Isaac Robert's Birthday Pictures

Welcome to the world Isaac Robert Dafoe

Isaac is a name we had on our "boy" list ahead of time and means laughter. We are praying he brings our home much joy and laughter. Robert is my grandfather's name. He passed away on Wednesday just a few hours after Isaac was born. We are sad he won't get to meet his great grandfather here on Earth, but hope someday he can learn all about the wonderful man he was named after.

I thought I would put these fun pictures up from the birthday party! I still can't believe he is here safe and sound. God is so good! I have been very emotional thinking about how precious he is and what a blessing it is that he was able to stay put an extra 10 weeks!

My mom and I patiently waiting to meet this little man who shares a birthday with her!

It's a Boy! Richard and my mom said they knew it as soon as they saw his precious face, since he looked just like his big brothers!

What a blessing to have Dr. Setness Hoefs deliver him! She really loves what she does and does an excellent job at it.

8lbs 10.6oz and 21 inches long

One proud daddy!

My first good look at my son!

Look at those adorable baby feet.

Fresh and clean just in time to meet his big brothers

Elijah checking Isaac out for the first time

Jonah was beaming the entire time!

He can't keep his hands off his baby brother and cried when he had to go home and go to bed and was only ok when we told him he could hold his baby brother tomorrow!

Jonah was encouraging Elijah to touch his little brother. It was so precious to watch them checking Isaac out for the first time!

Holding hands and counting toes.

Our first family picture

Grandma, her birthday buddy and Jonah

Auntie Laura taking a turn holding Isaac. She was so wonderful and watched the boys for us during Isaac's delivery. Thanks Laura!

It's a....

BOY! Eight lbs. 11oz., 21.5 in. long and already eating. Born at 12:26 on the 24th of February. Thanks for all your prayers. Pics coming soon.

Dear Bruce...

Dear Bruce,

I know you are nice and cozy warm inside me and I am so happy you have decided to stay in the "batcave" so long, but I just wanted to let you know that we are so ready to meet you! Everything is washed and waiting for you to grace us with your presence. The only thing left to do is clean the house (we both know how much I like doing that) so if you wanted to come soon I could just leave that for another day!

Carseat: check

Diaper bag: check

Bag for hospital: check

Bruce: NO CHECK

Here is your bed too, cozy and warm just waiting for you!

Not only are your daddy and I super excited to meet you, but so are a certain two little boys! Even Elijah is coming around to welcoming you into the family! Elijah said he loved you the other night, kissed my belly, and offered to share one of his blankets with you! Jonah just might explode with excitement if you aren't here soon!

I also wanted to let you know that the batcave is going to be closing for renovations on Friday some time. So if you would kindly exit beforehand it would be much appreciated! I guess if you want to wait until Friday you can, but it might be easier if you come sooner. Well, until we meet face to face I just wanted you to know that we all love you very much and are so excited to finally hold you and love you up!

Love always,

Your Mommy

PS Don't worry...your name really won't be Bruce when you get here...if that is what is holding you back!

38 weeks...and no Bruce yet!

We are 38 weeks today

I was 2 cm dilated, 50% effaced, and -1 at my appointment on Tuesday. I made it through my Grandma's funeral this week and now am patiently waiting for Bruce to come. I am working 3 12 hour shifts this weekend so perhaps that will help.

We are scheduled to be induced a week from tomorrow starting at 5am. Please pray for me to go into labor on my own. The boys are even getting anxious to meet the baby and wake up every morning expecting that he or she was born while they were sleeping! I am hoping to wake up motivated to clean the house, do the laundry, and pray this will be the last time I "nest" before Bruce arrives. (Insert laughing from God)

I also will hopefully announce the big news on here before anywhere else so my faithful blog readers get to hear the news first!

Leaving a Legacy

My 87 year old Grandma Myrtle passed away Friday evening after a very long and valiant battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family when she passed and my dad, sister and mother who were there said it was very peaceful and beautiful.

