Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Luella's 2 week check

I took Luella to the Dr's and glad to say that she has grown since she was born!!! When she was born she weighed 6 lb 8 oz and was 19 inches long. (I took her last week to check and make sure she really wasn't jaundice, and she was down to 6 lb 4 oz, which is good cause when we left the hospital she was 6 lb even) So her stats for her 2 week appointment were 6 lb 9 oz and 19 1/2 inches long. She is eating so good and slepping a ton. She is even sleeping really well at night. Such a blessing so that I can be a nice mommy to Samantha and Mason (and a good wife to Ben). So far Luella is such a mellow baby. If she isn't eating, then she is sleeping, and vice versa. Samantha and Mason can't get ebough of her. Always wanting to hold her and kiss her. Mason sees her and immidiately says "hi baby girl" It is so dang cute. And he is always wanting to hold her and snuggle right up next to her. He even tries giving her butterfly kisses. Sam loves her but surprisingly isn't as into her as Mason. I thought it would be the other way around. Ben is so cute with her. (he is definately a girl dad, he just adores his girls!) Everytime Ben comes home from work he says "hello beautiful", and he isn't talking to me. One morning I thought Ben had left and I called out his name and he came out of the nursery. He had just been holding sleeping Luella for a bit before heading off to work. Now that is so sweet, definately a sucker for girls!!! And as for me, I had no idea that I could have so much love to give. I love Samantha and Mason so much ( in fact when I say good night to Mason I always say " I love you" then he repeats it to me. Then I say "I love you alot!" and he reapeats, then I say "I love you more!!" then he repeats, then I say "I love you forever!!!!!" and he repeats it. And the second I had Luella, my heart grew bigger and I found more love to give to another precious baby. I love the quiet moments that Luella and I have together. They are few in number, but when the kids go to bed and I am just sitting with her and holding her, it is so nice. She has been such a blessing to our little family. I am so greatful for the sweet little spirit that she is. She must have known her brother and sisters personalities, and that is why she is so good. I needed a calm little body to go along with my crazy, energetic toddlers. Luella is such a good baby, I couldn't have asked for better!!!

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Nursery Transformation

I promised my sister I would post some before and after pictures of our nursery. It was this natural wood all along the bottom half of the walls, and this built in cupboard. It was fun not finding out, so we did alot of brown and cream. And once Luella finally got here we accented with pink and green. It has turned out to be such a cozy little room, I just love it.


BEFORE IN THE PROCESS

AFTER



Say "Hello" to your new sister!!!

We got home and my mom and Mason were waiting (hiding) for us. Mason looked like such a big kid. I couldn't believe it. But he imediately wanted to see his new baby sister and hold her. He asked if he could kiss her and we told him only on the head. So from then on she always has crusties in her hair from being loved so much!!!Proud big brother!!!
He can't quite say Luella, so he says Lulella or Bulella. It is so cute.
Grandma B with #8 grand baby

Samabtha was at school when we came home, but I've never seen her run so fast into the house. She was yelling my baby is here! She ran in and hopped right onto the couch ready for us to put her in her arms. Doesn't she look so cute and just so happy to be holding her sister.
Samantha is always checking on Luella for me and bringing me diapers when its time to change her diaper. And Sam really always asks if she can walk around with Luella in her arms, but I told her she is to little right now. It seems like just barely I was bringing Sam home from the hospital (Sam and Luella were both the same size), and now she is 4 1/2 and such a big girl. Amazing how time flies.


I just thought this was so cute how Luella was sleeping. One leg up on the other. She is such a good baby. Of course the first few nights we were figuring out eachothers sleeping patterns, but she just sleeps and eats, literally. I am so blessed to have such a mellow baby right now. She must have known Samantha and Mason's personalities before she came to us.

One day whiel Sam was at preschool, Mason asked to hold Luella. He hopped into the chair an just held her and kissed her for a good 20 minutes. Everytime I tried to take her, he said "few more minutes"! He is so cute with her. And the whole time he was holding her she was sleeping, but Mason was talking to her and she was getting big smiles on her face. It could have been gas, but I'm going to say that she knew exactly who was holding her, and she was just loving it. Besides, it was Mason who told me that we were having a girl.


