Thanksgiving 2016

In a few more months, I'll be a year behind.  I always think that I'm going to sit at my computer and blog more than I ever actually do.  I'm going to have to make it a goal of mine next year because I'm the type when something is in writing, I'm more likely to complete it.  I LOVE checking things off a to-do list :)

meeting our new cousin, Eli

We will call him E-man

I love my little E-man

So let me think back 7-8 months to Thanksgiving.  We drove to Mississippi on Tuesday afternoon/evening after Bryce got off of work.  I don't remember where we slept because we got in at like 1 in the morning and B/G/E were there in the guest room.  Maybe B and I slept on the floor in the office.  I really can't remember, but it was so nice because on Wednesday morning, B/G/E were already there and that was my first time to meet my new nephew.  Ashley D was already there too and she was asleep in the recliner so I'm pretty sure we slept in the office.  It doesn't really matter.
Wednesday we had a very chill morning and at some point we went to to a park and played for a while before eating lunch at home. 

I love this girl!

She's more like a little sister or cousin

Lloyd and Ryan came down for the day too and it was the first time in a LONG time that I've been at my mom's house in Hattiesburg with both my brothers.  It was a lot of fun and I hope we can plan to do it more frequently since now we all have kids.  Eli was only a few weeks old and so small, but adorable.  I was a baby hog and held him a lot.  I realize, although I don't like it, that I will only see my nephew a couple of times a year (3 at the most) so he will grow up without his Auntie Katie (and Hantla cousins).   The whole crew went bowling and it was a blast.  Between Bub, Lloyd, and B, maybe 1 of them stood a chance at beating my mom, but I think she won both games.  E-man was passed around while people took turns bowling and it was just great. Lloyd and his kids left from the bowling alley and headed back to Jackson.  The rest of us went back to Gram's house for dinner.  I think she cooked spaghetti, but I could be mistaken, but again, that's not really important.  We ate dinner and played at the house for a while until it was time for B/G/E to head back to AL.  Some tears were shed, but Bubba and I always cry when we say good-bye to each other.  I'm proud of the dad and *boyfriend he's turned out to be these past few months.

Bubba with 187 and my mom (M) with 188

Brothers!

Bryce won this game 151 to 148

The Ladies (and E-man)

Thanksgiving morning was spent cooking and prepping food and watching the Macy's Day Parade. My mom invited a few of her friends to join us for the meal and AC came over also.  We had a great spread of the traditional Thanksgiving Meal, although one year, I want to eat at Golden Corral for Thanksgiving so then I don't have to cook or clean.  My mom used paper plates at least, so that helped with some of the clean-up.  After lunch we went to see Moana at the movies and it was great. We will own that movie eventually.  Before going home, we stopped to visit with Jeannie to say Happy Thanksgiving.  She's a very good friend to my mom and AC, but also to our family and my kids.  They call her "Aunt Jeannie".  It was good to visit with her and meet some of her family in town from Beaumont. 

Some busy days with family

Friday we packed up our things and headed down to the coast to visit my dad and Ella.  Details are totally gone, but I know we drove over and visited with Grandmalupe for a little while.  I think we walked to the playground that's near the beach and the kids played for a while before eating dinner at Daddyz in the Pass.  What I can't remember is what we did Saturday, if we drove to the coast on Friday.  It's possible that we picked up Grandmalupe and took her to eat at a Chinese Buffet she loves so much, that's in Pascagoula (about an hour away).  Or that could have been another trip to the coast.  Either way, I just don't remember.  Maybe this will be the motivation I need to start blogging quicker after an experience. 

Family meal at Daddyz

I know we drove home Sunday and we left pretty early because we knew there would be a ton of traffic.  We obviously made it safely but beyond that, I can't fill in any details. 

