He's Here!!!

Well, our little baby decided that he had his own schedule and arrived Friday morning. Never mind that his mama still had freezer meals to make, things to purchase (like diapers, baby shampoo, and clothes), and a big sister's birthday party to get through. As I mentioned in the previous post, Brett's sister, Chelsea had her baby, Conn, the day before. Brett said yesterday that Brooks was "Conn-ed" into coming early. We're pretty sure Conn told him it'd be boring up there without him. So Brooks came only 25 hours after his cousin.

The whole going-into-labor experience was quite interesting for me. Thursday morning I started having contractions. I wasn't too concerned, however, since they weren't very close together. So I just waited. I took the kids to the movies, chasing Brynnlee around the whole time, went to the grocery store to get the ingredients for all of the freezer meals I was going to make, and then that evening (when the contractions were getting harder) I decided I'd better run to the store to get some baby things. On my way home, I decided I'd call my brother and ask him to stay over night just in case I had to go to the hospital during the night.

Good thing I did! The contractions subsided and we went to bed and slept until three a.m. I woke to more contractions, but not too close together. So I just waited and tried to sleep. Four o'clock rolls around and the contractions start to get really hard. I woke Brett up and we headed to the hospital. By the time we got there at 4:30 a.m., they checked me when we checked in and I was dilated to a 7!! I immediately told them they needed to order an epidural. They got me up to my room by 5 a.m., my midwife arrived and we waited for the anaesthesiologist.

After about 15 minutes, my midwife checked me and told me that I was at a 10! The first thing that I said was, "Noooo! Can I still get an epidural?!" The nurse said that was the first time she'd ever heard someone be upset that they were dilated to a 10. Well, I wasn't able to get my epidural. Instead I got something like an intrathical spinal tap (?). It doesn't work as well as an epidural, but it would help take the edge off the pain. If it was going to help the pain, I was all for it!

So they gave that to me and once that kicked in and I was able to get some relief, my water was broken, I pushed for a little while, and then there he was!! Brooks Delor Robinson was born at 6:13 a.m. weighing in at 6 pounds, 11 ounces, and was 19 1/2 inches long. So far, he's been so good! He hardly cries (knock on wood), but he does make lots of noises as he sleeps. Hopefully I'll be able to sleep through those little sounds.

A very proud and relieved mama with her sweet new baby

You can't see it very well here, but Brooks likes to fan out his long toes. It's pretty funny to see!

Brooks' first feeding

(I love using a bottle!)

Very excited siblings!

One proud sister

And a super great big brother!!

He looks so tiny in his car seat!!

We're now home starting a new adventure having two babies in one house. Wish us luck! We'll need it!!

Brooks Delor Robinson ~ We're so happy to have you join our family!!!

It's Been a Week

I had another doctor's appointment yesterday, and all went well. I had them check me again to see if I've been progressing and sure enough, I have been - ever so slightly though. I'm now dialated to a three and 60% effaced.

I'm pretty sure I won't be making it to my due date, but I've been hoping that this baby can wait until after Aubree's birthday (next Saturday) so that I can do a fun party for her. Now I'm not so sure that even that will happen. We'll have to see what happens I guess.

The midwife asked me yesterday if I wanted my membranes stripped (I hope that's not inappropriate to talk about on here!). I was slightly tempted, but declined in hopes that I can make it until after Aubree's big day. You never know, by next week, I may be changing my mind!

I'm excited to say, however, that my sister-in-law, Chelsea, had her baby this morning! She was worried that I would beat her to it. See Chels, I told you you would be first! All went well and both mama and baby boy (Conn) are doing fine. We can't wait to see pictures!!!

Miss Idaho

Like I said in my last post, I went to Boise for the Miss Idaho Pageant to watch our five titleholders and one teen contestant that we'd been training, compete for the state title. Can I just say that I had a WAY fun time!!! (Oh, and no baby - phew!!)

The first night all of the contestants got to compete in every area of competition. Here are our five titleholders:

From left there's me, Tristan Long - Miss Fremont County, Jennah Coray - Miss Eastern Idaho, Deidre Edmunds - Miss Central Idaho, Vanessa Schwendiman - Miss Southeast Idaho, Ali Christensen - Miss Falls Valley, and Krissy Gutierrez - my co-director.

