Taking time off from the net-

Randall's plant is cutting back some hours, due to the economy. Things will be tough, but I know the Lord will bless us. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We will be shutting off the internet in order to save money. I will *try* to update often from my sister's house, but no promises. I don't know how often I will have time.

He's here!

We are thrilled to announce Randall Dale III is here! The good news- he picked his own birthday! He was born on April 14th, at 8:32 am, weighing in at 8 lbs, 10.9 oz, and measuring 22 inches! He's handsome and we are all adoring every moment with him. I will post the birth story I have shared with others, along with some photos.

I will try to update more later. Things are tough right now b/c Randall's plant is cutting back hours, so more than likely the internet will be shut off. :( We just need to watch what we are doing. I will *try* to update often from my sister's, but I can't make too many promises.

Birth of Randall Dale III

Turns out, my body CAN do it all on it’s own!

Monday I was feeling pretty crappy. I was super crampy and just all around tired. I had contractions all day long, but there were not consistent. Around 2 pm, they started getting more and more consistent, anywhere from 10-15 minutes apart. I still didn’t think they were hard enough or close enough together. When I got home from work, I told Randall we need to get things around just in case. We got everything ready and set everything by the door. My Grandma passed away about 2 pm that day, and my mom was the person who was supposed to get Ruthie. So, I called my sister to get back up, just in case.

My contractions were about 10 minutes apart until about 11 pm. They were anywhere from 7-10 minutes apart. About 12 am, I told Randall I think it’s time to go. They were about 4.5 minutes apart. We woke up Ruthie, called my sister, and headed to the hospital. I had about 3 contractions on the way, which meant they were still about 5 minutes apart. I end up calling my sister back, b/c I wanted to get checked before she did take Ruthie. I didn’t want her to pick her up, and nothing happen. Also, I wanted Ruthie to be there waiting, and I knew my sister couldn’t wait, so I just told her I would call her when I knew something more. Turns out, I was 5 cm!!! I told that nurse she made my day! I was guessing maybe 1cm, if that. So, we call Randall’s mom & dad, b/c they live the furthest away. They end up keeping Ruthie during the birth. We were all super exhausted, but I was so ready and excited to meet this little man!

Well, she kept checking me, and I was only progressing about a cm per hour or so. (I kept up with the times, but I don’t know what I did with the notes.) They decided to give me a small dose of pitocin just to get things moving more along. My doc was there, so I was happy to know he’d be delivering him too. At about 7 cm, they asked me if I wanted anything for pain. I really wasn’t in that bad of pain; they were hurting, but nothing like they were with Ruthie at 4cm on pitocin. So, I just told them I would take some stadol. I had two doses before I hit 9 cm, and it made me sleepy and took the edge off. They broke my water at 9 cm, and that helped move things along. The only problem was, it was more behind him, so all of it didn’t make it out.

I started pushing, and boy did it hurt! I pushed a little bit for about an hour. It wasn’t major pushing, just more of my body doing it. I didn’t have the complete urge just yet. When I did, it took about another hour for him to come out. They had some problems finding the heartbeat, so I was super scared. They had to give me some oxygen b/c I started getting upset and worrying. Turns out, he pooped inside me, so they were worried about him as well. When the head finally came out, they started suctioning him and that was even worse. He wasn’t crying, so I was flipping out, and I kept asking if he was okay. They got him all suctioned out, and he was just fine. Randy was born at 8:32 am, weighing in at 8lbs, 10.9 oz; seven ounces more than his big sister. He was 22 inches long. I tore twice, but only one needed stitches. I was super proud of myself for not taking the epi. I wanted to do what my body told me to do, and I did. I can’t say I would do it all again though…next time I WILL take the epi!

Big sister Ruthie was the first one to meet him. She was in love, just smiling at him. It melted my heart into a million pieces. There has been no sweeter moment in my life, than that one.

They had to keep us one extra night b/c his blood type made it a possibility for him to get jaundice, so they just wanted to keep him; turns out, he’s just fine.

