One month old

WOW!  It is amazing how something so small can take so much of ones time and energy.  I have tried or attempted MANY times to sit and write on this blog but alas I have either been preoccupied with New baby, (Caleb) or other children or trying to catch up on much needed-yet-rarely-gotten sleep.

So here we go.  As I sit and write, I want to officially introduce our new addition and blessing in so many ways; Caleb Joe Snyder.  Born January 17, 2013 at 8:05 am, weighing 8 lb 5 oz, and 18" long.  People always comment of "how tiny" he is; and yet he is bigger at his birth than both Josh and Shelby put together.  More surprising to me is that I knew he would be.

It is amazing how fast he is growing--as though I have forgotten how quickly they change.  This pregnancy was the easiest of my 3, and by far also the easiest delivery and recovery.  Yes I am still sore and healing, but I was up and around much sooner this time around than with the other 2.

As of yesterday, Caleb is 1 month old and as of his clinic check-up last week he was 20" long and 9 lb but with as fast as he is gaining and stretching even these number may have changed already.  He does not lack in the eating department--he is very much a Snyder when it comes to eating.  I am having to teach myself NOT to use the phrase, "Just like your brother."  Mainly because Josh does not like it, but I can see issues later in life, so I am trying.

Jody and I are slowing acclimating to sleepless or interrupted nights.  We are in awe of how 5 years can change the way the body reacts to things.  We are not spring chickens anymore, but God is good.  We both find it hard to believe that we are parents of 3 now.  Caleb will have a hard time learning his name as I keep calling him "Josh" or "Shelby".

The kids love their lil brother but can tend toward being too helpful when it comes to cares for Caleb.  At the same time, hey both have matured some in helping around the house.  It is amazing to watch them initiate in various household chores without being asked, and doing quite well to boot.

Now, we start the task of finding the "new normal."  After 3 weeks of no school, we started school again Last week.  Kinda a rough start--still working on it.  Schedule??  What is that?  Schedule is a work in progress.  More thankful we are homeschooling, in many ways it makes it SO much easier.

Well, I better close so I can post before little-bit (Caleb) wakes and I don't see my computer for another month.

New Year and Still Pregnant...

Well, we hoped and prayed baby would come last week, but he seems content to stay.  I am now 37 weeks and baby is about 7lbs.  He and I are bigger than any previous pregnancy or baby I have birthed.  Belly is tight and he moves when he can, seems to be quite cramped in there. I see Dr. on Thursday, maybe he will decide baby is ready.  I know he is...

Trying to stay healthy as both kids are now sick. Way to ring in the New Year.

I have been working on a few projects to pass time while sitting at home or in Dr. office.  I am working on knitting a blanket for Shelby--she saw some yarn and decided I needed to make her a blanket.  Also, hubby saw a cute beanie and thought it would be a fun challenge for me--and he said I had to make one for him and baby. Easier than I thought.  I even had a request to make another and got paid.  There's an idea...

As the New Year begins, we look forward to all God has in store for us.  We anxiously await Baby Snyder, and pray he is as cooperative outside the womb and he has been inside.  We pray this year will bring many blessings to you and your family.

Ready to pop!

After 3 pregnancies this is the only pregnancy that we have been able to take prego pics.  It has been fun to just be pregnant.  With the first two we started with good intentions to take lots of pictures, but then so much happened during the pregnancies that taking pictures was over shadowed by just getting thru them.  

This picture was taken at 33 weeks--at times we still find it hard to believe all that has transpired over the past 8 months, especially when the first 3 months eluded us.

Week 34 was met with a minor bump in the road.  I got out of my chair one evening and was greeted with a sharp pain in my left side.  Suddenly reeled with reminiscent pains of the past I hoped the pain would go away.  After 30 minutes it did not, but instead was joined by feelings of nausea.  So to the ER we went.  After meds for the nausea and pain I was admitted for observation.  Morning ultra sound on my kidneys revealed what I hoped was my imagination.  Kidney stones.

However, because I am familiar with the symptoms and with the help of fluids and lots of prayer, I think I was able to pass the stones without more pain.  Now I concentrate more on keeping the fluids going--as if I was not already drinking like a fish.  And I am drinking juices to help keep the deposits moving.  

Now as I start week 35 I feel fine but VERY big and ready to pop.  Jody feels baby will be here this week if not before the end of the year.  Doctor still says January 17th.  I think baby will be early but not sure when.  I am bigger now than when I gave birth to #2.  Honestly, I don't have much more room.

Baby is very active.  He is head down, and I noticed he has dropped some.  I have started stress tests which monitor baby's movements and heart rate.  These will continue till he comes.  All this because of my "mature age."  I would be happy if baby came in the next few days.  I am ready to have my body back and able to breathe and eat without discomfort.

Thank you for all your prayers.  Please continue to pray for the last few weeks and transitions after baby comes.  Also that when baby comes my OB will be able available to do the C-section and not the on-call Doctor.