Ryan Jonathan has Arrived!!

I'm so happy to announce that Ryan Jonathan Troyer arrived safely on August 23, 2012 at 7:46pm, weighing in at 7lbs 15oz and measuring 21 inches. It was a very speedy delivery and totally different from what I expected--but that's a good thing! :) I've never gone into labor naturally. I've been induced with every one of my babies until now, so I really didn't know what to expect. I was dead set on going into labor naturally so that I would have the experience, but also because I've been told it is a lot less painful and I really wanted to avoid an epidural this time. I had been having contractions for a few days--at night, of course, so I wasn't getting a whole lot of sleep. Sometimes they'd be strong, but far apart, other times more frequent, but not too strong. It was getting very frustrating, but I was dilating, so I knew SOMETHING was going on. I went into the doctor on Tuesday and he checked me and said I was between 2.5 and 3cm (which is pretty good for me--especially considering I was only 1 day overdue). He tried to strip my membranes, but wasn't really successful as my cervix was still a bit high. Afterwards though, I started having some signs of progress (I'll refrain from more details), which again was more than I'd ever experienced in the past. Fast-forward to Thursday. I had 2 MISERABLE nights of sleep. I'd have contractions from the time I'd go to sleep until around 4:30-5am. Enough to where I couldn't sleep at all. I was exhausted. Jeremy called into work on Wednesday and they told him not to come back until Sept. 25th (whew!! Thank God!) With him home, it made my life so much easier. No worries about knowing when to call him and no stress about having to do everything around the house, so that was a huge blessing. So Thursday morning I awoke feeling extremely tired and not so happy. I was SO ready to have this baby. My good friend called and said she'd be here around 11am to visit and take my mind off of everything. Another good friend called and brought me treats from the local Farmer's Market...my OTHER good friend was in the same boat as me...overdue with #6 and just as miserable as I was. It was good to have them all over and have a nice distraction. Good friends are such a blessing and I have some pretty awesome friends. While they were here, I had ONE (yes, just ONE) strong contraction. I was discouraged. We had some good fellowship time and as they were leaving, I started feeling more consistent contractions--as long as I was up and moving. I couldn't even make it up my stairs without having a contraction I'd have to stop and breathe through, but as soon as I'd sit, I'd have NOTHING. It was very strange. I started to have some "bloody show" and pressure that made me feel something was going on. I called my dad and told him I thought they should come down. They are 2.5 hours away and I NEEDED them to be here for my other children, especially the youngest ones as I knew having mommy away was going to be a bit difficult on them. This is something I had stressed a LOT about, but of course, God is SO good and His timing is SO perfect!! I told my dad that I wasn't sure if this was labor, but if they came down and nothing was happening, I'd go ahead with an induction. I didn't want to...but I KNEW something was happening...even if it wasn't as I expected. I put Lilah down for her nap and Jeremy put Aaron down. I came back downstairs after getting Lilah to bed and again was discouraged because although the "show" continued, the contractions had stopped as soon as I sat down...HOWEVER, as soon as I stood up, I had a very strong one. It was VERY weird. I called my friend, Jessye to come be with my children until my parents got here because I wanted to go to the hospital just to be checked. She was SO excited. I told her about the "show" and she said, "OH MY GOODNESS, that's how ALL of my labors started", so she was very encouraging. I figured I'd go for a walk around the block and see what happened, then I'd wake Jeremy up and go to the hospital. I took Luke on the walk with me and I had to stop every 2-3 minutes. The contractions were quite uncomfortable. I still didn't think I was actually in labor yet though. When we got back, I woke Jeremy up and told him we needed to go to the hospital. He thought I was being melodramatic, but wisely decided to humor me. I told him, "Hey, Jessye is here...my parents are on the way, if nothing is happening, maybe they can break my water or something". As we were driving, my contractions totally stopped. We had a comfortable, nice drive to the hospital. When