Fall Fun

Though I would have liked to maybe do a little more Fall baking and decorating in our house, it was a bit difficult this year being pregnant, moving into a new house and then welcoming a newborn. But we have managed to squeeze in a bit of Fall fun for the kids.

Last year we started a new tradition of reading the book "The Pumpkin Patch Parable" and then cleaning out a pumpkin together. The premise of the story is how Jesus cleans our heart out of sin and replaces it with his light in our heart. Then we cook the seeds. This year Josiah was too little to eat them and Caleb still didn't like them...surprise, surprise! They had lots of fun cleaning out the pumpkin as you can see.

Our new little pumpkin with her first pumpkin! I'm sure next year at this time she will be in all on the pumpkin action.

Ahhh...the joy of homeowning. Dave now has to rake the leaves and we have LOTS! The boys helped him and then they of course enjoyed jumping in them and throwing them at each other.

I just think this is such a precious picture of Josiah. Though his little personality is coming out, that smile brightens our day whenever we see it!

Here is a video Dave took of the boys having fun in the leaves.

The New Family of 5

We have been adjusting this week to becoming a family of 5. Dave took the week so that of course made the days easier and gave me time to rest and recover. I am feeling really good now but am still trying to slip those naps in when I can. And for those of you who have been praying (and you know who you are...), Hannah's nights have been much better since that first one. Last night...5 1/2 hours of sleep STRAIGHT!!! WOO-HOO!!! I was feeling good this morning. She has been sleeping most of the time during the day too so we have been enjoying some cuddle time with her. We had a doctor's appointment on Thursday and she is back up to a whopping 6 pounds so she is eating well and gaining her weight back. It has been a good week but I know I will miss Dave when he goes back to work next week. And not just to help with the kids. It's just nice to all be home together. Life has been crazy these past couple of months and all the family time has been a blessing. Looking at these pictures gave me a laugh so I thought I would share them with you.

"Trying" to get a picture of our new family...Josiah was oh so cooperative. And no, Dave and I aren't fighting, just trying to get the kids settled. Caleb is all smiles...who knew?!?!

Ok, we are almost there...

There...got it! I really was hoping for no "binky" but I have learned quickly, with little ones you take what you can get. Good enough for now.

I know you can't read it clearly but her shirt says "Treat me like you would treat the QUEEN". Before I put it on her I showed Dave and said "This is so fun!" He just smiled and laughed at me. Though I really didn't care if we had another boy or a girl, I am excited to have a little girl to do "girly, girly" things with. And thank you to everyone who contributed to her wardrobe. We greatly appreciate it!!!!

Meet Baby Libby!

Well, the time came sooner than we had anticipated. Since my diagnosis with preeclampsia 2 weeks ago, I had to go into the doctor's office twice a week so the baby and I could be monitored. When I went in on Friday, my blood pressure was a bit higher along with the protein in my system and the doctor didn't like what she saw so she immediately sent me over to the hospital to be admitted. Since my doctor was on the next day, she planned on a c-section for me instead of waiting until the 22nd like originally planned. The baby was still in breech position so we had to go with the c-section. The baby and I were both hooked up to the monitor all night so between that discomfort and the anxiety of the surgery, I only slept for about 2 hours total the night before. But come Saturday morning, things went according to plan and we had our BABY GIRL at 9:20 am. It was once again the greatest surprise to find out what we were having. Her name is Hannah Grace and she is beautiful! She weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz. and was 19 inches long. She has more hair than the boys did (thank goodness!) and it is dark brown just like her mommy!
Hannah and I are doing well. We got home yesterday and are now learning to adjust as a family of 5! It's hard to believe that we now have 3 children...WOW!!!! Our first night was a bit rough (she may look like Josiah but she certainly sleeps like Caleb...those of you who know Caleb know what I mean...) and today was a little crazy at times but we will get there, we know. Here are some pictures from our eventful weekend. The boys are welcoming Hannah in their own little ways...as you can see. Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement over these last few weeks and I can't wait for you to meet baby Hannah!

"Dr. Libby" and mommy before the surgery. I was a bit nervous to say the least.

Here she is...FRESH OUT! Daddy got some GREAT pictures.

Mommy and Hannah first meet.

I had to show this picture...is she Josiah or what in this picture?!?!

Mommy finally gets some "Hannah time" after the surgery.

Caleb introducing Isaac to his new "sistah". "Caleb, you are going to love having a little sister!"

I'm pretty sure Josiah is thinking, "Forget this sister thing, GIVE ME THE COOKIE!"

Hannah Grace.

Well, here you go...Caleb is so into her and Josiah could really take her or leave her. Although in this picture, he was saying "hi" to her...while enjoying his ice cream.

Here is Hannah at home for the first time. It was strange to bring home a baby dressed in pink!!!

Here is a video Dave took of Hannah's first bath...so cute!

Almost There...

Well, here I am at 36 weeks pregnant. Where does the time go?!?! It's hard to believe we will be meeting baby Libby within a couple of weeks. It will actually be a bit sooner than later we found out this week. I am due the 30th of October (my mom's birthday!) but I have a scheduled C-Section for October 22nd. Reason?...The baby is in breech position...bum first...just like his or her mommy! Of course, 30 years ago you were just delivered that way, no questions asked I guess. I also received a diagnosis of preeclampsia this week as well. It is a condition that pregnant women can get usually after 32 weeks of gestation. The doctor found a few symptoms last week and this week and through some tests and blood work, I got the official diagnosis on Friday. It is not a severe case which is good. I have had to stop working and if the symptoms get any more severe, we will be delivering even earlier. One of the big symptoms is high blood pressure so I have had to relax a bit more...not easy with two active boys and a new house but I am taking it easy as best I know how. I will be closely monitored over the next week to see how things are going with me and the baby. If the baby decides to turn into the right position, I will be induced on the 22nd but until the doctor sees that happen, we are scheduled for the C-section and I have all my pre-op appointments lined up and will be busy with those this week as well as many last minute preparations for the baby. It's just like me though, isn't it?...one birth with drugs, one without drugs and now a C-section...variety is the spice of life, right?!?! I am getting really excited to know what we are having and I can't wait to tell you all!!! If you think of the Libby family, please just pray that things all go smoothly with me and the baby and that we adjust to being a family of 5!

Times of Laughter

Ok, I've never seen the movies "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" although I have heard very good things about them. And even though I haven't seen the movie I imagine that there are a lot of times of love, laughter and tears. And well, that brings me to the picture. When my friend Mary was here just a few weeks ago there was love, LOTS OF LAUGHTER (as you can see) and even some tears. I thank God for friendships and I especially thank Him for the friendship I have with these women you see. We have been through much together in a just a short amount of time. I know Mary has taken the time to add it all up but it is lots of pregnancies together, lots of moving and many other good times and difficult times. The Word says that "A friend loves at all times." and though we are all busy with our different lives and even an ocean apart, God has allowed our paths to cross and created a beautiful friendship among the 4 of us. I love you ladies and I thank God for you. I know to most of you this seems like just a silly picture but it was the joke of the week for us. It all stemmed from what Mary calls the things on our heads...Toboggans!!!! Go figure!