Being Thankful

As I sit here in the dark of the early morning on Thanksgiving Day, my mind swirls with the past year and all it's craziness it has held for our family.  We have endured quite a bit of loss and hardship, but one might never know it.  We have so much to be thankful for I am unsure of where to begin.  Since last Thanksgiving the following (good and bad) have happened...

My parents moved closer, we lost a baby, we celebrated Rowena's first birthday, I passed the NCE (counselor exam), reconnected with an old friend, Peter lost his job, I graduated, I found a job in a private practice.

Now that I write that out, we didn't have many bad things happen, but the bad hit hard.  Anyway...despite the bad that happened, we have been surrounded with love, generosity, and kindness from so many.  Our family has been very supportive, caring, and giving.  Peter's former coworkers showered us beyond anything we could imagine...I am still in awe of their kindness, thoughtfulness, and generosity.

This brings me to what I am thankful for this year...

1.  My Husband!  Peter...what can I say.  We have been through so many ups and downs throughout the years of being together.  All the nonsense drama in college of dating and breaking up and dating and breaking up (ahahah-7 times, it just makes me laugh), moves, job changes and losses, pregnancies and children, being able to buy whatever we want whenever we want to scrapping pennies.  Yet, here we are, almost 16 years later and we will soon be celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary.  You moved from the amazing city of Chicago to BFE, Indiana to be with me...and the rest is history.  I love our life together.  I cannot imagine a more perfect person to spend my life with.  Every day I look at you and cannot believe you chose me.  I am so lucky to have a loving, supportive, thoughtful, and funny partner in life.  You are truly my best friend.  No one understands me like you do.  You know when to back off, when to challenge me, when to make me laugh, when to be serious, when to hug, when to let go.  I cannot thank you enough for all that you do for me.  I'm not sure if you truly know how amazing you are as a husband and a father, but I know that our daughters are beyond lucky to have such a loving, involved dad in their life, as I am to have you as my partner, husband, and best friend.  I love you and am forever grateful for you! xoxoxo

2.  My children, without whom life wouldn't be the same.  My daughters challenge and irritate me daily, yet they also make me smile and laugh, and leave me in wonder and awe and over-joyed daily.  I cannot imagine life without them and it saddens me at times that life moves so fast that Delaney will be celebrating her SEVENTH birthday in just a little over 2 weeks!  It amazes me how very different three girls from the same parents can be.  We have our sensitive competitor, our goofy and funny princess who is oddly obsessed with farts and burps and other bodily functions, and our fiesty sweetheart--who knows what she wants and is sassy yet will also smother you with love.

3.  My Parents.  I have two wonderful, amazing, thoughtful, supportive parents.  While I gave them, or at least my mom, hell in junior high and parts of high school (and many moments when I was younger, I'm sure), they never gave up on me, loved me unconditionally, and gave me the freedom to make my own decisions and mistakes.  I think that is one of the most important thing a parent can do...allow their children freedom to make mistakes and go down the wrong path now and then.  I can only hope that I will as brave a parent to allow my children the same freedom.

4.  My brothers.  Ah, the challenges and hatred and love that have been there throughout our childhood and into adulthood...I have two awesome brothers.  Brian and I have come the furthest, I'd have to say.  Brian did not care for me while we grew up, and we fought...A LOT.  However, now, I consider him one of my best friends. I tend to confide in him when I don't know where else to turn, when I feel lost or hopeless, and I miss him so very, very much!  I am grateful for his brave move to California, as I think it has helped him because a very successful person...but I can't help be selfish in that I miss him and wish he were closer!  I've always had a good relationship with Wesley.  He played with me a lot as a kid, allowed me to play school with him all the time and dress him up like a girl...he was the best doll ever!  Him and I are still close and I love that he has started his life with his amazing wife, Leann.  I am also grateful that he and Leann are making me an Aunt in 2011! :)

5.  My In-Laws.  When I married Peter, I inherited another family.  I am grateful to say that I am very fortunate with the family that was attached to him!  While my mother-in-law and I can go back and forth on some debates, I truly respect her and her opinions.  She a very loving and caring person who has been through more than I can imagine.  She is a strong and independent woman that I enjoy spending time with, and am grateful that my children can call her Nana.  I love how she has them visit her individually in the summer for a few days--what wonderful memories she is making with them!  My father-in-law has been wonderful and fun throughout the years.  He has been an amazing Grandpa to our girls, who love and adore him.  They have already made so many exciting memories of him and Paula, with ice skating, swimming, boating, picnics, fishing, and digging for worms.  My brother-in-laws, well...let's just say I consider Joe and Dan my brothers.  Joe lived with us for a few months back in 2003 and I think that really helped our relationship.  He is so comfortable in our home and with the girls.  He is so talented and the girls adore him.  Dan...we rarely see Dan, as he is so busy and lives so far.  However, Dan always makes for a nice visit when he is in town and the girls really look up to him.  And, now, I have added a SISTER-in-law to my family this past year.  As you know, I'm the only girl, and therefore have no sisters, and Peter has no sisters.  Leann is a wonderful addition to my in-laws.  She is kind and smart, funny and so enjoyable to spend time with.  She is an amazing Aunt to the girls, and they are beyond happy to "finally" have an aunt...and soon--a first cousin as well.  I consider Leann to be more than just a sister-in-law, but a friend as well.