I just love my little kids and can't believe that I have these 3 kids under my watchful care.
From a family of 4 to a family of 5 just like that!!!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Hospital Pics

Here are some pictures from the hospital.




We found out that the hospital doesn't do the newborn pics anymore. So Ben and I decided to try at it and get a cute little picture of Luella. Well, this is what we could come out with because she would not leave her head straight forward, it was always turning to the side. But oh doesn't she look so precious!!!



Thanks to everyone who came and visitied our little Luella!!! We had a pretty good stay in the hospital. Labor was awesome and quick. We got to celebrate Ben's birthday the day after, and it was actually nice that is was just the 2 of us hanging out all day. And even better was that we could spend the whole time just holding and loving our new little baby. Thanks to my mom and Joanne for helping out with the kids. I know it is alot of work, believe me . . . . I know! But I really appreciated knowing that they were so well taken care of. And now after Luella and me being so well taken care of at the hospital it's time to go home and introduce her to Samantha and Mason. And now begins the battle of being outnumbered by your kids. Good luck to us.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

She's Here!!!!!

Well, it 1:20 AM and I can not sleep a wink. My legs finally have their feeling back and so I took 4 laps around the floor and thought I would update about our fun day with our new little girl.
It was such a great day. We got to the hospital around 9 and by the time they started me on the labor drugs it was about 9:30. I wasn't in too much pain but my cute nurse Laura (who lives in my neighborhood and is in my ward!), said I might as well just get the epidural, and good thing I did. The anethesiologist was busy and so I was starting to feel some pretty good contractions, and then when I got it, I was a happy camper til the end. They checked me around 12:30 and said I was a 4 and then my labor pains started to get really bad in my back and lower back. Ben kept telling me to push the button for more drugs and I just kept telling him it would be fine. But around 1:15 I got a pretty good last dose and they checked me and sure enough, it was push time. So I pushed for 2 more contractions and Dr Irion took the baby and told us that is was a girl. It was amazing how quickly the pain was gone. Just right as soon as she came out, no more pain, wow I love it. She got all cleaned up or actually just wiped up and they weighed her and measured her (6lb 8oz 19 inches) and brought her right to me. I got to hold her and just love her forever. She nursed, and rode in my arms to our new bedroom and she just got to stay with us for such a long time. Ben gave her a bath right there in the room. That was fun since I didn't get to be in the room when Ben bathed Sam or Mason. Oh I forgot but when Ben told Mason he had a new baby sister over the phone, he asked Ben why? That is his favorite thing to say, why to everything and anything. But anyways, so we bathed her and just hung out. My Mom, Joanne, Bobby, Sara, Poppy and Tif stopped by. It was fun to see them. She has been so good, just lays there asleep or just looking around. I'm sure that will change, but she is just such a peaceful little girl. It will be a great addition to our little family. We need a little peace sometimes with our dramatic Samantha and not to mention the crazy Mom sometime or moretimes than not.
But I just think it is so amazing how you can love something so much that quickly. And that you have that much love to give to now 3 little people. It's amazing and great. I am just so grateful for these 3 little people that Heavenly Father has entrusted Ben and I to care for and teach. Being a mother is such a great joy, and I hope I can live up to the great standard that Heavenly Father has for me. But I just love my new little Luella Rich!!!!!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Its a girl!





Christmas has come early to the Rich house! at 1:44 we had a visit from the stork and it brought us a girl. She weighed in at 6.8 oz and has alot of black hair and chubby cheeks. Baby and mother are doing great. Luella Rich scored a perfect 10 on post birth color and she is going to have her mothers rosy cheeks! We couldn't be happier! thanks to grandma b and honey for watching the kids while we hold this little munchkin tight. She is already eating and loving it! I will post more pics not from my phone that you can actually see later.

Today is Finally Here

Well, after not being able to sleep at all last night, I am so glad that today is the day to have this baby. Between Mason and Sam waking up, and my back hurting I was up by six. Now I am just waiting for the call from the hospital to head on in. I am so excited, not even nervous one bit. Now it is just the waiting game for the new little arival of Teagon or Luella to come. But for now, my dad just popped over to say hi, so I am going to head upstairs and chat til I get that great call. Fun news to come hopefully later today!!!!!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

October Happenings

Well, alot has been going on in October and now that it is Nov and I am about to have this new baby, I thought I should quickly get all of this on here. It is long, but there was so much happening . . .

