Princess Hadley

Just Born

First picture with Mommy & Daddy
She screamed for the first few hours after she was born, working those little lungs.
First Family Photo
Quiet time with Daddy

Getting ready to go home from the hospital- Hadley at almost 2 days old

Here we go...
really excited about leaving the hospital- yay!
Coen's not too sure about the screaming.
Nana & Hadley
Big Brother Spencer couldn't wait to hold Hadley
Right after this picture Coen decided the swing needed to go faster and started to push the swing higher, now we can't get her to sit in it without screaming (I wonder why).
I couldn't resist the big bows
Our sweet baby girl Hadley came into this world on Friday November 13th at 3:13 pm. She weighed 6 lbs. 14 oz. (my mom thinks they were off by an ounce, it should have been 13) and 20 inches long. Although I had no intention of being induced this time around since I had to be induced with both of the boys, the doctor felt that since it's not possible for me to have an epidural or pain meds. during labor & delivery, and Hadley was already 2 days over her due date, that we needed to induce before she became any larger. Since i've done this before, the nurses left me alone to labor with just Karl & I. The exercise ball, my back massager (Karl), an ipod full of rock music and repeating Philippians 4:13 over & over & over really got me through. Once the pitosin kicked in I had 3 hours of major labor, told the nurse to go get the doctor and I pushed 3 times and Hadley was born. We are so in love with her, as are the boys who can't keep their hands off of her. She's already so different from the boys, even her cry is such a girl cry. After our first week with our baby girl, we're slowly beginning to adjust to life with 3 kids and the feeling of being completely outnumbered. We're trying to get her on a better sleep schedule, but keeping a newborn awake during the day is impossible so we get a few hours of sleep here & there during the night, but this was expected. The hard part is having to keep up with 2 boys during the day when Karl & I are exhausted. We feel so blessed and happy and hoping our transition to a family of 5 continues on this smoothly. I'll continue to post pictures as often as I'm able (and awake).

Lots of Halloween Fun (& the Circus)

Our visit to the Circus (Nana & Popo take all of us to the Circus every year)


Now for the Halloween Fun & costumes- Buzz Lightyear & Optimus Prime
Boo At The Zoo- they're trying to look scary here
We found a turtle wandering around
the Zoo Carousel
Grants Farm Halloween
We took Nana & Popo along with us too.
Please ignore the monstrous preggers lady in the picture
of course we had to ride this Carousel too
the boys weren't too sure of this witch and Spencer was concerned b/c he was breathing in smoke- he was worried it was cigarette smoke (yes, i've trained him well).
a Hot Chocolate break
and Coen's 1st beer... kidding people, it's Hot Chocolate too.
Trunk or Treat at our Church- Spencer with his good buddies, Aly & Megan
Coen & cousin Gracie
the cousins hanging out in Nana & Popos trunk
Carving Pumpkins- boys decided it was too gross and Daddy had to do it all
but they still had fun.
Halloween Night- pumped and ready to go

We love Halloween time and all the fun things to do and the boys love being able to wear their costumes everywhere to every event. This Halloween was a little challenging since Coen & I have been pretty sick with nasty colds and Coen had a 5 day fever with ear infection. Also, being 9 months pregnant didn't make things much easier so I'm a little relieved October is officially over and my calendar is beginning to look empty. Baby girl is due in about a week and I go to the doctor tomorrow morning (Tuesday morning) to find out how things are moving along. As of a week ago I've started to dilate and am halfway effaced so we'll see. I don't feel ready, but i'm not sure I could ever be 100% ready. She'll come when she's ready and I guess I'll just have to go along with her & God's schedule.

Rombach Pumpkin Patch

Every year since Spencer was 8 months old we've been going to Rombach Pumpkin Patch (the same Pumpkin Patch my parents always took me to) to pick our pumpkins. It's our little tradition and if you look back through the years on my blog you will see Spencer (& a couple years of Coen) in nearly the exact same type of photos. It has become one of our favorite photo op. spots and I always love to look back at the photos of the boys at Rombach. My parents have very similar pictures of Becky, Stevie & I also in the same spots at Rombach, not much has changed in 30 years. This year we decided to take our pumpkin patch trip a little earlier than usual since we have no idea when baby girl will decide to show up, but the weather was perfect chilly Fall weather. We're hoping to get in some more fun Halloween stuff every weekend depending on how well I hold up. I went to the doctor today and baby girl is 4 lbs. 12 oz., a little on the small side, so I had to have my 5th Ultrasound for this pregnancy. Doctor isn't worried & baby looks great, Dr. just thinks she'll be in the 5 lb. area when she's born (which is what I was as well) so she must take after her mommy. I'll post more pics. of our Halloween fun and baby info. as I get it so stay tuned.

