Some Pictures

Chiara's new favorite pastime.

All four Brewer kids.

Harper came to see us this weekend! (Wearing Pops' hat)

Baby Vincent

Wow. I LOVE weekends when I don't have to work! We had a nice one. Saturday Justin finished up a fence he had been working on just to fence in the top part of our backyard. It's just a temporary fence until (someday) we can afford to fence it all in. Also on Saturday, we had visitors! Justin's parents, my sis in law, brother in law, and nephew all spent the entire afternoon over here. It was a wonderful visit. We tried to get Harper to hold the baby, but he had zero interest in anything but the older kids and their toys. Sunday we went to Mass (Vincent's first). He slept the entire time! Yay! Zeke was a bit noisy, as a little girl from his class was seated in front of us. Those two chattered quite a bit, and got even MORE excited when they spotted THEIR TEACHER!!! a few rows over from us. Silly, silly. After lunch, we did a little Christmas shopping - we're almost done. Then we came home, I made our Christmas card online, and Justin fixed us hamburgers on the grill. Nothing like barbecuing outside in 30 degree weather! Yummy.

Yesterday Vincent took his first ever bottle. I think Justin will feed him one a day, just to get him used to it before I head back to work. I'll still be breastfeeding when I am at home, of course, but this way Justin will be able to feed him while I am gone.

I can't believe how close it is to Christmas! The kids just have this week and next before Christmas break - that means the end of the semester! It's gone by soooo fast!

Birthdays

A whole bunch of pictures, completely out of order:Vincent meeting his grandma for the first time the other day. Justin's parents had been in Oregon for Thanksgiving Week visiting my sis in law and her fam, so they had missed out on his first few days.
Vincent William Brewer - one week old

Zeke's 4th bday (Dec.1st) The kids with my brother and mom.

Happy Birthday!

Just a few hours old.
Z playing with one of his bday presents from Uncle Matthew.

Vincent and his granny.

Gotta love those hospital hats!

So, obviously I haven't blogged in awhile. I've been pretty busy! First things first: Vincent's birth story. It's definitely the shortest one ever! I had gone to my OB appointment on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, and was 4cm dilated. My doctor had said that if I wanted to, I could let things be, or if I preferred, he could break my water on that Thursday (Thanksgiving). I chose breaking the water for a couple of reasons. First off, I was just READY. My water has never broken on it's own, even when my body has gone into labor on it's own. So, I figured he'd end up breaking it eventually anyway. Plus, I knew it would be sooo much easier to have sitters for our older children over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Thursday morning, my brothers and my mother came over to our house. They had decided to cook Thanksgiving dinner over here while watching the kids. Justin and I went to the hospital at 8am. At 8:45, my water was broken. That's all it took. No other labor inducing measures like that nasty Pitocin or anything like that. I was pretty much in active labor right away. I started pushing at around 10:50am, and Vincent was born twenty minutes later. That was it! So simple!

VINCENT WILLIAM BREWER

born 11/26/09

at 11:12am

9lbs, 3oz

20 inches

I was pretty surprised that he weighed as much as he did. I expected him to be in the 8lb range, like Zeke and Isabel were at birth. He nursed like a champ right away, and has been doing well with it ever since. He has a light covering of hair on his head, which is a very pale blonde, and deep blue eyes. The kids did not get to meet him until he was two days old, as the hospital has placed intense restrictions on visitors - ie. no visitors under the age of 18. This was incredibly disappointing, but there was nothing we could do about it. Chiara and Zeke have been very helpful, and are very sweet with Vincent. Isabel has had a bit of a rougher adjustment - it's hard not to be the youngest anymore! Sometimes she loves him, and says, "my baby, he's MY baby!" Other times she gives him a dirty look and tries to push him away from me. But for the most part, it's been a pleasant adjustment. The hardest part has been adjusting our routines, really. I now have an extra child to get ready in the morning before school, plus the added extra time of sitting and nursing. Housework gets put on hold, but really the house doesn't look too bad because Justin has been picking up most of that slack plus dinner making. Not everyday has been perfect, but things are going really well, I think. It's amazing how much easier it is to add a third and then fourth baby to a family. I remember such a hard adjustment when Zeke was born. But then when Isabel was born, things fell into place nicely - just like now. It probably also helps to have a baby who is so mellow. Vincent (like Isabel as a newborn) is very alert, but also sleeps well. I could not be happier; God has blessed our family abundantly!

