Slip and Slide Fun

Our Memorial Day weekend was good...so nice to have Daddy home for three whole days!  We didn't do much...a lot of relaxing...although, Chris did accomplish a few projects including putting together a new grill for us!  I was able to get out of the house a little...a party with Daniel and taking all three older boys to church!

On Monday, we filled up the pool and hooked up the slip and slide yet again.  The boys never tire of this entertainment.  It was even more special because Daddy was around to play with them.  I have some great video, but I am not sure time permits me to download it.  The pictures will have to do!

Of course when the thrill of the Slip and Slide and the pool wore off, the boys were delighted to find their own "swamp." 

It sure was sad to see Daddy go back to work again.  Oh well, at least the week is short and it will be the weekend soon!

So Everyone Asks...

How is William handling not being the baby anymore??

The truth is he is the most interested and definitely interacts the most with baby John.  Philip and Daniel are constantly off doing their own thing.  It's William who is at my feet while I am nursing or rocking John. 

William gets so excited when John wakes up.  As he gets close to John, he begins to wiggle his whole body.  It reminds me of a puppy that is so excited but knows its strength and that it must be careful.  He loves to give him a kiss before he naps...and it is always on the lips!  I remind him a lot that John is going to be his buddy.

This morning John, William, and I were on the porch.  John was actually having his first extended happy wake time...typically he is eating, sleeping, or fussing.  William insisted on showing him how to "blow it up"...a trick his Daddy just taught him.  I had to catch it on video.  (Please excuse William's hair...that's another blog post!!)

So rest assured, William is thrilled to have a little brother.  I look forward to watching their relationship grow!

Are You Crazy??

Yesterday, I sent a friend (who has four children also) a text asking if they could come play today.  Her exact response was, "We'd love to, but are you crazy?"  I later called her and responded that yes, I was probably crazy, but my boys hadn't left the house since Sunday and they were in desparate need of some different faces.  I haven't left the house since Friday, and I really needed someone over the age of five to talk to. 

So a pool party playdate was planned!  To top things off, a friend delivered dinner and a brand new slip and slide last night!

Here are a few shots of our day in the sun!  My boys loved playing with Elizabeth's boys (ages 7, 5, and 3...there's also a one year old little girl).  A good time was had by all. 

Elizabeth even took Philip home for a few hours.  Daniel was a little heartbroken, but once we got William and John in bed we had some good snuggle time!

More Pictures of John-John

Sorry I can't resist a few more recent shots of baby John-John...

He's definitely a thumb sucker...we've caught him several times!

He gets lots of brotherly love...just wish I could get William to sit still for a picture of all four!

Sweet Aunt Elizabeth got in a quick hold before taking Philip and Daniel out for pizza!

A Diagnosis

I have hesitated to write this post for several days.  As I often say, I blog to preserve memories...keeping family and friends informed is really just an added benefit.  So while, I have hesitations about sharing all of this, I know it is important for me to remember these days and my feelings as part of our family history.

When John was first examined by a pediatrician (one in my group, but not mine), the doctor heard a click in his hips.  He called for an ultrasound and the radiologist reported that there was a slight hip displacement.  Dr. Cepeda told me to double diaper him (it helps keep the legs in a frog-like position) until I could get an appointment with the pediatric orthopedist.  I was assured that it was slight and that once fixed, John would not have any complications later in life.

Of course, I got teary.  No one wants to hear that something is not quite right with their newborn.  That being said, I reminded myself that parents deal with far worse diagnoses and I should be grateful for his overall good health.

Well, turns out the orthopedist happens to be out of the country for a month!!!  My pediatrician felt like we should not waste time, so she called for a pelvic harness for John.  Here's where I got really teary.  My thoughts were for him...will he be uncomfortable, will he still nurse okay...will he be able to sleep comfortably...etc.  My thoughts were also for myself...with three other little boys, will I have time to deal with this...will I still be able to cuddle my last newborn...will people look at us funny...etc.

We came home from the hospital and I savored the days before our harness fitting.  I did not Google hip dysplasia once.  I did not look online to see what this so called harness looked like.  I tried not to be anxious...just enjoy the little guy.

On Tuesday, I went to have John fitted for his pelvic harness.  I cried when they showed it to me...I cried when they put it on him...I cried when I got home.  It was certainly a day of tears, a day of anxiety, a day of fear.

Now with a few days under our belt, I am completely comfortable with his harness.  I don't like it...wish we didn't have to do it, but it is definitely something that I can handle.  It is an extra step when changing his diaper or changing his clothes.  Other than that, it does not affect his nursing...does not affect his sleep (other than it is difficult to swaddle him, so I am constantly rewrapping him)...definitely doesn't affect my ability to cuddle him.

Here's a picture of him in his harness, in case you're curious.

But that is where my hesitations begin...when you are home thinking of baby John, I hope you'll think of him like this...

not him in his harness!  He's going to be fine...we are going to be fine...and I certainly don't want to dwell on a little bump in the road.  My hope is that the orthopedist will free us from the harness quickly.  My prayer is that John will be healed and this will be a distant memory soon!

