Baby Gooniebird's first picture

This is our new baby. The kids have named her (or him, maybe) Gooniebird. The video shows the heart beating and general size so far. Awesome.

The slow down of sickness

So my youngest two seem to be fighting some sickness. They are both weepy and clingy.....Something that can drive a mom nuts when you are trying to get things done(like update my blog). I find I struggle with the selfishness of wanting to do what I want to do and serving my kids. Then I am reminded what Jesus said and how he reacted to the disciples when they thought Jesus was too busy to interact with them..."Let the little children come" So following that example I am trying to put aside the neurotic cleaning and hold my little ones. Slow down enough to comfort them and throw the schedule out the window for a few days!

I Do

What is it about weddings that makes people feel more love for those around them? I think it's because you are celebrating with two people who are in the beginning stages of love where their still giddy with excitement, they can hardly stand it. I was honored to be a bridesmaid in my sister's wedding last weekend. Jeff and the girls were also in the wedding party. We had so much fun getting dressed up and helping with the wedding. The girls were adorable and I was reminded again that I married a real hottie! While we stood at the alter beside Chrissy and Jim, Jeff and I couldn't help but stare at each other and I knew we were renewing our own vows just between us. It was such a great feeling to know that after all these years we still have that anticipation and love for each other that we had on our wedding day. Jeff and I pray that Christine and Jim will get to experience a similar love that deepens with time, is rooted in faith, and gets sweeter with time (and kids!) So cheers to you Christine and Jim, thank you for including us in your special day.

Check out the soccer diva!

Well we have finally succumbed to the pressures of this world and allowed Isabel to join an activity. She chose soccer! She has had a few practices and she has done really well. I wasn't sure what to expect. Would she stand there and not know what to do? Would she run like a girl or worse yet twirl her hair? Well I am proud to say that she did none of these things. She rocked! She was right there running and kicking the ball. As a former rugby player with high hopes that at least one of my four daughters might follow in those footsteps, I must say Isa has what it takes to do it. She has even one the "Mighty in Spirit" award for all her hard work running the ball up and down the field. Look how cute she is in her uniform!

The first...

Our family has had a lot of firsts this past month. Isabel had her first day of Kindergarten, Cecelia had her first day of preschool, and Isabel got her first pair of glasses. It's funny to me that I am so emotional about all these firsts. I thought I would have no problem letting go. I was and am excited for each of my girls to wrestle with life and win. I think the part that bothers me the most is that it signifies some big lasts to me as well. It's the last time Isabel and Cecelia will ever spend all their days with me. The last time Isabel will not need some kind of vision correction, be it glasses or contacts. Don't get me wrong I am thrilled for my girls. They are expeiencing life and all it has to offer. I couldn't be happier with their ability to adjust to their new situations and thrive there. I know that with these new firsts come freedom for me. I look forward to that too, but I am also not needed in the same way anymore. That is the part I look forward to and dread all at the same time. In all of this my husband has stood with me through these firsts and lasts. He has made a conserted effort to keep our relationship strong so that there's more to "us" then our kids. I will always be grateful to have such a wonderful man to journey through life with.

Alien baby

So I am just catching up now on some things that family and friends have been wanting to see so bear with me. Here is a shot of Sydney, a.k.a. "nuggets" before she was born. I had eaten some ice cream and that seemed to always make her really active. I felt a little like Sigourney Weaver in Alien 3.

Who says labor hurts?

Okay so people are always curious about what labor is like for a natural, hypnobirthing "freak". So here is a short clip of some of the time I spent with my husband and two closest friends while birthing my fourth child. The clip is taken while I was dialated to a 6/7. We had so much fun laughing and telling stories. I wish I could post the whole thing but I don't want the whole world peaking in on one of my most private moments. I am posting this portion because I am so passionate about pregnancy, birthing, and the tiny babies that God gives us at the end of all that hard labor. So enjoy and I hope it peaks some interest in another alternative for birthing.


This is a little later in the birth process. People assume that you stay "under" the whole time but once you have enough practice you can put yourself under just during contractions as this video shows.