Recovery has been a lot harder on me. My tear hurts like I can’t even explain, and I am still exhausted. Randy is nursing really well, and my milk is in. I was so happy to get a good nursing relationship with him so early on. I had some blisters popping up, but they are gone now.

Big sister Ruthie is doing really well with him. She is having a hard time understanding why she can’t lean on him, so that’s been our major problem. She loves to kiss him, and talk to him. He adores her too b/c he’ll just stare at her. It’s such a beautiful thing. Randall is doing just as great as I figured he would. He makes such an amazing father. I am so grateful for him. He's so ready for me to pump, so he can feed him and help at night.


My handsome lil man!
Snuggling with Daddy
Meeting Mommy
Meeting big sister Ruthie! Look at that precious grin!
Going home as 4!

Yes, I am still alive and kicking!

It's been a loooooong time since I have updated this blog. I suck big time. I have tried to keep up with everyone, but I am not doing too well at that either. It's just been a struggle finding time to do anything. My house was suffering from it too. Holy cow was it a mess. But, I think it's okay now. It's not perfectly clean, but clean enough.

So, life is good. My job is great, still enjoying it. Randall is still hard at work. Ruthie is growing like a weed and letting us know all about everything. Lil Randy is growing well too, and we only have 8 days left, YES 8 DAYS!!! Where did the time go???

We had an amazing month of March. It's Marching for the Master at our church, and we got to hear some amazing sermons from different pastors. We all really enjoyed that. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE our pastor, it was just nice to hear others preach the Word, and watch them get all worked up! Also in the month of March, was the 1 year passing of my beloved Grandma. It was hard, but there's also peace inside me knowing she's happy and loving every minute of everyday where she's at.

Everything at home is great. Ruthie got settled into a new room. She transitioned so well. I was completely amazed. The room we moved her into was in DESPERATE need of re-modeling. So, we did it all as fast as we could b/c it was for her b-day. I ordered her some new bedding (which I got an awesome deal on!), moved her into a bigger bed, painted the walls, laid down new flooring, and made over the closet. The pics I am posting are from that day, so it looks better now. ;) The room looks and feels so much better than it ever did. I can't get over it. It's smaller than her old room, but we knew we would want Randy closer to us, so that's why we moved her. Plus, we thought she'd enjoy it.

We received so many gifts for Randy; we feel so blessed. We got 3 baby showers: one at school, one at church, and a family one. They were all amazing and packing up took forever! I couldn't get over how much stuff we received! I have some amazing people in my life, that's for sure. I just can't wait to meet this little man. He's moving so much and reminding me that he's in there. I can't wait to hold him in my arms!

I do have a favor to ask of all of you. Randall is heading out on a mission trip to Honduras in June/July. Honestly, I am scared. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Lil Randy will be about 8 weeks old or so. It's going to be a hard time for all of us. We were so worried about money, but the Lord has blessed us greatly, and I am so thankful we are able to go. Money will still be an issue b/c I will be off work for 6 weeks, but I know He will help us. Randall is super excited to help others learn about God. This will be his first time in an airplane too. Just please keep our family, and this mission trip in your prayers!

Ok, now for pics!



Lil Randy's crib. We used Ruthie's old bedding, so it was bittersweet putting it all back together.
Just one of my favorite pics of her. She's such a goof!
Another one of my favorite pics. Can you tell she loves her Daddy? Randall is in the green kayak, and she is yelling, "GO DADDY GO!" I LOVE this pick! Look at her little pigtails!
Me at 33 weeks....I know....huge.
On her b-day just as happy as can be!

Ruthie on her b-day. She really wanted to be a ballerina. Crazy to me b/c I wanted nothing to do with anything girly, even at her age!

Waking up after her first night in her new room!

After pic!
My old bed and her new bed set!
Randall and I being goofy re-modeling!

Updates and lots of photos!

Okay, I know, I know. I am failing miserably at blogging. We decided to start saving the money that we spend on the internet and turn it off at home. I can get on it at work, but not on blogger. We don't really need the internet at home. It's just a pleasure item. Since we don't need it, we plan on turning it off. I haven't yet, but we are planning on it. So, unless I get over to my sisters often, I won't be blogging often....sorry.

