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"G" is for...Grandmas and Grandpas

We were fortunate with the birth of Adalyn to have not just one set of Grandparents but both come pay homage to the new princess. It was wonderful having them here to help hold the baby, keep the other kids entertained, and to take care of us grown-ups. Grandma Connie was the last to leave (on September 1st) so we are now fending for ourselves.

Just a couple pictures of the grandkids with their favorite grandparents.

Thanks mom and dad Parrish and Anderson!!!

"M" is for...Meet the Family

The Anderson kids were happy to be introduced to the newest member of the team. Mom and dad are now outnumbered two to one - what have we got ourselves into?

Anali was the first to get to hold her and she was thrilled to meet her new baby sister and wanted to hog her all for herself.

We were finally able to pry her away from Anali and give Aden a turn. Maybe Aden just doesn't like hospitals, or maybe he is just overwhelmed knowing that there is now a whole pack of sisters that he has to deal with, but he was pretty quiet during the first visit. He did love holding Adalyn and was very sweet to her.

Avalon waited impatiently for her turn and then was very excited to get to hold Adalyn. She spent the next ten minutes figuring out what she was allowed to do and not do. For example she gently touched Adalyn's nose and when that didn't really do anything she decided that she would push the nose harder until either Adalyn squeeled or Dad told her to stop.

Adalyn is sure to get more attention than she could have ever dreamed of - we are all so excited to welcome her to our family!

"B" is for...Baby

We are so happy to welcome Adalyn Jem Anderson to our crazy family. She was born August 13th, 2009 at 3:58 AM. She weighs 6 pounds, 13 ounces and is 19 inches long.

She came out bright pink and letting the whole world know that she had arrived by screaming so loudly that nurses from other rooms came in to see what all the ruckus was about.

JoAnn said "this was the easiest delivery ever...I am ready for another" okay so she didn't say anything about another baby but she was happy that delivery went smoothly and very quickly. Our nurse said she was in active labor for only a half hour before Adalyn was born.

We will get better pictures soon, but here is a sneak peek...

"L" is for.....Last

In all my Pregnancy Glory!!

Today marks the last day of my Pregnancy. My last pregnancy, my last baby. The last day that we will be a family of 5. The last day my 3 kids will be just as they are right now. The last day I know what sleep feels like and the last day of Monte asking if everything is ok in the middle of the night.

Things are changing and it is somewhat bitter-sweet. Even though I will never miss hourly trips to the bathroom, a constant churning stomach and heartburn strong enough to knock me off my feet. "Lasts" can be a hard! Even though we are all so excited to move onto the next chapter and meet our new addition, this last seems more emotional.

Our family is changing. Growing. Avalon will never be the baby again, a feat we are not sure she will be able to handle. Anali and Aden as always, willing and excited for the change. As a mother I wonder if I will ever leave the house again or really be able to handle 4 kids! Things will be busier and more hectic. I'm sure my house will be dirtier, if that is at all possible. Regardless, we are ready for the change and waiting to embrace it!!!

If all works out, we will be heading to the hospital tonight for induction. This of course depends all on the hospital having room to take me. I've been through this before and waited to get in for 3 days so we will see how it works out for me this time. Check back in the next few days to meet our new addition.

"Z" is for Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well our precious 21 month old Avalon continues to amuse us with her antics.

Last night while wishing our father's a Happy Father's Day, I continued to hear the normal noises of Avalon getting to sleep. She was noisier than normal so I went to check on her after the call. She was asleep, but had decided that she needed to gather a "few" of her favorite things to cuddle up with to go to sleep.

After unloading her bed, I found this list of things that she apparently could not sleep without.

1 baby crib, a doll, a blue hippo, her Sunday dress, a pair of Anali's pajamas, a plastic horse, the rider, a gate to the toy stable, an animal hospital, a purple bead toy, a purse, and 14 books (or bookas as she likes to call them). 25 of an almost 2 year old's favorite things!

Other than that, summer is upon us with 100 degree days and way too much humidity. The kids are loving the time outside and us parents are just trying to keep up.

"O" is for...One

Avalon has turned ONE!!! It is unbelievable that a year has passed. Time just goes too fast, especially in the life of a baby.

Besides Avalon being a little under the weather, she had a pretty great birthday! We did a fun little duckie theme and it was bright and cheery.

The day started off with a trip to pick-up balloons. Avalon loved them and I dare say it was her favorite part of her birthday. Which I am such a good Mom that I didn't even take a picture of her playing with them.

We then got all ready for her party. Iced the cake and wrapped presents all while she took a short nap.

After Dad got home we started the fun stuff and opened presents. It was really sweet as a lot of the kids from the neighborhood knew it was her birthday and stopped by with a little gift for her. She got some fun things, her most favorite being a doll. She also got a fun little purse, outfits, stuffed animals and a music maker. She also got a special "Jade" bracelet from Grandma and Grandpa Anderson, since her middle name is Jade.

Of course all the neighbor girls had to stay for cake, so we had quite a crowd for the big moment. It started with Avalon jumping up and down to get to the cake, which we put on the table due to my last 2 kids making such messes. Once the candle was blown out she went right for it, poked a finger in the frosting and started screaming. Every time she touched the cake she would cry. She was scared to death of it! We finally got her to take a duck off and suck on it, but she was having nothing to do with taking hand fulls and piling it in her mouth. By this point she was cranky and tired and just wanted to go to bed. It was the end of a very long and special day of turning One!!!