we got there, I started having contractions every 2-3 minutes again...as long as I was walking. I got to Labor and Delivery and they couldn't figure out whether to put me in the triage room or the actual delivery room. They decided on delivery (good choice!!). They hooked me up to the monitor, baby was fine, but again, I was having no contractions because I was lying down. They called my doctor and he said that I had to be at least 4cm. They checked me and I was 4.5-5cm (horray!!!). The nurse said she wanted me to walk for an hour and then she'd check me again. Jeremy and I got up and walked...back and forth, back and forth. I contracted every 2-3 minutes...they were quite uncomfortable. We kept walking, we ran into a nurse we know and chatted, I kept contracting....my very overdue friend was in the hospital being monitored, so we stopped to say hello (even though we had just visited that morning--she was shocked to see me there!). I kept having contractions. After my hour of walking, I was nearly to 6cm. I was so surprised I was making such progress because although the contractions were painful, they were NOT as bad as what I had experienced with an induction. I stayed in bed because Jeremy had brought me some soup. I ate it and had an INTENSE contraction. I said, "GEEZ, what in the world was that?!?!?" From then on the contractions picked up. I didn't get back out of bed, but kept having contractions. They were definitely uncomfortable, not something I'd do for fun, that's for sure. My mom and my friend Jessye arrived and soon thereafter, my doctor arrived. Jessye had to leave because she couldn't handle seeing me in pain, besides, the doctor was getting ready to break my water. When he checked me, I was at 8cm!!!!! Are you KIDDING ME?!?!? I got to 8cm without REALLY laboring?!?! This was great. Okay, I have to admit, it was still very painful, but definitely better than my past experiences. Having my water broken was VERY painful. I don't know why, but when I had Lilah, it hurt too...I don't like my doctors' method. It's never hurt before. It was good to hear though that the water was clear. Soon thereafter, the pain was in full force. Oh yes, it HURT. It was pretty awful, actually...but hey, we were ALMOST there!!! The pressure kept intensifying and the nurse just said, "Here's your call button, call me if you need me". I did NOT like that. I know I go fast, especially if I was already at 8cm. I called her back as the pressure was getting intense. I had to keep giving myself a pep talk to relax because it was very hard...so I'd go from the "transition shakes" to totally calm and back again. I just kept praying for strength and reminding myself that "when it feels like you can't do it, you're ALMOST THERE!". She checked me (which was VERY painful--I could tell she had never had a baby before, because any nurse who had would never have been so rough) and said, "You're still at 9 with a bit of cervix left", but I KNEW it was CLOSE. She left AGAIN. Ugggghhhh....she made me very anxious because I knew within MINUTES this baby was going to arrive. With another 2-3 contractions I could take it no longer...I said, "Where is my stupid call button????" I couldn't reach it, but thankfully my mom and Jeremy saw the seriousness and jumped up...I started pushing. There was nothing I could do. The nurse ran in and said, "I've delivered babies before, but I'd rather have a doctor" and ran out of the room to get my doctor. She and the doctor walked in the room just in time to "catch" Ryan. The doctor didn't even have time to get the bed set up for delivery...it wasn't necessary anyway! Ryan was there, the pain was gone and I was SO HAPPY. Not only did I get my natural STARTING labor, I also had no pain meds. It was PERFECT. To top things off, I had NO tearing (for the first time) AND Jeremy was able to be home in time to get Aaron to bed!!! It was just perfect! My friends got to come visit and I was in bed by 11pm. As I said before, God's timing is wonderful. Ryan is wonderful so far. He latched on right away and nurses like a champ. He wets his diapers like crazy and poops up a storm. He's been sleeping well also, taking naps at the same time as Lilah--so that's absolutely awesome. Today I put him down fully awake and he went to sleep just fine. I pray that he is another easy, happy baby. It feels so good not to be pregnant anymore...I have so much more energy and have been cooking meals again (which makes my whole family VERY happy!). So praise God for a healthy, wonderful delivery and a healthy, wonderful, BEAUTIFUL little baby boy!

