Jesse Kent Lambert

Jesse Kent Lambert joined us at 2:51 AM, Friday September 18th. We are so glad to have him here finally. He is beautiful. He has blond hair (and alot of it), blond eyelashes and eyebrows, is 19 1/2 inches long and weighs 6 lbs. 1 oz.

Here is a brief recap of his labor and delivery. I set out to exercise Thursday morning as I always do around 7:45am. While on my exercise route my water broke:-). I always have my cell phone with me when I'm out exercising so I called Jamie and he came to pick me up. We got to the hospital around 10 am. I had not dilated or effaced at all-wow! I knew then, I was in for a long haul. Jamie and I walked the halls off and on all day and night until I was just too uncomfortable to continue. I have to have an IV antibiotic for 4 hours prior to delivery because I am a carrier of Group B Strep. So, we couldn't just wait around at home (like I would have preferred), just in case Jesse decided to come quickly. My contractions picked up enough to be bothersome, but didn't become consistent enough to cause enough dilation or effacement for pushing until 2 am. Jesse was born shortly after at 2:51.

We were finally settled into a room around 7 am this morning. Jesse and I are both completely healthy and doing fine. He is a bit slow to eat, but he will figure it out. Jack was this same way too. I am up and around and feeling very well for having a baby less than 24 hours ago.

The kids were hoping he'd be born yesterday and went to bed Thursday night pretty disappointed that they hadn't met their new baby brother yet. My parents brought all three of them this morning to meet their newest sibling.

Of course, Hanna adores him. She is going to spend part of tomorrow here with me helping to take care of Jesse.

Joe is in love with him, and thinks he is so sweet, tiny and adorable. This is an answered prayer. He was not happy at all when Jack arrived and it was very difficult the first few months. He was so sweet and loving to him this morning. He loved holding, kissing and snuggling him and had nothing but kind words to say to and about him. He and Hanna both can hardly wait for Jesse to be home.

Jack isn't sure what to think of his baby brother. Jamie introduced Jack to Jesse on his lap, Jack began to cry because he wanted to get down after a minute. Well, Jesse began to cry too. Jack had the strangest look on his face. You could tell he was thinking, "What is this? and, It can make noises/cry?" He didn't want much to do with him after that. It was pretty funny. I have felt all along this would be an area of difficulty for me after bringing Jesse home. It is natural and to be expected, and will just take time to work out. Jack will come to love Jesse, just as Joe has come to love Jack.

Jamie has been able to stay here with me the entire stay. This is a first, and it is truly wonderful. It has been so nice to have him here all day to keep me company and to accompany Jesse to the nursery for any absolutely necessary "procedures" he has to have done. I am very adamant about having my little ones stay in-room with me the entire hospital stay, and having Jamie be able to go with Jesse the few times he has to leave the room has been such a comfort.

It has been an overwhelming couple of days physically and emotionally. I am overrun with emotions and gratitude towards my Heavenly Father for blessing me with yet another sweet spirit to care for and raise. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that my prayers for a healthy delivery and recovery have been answered. This is such a blessing. I cannot believe I am a mom to four now! I love my family so much and look forward to all of the memories and fun times we have ahead now that Jesse has joined us.

Here is one other picture I took of Jesse today.


**I have wireless at our hospital:-), so I hope to post again tomorrow!**

He's Here!!!! Jesse Kent Lambert

Jesse Kent Lambert, joined us after 19 long hours of labor at 2:51 AM, Friday, September 18th.

We are all doing wonderfully well, and healthy too.

To read all about his getting here, and to see lots of pictures and introductions of our new one to the family, head over to our family blog, My Family My Forever!

Dear Jesse

Dear Jesse,

I think I figured it out! You are waiting on everything to be just right for your debut. I realized today I'd forgotten to do a few things for you. I hadn't washed your carseat, or gotten out and washed your bouncy seat, playmat, infant swing or rocker. Well, today I got it all taken care of. I washed up your seat covers and playmat, placed everything in your room, and we even installed your carseat!

Everything is ready for you now, so please don't wait any longer. Mommy has graciously shared her body with you for nearly a year now, and the time has come for you to come join us here on the outside:-). It is becoming a very tight fit inside your current quarters, and quite frankly, Mommy is pretty uncomfortable. We are all anxiously awaiting your arrival, and I promise not to let your big brothers handle you too roughly:-).

With much love, but honestly, no patience--Mommy

Here I am today-40 weeks pregnant--sorry, no make-up today. Way beyond the point of caring right now:-)!!

End of Summer Picnic and Sprinkler Fun

The kids and I went to my mom's today for a picnic lunch and outdoor fun. I figured this would probably be one of our last chances to do outdoor water fun before it cools off, and a picnic sounded perfect too.

