First Bath

Chloe hates her bath..at least her first one. The one where you put them in the sink. See exhibit A. Then I discovered that she loves to be in the big tub with her sisters..where she can be under the warm water. See exhibit B.

That is one ticked off little girl

Much happier..and we even managed to get a semi-modest pic of all 3 girls..now that's talent.

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes...

Just before heading to the hospital

The next day..when we brought her home..she seriously is the worst picture poser ever..sorry Chloe..just sayin

A much needed nap for daddy and his girls..at least 2 of them

So life around this household has been crazy the last week and a half. Not only did we add our sweet Chloe to the family but we moved..all in one week. That's right we are crazy. It actually worked out pretty darn good, considering Nate had the whole week off, I didn't do much on the lifting/packing end, and we had people bringing in food left and right. So baby was born on Sunday and we moved all week but stayed officially at our new place on Saturday. My days have been spent, nursing, changing diapers and unpacking. I actually feel really good...due to my easy delivery...I know DBJ (don't be jeal) ..it's one of my talents in life I've decided..some people are good at cooking, or decorating, or are great listeners..me? Well I am great at getting pregnant, being pregnant and becoming unpregnant..ask my doctor..who thinks we should keep the babies coming. While I firmly reminded him that this baby factory is closed..for good! Here is my delivery story..more for my sake than yours obviously...

I went in Sunday at noon..just after the first session of conference. I had been pretty miserable the day before and even considered going in but didn't have any regular contractions. The week before I was dilated to a 3 so when I got to the hospital and all settled I was so excited to find out I was already at a 5. I got my epidural (bless whoever invented those) and then the doctor came in about 2 hours later and broke my water. Two hours later and one minute of pushing (literally), out came our beautiful baby girl..screaming for all she was worth. It never gets old and it never ceases to amaze me..the whole miracle of birth. To watch this little life be born is about as good as life gets. And to watch her daddy experience it with me, is the icing on the cake. There might not be much more in life that is more beautiful than the love a dad has for his little girls..or the love that my girls have for their daddy...

So there you have it...the beginning chapter of little Chloe's life. She is a teeny, tiny ball of perfection. Who is such a good baby...good sleeper..good nurser..and good to put up with all her sisters who fuss over her (or in Maggie's case, swings her way to high and fast in her swing..gotta keep an eye on that one)

So a new house and a new baby in a week..pretty crazy but we are so blessed...this home is perfect for us..I feel like it was meant for our family..funny how things work out..not without a little faith and prayer but we are counting these blessings and are surrounded by lots of amazing family and friends who have been here to help out every step of the way.

PS..my camera has been packed so I have no recent pics of Chloe...I'm on it this week tho..

A New Love...

Just 3 days ago, this sweet little spirit said good-bye to her Heavenly Father and came to join our crazy, little family. And I can't even begin to describe how miraculous and perfect and beautiful this little girl of ours is. She is our new love...amazing how infinite love can be right? So without further ado..meet the newest Belnap addition...weighing in at 7 lbs even and measuring 19.5 inches long..

Chloe Rhees Belnap................along with her proud, adoring family...

Maggie proudly exclaimed, "her like-a me"

Even Connor held her and said he at least liked her...

Welcome to the world sweet baby girl!

On the other side...

Tomorrow is the day..the day I officially become a mother of 5 children..the day that Maggie will no longer be my baby, and the day that I will have a belly of pudge instead of a round belly of baby. I'm not gonna lie...I woke up this morning with lots of miserable contractions and pains so I am thinking that today is not out of the question..but my house isn't clean and I am nervous and anxious. But as unready as I may be to have the responsibility of taking care of another real person..my sweet baby girl, I am completely ready to be unpregnant so I guess it's inevitable. So we will see you on the other side of the life as a mother of five..wish me luck!

More Randomness

I have not taken any pictures really at all as of late..I am too miserable to do much of anything..but I am still way to busy. I am really ready to have this kid...My bestie from high school just had her baby on Tuesday and I was really wishing it was me..congrats to her and her 3rd cute baby boy. So mostly I have nothing to blog about except my random thoughts...

I also don't know what to do about baby names. We like Mia and Chloe but I need a middle name so feel free to leave me suggestions or if you have any other great baby name ideas. I am scheduled to be induced a week from Sunday...I'm not sure I can wait that long.. but Connor has a baseball tournament in SG this weekend and my Primary Program is on Sunday. I can't wait for it all to be done. Hopefully my water doesn't break while I am helping kids with their parts in front of the whole congregation..that would be my luck...

Here's another issue..this is my last baby...so I need to make a decision..IUD, tubes tied or vasectomy. I was all for the IUD..except I talked to my insurance a couple of days ago and they won't cover it but they do cover a tubal or vasectomy..dumb huh? So now it's either way permanent or shell out $900 bucks for the IUD..I really have no idea what to do..please give me some insight..