My grandmother was such a wonderful woman and she will be greatly missed. She was an amazing wife, mother, friend and grandmother. It was so hard to watch her suffering at the end as the cancer invaded her body and filled her days with pain. However, she had the most positive attitude throughout it all and was so anxious to go and meet her maker. She reassured the rest of us that she was more than ready to meet Jesus and was thankful for the extra years God had granted her as she battled her cancer. She was ready to be done with cancer and ready to meet Jesus. She described hearing the most beautiful hymns she has ever heard in her last days when she would drift off to sleep. She also would reach out in her sleep and we can only imagine she was reaching for Jesus.

Grandma was someone who always lit up the room with her smile. She cared so much for others and was a great example of selfless love. Some of my favorite memories of her involve playing in her basement where she taught ceramic classes. I also spent many hours sitting in her living room visiting with her as a child and now as an adult while my kids played with the same toys I played with as a child! Growing up she always had these cookies with maple frosting in them that I loved. She also had a growth chart on the woodwork of her home and it was so fun to see how much you had grown since you had last visited!

Grandma was a light for Christ. She served Him in all she did and did so humbly. She displayed unconditional love that radiated from her soul. I am so thankful that we moved back a year and a half ago and had been able to spend more time with her. I am thankful that my boys have such great memories of her.

As I was thinking about her passing and how she touched so many lives I was reminded of a song by Nichole Nordeman. The song is titled Legacy and describes my Grandma so well.

I don't mind if you've got something nice to say about me

And I enjoy an accolade like the rest

You could take my picture and hang it in a gallery

Of all who's who and so-n-so's that used to be the best

At such'n'such ... it wouldn't matter much

I won't lie, it feels alright to see your name in lights

We all need an 'Atta boy' or 'Atta girl'

But in the end I'd like to hang my hat on more besides

The temporary trappings of this world

I want to leave a legacy

How will they remember me?

Did I choose to love? Did I point to You enough

To make a mark on things?

I want to leave an offering

A child of mercy and grace who

blessed your name unapologetically

And leave that kind of legacy

I don't have to look too far or too long awhile

To make a lengthly list of all that I enjoy

It's an accumulating trinket and a treasure pile

Where moth and rust, thieves and such will soon enough destroy

Not well traveled, not well read, not well-to-do or well bred

Just want to hear instead, "Well Done" good and faithful one...

I just know that as she walked through those pearly gates of heaven that Jesus was right there to greet her and He said to her, well done good and faithful one. I am so thankful for the legacy she has left behind.

It is hard to be days away from meeting our child and knowing he or she will not have those memories of Grandma. However, I am confident he or she will learn what a beautiful woman their grandmother was from those of us who were blessed to be touched by her.

We miss you Grandma, but my soul smiles when I think of you dancing with Jesus. I also look forward to being with you again someday.

37 weeks and patiently waiting...

Update: There wasn't much change at my appointment except that she did say the baby was lower. I ended up getting a NST (non-stress test) because Bruce hadn't been moving as much as normal. It was a little stressful because the little bugger wasn't responding right away and after drinking a whole glass of apple juice and eating a popsicle the nurse had to get out an ultrasonic fog horn and wake the poor little one up! After that we saw some excellent responses with heartrate to my contractions. I have another appointment next Tuesday and after that I am not sure. I guess I will continue to try to be patient and wait!

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Here is the 37 week belly shot...

...I can't believe we have made it this far

...I can't believe we are now FULL TERM

...I can't believe Bruce doesn't want to come out yet!

I have a dr apt tomorrow, so we'll see if anything is happening. Richard is going skiing all day tomorrow for school and is really hoping Bruce doesn't spoil his day by deciding to be born. Well, I am sure he would get over it if it happened, but he will be a little sad. He is also going to be in Fargo all day Saturday for a coaching clinic. I have discussed this with Bruce and explained that the BIG day is going to have to wait until daddy can be there. We will see how good of a listener baby #3 really is I guess! Tune in tomorrow for a post dr apt update. Until then I will remain pregnant, sassy, and patiently waiting to meet my baby!

Breaking my heart

Today the boys went back to daycare for the first time since I went into labor before Christmas. They enjoy the home daycare they go to and are usually upset when I come to get them and don't want to leave. Which is a comforting feeling even though it makes getting out the door a little difficult!

