Paris Poodle Party.

Brie, I'm not sure how the scheming of this birthday theme came about, but it was fun that we were both so excited about it.  We spent many of our waiting-for-the-opthmoalagist times looking at pinterest, pinning different favorites and dreaming up your special birthday dinner.  I loved what you dreamed up for your cake! (white cake with touches of pink peppermint throughout and a light pink (candy cane) frosting.  We served it with a seasonal peppermint moose tracks, YUM!)  I thoroughly enjoyed putting all the final touches on dinner and decorations.  For dinner we had rotisserie chicken, golden potatoes, green beans, baguettes and pink lemonade.  

Afterwards we played pin the poof on the poodle :0) then opened gifts.  Dad & I got you a stuffed pink poodle and special "paris" fabrics for future sewing and crafting projects for the two of us to work on together.  Quelle belle soirée!

Eden & Grace.

In September Brie was invited to her friend Eden's (American Girl Doll Grace) birthday party.  You and I worked on making sets of bows for Eden and her doll.  I think they turned out pretty cute and hopefully made for a fun gift without spending a lot of money.  We slipped a box of European cookies in the gift bag as well :0)  I really enjoyed working on the project with you, Brie, and hope that it helped to teach that you can turn something ordinary into something special with a little thought and time.

an extra special Mother's Day.

Not only did I feel so blessed to have my Parents come out to visit after Aimee's birth, but I felt particularly spoiled to have Mémé here for Mother's Day.

Dad sat in the van with you kids while I went in and hand selected flowers to be used for a floral arrangement to give to Mémé.  It turned out just beautiful and I was grateful to be able to do a little something nice for my Mom after all of the MANY things she has done and continues to do for me.

Saturday night my Mom helped me to "puff-erate" some tissue paper puff balls :0)...then I decorated the dining room with flowers, puff balls and garlands.  For breakfast Dad and Bompa made us omelettes (they had a whole assortment of add-ins to choose from) and a smoothie.  Yum!  Bompa stayed home with (a sick) Elijah and with Aimee while the rest of us went to sacrament meeting.  Brie & Alex went up with the rest of the primary kids to sing.  We couldn't really see your faces, but I could tell that Brie was trying to help a crowd-shy Alex to brave and that made me smile.  Then Dad, Mémé and I sang Aimee's song, "Mother Tell me a Story" for one of the musical numbers.  It was honestly very last minute and thrown together, but we got lots of compliments and it was special to be singing with two people that I love so much.  Especially since I have fond memories of Mémé singing to me and my siblings and because this song reminded me of Aimee's recent and special birth.

On Saturday Mémé and I selected and shopped for our dinner menu and then Sunday the men prepared it for us:
Honey-glazed salmon
Herbes of Provence Green Beans
Baked potatoes
Salad

It was delicious and nice to have the evening off from cooking!  Dad sweetly obliged my request to get a bunch of pictures of us four girls.  I think it's significant to have 3 generations of women together and wanted to document it.  (I would have requested a picture with all of you kids, but you boys are extra wound up on Sundays and we were trying to keep Lij away from Aimee so he wouldn't share germs.)

Our home teachers, the Cashes, brought me chocolate-covered strawberries (how nice is that!) and Dad gave me a new crêpe pan and toppings.

Throughout the week Brie showered me with a variety of cards and drawings.  What a sweet girl you are, Brie!  You had a few questionnaires that you filled out for me.  My favorite answers were that my job is to clean the house and that I am good at taking care of babies.  You also brought home a mini bottle of lotion from school and gave me a hand message.  What a fun treat.

It was a one-of-a-kind Mother's Day spent with some of my very favorite people in the world.  I am so grateful for you four who call me Mom.  I learn so much being your mother and you make my life full and meaningful.  I love you Brie, Alex, Lij and Aimee.

P.S. This is the postcard that we sent out.  I decided to send it out early, thinking that I'd be in labor or have a new baby on Mother's Day.  We ended up mailing them on Alex's birthday, little did I know that Aimee would be born the next day!

our family now.

