One year anniversary...

Today I realized that tomorrow marks exactly one year since I last posted anything on out blog. I figure it's time to start keeping up on it more frequently. Yay!

Trying to keep those contractions coming.

During the first half of the year, things were pretty uneventful (in a good way), but the second half has been pretty busy so far. In May, Blake's parents came out to visit and help with the new baby, and they got here just in the nick of time. We met them for lunch as they were driving into town,  and my contractions started as soon as we sat down. They lasted on and off the rest of that day and into the night, and finally at 10am the next morning they were finally strong enough to head into the hospital. I got checked into the hospital at 11am and our little Ruby was born at 2pm. Overall, it was a pretty smooth, natural delivery, except all the screaming going on. Ha ha. I was adamant that I was not going to have an epidural because they hadn't worked with either of my other deliveries (and I'm convinced that I have back pain because of them) and I didn't want to pay for it. And really, the only super hard part for me to handle is transition. However, I transitioned extremely fast and I wasn't quite prepared for the level of pain. So yes, I screamed...a lot...very loudly...I think I scared Blake. Luckily, they gave me the green light to push, I pushed 2 or 3 times and she came shooting out. It is amazing how in the moment when that little baby is placed on your chest, you go from such unimaginable pain to complete serenity.  She weighed 7 pounds even, my biggest baby yet. (Which isn't saying much I realize.) We checked out of the hospital early the next day and headed home to visit with our family.

Ruby Sue

Family of five

I try not to play favorites with my kids, but Ruby is making it really hard for me not to. She is such a sweet, content little girl. She only cries when she is hungry or sleepy and has consistently slept through the night since she was 8 weeks old. She's a girl after my heart. I love my sleep. I think the lack of sleep is the hardest and most frustrating thing about having a newborn.  Now she's almost 4 months old and is still as sweet as ever.

After Blake's parents visit, my parents came out stay for a couple weeks. I enjoyed all the help I was getting and Owen and Ella were spoiled with attention. I am grateful for such a wonderful family.

Grandpa Johnson helping Owen hold Ruby for the first time.

Blake's parents.

Sisters

Since Ruby's sex was a surprise, she wore some of Owen's old jammies until we bought some more girl clothes.

Grandma Jean and kids at Talking Waters park.

Gotta love when Grandpas hold babies.