The second night, the top 11 were named and two of our girls were in it, Ali and Jennah. Now, that is HUGE for us! They each got to compete in talent, swimsuit, and evening wear again and then they were narrowed down to the top 7. We were so excited that Jennah made it into the top seven!!! And then the teen contestant that we'd been training (who is my neighbor) ended up getting 1st runner-up in the teen competition and scoring the highest in interview! YAY!!!!!

We couldn't be more proud of all of our girls!
From left: Vanessa Schwendiman, Jennah Coray (top 7), Jacqueline Lee (first runner-up in the teen program), Ali Christensen (top 11), Deidre Edmunds all in their evening gowns.

We had such a fun time and are already making plans for our pageant and training ideas next year! Can't wait!!!

Baby Update

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and I just thought I'd post how it went. I'm heading to Boise this weekend for the Miss Idaho pageant (I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!!) But since I'm getting closer to my due date, I just wanted to make sure nothing was going on and that I'd be fine traveling. I am technically 36 weeks, but I usually go a week early. So I should still have 3 more weeks until this baby comes.

Well, when they checked me, I was told that I was dialated to a two and 50% effaced. I was surprized by the news, but not concerned at all. I'm still going to Boise this weekend.

Later that evening, I started to think about it. With every baby that I've had, I've gone to the hospital and have measured at a four when I've been in labor. So I think that I can consider myself half way there! Now, that thought made me a bit nervous. It's a good thing I was sent home with my medical records to take with me - just in case!

But really, don't get your hopes up. I'm not! I have too much to do before this baby arrives. So he's just going to have to wait until after Aubree's birthday (the 27th of this month)!!

**Read on about Austin's birthday!

Austin Turns 6!!

Yesterday was Austin's sixth birthday. His morning started out with one of his favorite breakfasts - german pancakes. Not only was he getting one of his favorite foods, but his dad was making it for him. He was pretty darn excited about that!

Next, he had his first t-ball game. He had two super hits! One off of the tee and the other that his coach pitched to him. We were so proud of him, but he was the most proud of himself!

After his game, we went home to decorate his cake. This year, he requested a dinosaur cake. It wasn't too bad and he was so excited with how it turned out.

Then we had a barrage of 10 little kids here at our house for Austin's party. Thank goodness I had Brett here with me to help keep everything under control. They actually were pretty good and had a lot of fun. It was so nice to let them play whatever they wanted to down in the basement. (I LOVE having a basement!)

Next up, Austin opened his presents and had cake and ice cream. Brynnlee was SOOOOOO excited about that part. She really gets into eating cake - literally!!

Then we let the kids play with the presents and then they all went home. After everyone had left, Nathan (my brother) stopped by to give Austin his gift. When Austin saw it, he said it was the best gift ever!!! It was this awesome Spiderman car with a Spiderman to play with and missles that shoot out of the car. That was all he wanted to play with the rest of the night!

When Brett came home, we opened gifts from my mom and us. He got lots of great clothes (much needed church clothes and summer clothes, including two dinosaur shirts that his LOVES!). And then we got him a little boombox to put in his room. He opened it just before bedtime and didn't get to use it much.

But this morning, Brett and I were surprised to find that we had slept in until 7:15. The kids usually wake us up around 6:15. What did we find when we woke up? Brynnlee was playing with the new toys while Austin and Aubree were intently listening to the Magic Treehouse (thanks, Kev and Kas) on his new boombox. I was loving that!!

So, Austin's big day turned out to be a big success! I think he was most excited that his dad was able to spend most of the day with him. We're always grateful for that!!

Field Trip to the Zoo

Austin's kindergarten class went on a field trip to the zoo in Idaho Falls last week. I'd heard since before Austin was in Kindergarten, that this is a trip Mom's want to go on due to the large number of kids going and the small amount of teachers and adults. So when we received information on this field trip, I decided I would go. Aubree and Brynnlee went with me and we all had such a great time! The weather was gorgeous and the other moms and I were so proud that we didn't lose one child. Yay!!

Now Austin is done with his first year of school and I can't believe it! He had such a wonderful year and is already looking forward to going to school all day as a first grader. But for now, pictures of his super fun field trip...

Riding the rides

Cute little bunny

Brynn's favorite - the lion!

A rather large tortoise

Flamingos

Swinging monkeys of some sort

Penguins

An alligator

Reunion Pictures

Good Family 2009

A million pictures of our adventurous reunion...