My friend Lenay is a photographer here in town.  A few months back at a Relief Society activity we talked about the idea of swapping newborn photo shoots (she is due at the beginning of June).  So a week after Aimee was born she came over and spent an hour and a half with us.  She used to work for Bella Baby Photography and it was evident that she was accustomed to working with newborns.  When Aimee would get fussy she'd gently press a soft blanket to her arms and it magically helped her settle down.  In any case, she did a wonderful job and I'm grateful to have these pictures officially documenting our now family of six.

She had a few different props and I opted for this cradle with a heart since Aimee's name means loved.  The pink blanket is from Mémé and since has been transformed into an adorable blanket for Aimee to carry around and snuggle with.

I just love these few shots of Brie with her baby sister.

When trying to figure out outfits for the shoot I was considering doing neutral.  Then I decided that with a second girl in our family I wanted to go super girly...lots of pink, tulle and this ridiculously large flower headband ;0)  As over the top as it was, I love how it all turned out.

Aimee's tulle skirt is special because it was given to her by her Grauntie Elaine, one of the dear "beloved" women that she is named after.

  This one with Dad and you girls is another favorite.  He loves his girls!

 We had to get one with Alex and his adored Aimee :0)

This is the birth announcement I came up with to send out to {great} grandparents..."April showers brought our family a beautiful baby girl, then May flowers."

That gorgeous blossoming tree is our neighbors.  Those branches were reaching over our fence the week Aimee was born and I couldn't resist including them with the announcement.  What a beautiful time for a baby girl to be born.  The little closeup shot I took one afternoon.  I had just fed you, Aimee, in my craft room and propped you up on a pillow so I could work on thank you cards.  You often rest on me like that after nursing and I just had to snag a shot.  I grabbed the headband to complete the look and my camera and just happened to get one of you smiling.  I just love how it turned out.

Introducing Aimee Alecia.

Aimee Alecia Graden 

Born April 25, 2015 @ 8:44 AM

7 lb. 13 oz.   20 1/2 "

 Dad is tickled pink to have another little girl.  The morning he came to pick you & me up to take us home, he came in with a huge grin and gifts for his Aimee :0)

I just love this picture that Dad took of us three.  How I love my girls!  We came home on a Monday.  For Family Home Evening that night we decorated cupcakes to celebrate your birthday :0)  Dad also brought me home a beautiful bouquet to congratulate me on a job well done.

Alex wanted to get you flowers and picked out the adorable little watering can filled with purple cyclamens.  He adores you!  So do I.  What a sweetheart you are.

 We couldn't be happier to have you in our home.  We love you dearly, sweet Aimee.

Surprise Birthday!