I'm Back

Coen started Preschool (a.k.a. Mother's Day Out) in mid-September, these were supposed to look much better than they did but Coen didn't notice.
Big Boy on his first day of school, can you tell he's in a Thomas & Toy Story phase?


Spencer's first Soccer practice and Karl's first time as Soccer coach, they both did great!

and the First Soccer Game, Coen is trying to whistle like the guy behind us.
Spencer's the one kicking the ball

and then Coach Karl made him goalie half way through (he loved it, i did not). In fact, Coen & I moved behind the goal to cheer him on and make sure he wasn't getting injured. Yes, i'm a little overprotective.
Celebrated nephew Jackson's 1st Birthday, after this pic. my battery died so this is all I got. Luckily it turned out cute!
and while Karl was in Colorado for his brother, Lee's, wedding I took the boys to the opening of the Curious George exhibit at the Magic House.
the slide was the biggest hit, i think they went down at least 20 times each.

September was a busy month with both boys in school, Spencer & Karl starting Soccer, Lee & Jessica got married and we celebrated Jackson's 1st birthday. Whew, and October is looking even busier. Anyways, Coen had his first day of school and it went wonderfully. He gave me a kiss & hug then waved good-bye, i stood there thinking "this is it?" but I'm relieved that he didn't throw the screaming, crying fit that Spencer did on his first day of MDO. I warned the teachers he would try to escape and of his activeness, i don't think they believed me at first since Spencer was so quiet and would never try something like that. They told me when i came to pick him up that he did actually try to escape and made it out to the lobby, which wasn't that shocking but i'm just hoping they keep the door closed from now on. Spencer & Coen are both loving school and having a great time. Spencer has made so many friends and received a perfect score on his first progress report. Coen would much rather play alone, but he's having fun painting, gluing and singing at school. In other news, Karl volunteered to be Spencer's soccer coach for the Kindergarten & 1st Grade Soccer team. Karl used to play soccer in High School so he loves that Spencer is following in his footsteps, the only challenge of going to the practices and games is keeping Coen off of the field. Coen wants to play so badly with Daddy & Spencer and will often just burst into tears screaming "DADDY" on the sidelines while i have to hold him back. Yeah, I don't love that part, but everyone on our team is so used to this now they don't even seem to notice. Also, I want to wish Jackson a Happy 1st Birthday and a Congratulations to Lee (my brother in-law) and Jessica who were recently married in Colorado. My doctor advised that i not go since I'm due soon, but Karl was the Best Man and had so much fun spending time with all of his family. Unfortunately he forgot the camera so I don't have pictures, but i'm hoping to see some soon. I'm really trying to get back to blogging & Karl is patiently trying to teach me how to get the pictures off the camera and onto this Mac laptop so before long i plan to be an expert like i was on my old laptop. I'll soon be posting lots of Halloween pics. so check back.

Disney on Ice & Our Anniversary

Of course we had to stop at the Disney souvenirs before we even found our seats.


The Favorites of the Day: Aladdin
Woody
Pinocchio
Nemo
The Incredibles
Mickey Mouse
and Jessie & Buzz (Coen was standing on my legs trying to get their attention waving his arms in the air and Jessie waved back at him, he was so excited).
Celebrating our 9 year Anniversary
Us & our baby girl (at 30 weeks)
At Ruths Chris Steakhouse- YUMMY
Last Weekend we took the boys to the Disney on Ice show, this show and the Circus are our 2 must see shows every year. The boys favorites were by far Toy Story and The Incredibles, these are the 2 movies we switch off with on every Sunday night movie night. The boys just go crazy over these characters & movies. The big bore of the afternoon were the Disney Princesses. It was the only point in the show Coen stopped paying attention and started getting antsy and the only thing Spencer had to say about the princesses is that he could see their underwear when they skated, he thought they needed longer dresses. Luckily that part went by pretty quickly and we were onto more exciting, action packed things. We're already talking about next years show and what characters will show up, they may have to learn to be a little more tolerant of the princesses from now on though since we have a little princess soon to make an appearance. Also last weekend Karl & I celebrated our 9th Wedding Anniversary, I seriously can't believe how fast the years flew by. We went out to Ruths Chris Steakhouse (Karl's pick) for steak and the best chocolate mousse i've ever eaten. To be honest, I was much more interested in getting to the dessert part. I'm a lucky girl to have found such a man to tolerate my quirky self and loves me anyway and someone who also shares the same morals, beliefs & values as myself. Although luck had nothing to do with it and God had everything to do with it.