MOPs Playdate

I'm not sure I've documented my MOPs group that I've joined at SCBC.  If I have, then I'll just repeat myself.  Last year I joined the MOPs group at Grace Presbyterian and I met Erica from that group.  Since we moved to Richmond, I wanted to find a closer group so I signed up for the MOPs group at Sugar Creek.  Last summer, Miriam called me to ask if I would be a table host this year even though I haven't done MOPs before at SCBC.  I told her I would do it because I know how to facilitate a discussion.  This MOPs group was so much bigger than the one I did last year so I was a bit overwhelmed at the beginning.  I attended a Steering Meeting before things started where I was quickly trained in how to be a table hostess.  I met a few of the women and tried my best to be social.  Our meeting started in September and I usually have 2 a month.  My table has had some changes throughout the school year, but I have definitely enjoyed it.  I've met more moms and maybe even some friends.  The mentor mom at my table is wonderful and I'm so glad our paths have crossed.  In addition to our meetings, we have Mom's Night Out and Mommy & Me playdates.  I've attended most of the playdates but not all of the MNO.  I went to Bunco in the fall but the cookie exchange was on our anniversary.  I can't make it to the Easter Egg Hunt because we will be in LA.  Our most recent Mommy & Me playdate was last week at the Fire station.

 Our kids haven't had any interest in firemen but I felt like this would be a fun day for E and W.  It was a lot of fun and W learned a lot from listening to the fire-fighters talk about what to do in an emergency.  I felt terrible when he asked what number to call in an emergency and W didn't know the answer.  Now he knows what to do if I get hurt and can't talk.  The firemen were patient and kind with the kids and let them crawl through the truck and hold the hose in the back.  All in all it was a great playdate and I would visit the fire station again.

From the Halloween playdate at the nursing home

 My MOPs group is great and we will have a MNO in April with just the ladies from my table.  We all get a long great and I never have to worry about discussions because the conversation flows very smoothly.  I was asked to continue to be on the leadership team next school year and I said I would, that is, unless I go back to work full-time.  I will just pray for guidance and direction and follow where the Lord leads me.  I'm doing my part to open doors and we are praying that God keeps them open or shuts them quickly. 

Our first meeting September 2015

A craft day in October 2015

Cristina's last meeting-she moved to Russia Nov 2015

yummy MOPs breakfast-this is a cake

Our March 2016 meeting I learned how to make yoyo's for Dress a Girl

Newest addition to our Small Group

Savannah Leigh born April 12th at 1:07 am.  She was 7 lbs 11 oz and perfect!  Sara had another quick delivery and is doing great.  We went to see them this morning at Rex.  

March 15th

Normally March 15th isn't a big deal but this particular March 15th was a big day.

The first reason this day was special was because of my hubby.  He's been working so hard every Saturday (and even some all nighters)  to finish writing his dissertation.  He finally finished and could enjoy a Saturday with his family (Praise God!).  He defends March 28th and assuming that goes well, he'll graduate May 16th.  B made waffles for us and we enjoyed a family breakfast that we haven't had in over 2 months.

B's plan was to spend most of the beautiful day in the yard with the kids while I was attending a baby shower for baby Savannah.  S/A Daniel from small group are having a baby girl in April.  S's sister and cousin threw her a baby shower.  At first I think S was a little reluctant because this is her third baby, but first girl and she needed girl stuff.  The small group girls went in (N's idea) to get S a monogram for over Savannah's crib.  I let R pick out something small for baby S and planned to bring R with me to the shower.  B felt he needed R to help in the yard because she would actually get the job done and understand what to do.  She would help train the boys in the art of stick collecting.  So I went to the shower alone but had a good time.  It was at S's mom's house and she has a beautiful home.  S received very cute and sweet baby girl clothes and other items that she will need. 

I think I had about an hour between the shower and the gender reveal party so I ran home to see the family.  They were eating lunch and looked pretty tired.  There were 3 big stick piles in the front on the curb.  I could tell which one was W's but R & A's looked pretty similar.  B said they were a huge help.  I visited for a short while before leaving to pick up Kristen.  We headed to N/J's house for the gender reveal party.  J/N are pregnant with their 4th and probably their last.  N said she feels at peace with this being her last, a feeling she never had with Ro.  I completely understand because we had those same peaceful feelings.  N's sister, Brooke & sister in law, Lucy threw them a gender reveal party.  The decorations were super cute even down to the cookies (tutus and ties).  Her family was there along with close friends.  It's always good to see Nicole's parents.  We've been friends with them along time and have spent many Halloweens with them (among other occasions).  We all mingled for a bit and then went outside for the big reveal.  Colored balloons were in a box and J/N with the help of their boys, opened the box.  I love this picture!