No More Pencils...No More Books

The boys are officially out of school for the summer!  Philip got out last Friday, and while the younger two still had school this week, we skipped.  Too hard to send just Daniel when his brothers are at home!

Friday was Daniel and William's last day.  I sent them on together so that Philip and I could take John in for his weight check (which by the way he passed...8 lbs. 2 ounces!).  After lunch, we joined them for an ice cream party!

What a mess!

PK-3 was a great year for Daniel.  He and Ms. Pat bonded, and I think he learned a lot.  Best of all, he went to school without crying...a big change from last year!

I'm also including a little clip from Philip's Spring Sing and graduation.  He, too, had a great year.  We loved his teacher, Ms. Tara, and are looking forward to another year with her for Daniel!

 

So now, I'm happy that we have nowhere to be in the mornings.  We'll take things slow and adjust to our new little one in the house.  Fall is going to be hectic with three different schools, so I think I'll sit back and enjoy the summer!

John-John's first week at home

John has now been home for a week.  So, what have we done to keep ourselves occupied??  Well the weekend was great...so nice to have Daddy home.  We had big breakfasts and steak dinners.  We had a few visitors...Chris and I did comment on how much quieter it was than when Philip came home!

John got lots of love from his brothers.

On Sunday, we took a stroller/bike ride.  John liked the sunshine and found his thumb on the way!

Father Matthew and Preston came to give John a special blesing.

Once Chris went back to work, we spent most of our mornings outside.  I am so thankful for the beautiful weather.  I spent countless hours ouside with little boys and their wild imaginations.  We rode bikes, swang, climbed, and planned forts that we wanted to build in the future!

We also fell back in love with our game closet.  We played countless rounds of Candyland, Zingo, Trouble, and others.  When my hands were full, the boys would play alone or entice company to play along!

We also fell back in love with books. William sat at my feet with piles of books while I nursed baby John.  The boys and I spent lots of time in my bed reading while the little guys napped.  Philip even read to John while I tended to some housework.

It's funny, but the boys haven't asked to watch cartoons, movies, or play on the computer.  In a wierd way, I think I have been more available to them than before John's birth.  I have no expectations of accomplishing anything for myself and I don't have to cook (thanks friends!), so my attention has been given completely to them. I hope that has made the transition easier for them.  I know that I'll look back on these simple, yet busy days and smile.  Good memories being made!

My Morning

First, a disclaimer.  I do not write this for sympathy...I write so I remember. One day when John is off in Kindergarten and my mornings are quiet, I want to be able to remember how crazy a morning could be.  So here goes...

4:30 - John is awake...again.  I do not think he is hungry...just having trouble sleeping without being able to swaddle him well (more about that later).  I am exhausted, so I put him on my chest and get back in bed.

5:00 - I hear Chris get  in the shower.  A reminder that he is off to work early this morning, and I will be alone for the breakfast routine. I recite the only prayer I have been able to muster in these past few days..."Dear God, thank you for my four little boys, incredible husband, and supportive family and friends.  Please give me patience and strength to get through the day.  Amen."

5:10 - Philip falls out of the bed.  I put John in his bed to tend to Philip.  He has a huge knot on his head...get ice for him and put him in my bed.

5:17 - John is screaming.  I nurse him.

5:25 - Daniel is awake for the morning.  He waits while I finish feeding John.

5:45 - John back in bed.  I fix Daniel juice and breakfast.  He and I eat.

6:04 - Philip is up and very uncomfortable.  I sit with him while he eats breakfast.

6:22 - Philip, Daniel, and I get in my bed to read some stories.  John is fussing again.  I put him on my chest again and we continue to read.

6:41 - William is up.  The big boys are fussy...want me to read.  William wants breakfast.  I put John back in his bed and go downstairs to fix breakfast.

6:55 - William is in his highchair eating cereal.  I am readinng the Lego Design book to Philip (who is in my lap) and coloring at the same time with Daniel who sits next to me.  Have to take a break to reswaddle John who is fussing yet again in his bed.

7:20 - Breakfast is finally done for everyone.  Philip is crying and complaining of a headache and tummyache.  I give him some Motrin and have him lie down on the couch.  William is doing puzzles while Indiana Jones (aka Daniel) is entertaining us all.  I am thinking to myself only twelve hours until these three are in bed!

7:48 - John is up, yet again.  I give up.  Philip is asleep on the couch.  William and Daniel join me upstairs.  They play while I feed John.

8:02 - My maid calls.  She's had an allergic reaction to her hair dye...can't come in today.  She only comes every other week and right now my house really needs her...oh well.

Now it's 9:15.  Philip is still asleep.  John is in and out of sleep.  Daniel and William are playing with Legos and Duplos quietly.  Wow...a busy morning.  Amazingly, God did answer my prayer.  I still have patience and strength!  Plus, GranGran just called and offered to spend the afternoon with us...she is the best!!

Up to the Gills...with boys!

A few things I want to share before I let you know how I feel about being the Mom to four little boys.

