oh to be two

Not a care in her world.

Except where her binkies and blankies are.

Love her.

Mother's Day

All I wanted today and asked for was a picture taken with my children.  To me, this is what being a mother is all about- craziness all around.   Being together in the thick and thin.  It's the little tender moments that I have with these kids that remain with me forever.  I love being a mom.  It's all I have ever wanted in my life.  I feel so blessed to be able to raise these children and to love them every single day.  They bring me so much joy and happiness.  Motherhood is the greatest blessing.

My mom . . . where do I even begin.  She is such a wonderful example to me.  I admire the things she has done in her life and continues to do.  She teaches me daily how to become who I want to become. She has taught me the importance of being consistent with my children, setting high expectations for them, and setting those same expectations for myself also as a mother.  She taught me that babies are intricate, lovely gifts from heaven that deserve time and attention.  That little things are sometimes a big deal. 

She has taught me to be serve my family.  I learned most of what it means to be a mother by watching her as I was growing up.  I never heard her complain about the endless meals, the laundry, the cleaning.  EVER.  She never griped at us, or pestered us.  She did SO much and I never realized it until I became a mother myself.  She has taught me the discipline needed to be a hard worker every day.  How to tackle a project, write a list, organize my house, do what I need to do to run a household.  She seemed to do all of this effortlessly when I was a child, like it wasn't a big deal.  She taught me excellent organizational skills, and how to keep things in order.

She has taught me that the responsibility of a mother doesn't end when children turn 18.  It's a lifetime of acceptance, love, time, attention, forgiveness.  Moms don't stop being moms when kids are adults...she still lets us grow, say stupid things, watch us make dumb mistakes, and loves us just the same as she always has.  I have learned what it means, from my mother, to be unconditionally loved and how to love unconditional.  

I Love you mom.

Easter & A Baby Blessing

We had a wonderful weekend together as a family.  My Dad and his wife Lana came for a quick visit and had a great time spending time with them catching up.  I always love being around family and have missed it terribly.  

Dying eggs of course was on the agenda.  24 eggs to be exact.  I panicked that I hadn't boiled enough.  However, for some odd reason, the kids weren't all that into this year.  They got about 21 of the eggs done and left the rest plain old white.  It was a quick 25 minute activity and they were off to something else.  Hmmmmm . . . what did I do wrong?  

Easter morning dilema.  I always toy with the idea of not doing baskets for the kids or doing them on Saturday.  Sunday was all about the baskets and treats and other stuff and I think the kids forgot really what Easter is all about.  I had to remind them over and over.  Needless to say they were all on a sugar high before 9am.  Not a good thing.  Totally drunk on candy.  I even filled the baskets with more non-candy items than candy.  No chocolate at all (I know that is abuse).  A little ziploc filled with gummies and that was it on the sugar.  Pringles, fishies, teddy grahams, oreo's,  . . . yes, junk food.  The kids loved it.

Don't ya just love those pink spongy curlers in Ruby's hair?  I wore those in my hair as a kid.  She loves her hair curly so so much she will suffer through the night with those jabbing into her head at night.

My dad and the boys spent some quality time outside playing baseball.  My dad was once an amazing "lefty" baseball player.  I guess he still is but just out of practice a bit.  It was fun to see him interact with the boys teaching them a little bit about the game and how it is played right.  They really enjoyed their time being with him.  I just loved to see them spend time together.  It makes me sad they haven't had more of it in their life.

This is as good as it gets with the six.  No matchy matchy this year on clothes.  Just couldn't kick it plus the girls need not one more dress hanging in their closet- especially little Claire Bear.

It wasn't just an Easter Sunday today.  Little boy Maxwell Lloyd was blessed by his father in church.  What a powerful blessing Eric gave Max.  Max knew it was his special day.  He was so happy and just a chill baby.  He didn't even make a peep durning the entire blessing.  He was all smiles.  Luckily he was able to squeeze into the little white romper that both Jacob and Luke wore when they were blessed.  If we had waited one more week to do it, it definitely would have not fit his chub-a-lub bod.

Ummm . . . I guess not so happy for pictures afterwards.  He wanted to eat and go nighty-night.  He had reached his limit.  This is so him though it makes me laugh.

It was special to have my Dad here to join in the circle.  Max's middle name, Lloyd, is after my Dad and Grandpa and was mentioned in his blessing that it is an honor to have this name.  Yes it is.  I love this picture of my dad and Max.  Check out Max's hair- it almost looks red to me. 

