leaves falling

Saturday, December 31, 2011


Halloween.... Still Waiting on Baby Liam!
Aubrey got her "Very 1st Very Own" pumpkin at the Pumpkin patch we love to go to each year!

Since there was still no sign of Liam arriving for Halloween and he would miss dressing up in a cute costume, we decided to include him anyways... this year he went as a Jack-O-Lantern.

The rest of us went with a different theme. Me: Queen Bee , Aubrey: Bumble Bee Princess, Daddy: The Bee Keeper or "Honey Man"

We attended several community Halloween parties and enjoyed every moment of it.... Aubrey was a pro trick-or-treater and mastered the song "Trick-or-Treat smell my feet give me something good to eat, if you don't I don't care, I pull down your underwear!" She said this to about 1/2 of the houses.

LIAM'S BirthStory

Because Aubrey came 6 days early when she was born, I just expected that Liam would come just as early or even sooner. I was becoming very anxious and unfortunately, I confused that with a "Mother's Intuition." Therefore, leading myself to major disappointment. I began walking every day and night. Then that walking turned into a pathetic jog every night, mixed with other "Labor Inducing Activities." One Sunday, after much work, I was sure this was "It!" I began going down the line of calling my Mom and all my sisters; saying, "I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure so be on standby." Then after the contractions subsided, I had to make that depressing call back saying, "don't worry, you can go to bed... nothing's going to happen." My doctor is big on offering inductions at 39 weeks if wanted. I told him that we'd schedule one for 11-4-11, but I probably wouldn't take it because I'd go naturally on my own or I'd just wait till my due date.... Well, 11-4-11 came and this desperate, anxious Mom packed her bags an hour before she was suppose to arrive for the induction and made it to the hospital at 5:30am.

I was very nervous because Aubrey's labor and delivery went so well, that I was afraid that I wouldn't be as lucky this time around; especially, because I was being induced.

However, things started out great. As soon as they hooked me up to the monitor it was evident that I had already began contracting on my own. They said that even if I didn't come it that morning, they were sure that I would have come in on my own that night. The contractions were pretty steady at first but then they started the Pitocin to keep them coming regularly. We came prepared with the Ipad, Labtop, card games, and more to help pass the time. But early on, the nurse asked if it would be okay if two WVU students observed the birth. I agreed to let them. I thought that they would just be in and out the whole time with the nurses, but I guess if you're a student you aren't expected to do much so they ended up just hanging out with us and talking until it was go time and then there wasn't much talking going on. So needless to say, we didn't need any of the stuff we brought. My doctor came and checked on me once or twice and said I could have the epidural before they broke my water so I wouldn't get too uncomfortable. However, right before the anesthesiologist came in, the nurse checked me and I was already at 8cm. So much for giving me the epidural before I progressed too much.... hahaha. Anyways, I need to make mention about how nice the anesthesiologist was. He was AMAZING! He could tell I was very nervous, but he kept me distracted and was so patient with me... even though I dreaded his arrival, I was in LOVE with him before he left! I guess that's probably the standard with having a job like that. Immediately after, Pop brought Aubrey in to see Mommy and Daddy one last time before she was no longer the only child. After she left to go wait in the lobby, I was slipping off into dream land, but not even a 1/2 hour later the doctor came in ready to catch our little man. At this point it was 11:27 and we kept joking that I was going to beat Aubrey's time who was born at 11:54 with 15 min. of pushing. So I began pushing, and everyone kept telling me how close he was.... I didn't believe them because with Aubrey they said that and then I realized you could barely see any of her head so I continued to casually push as not to wear myself out. Well, after 6 min. of pushing, they said, "He's Here!" and I looked down in amazement to see my sweet baby boy in all his glory!

Liam, only seconds after entering this Great World!

I was able to hold him for a moment, before they started weighing and poking and prodding him... but that moment was amazing. He looked just like his Big Sister Aubrey and I was in love all over again.

Liam Cade Christensen weighed 6lbs. 14oz. and 20" long. He had dark hair with side chops that extended to his jaw and tiny little ears. He was perfect.

They only let the baby stay with Mommy and Daddy for about 1hour until they take him to get warmed up in the nursery. In that time he nursed awesomely for almost the whole hour, but then everyone got to hold him for a few minutes.

When Aubrey first saw her brother she was... In LOVE! Her first words were, "I love him... I love him... Can we take him home?" She is an amazing Big Sister! They soon whisked him away to the nursery. He had difficulty getting his body temperature back so he didn't get to come back with us for 5 hours. This was a little disappointing, but I must say the break was a little nice so I could get a little rest. We walked down to the nursery to see him after a couple hours and made it clear to them that we wanted to be a part of his first bath and the nurse agreed to come get us before hand. Well... after the 5 hours they came rolling him in all clean and clothed. I was a little upset about this as well, but we've already had too many baths at home to count to make up for the 1st.

Liam all clean and warm.

Wearing his first pair of Jammies.

Our first Family Cuddle session ended with everyone falling asleep in my bed. After they all fell asleep and I took the pictures, we put Liam back in his bed and I joined in on a nice, long nap.

We got lots of awesome visitors including family and friends!

Aubrey even got a visitor her own age. She shared her new Princess shoes that Liam gave to his Big Sister.

After 48 hours we were getting pretty bored and decided it was time to get home to Aubrey and start having fun!
All cute in his going home outfit!

Trying out his new carseat! He looked so tiny in it, now looking back, this really gives me an idea of how much he has grown already!

Rolling out to the car in front of the Hospital.

3 days Old and taking our 1st walk!


Aubrey's regressed just a bit... We have to swaddle her, binkytize her and rock her in the bassinet to get her to sleep... No Big Deal... jk.... she was just being her silly little self.