In other news, Zeke did turn FOUR this week! He had a nice little birthday, and even got to bring in cookies to celebrate it at school. Chiara had her first little performance at the school's Advent Music Concert. She was super excited, and sooo pretty!

One More Day?

So, I was just looking at my pregnancy ticker and started laughing. It says one day to go - yeah right! Earlier this week, I really thought I had a chance of going into labor by the weekend, but now I don't know. I did wake up a few times last night with some hard Braxton's, but then I would fall back asleep and they would go away. Zeke made it through the night without throwing up!!! WoooHoooo! And Isabel never made a peep. Please, God, let us be done with the stomach flu!! We've had it in the house for over a week now, the stay has been long enough! I just want everyone to be better! Then I can concentrate on having our baby! Justin still thinks I will go into labor today - I told him not to get his hopes up. I still have another work shift to work tonight, but I am contemplating calling off. I had last night off, and felt sooo good to not have to go in and work so hard. I guess I'll wait and see how I feel a little later into the morning. I should maybe pack my hospital bag if I feel up to it today. Lately I have had absolutely xero energy, and can barely do the things I really have to do. I've been keeping my cell phone charged - usually I am really bad about that! I have friends and family who want to know when I am in labor and when baby is born, but don't want to find out from FB. Almost time to wake up my kindergartener!

Sick House

Poor Zeke. He is still sick. I am hoping that by the end of the day today, he should be feeling a bit better. Chiara threw up until the middle of the third day of being sick. Today is day three for Z. When I got home last night from work, Isabel was awake and whining - not a good sign. I was up with her foreever, until she finally got sick around 1:30am. After she vomited, I think she felt loads better, and she fell asleep within the half hour. She slept the rest of the night without a peep, and (knock on wood) has been completely normal all morning, and no vomiting. However, little Z was up at least four times last night getting sick. He is so miserable! I hope this sickness just goes away! One nice thing about this morning is I did not have to drag everyone out to take Chiara to school. Justin's dad came and picked her up and took her. He will do the same tomorrow morning.

I am also not feeling great. I can't tell if it's just due to impending labor or if I am getting sick as well. I feel like my body is really ready to have this baby, but I keep telling myself I need to get my other babies well before I can leave them for the hospital! Luckily, I have had the entire week off of housework. All I have done each day is take care of the kids and laze around. Justin has strict orders on me not to do anything at all. He's done the laundry, dishes, dinner, etc each day after work, and I am sooo grateful!

Why Now?!

So, I think that Chiara's vomiting was definitely the stomach flu. Dr. Mulder had said that it could have been that, but that it could have also been due to the fever from her ear infection. Of course, we are not so lucky. I just spent much of the night up with a vomiting Ezekiel. Poor kid! Now I am TERRIFIED that Isabel, Justin, and myself are going to end up with the same thing. I have a doc appointment today. Hopefully I am not too dilated, although I think I probably am. I have been having LOTS of Braxton-Hicks contractions, and feel like baby is very low. Please, God, let everyone get healthy again!!!

Down With the Sickness

Isabel eating her birthday cake.

Modeling her new dress up clothes she got as a birthday present.

My sis-in-law Courtney and I with our baby bellies.