Well Maxwell, your name is official.  I love it.  It totally fits you.  A lady today in church came up to me and said what a powerful name you have been given and that you will some day lead this church.  I sure hope she is right.  As long as you live your life in righteousness.

It was a perfect day.

On a different note . . . we are on the countdown.  THIRTY DAYS and counting until we pull out with all our belongings and say "AUDIOS NEW JERSEY."  Exciting times to say the least.  It can't come soon enough.

TIME FLIES

when you have a cutie pie like this.

growing up too, too, fast.

13.1 pounds- chub-a-lub
you've out grown 6 month clothes- yes SIX months
your lip still quivers when you are crying & hungry
smiling all the time- especially at your dad and brother Jacob
you grunt and snort when you cry
standing up- stiff as a board- never had a baby like this
you chomp on your fist- trying to find your thumb
you give us your pouty lip when you are sad
you are looking more and more like Jacob
extremely sensitive
waking up 3 times at night - cmon bubbs.
LOVE LOVE LOVE Baby Einstiens
Your just discovered your tongue- you stick it out when you are trying to talk
still loving your bottle a few times a week
starting to get on a schedule
you love listening to the piano being played
you are an intense baby little Max
loving you more and more each day
Max you are a joy in our family

town & country . . .

that is what it has felt like lately. 

Feelings of me living in this part of town and Eric living in that country.  Yes, country.  And neither of us have the funds to go see the other.  And our six kids?  Boy, they have been floating somewhere in between trying to grab onto one of us.  

I don't like this feeling-  a t  a l l .  It just shouldn't be this way.  Eric and I really have not been able to just sit down and just "hash" out the things that need to be "hashed"out.  It has been a whirlwind of a few months to say the least and don't see the near future slowing down either.  Does it ever slow down?  

Goods things are happening though.  Our life decisions are being made.  Things are beginning to fall into place which feels good.  

Oh, and we hit a H U G E milestone.  Our countdown of our time here in the East has been by General Conference's.  I remember saying to my family, "Only 8 more Conference's."  Then 7. . . . Well, we just watched our L A S T Conference here in our Jersey home last weekend.  Sort of a strange feeling.  Am I ready to leave my little bubble here?  I think I am.  I have been counting the days down since we began this journey 5 years ago.  It just feels a bit surreal.  

Now, if I can just grab onto my kids and reel them in . . .  and get Eric back into town, it would feel like we are a family again.  I miss that feeling.  I want it back soon.

In other random news:

Jacob had his 3rd grade recorder concert at school last week.  Boy, did all that noise and ruckus he made on a daily basis with that thing pay off.  It surprisingly was a really good concert.  The kids all stayed together and sounded awesome.  Jacob played a solo . . . America.  He worked hard on it.  I was proud of him.  Jacob loves music and has an ear for it.

These three are as different as night and day.  They certainly are best friends.  They do everything together (even take baths).  They watch out for one another.  They help one another.  They are never bored together.  They have a special "sister" bond that I hope they will always cherish.

Little Mac.  What in the world are your toes doing?  They are always like this.  Spread wide with his big toe sticking in the air.  Too funny.  I also loves that he likes to sleep with his arms up and hands in the air.  He is "growing out" of his burrito style wrap up to sleep (especially for cat naps).  He has us all wrapped around his little finger.  Love you little bubbs.

Now, off to go grab my hubbs who's back in town for the moment and children and have some much needed family time.

if i had it my way

this little guy would stay just like this . . . 

It's hard to believe he is changing ever so fast- too fast for our liking.

FIRST MONTH
You love to be swaddled up
You sleep best scrunched between your dad and I at night
You eat every 2 1/2 -3 hours
You spit-up half of what you eat every feeding
Your belly gurgles all the time
Your fingers and toes are L O N G
Your hands are always in a tight fist
You are stiff as a board and tense when you eat and you grunt and pull
Your poor face- acne at 3 weeks
Taking baths- not your favorite at all
Being naked and getting diapers changed-  you cry the entire time
You nickname is Mac- per Claire
You cross your feet when eating
You enjoy listening to music- especially Jacob hashing at the piano
You have been sat on a few times by Jacob
The swing and bouncer seat- you only tolerate for 10 minutes or so
Your best sleep is from 10pm-3am- I soooo need that stretch
Your two year old sister carried you across the room like a sack of flour
She also fed you some peanut butter for breakfast
You have distinctive cries- one for eating, the other when your plain mad
Your bottom lip quivers when you do your "hungry cry"
You are growing out of your clothes.  You are wearing 3-6 months.
Your cry sounds like a mean cat
Your neck rolls are stinky stink- it's hard to get under there to clean them out
Mr. binks is not your friend- you spit that thing out more than it is in your mouth
You get a bottle at least once a day {usually at night}- you guzzle that thing like a pig
You are too heavy for Grandma Alice to carry around
YOU ARE A BIG BIG BOY & WE ALL JUST ADORE YOU