I'm still behind on all my postings, but at least I have his Birth Story recorded now. I am excited to share our Thanksgiving and Christmas adventures with you in the coming days. This post was just getting too long and there is so much we've already done since Liam's arrival.... Life is Grand!

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Where have we been? I'll tell you where we've been!

!AUGUST!

In August, we went to the Columbus Zoo and Water Park with the whole gang! I was a little nervous about going down water slides when pregnant... but it didn't hold me back and I had a blast!

Aubrey and Kenli looking awesome in their shades ready to see the animals!

We took a detour to the petting zoo within the big Zoo! The kids had a blast brushing the animals.

Aubrey loved to see all the animals... the best part was that she was old enough to remember what she had seen and still talks about the "bears jumping in the water!"


We Bought A BOAT!
First day of boating relaxed Aubrey so much she feel asleep sitting up! She loves boating and we can't wait to teach her how to wake board next year!


We Saw the OCEAN!
This year Aubrey was a little more apprehensive about the water, but warmed up quickly to it as she ventured out a few times on her own.

Aubrey kissing Baby Brother Liam and telling him how excited she is to have him play with her in the waves next summer!

Priceless picture... Aubrey loves her Daddy and feels safer with none other!

We Went CAMPING!
We went camping about 1/2 hour from the beach at our favorite Bell Plane State Park. However, the deer ticks loved Aubrey a little too much as we collected over 12 microscopic ticks from her sweet head.
We also had the pleasure of camping with Uncle Jared and Mary and Ethan. They were so much fun to have with us!

We Went to WASHINGTON DC
Uncle Jared woke up super early and sat in the cold rain for hours to get us tickets to go to the top of the Washington Monument... Thanks Jared!

The Capitol!

Honest Abe

Jared and the kids looking toward the Washington Monument in deep thought.

White House!


We Got to Visit LUCY the ELEPHANT!
My Uncle on my Mom's side helped construct Lucy to scare off unwanted visitors on the sea!

Early Morning Ride on the Board Walk!
I think this picture was taken seconds before mom fell.

We took a trolly instead of the bikes so we could make Wade and Jared do all the work.

Swimming with the cousins... for some reason Aubrey felt the need to strip naked in the pool... Much more refreshing that way I guess.

More boating... Wade showing off his awesome skills!

Me showing off my mad pregnant woman wake boarding skills!

Happy 4 Year ANNIVERSARY Love!
I came home surprised to find these inside my door waiting for me!

Align Center
Wade came home to find this surprise on the bed waiting for him!
Then we went to dinner and movie and played at the town park afterwards... I love you Wade and I couldn't be happier!

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!SEPTEMBER!

STORY HOUR at the LIBRARY
Every Tuesday we go to Story hour at the Library, this particular day you were suppose to dress up like someone from a specific culture, continent or country. Aleigha was a little Gypsy girl and Aubrey was a little girl from Tanzania and Brenton a Cowboy... They were super cute!


More Boating... However, hours in the hot sun sometimes make these two kiddos blood boil!

This is our favorite little place to eat when boating. It's right on the river and we dock up and go get a yummy bite to eat at "The JUG"

However, I think Aubrey enjoyed the Boogers more than the Burgers!


FUN in the TUB!
This is some goo that the kids made! It was super sticky and icky that it had to be played with in the tub! They had a blast sliding all over the tub.

Afterwards, the kids cleaned up by taking a bath with glow sticks! Bath time has never been the same since... there is always high expectations for fun in the Tub!

ARKANSAS!
Emily and I have never been to our sister Laura's house in Arkansas and we've been super anxious to go. So we took the plunge and left our husbands at home as we made the trek alone with three kiddos. Although the drive was miserable at times, we do not regret going one bit... we had so much fun!

We did lots of art projects!

Aunt Laura introduced us to the jump zone and Aubrey was not scared of the big slides on bit, in fact, she loved the big slides.

These two just lounged in the stroller as they picked their boogers and indulged on their rewards... yuck!
We had fun playing in the park on our last day in Arkansas... now we can't wait to go back for another visit.

"Somewhere Over the Rainbow!"
Yes, I am posing with a Rainbow vacuum cleaner, because this was the night that I finally earned my very own Rainbow and I could not be a happier owner! I have been nesting ever since it has become the new member of our family.

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!OCTOBER!
My little photo shoot with Little Miss Sunshine!
She is so beautiful!




The kids love playing "dress ups." Aleigha was pretending to be a witch and the other two were bumble bees. That's what they were for Halloween too. When they first put on their costumes, they truly believed they could fly!

Home School Preschool!

Aleigha's Halloween Costume Birthday Party was so much fun!


I got to make and decorate Aleigha's Birthday cakes... It was a lot of fun!
Happy Birthday Aleigha!

My Birthday Weekend!
We convinced the family to join us as we camped at Summersville lake and hiked the area the next day for my Birthday!

We took a 4 mile hike out to this beautiful point/cliff after a pancake breakfast around the campfire.

Kissing on the cliff

Aubrey and I taking a quick break while we wait up for some of the others!

After hiking, we grabbed a bite to eat and went to this Psychedelic Hole in the Wall attraction called, "Mystery Hole." It's a place that "defies" the rules of gravity. I swear the people who created it were stoned while in the process.


NEW RIVE GORGE BRIDGE
This was the last stop we made on my Birthday trip! It was amazing how breathtaking this bridge is!

All "four" of us in front of the bridge at the look out!

I hope you all enjoyed this lengthy blog post! The next post will contain pictures of our Halloween fun and the arrival of Liam who will be here any day! We miss all of you who are so far away! We hope this finds you safe and happy!