28 April 2015

Dear Aimee,

     Today is 8 years since Dad & I got engaged…and guess who is here with us??  YOU!!  You planned your own surprise birthday party ;0)  Last week I was going to update you on how things were going, but almost every evening I would sit down at the computer you were move your head in such a way that was so painful that I couldn’t sit and tried to lay down and stretch out to give you more room to move.  Along with that, I was having some pretty strong contractions.  Maybe that’s what was making you squirm so!  They’d usually come around bed time and were pretty intense.  Several nights I had Dad warm up a rice pack for me to use.  That seemed to help me fall asleep.  I’ve never had such strong irregular contractions leading up to the other kids’ births, so I wasn’t sure what was going on.  I should have had a checkup on Friday, but I had switched it to Tuesday so Dad could be home to watch the boys.  Just to say that I wasn’t sure how I was progressing dilation and all.  I texted Mémé, who is in Central America, and told her I wasn’t sure how long you’d last…and that May 7^th (when her and Bompa are going to arrive in Normal) seemed like forever away.  Sure enough, you had other plans for us! 
     Friday Alex celebrated his 4^th birthday.  It was an awesome day focused totally on him!  (He LOVES celebrations and has SO been looking forward to his birthday…it was thoughtful of you to give him his day to be in the spotlight :0))   Thankfully Dad & I got to sleep around 10:30, earlier than the normal 11:00-12:00 that has been the case the last few weeks.  A little after 1AM I woke up to some really strong contractions.  I got up to go to the bathroom and got back in bed.  The contractions were hanging on.  Over the next few minutes I had to use the bathroom 2-3 more times, which is not typical for me and made me think that maybe I was in labor.  As I walked back to the bed, with this realization in mind, I started shivering and my teeth were chattering.  What in the world was going on, I thought.  I laid down next to Dad and squeezed his arm as I breathed through an intense contraction.  Was I in labor?  As opposed to the other pregnancies I had been having these preliminary contractions…was my body just gearing up again?  These ones felt so intense though!  I started panicking a bit, knowing that if I went into labor then Mémé would not be there like I had hoped.  Dad would be there, but who else would help me through labor??  The contractions were already so intense that I feared trying to get through the STRONGER ones without a support team.  I woke Dad up and explained what had been going on the last 15 minutes or so.  He got up to use the bathroom and I laid in bed shaking, chattering and crying.  While waiting for him I prayed, explaining my fears and realizing that the shaking was probably because of my anxiety.  The thought came to me that I could go to the hospital, get an epidural and have a peaceful birth experience.  I have NEVER ever wanted an epidural, but the thought of it now brought me comfort.  I continued to pray that I could settle down and stop shaking and within seconds the shivering had subsided.  I felt such a close connection to Heaven.  Dad called the doctor on call, described what was going and was advised to take me in to be checked out at the hospital.  He then called our home teacher's family and (as previously arranged) his wife, Bernadette, said that she’d come right over. While waiting Dad gave me a priesthood blessing. I got out of bed, went to the bathroom, got my shoes on, put a pink hoodie on over my pink night gown and grabbed my hospital bag.  I told Bernadette that I felt funny heading to the hospital when I wasn’t even in active labor, she reassured us that it was a good idea and to go ahead and get on our way.   
     Dad drove the van.  It was an unusually peaceful ride to Brommen.  We made some chit chat, especially about how crazy it was that here right after Alex’s birthday we were headed to the hospital to maybe have another birthday.  As we drove through campus I was amazed to see how many students were out walking around at 2:00 in the morning.  We pulled up to the front valet parking and Dad parked.  I had just one contraction since leaving the house, just before I stepped out of the car and it wasn’t even that bad.  We grabbed my bags and headed in.  The security guard asked if I was in labor and I kind of chuckled and said, not really but explained how this was our fourth baby and that we’d been told to come in.  A few minutes later we walked in to triage, dressed in to a hospital gown, got hooked up to contraction and baby monitors and then the nurse checked to see how dilated I was.  She was not gentle or quick at all.  It was the most painful and thorough cervical check I’d had to date, after which she announced that I was probably at a four, but apologized and said that it was tricky to tell and that she was going to have someone else check me.  After she left Dad and I joked that if I hadn’t been in labor that after that check I would be!  The other nurse came in, checked and said that I was a very soft six! ( Yay!  So those contractions had been doing something!) and that I was indeed in active labor.  What a surprise, but how exciting that our baby girl would be joining us so soon!  