Today however they were both pretty happy to be picked up and seemed as though they had a good time. I only slept for a few hours today after working last night and picked them up for naps. They went down for naps pretty well, so I felt pretty good about this big change. But when they woke up I learned the truth: neither one of them is a fan of this change.

I must confess that before the past year and a half I have never desired to be a full time stay at home mom (SAHM). When we moved back from Iowa a year and a half ago I started working part time instead of full time and have LOVED it! It has been a great way to keep up my nursing skills while getting to be home with my boys. However, more and more my heart has been longing to be home all the time.

Being placed on bedrest was a very difficult thing for me as I am not a fan of NOT being in control and it was humbling to have to rely on others to take care of myself and my family. God is good and He blessed us in so many ways while I was trying to stay pregnant as long as possible. I wasted lots of negative energy on being frustrated that I was using up my maternity leave before the baby came, that we would be cutting it pretty close with money, that I was "useless" around the house, etc. But, by the grace of God the boys were able to stay home with me the ENTIRE time and they were great! I couldn't have done it without all the angels who stopped by to help out with them, bringing us meals, toys, movies, and just company.

I loved being home with them though. I am hoping that someday soon I will be able to be home with them full time and take a flex position in the NICU working a weekend here or there and not being restricted to a certain number of hours a week. We could avoid daycare and I could be home with our kiddos. Until then I am very thankful for the current arrangement which involves me only working two 12 hour night shifts a week at the hospital.

So today was rough for me for many reasons including that I wish I could still be home with the boys. It was also hard because I know their little world is going to be rocked in a few days or weeks with the arrival of a new baby. Then I will be home again for awhile and have to go back to work eventually.

So my heart was broken this afternoon when Elijah came to me and confessed that he wasn't happy with the current situation. It began with the best tantrum I have ever seen him throw because I wouldn't drive him to Target and buy him a toy he wanted that the little boy at daycare had just gotten. While I was in their room putting clothes away he put his boots, coat, hat and mittens on and in between tears told me he was ready. He yelled, screamed, kicked, and demanded I take him NOW!

I was in a bit of shock at first, and quickly realized this was the reaction I had been expecting all along, but just hadn't seen. Once I discovered what the real issue was I scooped him up and we headed into the nursery to "rockabye" and snuggle. I let him cry and vent about how he hated that I had to work again, that I was having a baby, that he had to go to daycare, and that I couldn't just be his mommy at home like I had for the other days. It ended in both of us being in tears as we talked about how change is hard and sometimes it just feels good to cry and talk about what makes us sad.

Poor Richard came home in the heat of it all and was worried something was wrong with the baby or me. Once I clued him in to the culprit behind all the tears he saved the day by suggesting we all go on a date to Starbucks after supper. So that is what we did.

The four of us went to Starbucks for hot chocolate, cookies, and a little old maid. It was a great time and something we hadn't done for a very long time. When we left the boys told me that was the bestest date ever! I thought it was pretty great myself!

So tomorrow I am home with them all day and even though I would love to spend the day cleaning, doing laundry, and getting a few more things done before Bruce comes, I think we are going to have to spend most of it just hanging out together. I am sure we can play a little superheroes, do a puzzle or two, play some games, and maybe even build a fort.

Change is hard. Even if it is a good change. Whether you are 3 or 26 years old. God knows this and perhaps is granting me just a few more days with just my boys before Bruce changes it up. For that I am thankful and am going to cherish each moment we have.

Happy Birthday Irene!

Today is my mother-in-law's birthday! I think she is 29...or something :0)

She lives in California with Richard's brother and his family so we don't get to see her very much. We are looking forward to having her come visit us when Bruce arrives. She is on stand by for the official news that we are really in labor and will be on her way. Today we gave her a call to wish her a happy birthday and Elijah was disappointed we won't be able to help her celebrate and eat cake with her. I told him we could have a party when she comes to see the baby and he was ok with that.

Happy Birthday Irene! We sure wish we could help you celebrate your special day, but we are anxious to have you for a visit soon! The boys are looking forward to picking you up at the airport and playing jump over the sword. Hopefully it won't be too cold for you here! We love you lots and will see you soon!