40 +2

Well here I am again, overdue. I'm quickly approaching 3 days past my due date and still no baby to show for it. I went to the doctor yesterday and he said I'm almost 3cm and 60% effaced (as compared with 1cm and 30% a week ago), so at least these contractions are doing SOMETHING. Last night I was awake until 4:30am with contractions. They weren't super strong, but strong enough to keep me awake. They started at 20 or so minutes apart and then gradually worked up to 5 minutes apart. They started to get stronger, but then started to get further apart...then come 4:30am, they were gone. Oh how I'd love to be the woman who goes into labor and has a baby. I don't know why my body has to do this ridiculous start and stop nonsense, it's not only frustrating, exhausting and annoying, it's also very disheartening. Every day my children ask me, "so, do you think baby Ryan will be born today?" as if I have the inside scoop and I'm just holding out on them. I'm very uncomfortable...I'm having lots of pressure and random, not so great feeling contractions, but nothing regular and exciting yet. I'm really, really hoping that changes soon. I honestly cannot imaging enduring many more days feeling this way, especially with the lack of sleep. Why do contractions always seem to happen so much at night anyway?!?!

Where's Baby Ryan???

This morning I woke up and was sitting on the sofa with Aaron. He lifted up my shirt, looked at my belly and said, "Where's baby Ryan???" I told him, "I'm wondering the same thing!" Today is my due date. Not that a due date has EVER meant anything to me, but I was thinking that the fact that I've had 3 pregnancies so close together should help my body kick this little one out a bit sooner than it's done with previous babies...what do you think? I've been having quite a few contractions...way more than with any previous pregnancies so for some odd reason, I'm still hopeful. Last night I had quite a few and they were a bit more uncomfortable than the other ones I've had...but of course, once I got up to use the bathroom, they fizzled out. Today my entire tummy is very crampy and sore. I'm having some contractions...but I have a very hard time getting excited--yet I remain hopeful! Maybe today is the day...maybe not. But at least I know the time for me to hold my little guy is getting closer!

1 More Week?

I had some contractions during the night last night...last pregnancy was the first time I experienced actual "contractions" and thought I was going into labor...now I know that's not necessarily true. I've had a few nights where I have them, they're uncomfortable and then they fizzle. With my last pregnancy, this didn't occur until I was well overdue though, am I crazy to get my hopes up? I'm 1 week from my due date and already feel like I'm "overdue". I'm so ready to get on with life!!! My mom asked me, "Have you had a burst of energy yet??" Mom...I have a 13 month old and a 25 month old, I don't know what energy is!!! Heartburn has kicked into full gear and yesterday I had some swelling. It seems to be better today, I'm not sure why that would happen spontaneously, especially since I haven't had any this entire pregnancy. My parents took the big 3 children home with them for the week. Although I miss them, it sure is nice to have some more quiet in the home...and my husband and I discovered last time they were gone that they are the ones that are the mess makers around here...so it'll be nice to get some cleaning/packing/organizing done and have it stay that way for a while. My husband is also off of work for the week, so it'll be wonderful to have help around here. Now, if we can find some things to do to pass the time so I don't have to think about being pregnant. Have I mentioned I'm not a fan of the last couple of weeks of pregnancy??