H a p p y  S t .  P a t t y ' s  D a y

none of us forgot to wear green around here . . . 

well, except little Maxwell.  

he only got pinched a few times.

the past few weeks . . .

my world has been totally rocked- to say the least.  This little boy has consumed more of my time than anything else.  

I certainly wouldn't trade it for a second.  His little body, luscious smells, wrinkled up face, funny noises, his faux hawk {Luke is so proud of it} . . . he couldn't be any yummier.  Good thing.  He is a very needy baby which sometimes drives me a bit crazy.  It was bound to happen.  One of my babies had to be high maitenence & Max is just that.  I guess you could say he is a little colicy.  Not complaining though.

My first outing out with all S I X kids alone.  Looks like the pro-creating thing must come to a stop unless we want to be driving around one of those 15 passenger humongous vans.  NO THANKS.  We are filled to the brim.  No room for friends, extra stuff, or even Grandma.  Sorry.

We don't see much of this guy.  It feels like he is always gone.  These last few months are going to be crazy busy.  Eric's last rotation is a beast and has to manage all the younger residents and take care of their mistakes and issues plus his own stuff.  No time for anything else.  He has held Max a total of maybe 15 minutes.  Really, he is never around.  

Top Ramen has been the food of choice around here lately.  For a quick fix on those nights I just can't pull dinner together and Eric is not coming home.  Mac N Cheese, Hot dogs, frozen pizza . . . it has been nice to have those "unhealthy" options.  It won't last forever but for now they work.

When this is occurring, it is time for me to crank it into 5th gear and get things done.  Otherwise, he wants to be eating or wrapped up like a burrito and held close and tight right up against me.  He spits that darn binks out and just doesn't love it.  He wants the "real" stuff.

Soccer has begun.  Our evenings are spent at the soccer field for practice.  With four kids playing, we are there almost every single night.  Max has learned that hanging in the front seat of the car with mom and nursing is part of his routine while Claire is bouncing around the rest of the car getting into everything.  I just can't manage Max and Claire out on the field quite yet running around with them.  Plus it hasn't warmed up quite yet.

The kids have spent lots of time lounging around with their blankies looking like rag-muffins.  They always seem to come up with something creative to play together.  I love it.  I love seeing them get along so well using their imagination.  Siblings are the best and they are super lucky to have one another.

Max always has his hands bunched up tight in fists right under his little chin.   Talk about some nasty smelling hands when he finally decides to open those things.  Secretly, sometimes I just sit there and sniff them.  Gross I know.  Yea, his eyes looks sort of funky in this picture- he can do some weird things with his eyes.

Max does not like his clothes to be off.  He hates having his diaper changed and just wants to be tight like a burrito.  SO, pictures with him is impossible.  He screams and makes awkward faces and is just plain mad.  Really, this is probably as good as it gets with him and I was sweating my guts out just to get a handful of awful ones.  Oh Max, cooperation is where it is at bud.  We will try again next week- maybe.

My little Claire has spent lots of time watching her baby einsteins dvd's over the weeks.  She loves them.  What a blessing they have been.  Her favorite is to snuggle up on the bed with blankets and watch them on the computer.

Grumpy boy . . . nothing else to say.

It has been almost impossible trying to keep our house "worthy" of showings with six kids.  Our house is on the market and when the phone calls come saying we have a showing, I panic.  Sometimes I only have a few hours notice.  I feel like every day the house has to be just perfect- just in case.  Oh yes, we also just lowered the price A LOT which makes us sick but in this market, the price is everything.  Anybody want a darling blue house in Jersey?

Anna has taken upon a new interest- washing dishes.  She loves to have tea parties and then spend an hour after washing the cups and plates.  It really is just the water and suds she makes that is so fun for her.  Something to keep her busy.

Many hours are spent just like this . . . cuddled up with little Max on the couch.  The kids all take turns.  Max is spoiled.  Always being held and snuggled.  Crying when he gets put down.  Immediately picked right back up.  