FRIDAY NIGHT VISIT WITH HONEY AND POPPY:
Honey and Poppy popped over for a visit one Friday night. It was such a fun treat. Sam and Mason love seeing them. We made some popcorn, hot chocolate and read stories. Thanks for the fun visit!

SLEEPING IN MOM AND DAD'S BED:
Sam and Mason have started a little bit of a bad habit. If they wake up in the early morning, they will come in and get in bed with us. Well, luckily it hasn't been happening as much, but one morning Ben and I both got out of the bed and we found our entire bed taken by these 2 bodies. I don't even know where Ben and I were sleeping now that I look at the picture. And there won't be much room once the new baby comes, so they better just stay in their own beds.
I even had to bribe Samantha. I told her that if she would stay in her bed the whole night until morning, then I would give her a treat. One morning she came into our room once she heard noises and imediately asked where her treat was.


GARDNER VILLAGE:
We went to Gardner Village with some of the cousins. It was way cold, but alot of fun. Luckily I brought the kids jackets but I forgot mine at home. They just love getting together with their little cousins.





SLUMBERING KIDS . . . IS THERE ANYTHING GREATER?!
Ben and I had gone out and gotten a sitter. We always stay out long enough so that the kids are asleep by the time we get home. It is just such a nice break to not have to put them to bed once in a while, and our sitter always gets it done. She is so great. But, we came home and I went to check on them and I couldn't help but take a picture. They both looked so cute and peaceful.
They are both afraid of the dark as of recent, so they sleep with night lights and their doors open.I just love them both to pieces!!!!!




HALLOWEEN PARTY @ JESSICA'S AND SPENCER'S:
So I decided that my sister is a ton more fun than me, and that's why my kids are always asking for her. Mason is constantly asking to call and talk to Jessica, or go swimming with her or just go over to her house. But she and Spencer hosted a Halloween party at their house. Samantha and Mason were so excited about it. Sam dressed up as a witch and Mason was a pirate. I love watching them get excited about little things like that.
We had homemade pumpkin shaped pizzas, brain jello, juice with eyeballs, dipped carmel apples, and Samantha even got to watch a Halloween movie. It was alot of fun!






HAPPY BIRTHDAY BEN (EARLY):
Ben's Birthday is the 3rd of Nov and I am being induced on the 2nd, so we thought we better celebrate a little early. Joanne had everyone over for dinner and then we carved pumpkins. I just love Ben so much. He is such a great provider, a hard worker, an awesome dad ( I always joke that we can't get divorced because I would end up alone. The kids would probably rather be with Ben than with me. They just adore and I mean ADORE him), a great husband and I just am just grateful that I have him. He says you can only shorten eternity from here, but I can't wait to spend forever with him!!!!! Happy early Birthday Benj! I love you!!!!!





PRESCHOOL HALLOWEEN PARTY:
Well, another day to dress up so why not be something different. Sam was a witch earlier this week, so she decided to be Little Mermaid for her school party. She loves dressing up and I just think she looks adorable.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN:
Ben had to work late and so we went trick or treating with my brother and his boys and my 2 sisters. Samantha of course wanted to be something different, again; so she dressed up as Minnie Mouse. It was my favorite of the 3 this week. She looked so dang cute. And my cute little Mason was a chicken. It was such a cute, puffy outfit. It kept him plenty warm. It was sad because I could tell he was starting to not feel good. He would look up at me and tell me he was all done, or that he wanted to go home. But he was such a good sport. He carried his own little sack and didn't want to be held, just wanted me to hold his hand. Samantha on the other hand just wanted to keep going and going. She loved every second of trick or treating. Such a magical holiday for little kids. Ring a door bell, say trick or treat and someone gives you candy. (then Mason would say "Thank you" til the person looked at him and he knew they heard him. He is so polite)
We had a blast with my family and then we headed over to see Honey and Poppy and Corbin. I just love watching these little kids get excited about the cute little things!!!