My Precious Babies

I figured it was time to update again. I don't know why it's so hard to sit down and do this, but again, it's been forever and things are happening and I'm not documenting them...at ALL. I'm going to kick myself one day for the lack of documentation and the lack of photos. I just told Jeremy today that I need a simple point and shoot camera that I can put in my pocket. I love my dslr, but I don't get it out enough, it's just too bulky. It's too hard to chase 2 babies around and try to get photos and not damage that huge camera. I still take photos, just not as much as I'd like. Not to mention, I really need a camera I can take videos with. One that is not specifically a video camera because Aaron figured that one out very quickly and will NEVER let me take a video because he always wants to "see"! There are some really cute things that he says that I'd LOVE to get on camera. These days are flying by and one day I'm going to be very upset if I don't have a video of him saying all of his siblings names: Fa-nana, Sissy, LuKe (very heavy on the K), and Beanie (or Lilah, it depends on his mood). He also calls me "Miss. Janelle" on occasion and that is just TOO cute. I tell you, this little guy is just too cute and so incredibly smart. The other day we were out for a walk and he saw a yield sign and said, "Mommy, TRIANGLE!" My goodness...thank you, Baby Einstein! He knows so many animals, knows a few colors, knows EVERYONE'S names--including the neighbors. He reminds me so much of Savannah at this age. I sometimes wonder if a child's intelligence is what makes them more difficult children? Savannah was super smart and also had a hard time with life. She's perfectly wonderful now, but she would fall apart so easily back then. Aaron is the same. He just struggles. He's another one that wakes up from his nap and often is in such a horrid mood I wonder why I ever put him down in the first place. He'll cry and cry and SCREAM and hit me and just be so unpleasant. And when I put him down, he was perfectly cheerful. It's quite a bummer. Sometimes he wakes up pleasant, but not generally. Lilah, on the other hand, ALWAYS wakes up in a fantastic mood. Lilah is starting to take some steps. She can take 4-5 steps at a time now and often will stand up on her own in the middle of the floor and start walking. She gets so excited though that she falls! I think if she didn't have so many people around that are SO excited for her, she wouldn't get so excited. But come on, that's pretty exciting stuff!! Lilah has the most WONDERFUL hair. It is so curly and fluffy and lovely. I cannot tell you how many people walk past her and can't resist the urge to fluff her hair. She now has 6 teeth--4 on top and 2 on the bottom and has the most darling smile, which she shows off very frequently. She is still not saying a word, but she's babbling a lot. She's picking up "all done" and "more" with sign language, but I haven't been really diligent on that with her. It's funny because she is so much like Luke. Just happy, pleasant, wonderful sleeper...very laid back and very simple. No need to talk, no need to be in a hurry. I have to say, as much as I love Aaron's intelligence, simple children are highly underrated!! :) Jeremy and I wonder if it has to do with the "L" names. If so, this baby needs an "L" name too!! :) Speaking of THIS baby: I'm about 36.5 weeks along now...it's so hard to believe. Even though I'm extremely uncomfortable and life is really difficult for me right now, I don't feel like I'm going to be having another baby very soon. It's kinda weird. This entire pregnancy has flown by and continues to fly by every day. I'm trying to keep my mind set on a later due date because I just know when my due date comes and goes, I'm going to be getting antsy, so I don't want to set my mind on the actual date, rather on the general time frame. But it's still crazy to know that it's very soon. My little ticker said "25 days to go" and that kinda blew my mind!! I'm having quite a few braxton hicks contractions, baby is head down and still wiggling nicely. I can feel his little hands down low and his feet on my right side. His back/rear are on the left. I just love when I can feel the little feet or knees slide along the side of my belly...that is one feeling I could never get tired of, even if it does kinda hurt sometimes! This pregnancy has been very uneventful, so that's a blessing. I'm just very sore. I have restless legs like mad and wake up with Charlie horses quite regularly. Sleeping