have been the best present ever. 

Anthony and I enjoyed a wonderful date night seeing Star Wars thanks to Grandma. We relaxed the rest of the weekend and had Christmas with Anthony's family on Saturday. The kids all have colds of some sort. At this age it is so much easier to handle. I got to thinking about having a baby with a cold again and realized wait there will be 2! LOL Sunday we relaxed due to them all feeling bad. I worked on getting all the laundry done. We ended up having a movie night and enjoyed that. I even had intermission with popcorn.

It truly was the best Christmas. It was just so relaxing and we did more family than presents. Anthony and I agreed they had the perfect amount to open. There was a mess of trying to figure out where we were going to put all this stuff. The trash wasn't overflowing. There just wasn't a mess and they were not overstimulated. We pretty much decided we will probably keep it this way. We loved being able to give for Christmas to somebody else. Less really was more!

Now we are preparing for some winter weather finally. Unfortunately I don't think it is the weather that is very kind to us. We are in for an ice storm and are preparing to lose power. It is reminiscent of two years ago. Thankfully we are past the holidays instead of before. The laundry is done, dishes are done, and I think we are as prepared as we can be. Here is to hoping we keep our power and not too much damage is done. I don't think our maple can take any more falling limbs without having to be cut down. 

Finding JOY

The past couple of weeks have been very emotional for me for some reason. I have had a lot of doubts. Many days I am incapable of even keeping the house clean let alone going and doing fun things with the kids. Come 6 I feel like I don't even have the energy to finish up bed time and dinner routines. It is Christmas time and usually Anthony is trying to contain my Holiday Spirit and keep me reigned in. Not this Christmas. I feel bad, we have hardly done even an 1/8th of what we usually do for baking, decorating, Christmas books, and crafts. All this has weighed on my mind of being enough.


This week can be really hard for me too. I am away from my family. While I love Michigan and being here, I always miss home and so many traditions my mom did. I also miss my dear sisters and Grandparents. I am so thankful I do have Anthony's family. We have begun new traditions over the year and it has helped. Between the sadness of the holidays and the past couple of weeks of bad news regarding insurance obstacles I am still trying to figure out and car seat bad news I may have hit my low for the holidays. Many days I was crying and just plain discouraged.

Back story of car seats....trying to find 5 seats that fit in our car has been a bit of a nightmare. We have found seats, but of course it requires at least 3 new ones that are not cheap. They are no less than $200 a piece. Of course the twins are going to have to ride in luxury it seems. I never would dream of spending that on a car seat. I came home crying from that adventure of figuring out the seat situation. It was hard. I sat in the driveway just crying. Then I began praying and fell asleep in bed that night praying. The next day we found one seat for $45. God is good!! I had faith we would find another. Regardless I still felt like we were in an uphill battle with the hospital bills etc. I was not sleeping well, restless leg syndrome has set in. Finally 5 days ago I said enough and have spent days in prayer. Monday came and we couldn't have been blessed anymore than we were. I also have hope that insurance might be finally sorted or at least on the right track. This will save at least $4,000. (Please continue to pray for that situation) We also found another car seat that day for $70! The twins can come home since we now have the required seats for that.


As I sat here at dinner making plans with the kids for baking, the Christmas Eve Service, Christmas dinner, and the weekend I could just cry for JOY! This month has been a roller coaster. In all honesty it has been the toughest Christmas for me. I felt so inadequate as a mother. In the end I have found the JOY in  the little things and the blessings God has given us. It may not be my ideal Christmas, but it is the perfect one for this season of life. God gave us two babies for a reason. I have no idea why. Many people would give so much just for that. I know He is going to take care of our needs. I just don't know how. We talked about next year being their first Christmas and all the fun. I can't wait. It will be crazy, but wow the memories we will have.


This weekend will mark 28 weeks! At that point if they came their chance of survival is very high. I do not of course want them to come. I want them in there for at least 10 more weeks, but we have hit a milestone! Next goal is 32 weeks! I am feeling all of huge! Baby B is hanging out transverse at the top of my stomach really making me uncomfortable. She did switch today. I have hope she moved head down. If she did that will make my delivery even better. If not we hope she turns. We also are so much closer to names. I have picked out their outfits for the hospital bag. The best news I have car seats. Cravings I still have none. I have gained all of 5 lbs. at this point, but my pants are getting too big everywhere but the stomach. Sleeping is going better as long as I exercise during the day. All in all we are doing well. I am pushing through. I laugh at myself daily for how huge my stomach is, but there are 3 of us!!!

