It's Snowing outside

Christmas Day for us this year was different because we spent most of the day at home with our own family. It was a really great day and much to our suprise snowed most of the day. That eve all the kids bundled up and went outside for some sledding fun. It was a fun end to the day.

Christmas Time is Here and Gone

Ok. moving right along. We always buy a fresh Christmas tree and usually it dies about day 3, but actually this year when I was taking down the ornaments it was still quite fresh. December was filled with Christmas programs, parties and general fun with family. We just had our last Christmas and are currently enjoying time with T and N.

Picturlicious

Here come some more: Noah is getting so big, here he is mowing solo for the first time. Don't worry, Tom was watching. Amelia was out for a visit. Oh and Slyvie smiling at her basket. I had a basket of diapers and such above her changing table and she loved to turn and smile and "talk" to it. So funny.

Because this is as good as it gets

This is for you A. Miss you a bunch. Ok so its been 3 maybe for months. This 5 kids thing is giving my down time a run for its money. But, I found a quiet moment and decided to do a picture collage from the past months. The first ones are from the fall. Leaves and Silas, he loved them. Sylvie trying out a mobile and her new seat and Silas trying to love her to death :)

September

This month brought awesome weather accompanied by the most annoying gnats. I guess it's the joys of living near crops. THere were just swarms of bugs everywhere, but despite the nuisance we enjoyed an awesome Festival and Naomi started school this month as well. Sylvie spent the first night of the festival in the frontpack. I am not sure if she was very fond of it, neither was my back. Silas loved the car rides and Naomi was thrilled to accompany him. I hit the little rides and Tom the big ones with the boys.

The 3 Youngest

Wow, that seems really strange to say. My day is split between making small talk with a 4 1/2 year old girl, wrestling granola bars, oreos etc from my 18 mo. old, wipng up eggos and syrup smeared across the floor and feeding and holding my baby girl. And things really get interesting around 2:30 when my boys burst through the door. Here's a shot of the youngest 3. Thankfully Silas is really sweet with Sylvia, although I still wouldn't leave them in the same room together, he does bring over her paci and while he is muttering "baby", one of his few words. Naomi is Mrs. Mom and actually is very helpful as long as she doesn't get too helpful and try to move her from one location to another. She loves to lay beside Sylvie and pat her back and say, "it's ok sweetie." And Sylvia is just so sweet, she is starting to coo and smile more.

Great Grandparents

It's so special to be able to share Sylvia with her great grandparents. Here is Tom's grandma and my grandma hugging on Sylvie

August

August was full of firsts. First times for Great Grandparents to hold Sylvia, here is one of Gramps holding Sylvia for the first time from our trip up to the lake. We had a great last get away there before the boys started school, another first for Noah to 4th grade and Oliver to 2nd. The transition to back to school was just that, a transition. I think we are finally all in the swing of things. And it was Sylvia's first time to church. It was fun to show her to everyone.

One Week

I can't believe one week has already passed since Sylvia came into our lives. She is such a sweet baby. Here are a few pictures from our first week together.

Sweet Sylvia Ann Steffen

She's here! After being induced Monday July 27th around 9:00pm, about 16 1/2 hours later, she made her entrance into the world. I still can't believe it took so long, but she was well worth the wait. Since my fluid was still low the week before at the doctor's appt. they decided to induce me at 37 weeks. Estimated weight was 5 lbs 12 oz. Tom and I went out to supper and a little shopping and then checked into the hospital around 8:00pm Monday evening. By around 9:00 I had my IV and was started on pitocin. I was still only 1-2 cm dilated so soon enough I was up walking the halls to get things going. Well, literally all night long, my and Tom's family held vigile and kept us company. I had to walk basically around in a circle of the nurse's station because they were constantly monitoring her. She did beautifully the whole time, but unfortunately by morning nothing had really changed, except the intensity of my contractions! I was now pretty uncomfortable having to stop and breathe through them. My midwife decided to break my water midmorning since things were going nowhere fast. The only concern was that because my fluid was low, there could be dips in heartrate of the baby because of squeezing of the cord. After they attatched the internal fetal monitor and broke the water I was confined to the room. Now the pain really intensified and soon enough progress was being made. Within every 20 minutes I was moving up the ladder, 2-3, 3, 4, 5. Thank goodness. I was so thankful for everyone there and the distractions to help pass the time during breathing the contractions. Sylvia was posterior so this is why things weren't moving very quickly. I tried the birthing ball, rocking chair, various positions, and all of this over and over again. She just didn't move. Finally at about an 8 we decided to start trying to push. I thought for sure things would really move now, and really it didn't take long, but after the long night and morning. I was pretty exhausted. She finally delivered at 1:30 in the afternoon. A beautiful healthy girl. Praise GOD! Tom was such an awesome support and labor coach. I really couldn't done it without him. She was bigger than they thought at 6LBs 5.6 oz, 18 inches long. We named her Sylvia Ann. Ann being my middle name, passed down from my mom, as it is her middle name as well. Ann is also Tom's sister's first name. A special name in both of our families. She was born with lots of dark hair and looks like one of the family. Here are some pictures of her.

I'm UP

so nearly 2 weeks later and with so much help from family and friends we can never repay, I am back up in the land of the mobile. So excited! As I am sure everyone else is as well. I feel so well prepared to have this baby because of all the time my mom has dedicated getting my life organized is the last 2 weeks. And because my mother in law, sisters, family etc. were helping with our kids, I feel as ready as you can be to have a baby. So barring I don't go into labor myself over the weekend, I am scheduled for an induction Monday eve. Can't believe it is only a few days away. I will be 37 weeks and praying for a safe and healthy delivery.

BED REST

ok- so I never thought those dirty words would be part of this pregnancy. I mean really, I have 4 other children to chase after. It just wouldn't jive, you know. That is exactly why I was particularly astonished to hear that come out of my perinatologist's mouth this past monday afternoon. I had a followup visit for decreased fluid and thinning cervix. What they found was extremely decreased fluid, just one little pocket that could be measured. I squeaked just above the number that puts women in the hospital, (thank goodness). So we are making it work. That is, my whole extended family has really come through this week. Tom has become Mr Mom. My mother has been completely amazing spending everyday doing what she does best, reorganzing every room in my house. To say the least it is a bit embarrassing and hard to watch her scurry around and do what I should be doing, but I am coming out of it with something I really would never be able to do. Make sense of every last item in my house in an organized manner. That and juggling which of the children are still around the house has been a huge feet and extremely appreciated. My mother in law has been awesome as well picking up the kids individually and even making some overnights out of it. I have been getting meals and help from friends and family and it just really puts in perspective what an amazing support system of great people I am blessed with. Thanks to all of you.

This coming Monday I will have another sono to measure fluid. I am not sure what they will be the outcome but am hoping my fluid goes way up and I can get up as well for the rest of this pregnancy. I am nearing 35 weeks on Monday, so getting closer to the "safe" zone for delivery.

The Lake Part 2

Well, I'm actually caught up to within a week. The last batch of pictures are also from our family vacation with Tom's family. Todd helped Noah try to wake board for the first time. The last is probably our last family picture before our new bundle arrives.