First bath at home under the faucet.  He L O V E S warm water running on his head and little body.  Looking forward to giving him a "real" bath in the tub.  That umbilical cord has got to fall off.  The kids just think it is nasty.

My dear sweet friend Ashli who lives in UT ditched her four kids to come and hang out with my six kids in Jersey.  She and I were bff's in high school and have always had a wonderful friendship {even when she said "see ya" for a boy}.  Ashli wanted to come and help me with Max and see what my life has been like the past five years.  It surely was such a treat to have her for four days.

The kids probably spent more time with her than I did.  They were at her side the entire visit.  Barbies, doggy game, ponies, dress-ups.  The girls had Ashli wrapped around their fingers.  They were in heaven.

We snuck out for lunch one afternoon and went to my favorite little spot.  Little Tuna in Haddonfield.  We shared a cup of Lobster Bisque, Salmon Salad and bacon cheeseburger.  YUM-O!  Then spent close to $9 on a tiny bag of kookaburra licorice and one bighunk.  Yep, that's it.  Total rip off but Ashli paid for it and we walked out in disbelief.  If it were my choice, I would have said, "no thanks" and left with nothing.  But the licorice was tasty.

Bless Ashli's heart:  she gave 5 haircuts Friday evening.  She brought her stuff and went to work on my kids.  The girls A line cuts were so adorable.  Thanks Ash for saving me some time & money.

You can't come to our house without taking a trip into Philly.  We packed Max up and Saturday went down to the Liberty Bell, Visitors Center, walked around, and ate at Terminal Reading Market the best pizza ever.  Oh, and picked up some yummy produce, yogurt covered nuts, & indulged in some red velvet cupcakes.  I think Ash liked it enough to want to come back with her family sometime.  So much history in Philly.

Ashli's iphone was the choice of fun for the boys.  She showed us lots of fun kids apps to put on our ipad and the kids had a blast.  One was on the iphone the other on the ipad- never a fight.  It was great.  Maybe we need to upgrade to iphones {or maybe not}.

Thanks Ash for a great time.  Miss you like crazy already {so do my kids}.  It meant the world to me that you would come and see me.  Love ya cute girl.

All in all, our weeks have been spent with this cutie pie.  Really, we just all adore him and want to be right next to him always.  None of us want him to grow up and get big.  We so wish him to stay little BUT sleep through the night, chill in his bouncer or swing, stop spitting up, not want to eat every 2-3 hours . . . OH MAXWELL, we LOVE you to pieces little buddy.

look who's TWO

My little baby girl had a birthday.  Glad she wasn't sharing it with her newborn brother Max.  It was a fun day filled for Claire.  Out with Grandma in the morning to get birthday balloons and a treat.  Her favorite lunch of Mac n Cheese with Cheetos, nappy time, and then dinner, ice cream cake, and presents with the fam. 

Claire was thrilled to open up two purses of her very own and "stuff" to fill those things up with: lip gloss, kleenex, wallet with money, gum, sun glasses, card game, note book and pen.  Now she doesn't have to get into her sisters purses- oh, but she very well will I just know it.  

Claire keeps us all on our toes and moving.  She is full of energy and has a zest for life.  Never a dull moment when she is around.  She has such a funny, quirky personality that we all just adore and love.  She is so fun to be around and makes us all laugh.  Today she literally changed from little baby to little girl.  Really, overnight it happened and it kinda makes me sad.  She is no longer my baby.

Age: 2

Likes:  being an older sister to Max, taking her diaper off and running around saying “bum bum”, playing on the ipad, eating toothpaste

Favorite movie:  Baby Einsteins- never gets tired of it

Favorite toy:  her baby doll and stroller

Favorite non-toy:  lotion, chapstick, purses, hand sanitizer, kleenex, money

Favorite book:  anything with animals

Friends:  her 2 sisters & 3 brothers & nursery friends

Favorite things to do:  play doggie with Ruby and Anna, watch movies with popcorn, get piggy back rides from Jacob, go to library story hour

 Favorite song: Old McDonald, Row Row Row your boat

Other activities: playing outside, swinging on swing, morning walks outside

Favorite color:  purple

Favorite number:  two

Dreams of:  being a mom

 Favorite games:  lucky ducks, card games

Wears: anything mom puts on.  Loves shoes and pretty bows in her hair

 Favorite food:  her morning milk, strawberries, apples, carrots, cheese, cheetos, mac n cheese, chips

Loves:  puzzles, Chick-fil-a playland, her blankie and binks- time to get rid of, getting into Ruby and Anna’s “stuff”, fruit snacks

Doesn't like:  washing her hair, being woken up, bedtime, getting strapped into her car seat- wants to sit in a booster. 