     We headed down the hall to room 1226 and I climbed in to the bed.  One of the nurses came in to put in my IV.  I barely felt a prick and was so grateful for how smoothly and painlessly it went in.  They started me on fluids and called the anesthesiologist to come in for my epidural.  I was laying on my side and breathing through the contractions that now seemed to be coming.  One hand was gripping the hospital bed railing and the other was holding Dad’s hand.  He gently talked me through the contractions.  It seemed like only twenty minutes passed, but it was probably closer to an hour before I’d made it through the (preparatory) bag of fluids and that the anesthesiologist arrived.  It was a special time where I felt very in tune with the spirit.  Little ideas would come of how to move my leg, relax my neck, what to focus on, how to breathe.  The distinct thought came that God was being my doula.  It was just God, Bry and I making it through those contractions and in a relatively calm way.  In fact when Dr. (John M) Jaworowicz came in a saw me he mentioned several times how tired I looked and suggested that he I go ahead and stay on my side while he administer the epidural.  Little did he know that I wasn’t tired, just in my zone, but I felt blessed that I didn’t have to change positions.  It helped me to stay focused as he put in the needle and tube. (That was definitely the scariest part of the whole experience.  I was gripping the bed rails so tightly, writhing around a bit and trying to brave, but even then I felt like the spirit was telling me not to fear, that getting an epidural was the right thing and that it would be just fine.  I was so grateful for those thoughts of reassurance!)  Once it was done I was asked to turn on my back so that the medicine could equally numb my legs and lower back.  At that point I was pretty relaxed and we chatted with Dr. Jawarowicz as he sat there to make sure everything was correctly in place and that I was getting the intended relief.  Within a few minutes the nurse said that I’d had a contraction and asked if I’d felt it, not at all.   He’d done a great job, things looked good so he left.  It was a little after 4AM at that point.  As the anesthesia took greater effect I was caught off guard by a few unintended consequences.  My legs were so numb that I couldn’t move them and that sensation made me feel claustrophobic (as if someone was sitting on my legs and I couldn’t get them off).  Also, I could barely feel when contractions came, but could still feel her move (she’d typically squirm around just before a contraction would come and my uterus would tighten).  It was so odd to just be lying there, waiting, not really knowing what was happening under the surface and when things would move along---it gave me an anxious pit in my stomach that I couldn’t shake.  I had to start focusing on positive thoughts instead of the unusual stillness.  Dad thought I was resting, so I explained what was going on and the anxiety I was feeling.  I asked if he could rub my feet and legs.  That at least helped to give me some input.  A little bit later I asked if he’d sing to me.  He started singing me hymns and that calmed me down enough that I was able to fall asleep.  What a sweet husband!  
     It was probably around 6AM when the nurse checked me.  I was at 7cm, not much progress in the four hours that I’d been there.  They called Dr. Dameron and she suggested that they start me on Pitocin and that I had a bulgy bag and when she came in she’d probably break my water.  Normally I would have not wanted the interventions, but since I had an epidural and was already to a 7, the plan seemed good to us.  The Pitocin hadn’t really seemed to have kicked in very much. When Dr. Dameron arrived she checked me (I was at a squishy 8) and went ahead and broke my water, letting us know that there was meconium in the amniotic fluid (nothing too bad) and that they’d make sure to suction you quickly once you were born.  Breaking my water didn’t seem to help a lot either so next time Dr. Dameron came in to check me (I was still at a squishy 8).  When the next contraction came she helped things along and tried to stretch out the remaining edges of my cervix.  Good thing I couldn’t feel the pain during that, the pressure alone was pretty intense!  I think it was at that point that Dr. Dameron asked the nurses to up the Pitocin by 3 (I think?).  Thankfully through all of this I could barely feel anything.  When particularly strong contractions would come I could feel just the edge and was grateful I wasn’t feeling more!  It really made for a calm overall experience.  
     Next thing I knew, by my OB’s request, I was supposed to try pushing.  Unfortunately (and I’m not sure why) they had me almost completely on my back for that part.  It was such an uncomfortable position, but it didn’t seem like I had much choice, so I went along with it.  It was a completely different experience than I’d had with Elijah’s birth, not nearly as intuitive, but it worked out.  The nurse (Melissa) helped to talk me through it for a minute or two until Dr. Dameron came in to take over.  I couldn’t have been pushing for more than five minutes and only had to push through a few contractions.  You crowned very quickly and were coming out almost effortlessly at that point.  Someone said something that made me laugh and they said that I could almost giggle you out.  Before I even knew it you were sliding out.  I later found out that the umbilical cord had been wrapped around your neck and that as I was pushing it must have been tightening because your heart rate would drop.  I’m so glad that we were able to get you out quickly without complication.  I t just made me sad that while I was experiencing very little discomfort you were feeling the full brunt of it :0(  Thankfully you won’t have memory of it.  They suctioned you out quickly then handed you up to me and put you my chest.  I was so happy it brought tears to my eyes!  I was finally holding my dear Aimee.  I was finally seeing your sweet little self.  Everything had gone so smoothly and it really had been a blessed and peaceful birth.  What a wonderful way to welcome you into the world.  

