A day in the life

Today, we stayed home from our homeschool Co-op because we are recovering from the stomach bug.  I just want to remember a day at home in this stage of life.  Anna is 6, Caleb 4, and Andrew almost 2. 

After breakfast, Anna laid in her bed and listened to A Little Princess on my kindle.  She did for about 2 hours.  Andrew and Caleb played at the table while I addressed Christmas cards.  They colored, bothered me, made messes, etc.  Then they ran down the hall chasing each other over and over again. They giggled and crashed, giggled and crashed.  Then Andrew got hurt (as usual) and the game was over.  Back up to the table to color and play with some dress up animals (random, I know). 

Anna came out and her and Caleb played Legos.  Caleb had managed to build an awesome playground from the legos, but Andrew quickly tried to destroy it.  Andrew and I did a puzzle while the big kids played legos.  We had lunch, listened to Big House in the Little Woods on the kindle and then had naptime.  The big kids just laid down for about 45 min in their bed, but Andrew took a great 2 hour nap.  

I laid down too, not being up to full strength after 2 days of stomach bug. After naps, the kids listened to more of Big House and had 2 or 3 cups of applesauce since that is all I will give them after a stomach bug! Then we all played in the big room until the doorbell mysteriously rang.  Caleb jumped up so fast, ran to the door, and opened it- despite me yelling "only momma opens the door!".  I think he was just so excited to see someone outside his immediate family.  He opened the door to find Darina and Sasha (our neighbors).  That was exciting! She brought a pack of cookies for the kids to share and visited on the porch for a bit.  The kids were much happier after that and put on their shoes and went out to play Magic Treehouse in the backyard.  Then Anna went in the front yard and called for Caleb and Ben to come over and play- and they did.  I felt much better that they all stayed outside.  

Anna said something interesting at the table.  She said that she wished that there was no sickness in the world (bc she hates being sick).  But then she said that we would still need Jesus because we would still get hurt. Apparently I've told her one purpose of sickness and pain serve in our world is that it allows us to lean closer to Jesus.  I'm thinking I need to dive in on this topic a little more, as it sounds so hollow to say "we get sick so we can ask Jesus for help".   Anyways, I just loved that she was thinking about things and processing them out loud.  I can always count on her to do that, and it is so sweet to have insight into her mind.  

Daddy came home and everyone rejoiced! Everyone was in bed by 7:30.  A day in the life... 

Andrew's Birth Story

It was a mild December day.  My parents had been here for a couple of days, and we were all ready for baby Andrew to arrive.  The day started with a trip to furniture stores with my mom while my dad took the kids to Boingo Bounce (RIP BB, we miss you now).  I was on my feet A LOT while shopping and definitely felt contractions come and go.  We had Chick Fil A for lunch and then came home for naps.

That afternoon, my dad and the kids and I went on a quick walk- you never can walk enough when 40 weeks pregnant! They went in and I walked more.  It was on the walk that I knew.  The contractions started getting strong enough that I had to stop and breath through each one.  I called Josh and he was planning to stop by his brother's house on the way home.  I was pretty annoyed, but told him it was ok.  I went home and tried to help with the homemade pizza my mom was making, but ended up going to lay down because of contractions.  Josh got home and I told him LET'S GO TO THE HOSPITAL.  That was around 6 pm I believe.

We had to stop at a gas station on the way so I could go pee-pee, and I was pretty nervous about having the baby on the road.  My labors have always been fast. We checked in the hospital, and I was already dilated to an 8.  I had to get out of the bed every 5 minutes to go the bathroom and the nurses really worried I would have the baby in the bathroom.  But, with the help of Josh and my sweet friend Stephanie, I was able to suffer survive each contraction! My doctor was not on call, but I had a great doctor and AWESOME nurses who totally supported me in my desire to have a natural birth.  And at 8:10 pm, our sweet boy arrived.  He was absolutely perfect and nursed like a champ RIGHT AWAY.  He latched perfectly and stayed latched for a while.  This was our first time to be released after 24 hours from the hospital, and we were so thrilled.  ANDREW LOGAN SKINNER - we love you!!