Also Maggie is still at my favorite age...she talks like a madman and says the best stuff..like I asked her if she was stinky and she said.."no I all clean" then she walked away..turned back around and said "I sewious" (I'm serious). Connor got in trouble the other day..I sent him to his room after a few loud words...Maggie marched right up to his door..pounded on it and yelled "connow"...(insert a bunch of words I did not understand) and then ended with "I mean it" ...Nate and I couldn't help but laugh..She also holds up her pointy finger and tells everyone "My one" (I'm one)


I also really love my husband..he is the best and he works his butt off everyday for us. I wish I could win the lottery and give him a much needed break (and me for that matter). UPS is a good job but is very frustrating..they run things so illogically in my mind anyways and sometimes (well all the time) I wish he could be home at 6 or 7 like normal people's jobs instead of 8 or 9...it gets really hard for both of us...not looking for pity here..just venting. We have a lot going on right now..lots of big things anyways..like having a baby and buying a new house..and trying to sell this one..and you know how life just piles up all at once it seems? That's how I feel right now....just overwhelmed really. But somewhere inside me, under all these hormones and crazy emotions, I have faith that everything will be fine and that somehow life will work itself out..it always seems to...just not always on my terms...

Is anyone else besides me addicted to Pinterest? It took me forever to figure it out..til my smarty-pants sister filled me in..but I really like it too much..and it's not helping with anything seeing as how I need multi-millions of dollars to have/make all the things I love on there...oh well..one project at a time..but seriously people are way to crafty and creative. I never thought I was such a ball of blah and boring..but it is releasing my inner craftiness so maybe after this baby and life settles, I'll get into the groove..if not I can at least drool over all the pins.

The end 

Randoms

Mostly nothing exciting is going on these days around here...just in limbo about buying a house, trying to sell ours and having a baby. Speaking of baby..went to the doctor yesterday to be "checked" (such a great way to start of the day...nothing like someone sticking his hand up your crotch to see if you are dilated and where the baby's head is) and I was just sure I would be at a 3...but don't you worry..I was nada..zilch..zero..nothing. What? So ticked off..and to make matters worse, this baby and my lovely cervix are like clear back and he couldn't tell if it was a head or foot..so who knows if this chick-a-dee is even head down. Perfect! And you know what else, I have had almost 5 kids and I still don't get all the parts..cervix, placenta, ok well mostly cervix..i know the placenta part. You'd think I'd be more knowledgeable. And then everyone tells you to just get "busy" if you get my drift..but it's much easier said than done when you are this preggers and uncomfortable..I mean is it really worth all the effort plus let's face it..it doesn't do any wonders for my self-image/confidence...all jiggly and round. So if I am still preggers in 3 weeks, you'll know what I have not been doing.

Also I was sitting on the toilet last night going pee and Sophie walked in and told me I was to big for the toilet..that made me feel fabulous. She also asked me at a different time if carrots came from rabbits. (Sigh!)

I also have to go to Gooseberry with Ellie tomorrow. I have a bad attitude about it. Thank goodness she is scared to death of Annie Bangs and I am using the excuse of being 9 months pregnant..so we are only going up for the day and not staying over night. Hallelujah! They should seriously consider a different field trip for 3rd grade.

I am also really ready for fall TV to start...I am tired of watching Pawn Stars (although it is good) but I am ready for something else.

Now I am off to mow the lawn..maybe that will put me in labor. It really needs to be edged but I refuse to learn how to do it..I think mowing is good enough..

Little Letters

Dear Body- I'm pretty sure you are starting to waddle...yep waddle. I know this last part of pregnancy is the craps, but you still have 4 weeks to go. So get a hold of yourself and try to walk normal..people are gonna start to stare if it gets any worse.

Dear Wardrobe- I know you probably hate me as much as I hate you right now but let's face it..you are not going to be getting any new additions to spruce yourself up anytime soon. It's just not worth it. 4 more weeks of the fat, ugly, paneled, stretchy clothes and then we will kiss them good-bye (oh who are we kidding..I will still be wearing you post baby..which is even a more depressing thought). Let's shoot for new Christmas clothes.

Dear tiled floor- Thanks for doing such a good job at hiding dirt...I hate mopping so it makes my life much easier.

Dear Bladder- You are worthless. I mean I know you've been through 5 pregnancies and all but really this every 2 (or less) hours of potty breaks and sneezing/coughing leakage has got to stop. You have until this baby is born and things better get immensely better or you are in serious trouble.

Dear house- please sell quickly..knowing how life goes, I'm sure I'll be trying to pack and clean my house, trying to buy another one and having a baby all at the same time...this stresses me out so if you could look your best and get sold, that would be super. Thanks!

