Ruby Video

Ruby, Ruby, Ruby, Ruby!

A video is in the works, I just couldn't not post a few pictures tonight.  

Here we go!

I was awakened by contractions this morning at 1:30 a.m. I tried to stay in bed as long as I could but at 2:30 I decided to get up and watch a movie. I made it about half way through "The Secret Life of Bees" (a movie I've been trying to find time to watch for a very long time) when I noticed contractions were starting to slow down. I went back to bed and was able to sleep on and off because the contractions were coming 10 to 20 minutes apart. Now it is almost 8 a.m. and the contractions still aren't as regular and as close together as I'd like them to be before making the trip to the hospital. I just spoke to the midwife and she said, "You've been having contractions for 6 hours? Are you planning to do this natural?" "Yes", I replied. "Oh, that's why you've waited so long. When do you plan on leaving for the hospital." "In the next few hours," I said. When I told her this was my fourth she didn't give me any trouble and just said to come on down when I think it is time. I'm going to have Adam get the kids dressed, Sierra's backpack ready for school, and heard them over to Gram and Pop. Then we are off. Keep us in your prayers!

Mother's Day and EDDs

I had a wonderful Mother's Day.  Lots of talks at church that made me tear up and feel very, very grateful to be a mother (and certainly feel more love and gratitude for my own mother and grandmothers).  We met at my mom's house for a nice little evening party.  Pictured above: my mom, me, Grandma Judy, and my aunt Debbie. Missing from the photo and party was dear, dear Gram. She's been suffering with back pain for months now, poor Gram (we really missed you!).
Here I am on my EDD (estimated due date) with no signs of labor.
I thought it would be good to show off the men in our lives, too.  Pictured here: Mike (aunt Debbie's new beau), Adam, my Dad, and Grandpa Dave).
Adam made this wonderful window frame for me for Mother's Day.  He tracked down the girl I know who does vinyl lettering and had the sign made up, painted the window frame, dug out any and all pictures of us in front of a Temple and made copies.  He is amazing.  The other morning he woke up and whispered "I love you".  My heart was full and I replied, "I know you do, and it is the most wonderful feeling in the world."

Birthdays and Soccer Games

We had a birthday party for my wonderful sister, Janelle, last Wednesday.  Her birthday isn't until the 14th, but I hope to be busy with a brand new baby by then so we had an early party.
Here is Sierra helping Dad build our garden boxes.  He was able to finish them on Saturday night with Miguel's help.  Once we get them all filled with dirt and plants I'll take pictures.  I'm so proud of him and so excited about the garden.

Our Saturdays are ruled by soccer games.  Adam tries his best to be there, but 80% of the time it is all me loading the snacks and supplies, trying to entertain the two kids who are not playing, making the monumental effort to be there on time, etc.  After chasing Tristan off the field for the 5th time (imagine pregnant mom, taking on the cell phone, chasing speedy two-year-old through the middle of the game...embarrassing) I was thinking of giving up the whole sports-for-kids idea.  But then Adam was talking about some of the boys in his Young Mens group who had no athletic ability at all.  He convinced me that it was much better to make the effort to see that our kids are in sports, not just so that they are athletic but so that they have something worthwhile to do on Saturdays when they are teenagers.  I see the point and I will continue to support my "team".

Cinco de Mayo

I was talking to a Mom of a kid in Sierra's Kindergarten class a few weeks ago about my upcoming due date.  She said her son was born on May 5th and that it is a very crowded day in labor and delivery.  She said something about all the celebrating sends women into labor.  She even had to labor in a janitors closet in the hospital until a room opened up for her to deliver in because the hospital was so busy.  "Well", I thought to myself, "I better have a Cinco de Mayo party and see if I can join the throngs of women in the hospital."  So I invited over our home and visiting teaching families to ensure that visit would be taken care of before I went into labor.  We had the Andersons and the Olsons (Bennetts + Andersons + Olsons = 9 children) and it was so much fun.  Our friend, Miguel, who is from Mexico and is now living with us, cooked up some yummy carnitas.  Joy brought Cafe Rio style chicken burritos with all the fixin's and Brandie brought a seven layer dip and chocolate cake.  
                                              Adam setting up the pinata.
          Adam, Miguel, and Little Chef Tristan working on the carnitas.
                                                            The shorties.


     Sierra stuffed all the candy she could into her shirt.  She is a candy hog.

                                           Kaia's buddies: Neveah & Cooper.

So now it is May 6th and I'm still pregnant.  Since this baby didn't go for having the exciting Cinco de Mayo birthday, I'm now telling her she has to wait until Sunday or Monday to arrive so that we can finish our Square Foot Garden this weekend.  I'm sure she'll oblige. 

Laughing with Sierra (or at her)

Keeping with the Sunday morning tradition, I piled all the kids into bed with Adam this morning. I noticed when I lifted Sierra off her pillow there was a big droll spot thereon.  Half way to my room she wakes up enough to say, "Who was licking my face?"  I was laughing so hard it took me a few seconds before I could explain to Adam what happened.