One down...??? to go

I successfully worked my first shift back at work last night after being on bedrest since going into labor at 29 weeks! It was only an 8 hour night shift and my WONDERFUL coworkers generously gave me a nice "easy" assignment to break myself back in. They also yelled at me anytime I tried to get up and move around more than I should have and kept me hydrated all night. I was also relieved to discover I hadn't forgotten everything and surprised how naturally everything came to me. I really do love the NICU and my coworkers.

Words can't express how blessed we feel that God has allowed Bruce to stay put an extra 7 weeks already!!!! I started contracting pretty continuously on Thursday night and all day Friday and was curious to see if I would even make it through one shift at work. Just in case I shaved my legs, painted my toes, and packed a bag.

I feel as though the anticipation of Bruce's birth is even greater than the boys' because we have been praying for extra time since December 17th when we thought we were going to be meeting our sweet baby. It is hard to not get excited about these contractions continuing, but I am trying to remember that God is in control and has already chosen this little one's birth day.

So tonight I will go back to work for another shift and try to be patient as we wait for this little one. I am also going to relish every moment of sleep I do get while I still can!

36 weeks and some progress...

I never thought I would still be pregnant in February let alone make it to 36 weeks! We are so excited we made it this far and are hoping for a little more time. I had a dr apt yesterday and was 1-2cm dilated, 25% effaced, and -1 station! She was surprised by the progress I had made from my last appointment. I was VERY happy to hear that head is nice and low though because this little one is so active I have feared he or she would flip and become breech.

I am just getting over a nasty cold that the boys graciously shared with me and praying I don't get sick after being on puke patrol with Elijah Tuesday night. Poor little man! He always seems to get it in our house. I am praying no one else does though. Fortunately it was a quick one and he seems to be bouncing back quickly. He broke my heart though as he kept telling me he loved me in between heaves. I "camped" out on his bedroom floor (Richard moved Jonah's mattress to the floor next to Elijah's) and Jonah "camped" out in our room with Richard.

I am going back to work this weekend and hoping to just keep working until Bruce arrives. I am feeling pretty ready and trying not to get anxious about labor. My labor has been so different with both the boys that I almost feel like I don't know what to expect. I am also praying I can delivery naturally again and trying not to let the fear of the pain get to me! Thankfully I have a wonderful hubby who is an excellent labor coach ;0)

It is hard to believe that this little one will be here in a few weeks or less! It seems like this pregnancy has been longer than my others after it was halted by bedrest. It has however picked up speed since I have been able to move around and I am sure the rest of the time will fly by.

Praying for a safe delivery and a healthy baby. Richard is praying for a full night sleep before! I guess that wouldn't be so bad, but I am betting that won't be the case. I am hoping to post something when Bruce arrives...so keep your eyes peeled!

Big Brother in Training

As the anticipation for Bruce's arrival builds, I am not sure who is more excited to meet him, the boys or us. Elijah has made some major improvements in this department and I am really hoping we continue to see progress as we get closer to the big day. He has been very territorial of his things and making sure that each baby item I pull out wasn't "his" before Bruce gets to use it.

Jonah on the other hand is nothing but excited! He asks me just about every day if I think it will be today that the baby is born. He also has been a great "helper" while I have been digging out baby items, washing them up and putting them away. He even helped me do some MAJOR cleaning in our house on Friday. We vacuumed, scrubbed, and dusted! We cleaned for almost 3 hours and he was right by me the entire time!

Today I found him feeding his baby bear after nap time...

...he of course had to be burped also.

Then I found him in the baby's room using the boppy after he discovered what it was for...

...he is so excited it is absolutely adorable!

Elijah on the other hand seems to be more interested in just making sure the baby items weren't "his" and less excited for the baby to actually be here. I hardly blame the guy. Would you want a little person coming in and taking your role away? Probably not! After a friend dropped off an exersaucer for us to borrow I found him literally checking it out...

We had a discussion about how he is too big for it and he started pretending he was a baby and wanting me to carry him like a baby. I am sure this is only a preview of what is to come. I only hope that over time he learns to love this new little sibling! I am sure it will take some getting used to and we are all anticipating that to be the case. Either way life will never be dull again I am sure!