has been a bit difficult, but that kinda goes with the territory. My lower back is getting VERY sore and I cannot sit for long periods of time unless I'm kinda lying on my side. When I stand, I get short of breath and tired quickly. You know, the normal stuff!!! Savannah and Abby have been wonderful helpers with the babies. Savannah seems to enjoy it more than Abby does and she's definitely more responsible. It's so nice to have a second "mommy" around to lend a hand. Abby, on the other hand is a SUPER good helper when it comes to house work. She needs a good kick in the pants to get started, but she can clean with the best of them! They both have told me that they're getting bored without school work to do and I feel bad because I'd like to keep them engaged, but with the moving and the tiredness and the hecticness of life right now, it's just too much for me. Thankfully we've had a fairly busy summer so far with company and VBS and stuff...not to mention play dates and all, but I would really like to find something productive for them to do. I hope that once this baby arrives and we get settled into our new home, I can get more organized and scheduled and help them learn some new skills in addition to their school work. They want to do things and create things, but this home and it's size and lay out is really not conducive to creativity. Both of the girls were baptized on June 24th. It was very special because I've always left it up to them to get baptized when they felt lead...and all of a sudden, they both asked to do it. It was really neat. My parents were there and I was very proud of them being very bold in doing something that is a bit awkward and kinda scary in front of a big crowd. It was very touching to see them make that commitment to show others that they identify with the death, burial and ressurection of their Savior. Oh,and one more thing, Savannah just lost one of her molars!! :) She lost it at my parents house and I went out to see it (she was sleeping outside) and she handed it to me and I said, "What do you want me to do with this?" and she said, "Give me a dollar!!" Hahahaha...she's so jaded!! They didn't fall for that whole "Tooth Fairy" thing very long. I told them when Luke starts losing HIS teeth, they had better not blow it for him!!! Now on to Luke. Luke is getting SO big. He's all ready to start Kindergarten and is excited about that...well, kind of. Luke is our child who really does NOT like to have to exert himself. It can get quite frustrating sometimes. The girls work their tails off around here, but when I ask Luke to do something very simple, I often get complaints. It's a character flaw we really need to work diligently on. He's such a sweet boy, but he definitely tends toward whiney-ness. He knows all of his letters, can read simple words and seems to really have a knack for math. He'll ask me, "Mommy, what's 5+7?? And I'll say, "What?" and he'll say, "12" right off the top of his head. I'm hoping he gets math fairly easily because math is one that I have a hard time teaching...and although Abby seems to grasp it fairly well, Savannah really struggles with it. It'd be nice to have a child who just "gets" it. Luke is starting to enjoy being read to a lot more too. For a while he had no interest in books and after Savannah and Abby, it was a bit disappointing...but he seems to be coming around. He's an absolute pro on his bicycle and I don't know if I ever mentioned this before, but ever since he was VERY young, he's been an excellent frisbee thrower!! It's so interesting to see the little talents our children have. He also really likes to help me in the kitchen and he loves to play games. That's something I need to work on doing more with him because he is very good at playing independently (especially if there is some kind of electronic device involved), that I end up letting my time with him slip by throughout the day. I need to make the time for him. Speaking of electronic devices...the other day my parents were here and Aaron walked up to my dad and said, "Papa, I play on your iPhone?" It was SO funny because I don't know if he even knew what he was asking, but it was SO hilarious. He definitely learned that one from his big brother. Yesterday he brought a book up to me and said, "Grandma give this to me". He said it so clearly--he tends to speak nice and slowly so we can fully understand him when he's speaking in sentences, so it sounded SOOOOOO cute!!! Okay, I'm getting SUPER antsy, I need to get. One day soon I'll post some photos!