The story of Mary walking all the way to Bethlehem is especially touching to me this year. The sacrifice to bring our Dear Savior to earth was wonderful. It has made me ponder that part of the story more and realize how even more blessed I am. I at this point will not have to deliver around barnyard animals. It may not be my ideal situation, but it sure beats a stable. The King of Kings born in a stable and here I worry about the twins being born in the Hospital. I should be joyful I have a better place. Perspective and reflection is sometimes the best thing for finding the JOY.

If this holiday season is hard for you, I encourage you to find the JOY in the little things. Realize what you do have. As we send our Christmas to Ecuador to those with nothing remember you probably have more than them. You may not have the best or biggest gift, but you have food, more clothing than they do, probably a bed, and the fact that your child will more than likely survive it's first year. We are so utterly blessed even with bills and "not enough money." I have found my JOY and I can't wait to enjoy Christmas morning thinking about next year with FIVE wonderful kids around the tree and wrapping paper flying. 

December 2015 10 on 10

Yesterday I got halfway through shooting for a 10 on 10. I would have finished, but unfortunately I had to go to OB triage to make sure somethings were ok with the babies and I. Everything is great and fine so we are good. It just meant for a long day sitting at the hospital. Thankfully it went well and hopefully no more scares!!


As I was getting breakfast going this little girl was hiding and being a goon.

I had slept on the couch the night before. This blanket is mine, but this little girl is a soft blanket thief:) I can count on her to come cuddle with me every morning and curl up in my blanket. Today she curled up on the couch and watched a nature show with Eli and Ari. 

Of course our Elves have made their appearance this season. They had gotten into the cookies the night before.

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We worked on crafts during school. They kids like to decorate the windows so they cut out Christmas designs and decorated them. We hung them.

The "box" man aka UPS man could not have timed his arrival any better yesterday. As I was trying to get bags packed for kids in case we were gone through the night and make phone calls to Dr., Child care, and Anthony, Woody our box man arrived with Eli's Mine Craft Lego. Eli has been working since September to save enough money to buy this. He worked for other people and us to save money for his savings account, tithe, and then for his wants which was this. He knew it was coming on Wed. The kids sat and put it together while I got the last few things together. It was perfect.

I spent the rest of the day hanging out with these two and Anthony. Baby A is very head down and really in position. Baby B is laying across the top of my stomach. They look like a tangled mess. These pictures are from last week. They were in different positions then . Baby B was on baby A'S head so we have not gotten very good pictures of her. None of them have been great of her so it will be fun to see her when she is born. They weigh each about a pound and half. That is a lot of baby in there!! LOL Of course Ultrasound can be off some which is expected. I am definitely feeling it. Last stomach measurement I was measuring 36 weeks!! I was only 24 weeks. LOL I am so in trouble. I finally can't zip my pants, but my belly band is working. Other than that not a whole lot going on.

25.5 days today. One day I might actually use my camera to take a picture.

Click to read Shannon's 10 on 10 http://shannondoherty8.blogspot.com/2015/12/december-10-on-10.html

Christmas Magic

We finally took care of some of the "hoarder" elements of the downstairs this weekend and began decorating. When I say we I mean Anthony and the kids. I had to take it easy this weekend after doing too much all week. I am so thankful they all jumped in and did some much needed house chores I just have not had the energy to get to. The house may still look a bit like a mess, but it is improving. We found a place for the tree and put up a few decorations so that part is wonderful. I felt a lot better after that. 

Decorating this year may have been the easiest yet. The kids could be handed things and they put them where they needed to go. They loved it. Only one thing was broken and that was by dad, but that is ok. We did have a few meltdowns, but compared to past years I would say it was a lot easier and took a lot less time. Next year may be a different story with two babies:) Regardless there is something so magical about watching the tree being put up through children's eyes. They just bring out the joy and wonder of Christmas. 

I have no idea how I will fit two babies into this scene next year but I am excited for that prospect. Now if I could just keep their hands off the tree everyday. We may have to have a night of touching like I usually do and then off limits again.

Let the Christmas music play on continuous and let us enjoy lots of hot chocolate and snuggles around the tree. It really is the most magical time of year.