Later that afternoon Dad went home and picked up your siblings so they could come meet you.  They were all SO excited!!  Lij was too short to see you in your bassinet so he pushed a little foot stool over to stand on, then like any good 2 year old brother, was poking you in the eyes ;0)  Brie gave you your birthday present and we sang you "Happy Birthday!"  Then the kids took turns holding you.  Before Dad took the gang back home we of course had to get a picture of our family of SIX.  I don't know how those families do it, with their kids all cutely coordinated, the mother perfectly coiffed and everyone smiling for the "first family picture in the hospital."  We definitely didn't pull that off...At least we're all in the picture and Lij didn't manage to pull out my IV in the process ;0)  

We are all thrilled to have you officially with us, Aimee!

Bangs for a wig.

A few months ago I started thinking about chopping off my hair.  I've been growing it out and had it long for the last five years.  Although it was fun, and had its good moments, I rarely had/took the time to do all the pretty things you can do with long hair...and decided it was time to go back to my {short hair} roots :0)  When Brie heard about my plan, she cutely requested that she get the same haircut as me.  How could I say no to that??  So over Spring break we made a mother-daughter outing of it.  We shared some raspberry frozen yogurt from ColdStone then headed over to Beauty Brands for our hair cuts.  To make a long story short, neither of us got the hair cuts that we'd hoped for, but the manager was great to straighten things out. (I got my hair highlighted and fixed at Colorific and Brie had hers recut at Beauty Brands by a master stylist.)  In the end we love our new dos!  As a side note, I had my hair cut and put in a bag so I could donate my (10 inches of) hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.  Brie followed suite and had her 3 inches put in a bag.  Sadly I had to tell her that it wasn't enough hair to donate.  "Couldn't they use it to make the bangs for a wig?"  I wish!  I told her she could scatter her hair outside so that the birds could use it for their nests.  She seemed contented by that idea.  In any case, I loved our outing and love having similar hair cuts.  This mother-daughter thing is the best!  Can't wait for our little baby girl to join in the fun :0)

Brie's first Spring Break.

23-27 March 2015

Other than Dad & Brie's time off not overlapping (ISU's Spring Break does not correlate with Unit 5's), I was SO excited to have Brie (and Alex) home for a whole week!!  Some of the highlights include:

Watching freezing rain cuddled up on the family room couch * Designing placemats to go along with Brie's new tea set and doing a Tea Party Tuesday * Having the Gublers visit * Swimsuit bubble bath w/ the kiddos in our big tub * Sewing projects (changing pads and burp cloths) * Brie, out of the blue, cleaning the entire kitchen for me * Being Brie's sous chef as she directed the making of our spaghetti & meatball dinner for the elders * Outing to the library * Mother-Daughter outing * Going to the Children's Discovery Museum for the the first time * Meeting up with Dad for lunch at Meathead's * Homemade brownies & "Shirley Temple" * 

Big Sister Date.

 21 March 2015

We decided it'd be fun to take each of you kids on a "big sibling" date before our baby girl is born.  Brie, you were first.  You picked out one of your dresses to wear for the special occasion.  Since you are very much into ALL things baby, Dad & I brought you with us on our tour of the Brommen Hospital Labor & Delivery.  (It was remodeled a few years ago and was beautifully done.)  You loved walking the halls with us but were bummed that there were no babies to see in the nursery.  Afterwards, you picked Noodles & Co for dinner and ordered the Beef Stroganoff, a peach drink and shared a chocolate chip cookie for dessert.  During your date we asked you what you were excited for: changing your sister's diapers and helping her with things.  You can't wait for her to be born!  You're going to be such a WONDERFUL big sister to her.

According to Motorola, 4.

Wow, so much has happened since the last phone update.  And it feels like I'm just shy of  a dozen blog posts I want to do to document the last month...I'm going to start with these pictures to give a taste of what we've been up to.