Contentment

Contentment is a strange animal. It's at the same time warm and fuzzy and desirable, but also quite elusive. At least it is for me. Contentment is something I struggle with. I battle with myself and my desire for things that I don't need or that won't actually benefit me but I also battle our culture that is constantly bombarding me with lies of happiness and security and peace if only I had....fill in the blank. I don't even have a tv. I don't go out much and I try to avoid most things pop culture so that I don't get lured into that trap, but as sin tends to do, it gets me from the inside out. So I've been working hard on this contentment thing. I mean, honestly, I have a pretty wonderful, blessed life. I want for nothing, I have more than I need--financially, materially and even in love and blessings. The one thing I've struggled with for a very long time though is my living situation. We are expecting our 6th child and we are living in the same 3-level, 1100 square foot tree house of a home we moved into when we had only two tiny children. Okay, to be clear, it is not the same EXACT house, but the same exact floor plan just down the street from where we lived before. It was small then, but it was enough. It was frustrating, what with no bathroom on the main floor and having to drag laundry from the 3rd floor bathroom to the basement to be washed and then back up again to be put away. How many people do you know who keep their toothbrushes in the kitchen because it's SUCH A PAIN to go up or down a steep flight of rickety, squeaky stairs to brush one's teeth?!?! We've done it for over 8 years. But as time has gone by, we've learned what works and what doesn't. We keep a lot of toiletries on the main level--like in the kitchen and dining room because it's just easier. We've also tried to keep a good perspective on the fact that this is not our "forever home" and that eventually, if the Lord sees fit, we'll have a larger, better laid out home. But for now, I was content to have my 6th child in this home...hey, maybe even my 7th if necessary and make do with what we've got--because in reality, it's a lot better than a LOT of people have. But then we got a phone call. "We were wondering if you'd be interested in moving into a larger home?" Seriously? No, we're fine...I mean, who needs a bigger home when we can take turns spending time in the same room together?!?! What a stupid question...of COURSE we'd be interested. We never thought it was a possibility so we never even thought about it. But housing here (we're in the military) has just changed their policy, allowing people to move into larger homes based on family size rather than rank. Well guess what?!?! There is only one other family around here crazy enough to have as many children as we do...and they happen to be our neighbors and also received the same phone call. So we start looking around at the "available" homes. Wow...how nice would it be to have more rooms?? To have room for school AND dining at the same time?? What would my big children do if they didn't have to pick up EVERYTHING they're doing as soon as the babies wake up in order to make room for everyone in the living room...and best of all, how nice would it be to run to the bathroom (for the thousandth time that day) without having to lug a baby or two up or down the stairs?!?!? And so my mind goes crazy. Which house?? When?? I'm due in just over 3 weeks...how is this going to work out?!?! Crickets. No info. Nothing. We make a few phone calls. "Oh yes, you're definitely moving...yes we know you're due to have a baby, but we have no further information for you." Okay. Thank you, that was ever so helpful. I start to pack and then I stop because now I know this was just a cruel joke. The houses we were scoping out are beginning to fill. Yup, I knew it was too good to be true...and now the house I was content to live in for the forseeable future is closing in on me. It feels even SMALLER than it already is. I have no room for anything. Where in the WORLD am I going to squeeze in another crib? How are my children ever going to be able to play on the floor of my living room as they get bigger??? Enter complete discontent. I'm now anxious and a tad bit angry. I was FINE before...why did they have to dangle the carrot of a bigger home in front of me when I was doing fine? I had never thought to complain to anyone (other than my understanding husband) because I know no one asked us to have this many children...it's our choice and we're okay with where we are...or we were okay with it. See how quickly contentment can turn to discontentment?? It's when I took my eyes off of trusting in the Lord with ALL of my heart, acknowledging HIM and allowing HIM to direct our paths that things began to crumble. I've lived in this house long enough to know that it is warm, it is cozy, it is manageable and it does work for us. No, it's not ideal...but as I said before, it's a whole lot more than many other people have. So here I sit...knowing that no matter what the Lord has in store for us will be exactly what we need...and may even be a huge blessing beyond what we could have imagined. The latest news is that those homes we were looking at that seemed SO big and wonderful are actually too SMALL for our family and that there is an even bigger home being prepared for us (and our crazy neighbors). We may not be in there before our babies arrive, but it's so much more than we could have DREAMED we'd ever live in. So pray with me as we await the arrival of this precious baby AND the availability of our new home that I will not fully believe in until I'm living there. Pray for me to be content. Pray for me to trust in the Lord and lean not on my own understanding. And praise the God who gives me so much more than I could ever hope or dream for because He loves to give good gifts to His children as much as I do.