6.  My friends, without whom, life would be lonely.  My friends are made up of some very different people.  I am grateful for college and grad school that opened up my world of friends.  I love my friends...but, of course, who doesn't?  You get to pick them, after all, right?  What a great source of laughter and support.  Shoulders to cry on, faces to laugh with, people to help with advice and just listen.  As the Girl Scout song goes...Make new friends, but keep the old...One is silver and thee other's gold.  I am so grateful for the friends I've had for years and those I have just met.  I love you all!

7. Our Home, Our Neighbors.  I love our home.  It may not be huge, but works for us.  It provides shelter and warmth, of course, but more importantly, it is a place where we begun and are raising our family.  Memories are made here all the time.  Our neighbors are WONDERFUL.  They really look out for one another, provide a great sense of home and security, and have become an extension of our family.

So...after all this "mushy" stuff...I am going to sign off and spend the day with those I love most--my family.  I hope everyone is thinking of what they are thankful for and enjoying a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Goy Update...37 Weeks

I went to the doctor today and here is where we stand:

Dialated: 1cm
Effaced: 50%
Weight Gain: 25 lbs (although last week it was 28 lbs)

Doctor gave me the "go ahead" to have the baby whenever now that I've made it to term (37 weeks).  However, we're hoping to make it through next Tuesday night as we have a lot between now and then.  But, I doubt we'll go too early with this one.  I just have that feeling. 

For those that have asked, this how early the other girls were...

Delaney-15 days early.  My water broke around 2:30 a.m. on a Friday morning.  They had to induce me several hours later because my body wasn't going into labor naturally.  From the time my water broke to birth--17 hours.  I had an epidural and pushed for four hours straight...it was hell.  It wasn't until I got the epidural that my contractions really took off and I dialated.  Delaney was born at 7:34 p.m. on December 12th

Katie-17 days early.  I woke up around 12:30 a.m. and told Peter I thought I was in labor. Since he just started a job and was getting up early he told mme to wake him if I knew for sure.  About 5 minutes later, I woke him up and called my mom to come over and watch Delaney.  The contractions were very intense and regular, and fast.  We got to the hospital around 2 a.m. and were in a room around 2:10 or so.  I asked for the epidural, and the doctor (as he walked in) said to order it when the nurse just responded "there's no time."  Doctor Egan took a look and immediately gowned up and was ready.  Katie was born at 2:33 a.m. on July 22nd after less than two hours of labor and two pushes.

Rowena-3 days early.  Doctors decided to induce me since I was still going to school 2-3 days a week which meant my hospital was 45 minutes away in winter.  I got to the hospital around 8am, and they got me finally hooked up to pitocin around 10:30 or so.  Things were progressing fine, but nothing unmanageable.  I got up to go to the bathroom around 12:15, felt intense pain, and my water broke.  I asked for an epidural as the contractions really intensified then.  Epidural didn't take as well as it should have.  I couldn't feel my legs, but could still feel the pain of contractions.  Rowena was born at 1:48 p.m. on February 25th.

Soon...I can tell you Goy's birth story, but until then, the next appointment is Tuesday at 9am...so I'll update after that. 

Ready for School? Definitely Ready to be a Big Girl!

I do not fear that Rowe will want to be a "baby" again once Goy arrives.  She emulates her sisters too much.  She is always trying to be a big girl.  She likes to sit at the table and not in a high chair, tries to dress herself, wants to drink out of a regular cup vs. a sippy, etc.  In fact...the other day, she was ready for school.  I thought it was SOOOO cute!  She even backed up to the front door for me to take a picture like I do with her sisters.  She was really proud to be sportin' a backpack!!!

How cute is she!?!

Of course, Peter and I kept quoting Something About Mary "Have you seen my baseball?"  ahahhahahah

Pretty in Pink Craziness

After bath on Sunday night, the girls all just happened to be in pink pj's and were sooo hyper.  They just ran around screaming, but had a ball!  They sat for about two seconds for me to capture this picture:

The rest of the time it was more like this...

They had a blast, laughing and screaming and running together.  It was fun to watch!

Home Stretch

I can't believe it...we're in the home stretch.  Today I am 36 weeks along...we only have four weeks left until we expect to meet our newest, and last, HenderBaby!  We are getting ready for Goy's arrival.  We have taken down Riggs' crate and have the bassinett in the family room.  We have his/her diapers all washed and put away.  Now all we have left is to wash the 0-3 month gender neutral clothes and put the mattress in the crib back up to the highest level.

So here is how I progressed over the pregnancy...

At 5 weeks, 5 days...April 15th

At 20 weeks...July 27th

At 27 weeks...September 13th

 

At 36 weeks...November 15th

 

I'm pretty excited. 