Love ya my little Claire Bear!!

his story

It went a little something like this . . . 

Baby #6.  Scheduling an induction seemed like just what I needed to do.  

This baby was due on Claire's birthday {2/17}.  Didn't really want to double up on birthdays.

Eric's schedule has been harry.  Getting time off for him to be there was key.

Five other kids to watch over.  Needed my mom available to keep the fort down.

Being able to plan a bit would be really, really, nice.

This baby might just "fall out" of me if I wait til' it comes on it's own.

My doc Dr. D was willing to induce me a week early.  Friday, February 11th was the day marked on the calendar.  Things were all set up.  I went in on Monday morning the 7th for my last appointment.  Dr. D checked me and I was only dilated to a one or two and my cervix was still very, very, long.  She got a little concerned and told me that my body may not be ready by Friday.  She told me to come back on Thursday afternoon and we would reassess the situation.  Thursday I was a bit further along and probably ready for induction the next day but I wanted to make sure I was totally ready- the shorter the better.  I opted to wait until Monday morning and have a Valentine's baby.  Having that extra weekend to get things checked off actually was very nice.  

So . . . the run down of this baby goes something like this.

6:30am: got the phone call from the hospital to be there in an hour.  So glad I didn't have to wait all day. Proceeded to get showered and my bags finished packed, and snarfed down a bowl of wheat chex while running out the door.  I was so glad my mom was here to get the kids ready and off to school so I didn't have to worry about any of that.

8:30am:  arrive at Virtua hospital in Vorhees, NJ.  Check-in, register, get into L&D room, changed, IV started {hate those things}, antibiotic started {strep B positive}, was checked to make sure babies head was down and was dilated to a two or three.  Eric and I chilled a bit, looking on the ipad,  chatted about boy names if we have a boy.

10:45am: Pitocin started- I have needed pitocin with ALL of my kids.  My body just doesn't start on it's own for some odd reason.  My mom and sister were the exact same way.  Even when my water broke with Jacob and Anna, NO contractions.  Weird.  My babies just want to stay in where it is nice and warm and safe.

11:15am: Epidural.  Oh for the love.  I so wanted to try this round without one but knowing that pitocin was circulating through me, I wimped out.  Epidural went well.  Eric watched the entire thing.  Not sure how he did that but he did.  I know he sees them daily but on his wife?  By the sixth round, I knew what to expect. At this point, I wasn't having any real contractions at all.  However, they wanted to get the epidural done so I didn't miss my window of opportunity.  My pain tolerance is pretty high and have been known to wait for my epidurals until I can hardly bear it anymore.  

11:40am:  Dr. D came in and broke my water.  Still only dilated to a three.  Dr. D said she thought I would have this baby by 1:00.  This is the point where things start happening.  Contractions started to happen regularly.  Couldn't really feel them except on my left side where I wasn't very numb.  This happens all the time with my epidurals.  My right side I feel like elephant legs but my left leg I am able to still move and feel everything.  Strange.  The anaesthesiologist came back in and gave me a little boost but it still didn't do much.  

11:40-12:55am:  Eric read and then fell asleep on the couch.  Yes, our room had a nice big couch.  It was a big room.  Too bad I didn't have any family or friends to fill that big room.  I was hoping for a foot or hand rub actually but that wasn't going to happen.  I labored nicely while watching Rachel Ray, chomped on some ice chips  and dozed off here and there.  Nurses were in and out so it was difficult for me to really catch a short cat nap that I was hoping for.  

12:55am: Nurse came in to check my progression and I was only to a four.  A FOUR!!  I told her that doesn't mean anything and not to go too far because I could start to feel the pressure coming.  In a matter of minutes I was beginning to hold on to the side rails of the bed, breathe heavily, and became really shaky.  From past experience, I knew it was getting close.  I watched the monitor checking each contraction come one after another.

1:25pm:  Dr. D came in and I told her it was time.  Time to have a baby and NOW.  I was a ten.  Everyone was shocked it happened that fast.  I kept telling them that once it happens, it happens quick.  Dr. D looked at Eric and said, "This one is yours."  He hurried and scrubbed in and barely made it in time before I was going to scream at him.  I wasn't going to wait for him to get all his gear on.  Gloves was all he needed {if that}.  Dr. D has let Eric deliver our last two babies so was thrilled when she gave him to go ahead with this one. 