Last Thursday, Chiara got very sick. I had worked Wednesday night, and was up until I decided to finally go to bed around 12:30 am. Right when I had started for my room, I heard someone in the bathroom. I decided to check on whoever it was, and it was Chiara - throwing up. She was also really flushed and had a fever. Poor baby! She came out, and had a cracker, but was also thristy, too. Then I made her a little bed on the couch, and read her a book til she got sleepy. She got up again around 5am, when Justin was getting ready for work - again throwing up. I got up, and again she had a cracker and some juice. Her fever was still high, so I gave her some more Tylenol. She laid back down, and I called her absence into school. At first, I thought it was a stomach bug, so I just tried to make her comfy, and get her anything she needed. As the day went on, however, she remained miserable, pale, and feverish. I decided to call the doctor, and the nurse made us an afternoon appointment. When I took her in, it turned out that she had a REALLY, REALLY bad ear infection in her right ear. Dr. Mulder said that was more than likely the cause of the fever. The vomiting, he said was possibly due to her newly developed cough, in combination with her fever. So, we got a prescription for an antibiotic, an order to get lots of rest and fluids, and a command to stay home again from school on Friday. She stayed on the couch all day Friday and Saturday, and returned to mostly her old self on Sunday. Today she woke up, and said she felt better than ever, and went to school. She still has a bit of a cough and a slightly runny nose, but for the most part she is on the mend. Now her daddy and little sister have started up the cough and runny nose. Great. Just when we are getting ready to have a little one in the house!!! Maybe Zeke and I will be lucky and miss out on the fun of being sick!

Chiara and I had to miss out on a family get together on Saturday. :( We were both sad to have to stay home, but I knew it was for the best so that she could rest. Justin, Zeke, and Isabel went, however, and had a great time visiting with extended relatives that we don't get to see often. I guess Isabel was really shy, though. Normally, she is very talkative and playful, but not really around people she doesn't know, I guess. Saturday night, Courtney, Dan, and Harper came by before they headed back to Valpo (they had gone to the get-together, also). Harper is nearly potty trained!!!! He is doing such a great job with it! I felt sorry for Dan - Zeke kept climbing all over him and was positively smothering him. Zeke has always adored Dan, and goes really crazy when he gets to see him because Dan often has to work and doesn't always get to make the trips with Court to Lafayette. I made sure to get a pic of Courtney and I pregnant. I could have this baby any day, and she has finally popped out enough to get a good pic. I also have one of us from when she was prego with Harp, and I with Isabel. Fun, fun!

I have just four more nights of work! Baby is due on Saturday! But who knows when he will decide to make his appearance?! I am hoping for sometime next week - gives us more time to get over being sick! Tomorrow I have a dr. appt. Friday we wil (hopefully) have a playdate. Sunday we are having Thanksgiving with my inlaws, as they will be out of town from next Tues thru the following Monday. Lots of fun things to come!

Ten Days

...til my due date. Actually, in a little more than a half hour it will be nine days. I am SUPER excited! Also a little scared as we are not quite ready yet. I still need to wash his clothes. My friend Amy gave me a ton of boy clothes back in July which I promptly washed and put away. But I have yet to wash my own, and I still want to re-wash hers - I mean they've been sitting in the closet collecting dust for heaven's sake! ;) And we still have to put the bassinet in our room, wash the car seat cover, install the car seat base, pack my hospital bag, etc. I don't know where all my time has gone! I thought that I would not procrastinate this time around, but here we are doing the same thing we always do. Waiting til the last minute to get ready for baby. I really, really wanted to buy a new sling or wrap or whatever for this baby, but have decided not to do that. With Christmas coming up, and me not working, I just cannot seem to justify spending the money. Especially because we technically have a Snugli - old and uncomfortable as it may be. I think I will stick it out with that at least until I go back to work in January, then maybe I'll splurge and get something cuter and comfier for baby wearing!

Last week we were semi-social. Our good old friend Ian stopped by with his son for a bit. Then we were supposed to have another playdate with Leah and the kids, but she had to cancel due to homework. Zeke went on his first field trip ever last Thursday - to the downtown library. Very exciting business! Justin got to be social, too! He went deer hunting with one of his old friends all day Saturday. He said he had a couple good shots at a couple of deer, but missed. Darn it! He blamed it on his lack of archery skills - he was hunting with a bow and arrow. He said it's not legal to hunt deer with a gun yet - that comes later in the season, I guess? But he had loads of fun getting to do something he really loves. I am hoping he'll have more of an opportunity to do that occasionally in the coming weeks.

I need to post pics of Isabel's bday, but I haven't loaded those onto the computer yet. Soon, hopefully!