Paul's First Bike!!

Paul has fully mastered the tricycle, so we decided it was time for him to graduate to a big boy bike!!!  We considered the glider bikes that don't have peddles, but figured Paul's big enough that he can manage the peddles too.  It didn't take him long to get the hang of it and he's already able to go on long walks with us and ride his bike the whole way.  Olivia has been promoted to tryke rider in the family and luckily Grandma Kathy lent us her tricycle with a handle so everybody can ride a bike on our family walks. 

 Paul is thrilled to ride his big boy bike and tells every person we see that he got a new bike!

 My 2 big bike riders.

 And he's off!!!  Paul is getting very adventurous on his bike. 

Will rode with me.

Viking Fest

We ventured out of the house as a whole family for the first time to enjoy the Poulsbo Viking Fest parade at a friend's house.  They live right on the parade route and this parade is always a fun time.  We set up an entire camp this year to be prepared for whatever we might need. 

It's so fun to see our big babies loving this parade.  They waved at princesses, gave high fives to the mascot, and chased down tons of candy!!

 Cuddling with Olivia "more candy" Fitch!

Will enjoyed a nice nap throughout the parade.

And mama got a little hug from a handsome fireman!!

Mother's Day

This was definitely my favorite Mother's Day yet.  I've got all my babies here, the weather was perfect, and we had a houseful of fun company.  Will woke me up around 8:30 to eat (again) and Matt surprised me with a maple bar and a chai tea latte!!!  My day was complete at this point, but it just kept getting better. 

Andy, Joanna, Henry, Wesley, and Grandpa Mark were in town to meet Will and celebrate Mother's Day (Grandma Dawn was already here).  The men made us a delicious breakfast that we enjoyed on the deck.  Then the rest of the day was filled with play!!

 Will meets Grandpa Mark.

Mama Joanna is REALLY enjoying mama's day in the sun.

 

Andy and Joanna helped me get my garden in order and the kids helped water!!

The boys rode Henry's bike and we set up sprinklers in the back yard for the big kids to run through. Will and Wesley lounged in the shade.

Grandma Kathy and Grandpa Les joined us for dinner at the end of this perfect day!!

My Mother's Day trio!!

Welcome William Alan Fitch!!!

Well, the baby's here and IT'S A BOY!!!! 

WILLIAM ALAN FITCH

Born at 2:01 pm on May 2nd, 2012

6 lbs 3 oz

20 inches

We went to the doc on Wednesday, May 2nd, for an ultrasound to check the amniotic fluid levels and see if our baby needed to be born early.  The levels had dropped again, so it was time to head to the hospital.  Matt and I were so excited to meet our new baby.

We got checked in and ready to go and headed in for a c-section.  The doctor asked how I wanted to find out the sex of our baby.  She offered to hold the baby up over the curtain so I could see for myself, have Matt look and tell me what the baby was, or tell me herself.  I thought it would be great to find out from Matt and I'm so happy we did!!  Matt peaked and said, "We have a little baby boy!!!"  It was such a special, fantastic moment and I hope to remember it forever.  We were both jsut so happy to meet our new baby. 

He was a couple weeks early, but healthy as could be when he was born.  He is just so sweet and we love him so much already!!!

And for all of you who know about my obsession with 22nd birthdays, May 2nd totally works: 5 x 2 = 10 +12 = 22!!!!

Sooner than Expected?? (37 weeks)

Baby #3 is due May 22nd.  At my 35 week check-up the doctor casually said, "We haven't seen this baby in a while, have we?"  This was a little odd to me because I've never had ultrasounds so late in pregnancy, but I decided not to analyze this too much.  This is a new doctor and maybe that's how she likes to do things...

Well, at 36 weeks we had an ultrasound and the baby looks healthy, but my amniotic fluid levels are low and the babies growth is behind schedule.  The thigh bone measured the size of a 33 week baby and the fluid level was about 6 (normal range is 8-20 anything less than 5 means time for delivery). 

We saw the doc afterwards and she said the combination of low fluid and slowed growth can mean a problem with the placenta.  The baby may not be getting the nutrients it needs.  If this is the case, it's better to have the baby come early than hang out until it's due date.  I planned to go to work one more week and we still had some things to do before the baby gets here.  All that changed.  I was told no more work and that we'd check the fluid levels again Monday (4/30).  She ordered me to lie around and drink lots of water. If things got better or stayed the same, we'd check again in a few days.  The doctor said she'd be surprised if my baby wasn't born within the next week (by 5/4)!!! 

I was SO relieved that Matt decided to go to this ultrasound appointment with me.  It was nice to have someone else with me listening to everything the doctor told me.  She said there's no need to stress, but we should be concerned.  After a stressful weekend worrying about the baby, the worry got the best of me Sunday evening and we headed into the hospital.  The baby was fine and they checked my levels again and the fluid was the same.  So we continue to hold...  Next ultrasound fluid check is Wednesday (5/2) and we'll figure out a new plan from there.  After being checked again in the hospital and seeing the healthy baby kicking around I feel much better.  Now we're just anxious to find out when the baby will get here!!! 

Luckily Grandma Dawn was already in town so she's been a HUGE help.  And by "huge help" I mean that she's more that willing to yell at me to sit back down every time I stand up.  :-)   Matt sprung into action and got busy finishing all our final projects.  They've been a great help and I've been a huge water drinking lump.  As far as I can tell, this will be the last time in my entire life that anyone will tell me to sit around and do nothing, so I'm doing my best to be a good patient and grow this baby a little longer. 

(picture taken by Paul)