Twas the Day Before the 15th of December

 It was COLD! The kids were finally well enough that we could get out and do a bit of exploring on the frozen lake.

The kids trying to learn to run and slide on the ice.

Little did Miss Aubrey know it would be her last day to be my baby!

The last time we would have our quiet daily routine still intact... at least for a good long while.

Because, on December 15th at 3:30AM we headed in to our small-town hospital to see who
 we'd been waiting to meet for the last 9 months. He'd finally decided to get serious after all his games of "maybe I'll come tonight...ohhh maybe not". And after the last 4 weeks of wondering on many a night if this would be THE night it was good to be sure upon waking up that this WOULD be the night. :) Though I wasn't having as many contractions I knew they meant business.  They stayed more spaced out throughout the entire labor so it seemed more relaxed than my last 2 slam-bang labors. (if labor can be called relaxing)   After what the nurses called a very calm and controlled labor, and Mr. Wise Guy labeled as EASY, Mr Jackson Henry made his appearance at 5:14 am, ON his due date! and immediately tested out his lungs with superb results! :D


He rocked the scales at 9lbs 4oz and stretched out to 20inches.  He needed to be able to hold his own against all the lovin' from three older siblings. :D

Elliott was the first to stop in for a peek at his much anticipated new brother. He couldn't get enough of his little Jackson!

And he loved how Jackson would hold his finger!

The girls came a bit later, as they had stayed home from meeting since they weren't fully over their colds.

They ooohed and cooed over their brother also, although Aubrey did remember that she wanted a girl and this was a boy.  Having the baby "here", at last, made up for it though. :)

We didn't get to go home until Tuesday morning, which seemed like a LONG time in the hospital.  Finding a small mouse on my dinner plate was something to break up the monotony. :D I also skyped the kiddos at home a few times.

And this guy kept me company during the day. :0)

So glad to be headed for home sweet home!

Jackson Henry was blissfully unaware of what awaited him at home. :D

The kiddos welcomed him with great joy and much lovin'.

He handled it fairly well. :)

And that was the beginning of life as a family of six. :)

Hanging out in the highchair at 3 days old, watching Mommy and Aubrey make cookies.

Okay, so maybe we were a bit boring.

Looking like a big boy at 4 days old.

Long toes...

...and long fingers. Just like his big brother.

And this little piggy cried wee, wee, wee, all the way home.

Totally unamused by it.

And now I shall go get some sleep...I hope. Jackson has been sleeping all day today, and now he's wide awake. :)