I picked up Happy Meals on our way over--see, they made the kids "happy":-). Hanna is under her hat, by the way.

Of course, I got some pictures of them while they ate. They were sitting still, so it was a good opportunity.

After they ate, they all had fun playing in the water sprinkler, the sandbox and picking cherry tomatoes.

They ended up with two buckets like this.

Hanna gave herself a mud treatment, she has done this several times over the summer. I think it's funny. She tried to talk Joe into to it too. He let her bury his feet, and then he was off to play more.

Here are Joe's sweet, little water-shriveled feet.

Jack picked his first ever flower to give to me.

We had a very fun afternoon playing together. This has been one of our favorite summer activities. I am glad we got to do this one last time before Fall is here.

A Few Firsts for Jamie

I have been beyond tired these last few days. Jamie has been doing more than his fair share of helping, voluntarily I might add:-), and even though it is hard for me to accept his help without feeling guilty, I appreciate his willingness so much.

I can honestly say Jamie has only cooked dinner three times since we have been married. Two of those three have been french toast, eggs and fruit. The third was last night and it followed the same theme, except it was pancakes, eggs and fruit. Jamie doesn't cook, his idea of cooking for us is taking us out or bringing home takeout--which is fine too! Bless his heart, he cooked last night, and he even created "art" while he cooked. Let me explain....

Jamie is self employed, running Saluda Cymbals. So, he called me over this evening to show me a couple of pancakes he'd made to look like two of his cymbal lines. This was too cute! Here are the pancakes and the cymbals as well. I have to admit, there are similarities. Way to go Jamie for making cooking fun and creative:-)!

In addition to cooking, helping tons with the kids for days now, and running errands daily, he's also been doing the laundry. I am almost embarrassed to admit these things. It is so not like me to let him do these things, except spending time with the kids, of course. It has been wonderful though. I am so thankful he not only helps, but does so without being asked. He just steps in and helps happily and this is a blessing!

Homemade Pancakes:

• 2c. sour milk
• 3 eggs
• 3c. bread flour
• 2 tsp. baking soda
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 tsp. sugar
• 4 T melted butter

Directions:

1. Mix milk and eggs with whisk very well.
2. Mix in flour and dry ingredients until smooth.
3. Mix in melted butter.
4. Cook and enjoy!

*This recipe came from a cookbook at a shop in the Amish Country in Pennsylvania called, Amish Cooking.**

Apple Pie, Football and Movie Night

We stayed around home this weekend and worked on more projects, cleaned lots, organized and caught up on much needed laundry. The kids and I crafted, and Jamie even got in on some of our fun.

Saturday night we had a Muffin Tin dessert of mini apple pies. We had so much fun making them.

After we finished Jamie and Joe had a guys football night and sleepover together, while Hanna and I had an American Girl themed movie night watching Chryssa. However, Hanna only made it about 15 minutes into the movie before she passed out on me:-).

Sunday was filled with relaxing, crafting and just playing. It was a nice day. Sunday night Hanna and Joe enjoyed watching a movie together and having yet another sleepover.

Jack was just Jack all weekend. Playing lots, and at times getting into everything:-). I took lots of pictures of him too this weekend. Here is a close up that I like.

I am very, very ready for Jesse to be here. I am hoping it will be literally any minute! Until then, I'll be waiting around, but not patiently--patience is not one of my strong areas:-). Praying for a healthy delivery, recovery and happy hospital stay for Jesse and myself. I can't believe it could be any time now and I will be seeing and holding my new, sweet little baby. I can't wait to see what he looks like!!

Afternoon Fun at the Park

Jack actually fell asleep for his morning nap yesterday. The kids and I were enjoying crafting, so I let him sleep for quite a while. I knew this would mean no afternoon nap. I decided since it was such a nice day we'd go to the park for the afternoon. We went to our favorite park, and the kids were having so much fun we literally stayed all afternoon.

I got some really good pictures of each of them while we were there. Here is a fun one of Jack just playing around. Even though he is sweating profusely in this picture, it was not hot yesterday. He just can't be still for more than 20 seconds (and that's pushing it) at a time:-). He played on every piece of equipment he could over and over again! He kept me running (literally at times), climbing, squatting and bending too. My quads and glutes are already sore. They haven't seen a workout like this in months :-).

Hanna and Joe played together the entire 3 hours. They climbed trees, ran around the track, enjoyed the equipment and played lots of pretend games.

Here are pictures of each of the kids that turned out pretty good. I also got a good one of Hanna and Joe together. However, my attempts (and they were many) to get one of all three of them without Jack screaming at having to sit still were unsuccessful.

What a fun time! I hope to enjoy our weekend just as much as Friday afternoon!