Updates

My time seems to be more and more elusive these days...although I have evenings free where I can get things accomplished, strangely things don't seem to get done. My energy is running out. Someone told my body we're now in the third trimester and I need an almost daily nap now. Boooo...I don't like that. There just is not enough time in a day. I'm sure if I managed my time better, it'd be easier, but then there's that energy thing again. For example: my laundry would NEVER pile up if I'd use this time of day (9pm and later) to fold it. Unfortunately, when 9pm rolls around, all I want to do is sit down and space out. I'm tired, tired, TIRED at the end of the day. On top of that, my computer keyboard is completely messed up, and typing is no longer fun. The space bar works about 50% of the time...and I'm missing my "G" and my "Y" key...do you know how often you use a "G" and a "Y"?? More often than you'd think!! Anyway, there is no time for wit...time is of the essence and this keyboard is driving me crazy: Me: I'm 29 weeks pregnant now. I was supposed to take my glucose tolerance test, but after fasting for 12 hours and then getting up and out the door early on Saturday morning with no coffee, the lab was closed. I was apprehensive about doing the test anyway due to the fact that I'm sugar sensitive--and drinking 75grams of sugar on an empty stomach just sounds like a really dumb idea, so I've decided to refuse the test this time. Of course, my doctor called me this morning, but he seemed okay with it. I've never had a problem, I've gained less than 15lbs so far and everything is going just as it should...not to mention that I do avoid refined sugar as much as possible anyway. Baby is a wiggle worm. He's starting to feel rather big and gives me some pretty significant kicks now. I LOVE feeling him move. Aaron is aware that there is a baby in my tummy too, which is cute. I'm having issues with restless legs and wake up occasionally to a charlie horse, but my pubic bone is not as sore this time and I'm not having horrible heartburn either (knock on wood). I am having to wake up to use the bathroom way too many times a night, but I suppose that's just par for the course. Aaron: This boy is a smart one. His level of comprehension blows me away. The other day, he was on the front porch, yelling for me to open the gate so he could come down to the yard to see me. I didn't want to get up, so I said, "Go around to the other door"...sure enough, seconds later, there he was!! He gets concepts like, "My turn", "My spot" and "trade" and he often does when he's almost done with HIS bottle and wants to "trade" Lilah for her bottle that has much more milk in it. The other day Savannah asked what we were having for lunch and I said, "sandwiches" and he said, "Ohhhhh Sam-a-tach!!!" It was so cute, he sounded so excited about "samataches"! :) Tonight we were at the table and he was doing something obnoxious and Abby said, "Why do you have to be so daft?" and he said, "Nooooo, cute Aaron!" He's right, he's absolutely darling. He's definitely a handful and I'm sorry to admit that I have not done my job in properly training him...he requires a level of energy and commitment that sadly I don't have at this moment. It's still a priority for sure, but I feel like I need to keep myself from drowning right now...so it's not a TOP priority. Lilah: on the other hand, this girl is as sweet as sugar! I don't know that I've ever seen a sweeter baby. She is happy and cute and smiley and cuddly and just about perfect. She is the yang to Aaron's yin. She also seems to have a very calming effect on Aaron...she just makes him happy, it's so sweet. She is still not talking at all. No "Dada" or "Mama, but LOTS of babbling. Usually if we ask her to say, "Dada" or something else, she just grins and babbles all the louder. She readily climbs the stairs now and can climb up on all sorts of things, but no walking yet! In some ways walking would be great, but she just looks so cute how she crawls. She is by far my chubbiest baby too. She is SO squishy and sweet! I don't know how much she weighs, but she's popping out of her 12 month clothes. I'll update about the older children soon...it's late and this keyboard is driving me crazy! One quick thing I don't want to forget: The other day Luke was looking at my ultrasound picture I have hanging on the fridge...and he was talking to himself and he said, "That's my baby brother...he's going to pop out of my mommy's tummy soon!" I thought that was so cute!