 I just love this sweet girl.

 Dad reading to you kids while waiting for the Sagers to pick Brie up for school.

 Little Lij as a firefighter.

I've become the unofficial flyer maker for the Primary and Relief Society in our ward.  Here is one of several that I've designed lately.

 Alex & I playing downstairs during Roo's nap.

 I don't even know what this picture was about, but you look worried about something, Roo, and too cute.

 Brie & I getting ready for Valentine's dinner.

 Me & my Sweetie...before I chopped my hair.

 Just after delivering this cute little giraffe ;0)

 Oh you three, how I love you.

 Roo enjoying a movie and some popcorn.

 Building "a city" in the hallway.

 Love your cute baby face profile, Roo.

 Could you be any cuter, sweet Brie?

 Brie & I at a 30 week ultrasound...

 Brie helping me to lay out patches for the Hintze's blanket.

 Brie showing Rose (and gear) for show 'n tell.

 Alex saying hi to his baby sister.

 Roo after decorating himself with stickers.

 Alex & I before taking a snooze together on the couch.

 Eating icecream by {head} lamp when the power unexpectedly went out.

An adorable card Brie made for her friend's birthday.

 Froggy hat :0)

 Roo, looking so grown up and sitting down to take off his shoes.

 30 week Baby Bump.

 You boys covering your ears because the blender was loud.

Selfie at Sam's after ducking into the van to stay warm from the wind while the gas pumped.  SOOOO COLD!!

I love my little stair step children.

 Roo, you will use anything as a blanket.  Here you've snagged the dish towel from the oven handle and snuggled up on the couch.

Dad making minecraft cookies for one of his cubscout's birthdays.  He is so thoughtful like that!

Making "Redbird Cookies" to send with Bry to share with his department.

A little singing Christmas tree that Laura found on our run to the outlet.

Lij decided that oatmeal could work just as well playing in the snow ;0)

After Roo's 2 yr appt, finally forward facing!  BIG BOY!

Silly little man.

 Backyard play date with Me & Alex.  I didn't want to brave the cold, but so glad I did.  Alex loved having me tromp around in the snow with him :0)

 A drawing Brie did of one of her shirts.

 Brie "colored" this dinosaur page in photoshop for Roo's birthday card.

 I know this is NASTY, but I just had to include poor Sue who got covered in poo...thanks to Roo.

 32 week Baby Bump.

 Brie & Dad singing at the piano.

 Me & Brie :0)

 Embellishing Brie's old white onesies for our baby girl.

 Nice enough weather for bubbles!

 Silly kiddos.

 Brie's 2nd note from the tooth fairy.

 An afternoon stroll with Alex, note his shoes.

 Trying to enjoy this long hair before it's gone.

 Brie snuggling up to her sis :0)

 You kids & Dad brought me breakfast in bed after a hard mommy day.

 Snack time outside...Spring is coming!

 Making an apple pie for Pi Day Dessert.

 Our little leprechauns getting ready for some door bell treat ditching.

 Alex helping to man the crêpe maker.

33 week Baby Bump.

 Sometimes when Alex gets up extra early we ask him to set the table for breakfast.  He's getting good!

 Alex was my "naan bread" helper as I got ready for the Relief Society (international) birthday celebration.

 Alex's seed (from sunbeam class) sprouting!

 Dad often subs as pianist in primary.  It's fun that we get to be in there together during 2nd & 3rd hours of church on those days.

 34 week Baby Bump.

 Bry's childhood friend, Brad, teasing the kids after Sunday dinner.

 Tea party Tuesday with the newly designed placemats that Brie dreamed up.

 Getting Matt & Erin's wedding present assembled to take on our trip.

 A CUTE card Brie made for the happy couple :0)

35 week Baby Bump, goodbye long hair.

Saying goodbye to the hermanas.  I've gone to several Spanish-speaking appointments with the spanish-speaking sisters since we've lived here, now we'll have elders instead.  Adios :0(

Elijah's new favorite stuffed animal.  So fitting...Roo :0)