Quinten

So, it's finally over!! Quinten James Hench was born on May 27th at 12:58 AM. He weighed in at 5lbs. 15 oz. which seems small, but we think he's big compared to what Leah was! He was just over two weeks early and we are glad to be done. I wish I could report that labor was a breeze- the hospital was slammed with women in labor and everything took longer than it should have- I had to wait an hour and a half for my epidural and had to wait over a half hour for my doctor to finish with another girl before I could start pushing. Even with all the delays, it still only lasted six hours, so I guess I should feel lucky. We are now home and everything is going fine. It's always an adjustment having a newborn around. Leah is taking it the hardest, of course. She has yet to make a sentence that isn't with a cry or a whine in it. Hopefully that will pass soon. The girls have spent lots of time with friends and family. My sister-in-law, Lydia is amazing and spent the entire afternoon and most of the evening with the girls the night we had him. They had a great time with her- she even took them all swimming! We love her so much! Thanks to everyone else who helped and came to visit. We will keep you updated as time goes on. My mom will be here on Saturday and we are anxiously awaiting her arrival. The picture above is Quinten right after delivery- he hadn't had his bath yet, so he probably looks a little gross.
Just after delivery- you can see I'm still hooked up to everything... I hate IV's.
Andrew and Quinten- it still doesn't feel like he is a boy yet. I have called him a she or her several times and have had to catch myself.
All his sisters. Leah walked in the room and I was holding him- she looked at me and said, "Mommy hold me."
Getting ready to leave the hospital. It always feels so good to get my own clothes on again and to get up and walk around. I could have stayed one more night, but I get so sick of doing nothing. However, the food was great this time. They have a menu that you call and order from so you get exactly what you want. Loved it!

Are You Sick of These Yet?

I think this may be the last post where I have to update anyone on what is going on with this ridiculous pregnancy. So, here it is, as quickly as I can get it out so I don't bore everyone. Fluid levels have dropped again, dialated to a 2+, having contractions even as I write. My doctor wants me to try to hold out till Tuesday if I can, then he will just induce me. My fluid will be too low and I will probably be dialated even more than I am now. I am on partial bed rest so I don't lose more fluid than I need to within the next few days. I have amazing friends who have been inviting my kids over so I can lay low and they even brought dinner last night. I am very blessed. That's about it. The next time I write about this, I should have a new baby... crazy, huh???

I've Had It...

I have absolutely had it with:

1. Little girls who think that screaming is an acceptable form of communication.
2. Being followed around by children and dogs to the point of stepping on them because they are so close on my heels.
3. Two year olds who think that waking up at 6AM is OK. It's not OK... it's just not.
4. Six year olds who never think life is fair and that the whole world is only out to get them.
5. Children who think that I should be at their every beck and call and then throw massive tantrums when they have to wait for me to finish what I am doing- even if I am going to the bathroom.
6. Two year olds who feed dogs your chapstick while you are in the shower and can do nothing about it.
7. Cleaning up messes that appear faster than I can keep track of. How do children create so much chaos in such a short amount of time??
8. Doctors appointments. I am sick of them. I am sick of shipping my kids off to whoever will take them two or three times a week. Can we just have this baby already and be done with it??
9. Telling a certain two year old to leave the dog alone. I wish he would take a large chunk out of her hand so maybe she would get the idea that he doesn't like to be bugged by her.
10. The fact that Andrew can walk out of a room and be left alone if he so chooses. They leave him alone and he doesn't even have to ask. Seriously.... If I walk out of a room I am either followed or they yell at the top of their lungs to see where I am and what I am doing- even if Andrew is home and is with them. I can hardly stand it!!
11. Children who think they cannot be happy unless they are playing with a friend. Why are my kids so needy?? If they don't have friends over I get to hear about it for hours on end. Why can't they play with each other? Why do they think it's my job to constantly entertain them?

I've had it.... I have really just had it.....

Blah, Blah, Blah

It almost seems silly to update anyone on what is going on with my pregnancy. Same as last time- my fluid levels dropped again. They are now below normal. If they drop again by next week, then they will be worried. It just means more Dr. appointments and more time away from home. People are FINALLY telling me that I look big enough to be having a baby soon. I suppose that is a good thing. Even Andrew says I look bigger. I don't really care how I look. I'm just sick of being uncomfortable and wish it would go away. Maybe next weekend... that is what I am shooting for. School gets out on Friday, so anytime after that and I will be happy.

My Life in a Nutshell

Sometimes I wonder about my life... what on earth possesses me to do some things and keeps me from doing other things. Do you ever feel that way? Today has been one of those days. I am wondering why I ever agreed to let Alexa get a fish for her birthday TWO years ago. Yes, that is right- it was the fish that kept on living. No one cared about the thing two weeks after we bought it, I was usually the only one to feed it and I was certainly the only one to clean the nasty fish bowl. Well, those days came to an end today... and it was all my fault. Note the empty fish tank above as you listen to my tale of woe. I cleaned out the stupid bowl, which was disgusting, I might add. I was in the process of moving Dave back into his bowl and as I dumped the water out of his little cup, I neglected to get the net under him fast enough and he slipped down the drain. Actually, he got caught in the black flappy part of the disposal and I couldn't decide if I should try to grab him or just let him go. In my moment of indecision, he slipped right down. Did I unnecessarily let him die? Probaby. Was it a calculated murder? I can't decide. I hated the thing- everyone knew that... but, I didn't really mean to for him to go like that. And, to make matters worse, I let the water run to make sure he really went down, but I guess I needed to run the disposal because the water was backing up.... I never saw him, so I had to run the disposal. He's REALLY gone. Alexa ran to her room and cried; called me a mean mom- the usual. Callie said he must have gone to the ocean like Nemo. Thank goodness for Disney movies, right??
This second picture is an embarrassment. It's taking a lot out of me to post it... this is the baby's room. I just can't manage to get the motivation to clean it. Baby presents, boxes of diapers and wipes, bins of the girls clothes that need to be sorted, half of Leah's clothes that still need to be moved to her new room, the baby's carseat and swing, a bouncer seat that needs to be put together, piles of baby clothes that have the tags cut off and just need to be washed... the list is endless. I have NO desire to get any of it ready. NADA, ZIP, NONE, ZERO, ZILCH. What is keeping me from getting it done? I have no idea. I'm sure I'll get my act together sometime soon... I'm just not sure how soon....