Another boy and they are over joyed.  That house is going to be so much fun with 4 boys and relatively drama free.  I think about what life is like in 5 to 10 years and the O'Janpa house will be VERY different than the rest of our house (and the Gillams too).  Too much estrogen will drive you crazy.  J/N have 3 great boys and this 4th has awesome brothers as role models.  We are very excited for them as well.

After getting home from the gender reveal, I was tired so I crawled into bed with R who was the only one still napping.  I ended up falling asleep with her and it was very sweet.  We both woke up around 5:45 when Linda arrived.  L missed E and wanted some cuddle time with baby E.  We love it when L comes over because she's become a great friend of mine.  Her grown kids are very busy and since she's single, I think she enjoys being around our family.  My children love her too. 

The evening ended with a family viewing of Avengers before baths and bed.  I haven't had such a fun-filled Saturday in a long time.  I love being with my friends and celebrating 2 new babies with my small group is awesome.  We love our small group because we 'do life' together.  God created us in HIS image and as relational beings.  Genesis 2:18 Then the LORD God said, "It is not good for the man to be alone;

Ell's first smile

E is 4 weeks old tonight.  She's trucking along and growing a lot.  I'm not sure how much she weighs but I can feel a difference just while I hold her.  She's eating much faster now and our 50 minute meals have turned into 30 minute meals like Rachael Ray.  She's outgrown her newborn diapers and moved into size 1's.  She's almost too long for her newborn clothes and I'm about to have to pull out her 0-3 month clothing from the attic.  Our family is adjusting and I've just about completed my first week home alone with the 4.  It went okay until Rin got sick.  That's another post for another day....Poor girl!

But the main reason for this entry is to document E's first smile.  I had just finished feeding her and B was trying to get a burp (she's not a good burper).  So I wanted to get a picture since she was four weeks old so we started taking pictures.  As I was talking to her, she broke out in a smile on purpose!  Very cute if I do say so myself:)

June 13, 2013 4 weeks old

cross eyed

AWESOME

My family is growing

E is now almost 4 weeks old and I can't believe how well adjusted the other kids are.  They all really just love her.  I was most worried about W since he was the youngest, but he adores here and we have to limit his kisses because he would kiss her all the time.  Here are some pictures of our family over the past few weeks.

June 2, 2013 Snuggle Partner

June 2, 2013 Silly Picture

My kids on June 4, 2013

Grands with Granddad and Gram

Ell on June 6, 2013 3 weeks old

Big Brother Wesley with Ell 6/6/13

Sweet Sister Rin with Ell 6/7/13

Happy Birthday Noelle

Happy Birthday Noelle: May 16, 2013

This entire pregnancy, I've stayed pretty small and gained less weight than I did with any of the others.  I've felt that Noelle had to be smaller than W simply because I gained less weight and she was a girl.  I was very active throughout N's pregnancy, way more than with W.  I just knew that I'd go early and was getting prepared at school and home for this baby girl.  Each day I completed without a new baby, I was happy and proud, and surprised.  My weekly check-ups were not as I though, seeing as I didn't start to dilate until 37 weeks.  I knew that each day longer she stayed in, was better all around.  When I made it to my check-up on May 8th, I was very excited because I was only 1 week away from my due date.  I saw Dr. Jacokes and she scheduled an induction for Monday May 13th because she wanted to induce to make sure I didn't have a 10 lb baby.  It wasn't what we were expecting so I was a little deflated after that appointment, but I didn't want to have a c-section either.  So as the weekend came and went, I was mentally and emotionally preparing for an induction Monday night.  I said my goodbyes at school and left at 1 pm.

Monday night came and went and no call.  B and I were wondering what in the world, so B called Rex Hospital to ask.  The nurse told him they were full and didn't have room for an induction that wasn't a medical emergency.  She said they would call me Tuesday if there was room.  I received a call Tuesday afternoon from Dr. Moody to let me know that it didn't look good for Tuesday either because they hospital was still full.  Wednesday was the same.  No call & no baby.  I had taken off of work, and hadn't had a baby.  I considered returning to work Thursday, but it's a good think I did not.