Dear Raisin Nut Bran- I might have already sent you a letter but I can't remember..just to let you know I think you are the best cereal but you are seriously overpriced. You obviously think too highly of yourself..at least send out some coupons or something..geez!

Dear Maggie- You are so cute, I could listen to you all day with your "ah heck" (my heck) and "a sowwy" (I sorry) sayings in your cutest little voice. You are at a favorite age of mine.

Dear Fridge- tThanks for having a "lock" button on the water dispenser, seeing as how Maggie can reach you and has caused a few mini floods.

Dear Baby- Please let me know what your name is..that would be much easier than having to decide and agree with Nate. This is a toughie.

Dear Shirt- I am sorry that your shoulder is covered with tears and chewed up, slobbered gold fish crumbs. I am just too lazy to change you and Maggie will probably have another meltdown..so one shirt a day is all I am willing to go.

For Sale

So we are taking the "for sale" plunge and putting our house up for sale. We love this home and our neighborhood, but the bottom line is that we are bursting at the seams and we need something a bit bigger. So here we go....

4 bedroom, 2 bath, big two car garage, custom cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms, stainless steel appliances, jetted tub and surround tile in master bath, tile flooring in kitchen, bathrooms & laundry room, laundry room, two family rooms, finished yard with automatic sprinkler system...so pass the word around people!

$174,900  for 1900 sq. ft.

Bedroom

Bathroom #2

Master Bedroom

Master bedroom

Master Bathroom

Master Bathroom - Jetted Tub

Bedroom

Bedroom

Another profile of the same bedroom

Downstairs Family Room

Kitchen eating area

Kitchen

Kitchen

Kitchen and Pantry

Family Room

Entry

Family Room

City Slicker Camping

Nate had the week off a last week and we had serious plans of going camping..like real camping..with a tent and no toilet or shower..and no air conditioner or king size bed. Then Nate remembered I am 7 1/2 months pregnant and took pity on me (wasn't I going to be a good sport for even considering going?) So we decided to head up to the Belnap cabin instead. Ahhhhh! Definitely my kind of camping. Toilets are not overrated..especially when you have to pee every 2 hours. So we went fishing, went on lots of nature walks, ate lots of smores (or just the chocolate bars if your name is Maggie) and I finished a whole book. Imagine that!

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No way was this heavy mama gettin up on that rock!

Ellie is very much the poser right now

Scoping the pond for frogs

Connor managed to capture one

Sophie thought she was all that...driving the mini 4-wheeler by herself...and Maggie never passed up a turn to ride

Now showing in 3D.....

Last week I went in for a sonogram to see if my placenta previa had cleared itself up..sigh of relief that it has moved...so while I was there, they did a 3D sonogram..which I have never had done before..so cool right. I'm not gonna lie when I say I teared up looking at that little squished face with the big nose (as my mother so politely told me). It just kind of hit me you know..like I know I am pregnant but the little alien looking sonogram doesn't do much. So when I saw an actual face..it was just amazing. It made it so much more real...like oh ya there is a little person inside me...a real person. It's such a miracle and while I'm so blessed to experience bringing another life into this world, I am totally ready to be done. I have hit the DONE mark and I still have 6 weeks to go. We are so excited to meet this little girl (which it still is..Connor was hoping the gender had changed:) And that weird looking thing on her forehead..well that's her hand in case you were wondering if she had a bow on already:) So 6 weeks and counting and we have yet to choose a name...so hard right?

Garage...check!

It's no secret that we are bursting at the seams in our cute, little house. And to be honest, I'm not a hoarder..in fact I'm quite the opposite..always dejunking, DI-ing and throwing away..but with almost 7 people in this family, comes stuff..and a lot of it. Well, the garage has been driving me nuts...so today I did it! I cleaned the gross garage. It had gotten so bad, with bikes, and strollers, etc that Nate was parking his car just in the driveway. So with Nate on the mountain today, I geared myself up with a serious pep talk that I could get it done..and a million hours later, a purple pop spill on the carpet and a pee mishap on my bed (Maggie has figured out how to take her diaper off..fabulous) I got the garage in good shape if I do say so myself. Here are some before and afters..let me preface with the fact that we have not a single storage room in the house, so everything..and I mean everything goes in the garage.

Before

Before

After

After

And while I can check one thing off of my "nesting" list, and sigh a little sigh of relief, I have a million more to go. And while I am realizing these pics don't show much difference, it really is and i am much happier about it. Am I weird that I wish everything would fit into a container of some sort. And also doesn't organizing make you so happy...it seriously makes life better. And don't you worry, I treated my tuckered-out self to a slush when I was all finished!