First, as a child, I had many Cabbage Patch Kids.  No Barbies....no Madame Alexanders...tacky little Cabbage Patch Kids.  I think I had six!  My favorites were two boys.  I loved those little boy dolls.  Mom even remembers me begging her to adopt a little boy so I could have a younger brother!

Second, as a college student, I remember grocery shopping with my then boyfriend, now husband.  He proceeded to teach me the option in the store using a package of paper towels.  He told me that I would one day have little boys and that would be something important to know.

Finally, as a first-time pregnant mom, I sat on the porch with Chris' dad (who by the way was one of two boys and father to two boys!).  He commented to me that he was sure Chris and I would have all boys.  It would be up to Cameron to have a Gill girl.  I don't think, even then, he imagined that we would have four!

All of these memories are clear and ironic as I now know my family is complete with four little boys!

So how do I feel about this??  Well, let me be clear, it seemed like the whole world was rooting for a girl.  I truly didn't care...I knew there were pros and cons either way.  Now that it is said and done, I think John is the perfect fit to complete our family. 

Philip and Daniel are such good buddies, and sure William seems to be breaking into a close relationship with them too, but I hope John and William will grow to share what the older boys have.  Next year, Philip and Daniel will be at school five days a week.  I look forward to watching William and John's relationship bond as they spend many days together at home.

There are wild days ahead, but I look forward to the challenge and privilege of raising four boys!

My Trip to the Spa

Chris and I have been joking about my trip to the "spa" (aka hospital) for months.  I have to admit that it was a good one!

Chris and I arrived at the hospital early Wednesday morning for a scheduled induction.  Labor and delivery was running behind, so we had to wait for about an hour.  With all the paperwork done, the petocin was started at about 7:00 am.  Sweet little John was here in a little over three hours!

 

After I was settled in my room, Chris returned home to be with the "big" boys.  He brought them all up for a visit after William's nap.  We didn't want to tell the boys the gender of the baby until we were together as a family, but smart Philip overheard Daddy refer to the baby as a "he".  He immediately called him out on it!

  

Other than Chris and the boys, my visitors consisted of family.

I was very thankful to not have too many visitors.  Recovery was easy this time, but I was very intentional about getting my rest and spending precious quality time with John.  He spent all day Thursday in the room with me.  We snuggled and took numerous naps together.  I soaked up every minute...knowing that those opportunities would be few and far between when we arrived home!

On Friday, Chris and Philip came to bring us home.  Philip had his PK-4 graduation (yes, I getting teary knowing I missed it, but Chris videoed it for me!) beforehand.  Discharge was a little slow, so we ordered lunch.  Finally, it was time to leave!

We went straight from the hospital to pick Daniel and William up from school...then home together as a family!

John Dawson Gill

John Dawson Gill arrived yesterday morning at 10:18.  He weighed 8 ponds and 1 ounce and was 21 inches long.  By far the biggest baby in our family!

John and I are doing great...still in the hospital so I am blogging from my phone.  Chris and I are so thankful for his safe arrival and for the blessing of four healthy little boys.

I'll be back with more pictures when we get home!

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there!

Here's a favorite picture of my sweet Mom.  It's how you'll usually find her...with a grandchild in her arms!

Mom is probably the most selfless person I know.  Her mothering did not end when I left her house.  She is still there for me day in and day out.  We talk daily...we run errands at least weekly together and have lunch.  She is not bothered by the company that I bring...even if their behavior leaves little to be desired.  She listens like no other soul on this earth...she never interrupts...never passes judgment...rarely gives advice...just listens.  There are so many of her qualities that I aspire to attain as a mother, and I feel so fortunate to have such a fabulous role model!  I love you, Mom...and so do my three little boys!

As for my Mother's Day, it was perfect.  Chris and I made waffles and smoothies in peace while Philip and Daniel played Legos and William slept in.  When William woke up, he gave me my Mother's Day present...vaccuming the house!



After church, the big boys and I went to wish GranGran a Happy Mother's Day.  We were fortunate enough to get to visit with the McCall cousins for a short while too!  We concluded with a family dinner and celebration of another great mother (Dee!) at Cameron and Heather's house.

We sure did enjoy their new covered porch...Cameron did a great job!

It was a busy day, but a good one.  I thanked the boys (including Chris) many times for making a mom.  It is by far the best job I've ever had!

A Mother's Day Tea

Despite my predictions, I made it to Philip's Mother's Day Tea.  I was very glad that I did because he let me know more than once that it was important to him!

It was quite a special affair.  He made me a hat which he handed me with a hug and an "I love you, Mom."

He then gave me a portrait of myself that he painted.

Below it, he answered some questions about us...

I like to call me mom...."Mommy"

My Mom likes to call me... "Philip"

Our favorite thing to do together is..."to play outside"

My mommy loves to "sew" all the time.

When I am at school my mom..."runs errands"

I love that he says I sew all the time!  Guess he's picked up on my crazy sewing frenzy!!  Anyways, it was tons of fun to spend this time with him.