UPDATE: As of Wednesday (11/17) the doctor wasn't going to do an internal exam until 38 weeks, but when I mentioned I didn't make it to 38 weeks with 2 of the girls, she did one.  I'm not progressing too much, but am dialated to 1cm and am "very thin" in the world of effacing.  I have been instructed to stay off my feet as much as possible, no heavy lifting, and no sex...at least until my next appointment on Tuesday, November 23rd, as they want to ensure I make it to 37 weeks (i.e. full term).  We'll keep you posted!!!



A Wedding...and I Feel Old

Growing up I couldn't stand when adults would make comments similar to: "OH, I remember when you were this big!" as they put their hand down to their knee.  Even just last week it irritated me when my brother turned THIRTY and people said to me "Oh my, I still think of him as 7."  Really?  You truly can't imagine him older than 7?  I realize that it is just natural, and because the generation before us said it, we say, etc, etc.  I catch myself making these comments and I slap myself in my imagination for doing the very thing that irritates me.  So, yesterday as I watched a beautiful woman get married I had to bite my tongue to not make comments like "Oh, I used to babysit you" or "Gosh, I can't believe you're old enough to get married..." or "I remember you when you used to suck your thumb."  I think I did a pretty good job.

Heidi O got married yesterday to her college sweetheart.  They have a 4 1/2 year old son, and last fall, Brandyn proposed.  I have known Heidi almost since her birth.  My mom babysat her (at-home daycare) and my dad was her teacher for grades 1-3, I believe.  As she grew up, I think I was one of her main babysitters...for her and her sister, Gabi (who is Wesley's age).  I have spent the night at their home and in fact, I lived with them for a summer.  This is a wonderful, generous, welcoming family that I am grateful to know, and honored to be a part of their lives.  So, seeing as I have known Heidi since she was "this big" it was amazing to sit in a pew yesterday and watch her exchange vows.  I went through this a few years ago when Gabi got married too.

I went to the wedding with my parents while Peter stayed home with the girls, as Rowe was napping.  I got home, we got the girls ready and drove .7 miles to the reception.  The girls had a BLAST!  There were only four other little kids there, Delaney and Katie definitely were the oldest, but they had a great time.  The DJ was awesome--he had props for the kids to play with and actually take home--blow-up guitars and microphones, hats, and maracas.  I don't think they left the dance floor all night.  Rowe had fun dancing (in circles until she would be too dizzy to stand), but would come back and hang out with us every once in a while.  Delaney felt very grown up as she would go to the bar and order a water or a "clear pop."

It was a wonderful celebration and we had fun...although Peter and I were definitely hurting by the time we got home!  In fact, we ended up missing a second wedding because we stayed so late at Heidi's wedding and we were so sore.  Here are pictures from our evening...

Girls were comfy right away; playing with the son and nephew of the bride.

 She looks like she's up to something...

 Katie loved dancing with Daddy!

 Delaney danced with anyone and no one all night!

 Rowe requested Poppy on a few occassions to dance

 Katie with the flower girl (Katie)

 The kids enjoying their new, fun toys!

 Delaney caught the bouquet during "All the Single Ladies"

 Delaney with the bride, Heidi

 During the conga line, they got more fun stuff!

 Heidi dancing with her first grade teacher, my dad!

Congratulations, Heidi and Brandyn!  And, I do remember when you were "this big" and I loved being your babysitter!

Love(s) of My Life

 

Rowe Being Silly

Rowena is hilarious.  She does something(s) everyday that just crack us up or leave us asking "Where did that come from?"  Her speech is still minimal, which can be very frustrating for parent and child, but she seems to continue to get what she needs, and probably too much of what she wants.  She's a great eater; will eat just about anything from smoked pulled pork to chorizo scrambled eggs to plain syrup on her plate.  She has stuck with her morning routine of warm milk and dry cereal while she watches a couple of shows.  This morning she decided that her and mom were going to start the day at 5:15 after a wonderful, exhausting night of dancing at a wedding.

As I sit her typing, Rowe is entertaining me by taking clean clothes out of the basket and putting them on her head and walking around (not being able to see).  She just laughes as she smashes into a wall or trips over a toy.  Oh, and she also loves to wear other people's underwear around her neck like a necklace.  Let's just say it's a less than fabulous look, but cracks us up.  She continues to do very well in her big girl bed, but I'm a bit nervous about how she will do when we move her into Delaney and Katie's room.  I think she really likes her room.  And, if/when she does get used to the girls' room, how will she be when we move her back??? This is our plan: while Goy is little and getting up every couple hours, Rowe will share a room with Delaney and Katie.  Once Goy is sleeping through the night better (i.e. 12-5), then we'll move Rowena back.  So, we'll see how it goes.


Here are some recent pictures I've taken of Rowena that make me giggle and really show off her humor...


Refusing to get up after a long walk (Trick-or-Treating).  She just laid there and laughed every time I said, "Okay, let's go back outside to play."  So, we ended up staying inside the rest of the night--which was fine with me.

"Fixing" her nightlight/song box

 Climbing back out of the toybox after she climbed in and just laughed at herself.

 She LOVES when Riggs goes under the ottoman and sticks his head out.  She just pokes at his mouth and various facial features.

 This is after she hid her Baby Jaguar toy/stuffed animal in her shirt and she says (in her own way) "Where'd he go?"