Thursday started out completely normal.  B made beignets for us for breakfast and we were scheduled to meet Kristen at a park at 9:45.  During breakfast, I got a call from Rex saying they could take me at noon.  I hardly believed my ears because I was just figuring it would be another no call no baby day.  I didn't want to get my hopes up, so we went to the park like planned and came home at 11:00.  I didn't get a call to cancel the induction so B and I packed up and headed to Rex.  We got there at noon but by the time we got to our room, filled out paper work, and answered questions, it was 2:30 before I was hooked up to the IV and began pitocin.  At 2:30 when that started, Dr. Gizzie checked me and I was still 3 cm and 50% effaced. Dr. Gizzie didn't want to break my water because Noelle was still very high.  The pitocin started low and my nurse was going to turn it up every 30 minutes.  Between 2:30 and 7:30, I felt no difference in contractions.  I was able to talk through them and sometimes I didn't even notice if I was having one.  B and I watched a good movie on BET (Glory Road) and several cooking shows while waiting the 5 hours.  There was a shift change at 5 pm from Dr. Gizzie to Dr. Jacokes.  When Dr. J came into the room, she explained to me that she had an emergency c-section and didn't want to break my water unless I was going to get an epidural. I hadn't planned to get one, so we decided to wait until after she finished her c-section.  I'm not sure how high the pitocin was turned up, but my contractions up this point had been every 6-8 minutes and not intense yet.  Around 8 pm, Dr. J came back from her c-section and checked me.  She said I was 5 cm and 75% effaced and -1 station.  Since Noelle had descended some, she said it was fine to break my water.  My water was broken around 8:15 and Dr. J said she'd be back in an hour to check on me.  Since we had been doing this for almost 6 hours, I mentally gave myself a deadline of 30 minutes before deciding if I wanted some pain help.  8:45 was my deadline for asking for help.  Immediately after Dr. J broke my water, the contractions were different: much  more intense.  B helped me breath through a few and I began to feel pressure lower than before.  I had to use the restroom so B helped me out of bed for that and I had one real intense one during that transition.  Once 8:45 hit, I started the conversation of wanting something like maybe an epidural.  I hadn't fully made up my mind and wanted B to talk/pray through it with me before I made a rash decision. My thought process was that it took over 5 hours for me to go from 3 cm to 5 cm with pitocin the entire time.  I was not in any shape to labor through for another 5 hours and push a baby out.  B was extremely supportive and said he would do whatever  I wanted.  Around this time the nurse, Tricia, came in to check on me.  She saw a change in my and asked if I was okay.  I told her that they were much more intense and she asked if I wanted her to check me.  I was asking about the different pain options and how long each thing would take and the side effects.  Tricia watched me breathe through a contraction and then said she wanted to check me.  She found that I was 8-9 cm and 100% effaced and there was definitely no time for an epidural.  In about 45 minutes, I was almost ready to push.  I was expecting 5 hours, and was very happy with 45 minutes.  I felt like I needed to push, so Tricia and Bryce got my legs up into the stirrups so I could get relief by small pushes.  That helped for a few minutes and then Dr. J was called in.  It took me 3 pushes and Noelle was here.  B said there was minor shoulder distortia but nothing like with Wes.  She came out crying and a little white, but overall very pretty.  I had a 2nd degree tear that Dr. J stitched up for me, but nothing super big.  Noelle weighed 8 lbs even and was 21 inches long.  Her apgar score was 8.9 and she was beautiful!

N was born at 9:18 pm.  We started making calls and texts around 9:30 and finished up around midnight.  Once I was cleaned up, the nurses moved me to our overnight room.  We were in POD C on the third floor.  We ordered from the after hours menu so I could eat since I hadn't had anything since breakfast.  N was in the nursery for her bath and some testing/monitoring.  She returned to us around 11:30 for feeding and some parent time.  We did send her to the nursery though so B and I could get some sleep.  She was precious though!

Friday our visitors included our kids and Gran, Linda George, Jenny Lecorchick, and the Gillams.  We were released Saturday and got home around 5 pm.  The kids were really excited about Baby Ell coming home from the hospital, as were we.  We are excited to start life as a family of 6!