ONE PUSH and little baby BOY was out at 1:34 pm.  The teams were even now- 3 & 3.  It all happened so fast.  Almost too fast.  I was in shock and totally felt immediate relief.

Pretty boring.  Uneventful.  Textbook Delivery.  I wouldn't have asked for anything else that's for sure.  Needless to say, I was so thrilled to finally know that we got a boy.  We were all really hoping for a boy and thought we were going to have one but you never know- 50/50 chance.  It was very exciting to say the least.

That baby boy got plopped right on top of me immediately.  I was one happy mom.  Grateful he was here safe and sound and that everything went smooth- 10 fingers and 10 toes.  I always get bad nerves going into pushing a baby out.  Ya think by round six I would be a pro at it and have no issues.  Immediately wondered if he was my baby.  Definitely not what my other babies have looked like.  He had a unique look to him.  I was surely in love.

Eric was a pretty happy camper too.  He was just lucky to have gotten his boy and can now say we are officially done with pro-creating.  I think he is right on the money with that one.  Love him dearly even though I never did get a foot or hand rub during it all.

Little squishy face ~ Maxwell Lloyd.  His name just fit.  We had two or so on our list and really didn't have to discuss the matter once we saw his adorable little face.

Check em out . . . this kid totally has skis for feet.  Really, they are gigantic.  They almost didn't fit on the paper for his footprints.

Dr. D.  Love her even though she thinks we are nuts having six kids.  Really.  This was the third time she asked me if I was ready for a tubule.  Good thing I don't take things personally.   Totally down to earth.  She delivered Anna and Claire also.

I was so in love.  I just wanted to hold, smell, cuddle all that newborness and never forget it.

Second biggest baby next to Claire.

His first bath.  Getting all that sticky, white gunk off.  Max loved the warm water running on him.  He smelled absolutely luscious afterwards.  I love that newborn smell.  Nothin' better in the whole wide world.

Definitely one proud father.  Could Max's face be any cuter here?  I think he looks just like his Dad.

Visitors:  Grandma Alice, Jacob, Luke, Ruby, Anna, Claire.

I was so excited to see my family.  I wanted them to meet little Max and to see their excitement that they got a new baby brother.  Claire wigged out.  She walked right into the room and stood in the corner and wouldn't even look at Max or me.  She was mad.  I think she knew what was about to rock her world- little baby boy.  She clung to Grandma and ate leftover food off of my tray.  It broke my heart to see her this way.

The nurse kicked everyone out of my room after only 15 minutes.  I was bugged.  I wanted them to stay.  My mom wasn't about to walk around with 5 kids waiting to come back in so they took off.  Just as they were leaving I grabbed Claire and gave her a big hug.  She finally took to me and we cuddled up on the bed with Max and she loved every second.  Maybe she needed some time to soak everything in.  Realizing that she was no longer the baby.  She was ready to be the big sister and was going to fall in love with it and her brother.

Our party of EIGHT.  That seems like a whole lot more to me than seven for some reason.  YIKES what have we done?   

For some odd reason, this picture is probably one of my very favorites of the day he was born.  Just chillin' anticipating the moment he gets to meet his awesome 2 bros and 3 sisters.  I wonder what was going through his little mind.  Probably how lucky he is to be apart of this family of ours no matter how loud and crazy we are.

The family left and Eric and I just hung out together enjoying the time just to talk and be together- doesn't happen too often.  We watched the Bachelor and ate PF Chang's take out for dinner- talk about a romantic Valentine's dinner.  Eric was so sweet and brought with him a few gifts for me to open:  Girl Scout Cookies, and the Dead Sea Mineral hand lotion kit with a cool little tool that makes your nails really, really, shiny.  It was so sweet of him to think of me.  Now he is really going to have to give me a hand rub with that good stuff.

Getting ready to go home.  This is as good as it gets for little Max- a fresh, clean, white Carter's onsie and little white socks- # 6 for sure.  With my others I had their "going home" outfits picked out a month ahead.   If I could dress him in one thing every day it would be this.  Just plain and simple.  Love it.

Per my request, we went home the next day.  I wanted out of the hospital asap.  The nurses and docs thought I was insane wanting to leave so early knowing what I was going home too.  I just wanted my own bed and to be home with my family.  I felt pretty good and Maxwell was doing awesome.  I was ready for the chaos my home sweet home comes with - six kids to manage.  Bring it on!  Bring it on!  Let the fun begin.