But, I will update you all on what's going on.

Christmas was sad, but we all made it through. We enjoyed family time. We have family this year, that we haven't had in a long, long time, so that was a major plus. I tried to find comfort and peace in that. Ruthie had a ball opening up gifts. She's so sweet and innocent. We have tried to explain to her, the best that you can to a 2-year old, that Christmas wasn't just about Santa and gifts, but it was about the birth of Jesus. We LOVED seeing all the manger scenes with baby Jesus. She would talk about how it was His birthday on Christmas, and then it would be her's. She would sing, "Away in a manger." Nothing is sweeter than knowing your precious little girl is understanding how awesome our Lord is! Our preacher had all the kids come up front on the sermon before Christmas and he told them the story of the birth of Jesus. Ruthie apparently listened closely b/c we were talking about it on the way home, and we asked her what Jesus was born in and she replied, "a manger!" We both looked at each other shocked b/c that was the first time she answered it correctly. We asked her how she learned that, and she told us, "Bro. Troy said so!" It's so amazing watching her soak it all in!

On Christmas morning, told Jesus Happy Birthday. She crawled in bed with us, and we told her that Santa had come to visit. We asked her if she wanted to open presents and she said no! She thought he was still in the house! She's not too fond of that old man! We convinced her he was back at the North Pole. She opened her gifts and got all that she wanted and more. I am sharing pics, but some will be sideways. My computer takes way too long to rotate them, and I am too lazy....sorry.












We also got a dog. He's so beautiful. He's very, very big. He's a Great Pyrenees. I can't believe how big he is, and he's only getting bigger. We adopted him from the humane society. He's been really good and we are in love with him. He's so gently and calm for his age and size. His name is Hondo. We also got a cat. Ruthie is in love with her. She's really gentle with Ruthie, and I am very surprised! Her name is Jazz. Here are a few photos of them! Okay, I can't get them to pop up right....sorry again. I don't know why it cuts off half the photos.

We are thrilled to announce that we are having a.....

BOY!

That's right! Ruthie is going to have a baby brother! I am sorry it took me so long to update. I've just been horrible at blogging lately. Ruthie was a bit upset at first. She kept saying, "that's my baby sister" in the u/s room. Randall told her it's a baby brother and she said, "why?" So we told her that God wanted her to have a baby brother, and that's what we are going to have. She seems to be adjusting better now. She still thinks there is a baby brother AND a baby sister, but there is no chance of that! She tells everyone, "I'm gonna have a baby brother, and his name will be Randall Dale!" Randall wants this baby to be a III. So, his name will be Randall Dale. I don't know if the world is ready for 3 Randall's. Randall's dad goes by Randy, Randall goes by Randy, Randall, and JR, and this baby, well.....I don't know yet. Part of me wants to just call him Dale to make it easier. Randall isn't too sure what he wants to do. So, we know his name, but we don't know what we are going to call him. I couldn't be any more excited though! I thought for sure he was going to be a girl, up until the morning of the u/s. I woke up thinking, it's going to be a boy. It didn't matter to me, b/c I know we will try again.

Well, I think I have most of my shopping finished for Christmas! I am making a lot of homemade gifts this year, and I need to get on the ball with those. I think I will probably wait until the last minute, like always. My sister bought the Cricut Expression, so we can make bigger projects. I can't wait to make some!

Ruthie got to see Santa Claus today! She was excited, even though she wasn't feeling 100%. She wouldn't sit in his lap, or beside him, so I held her and sat beside him. (No, I didn't take any pics, but the plant did.) She did talk to him though, which was a shock to me. She told him she wanted a flashlight. Why in the world does she want a flashlight? Seriously, out of all the things she could want! Well, I guess it's easier on me right?!

I am just so ready for Christmas vacation. Starting December 19th through January 4th, I am out of school!! YIPEE! I can't wait!

Editing this to add a photo of Lil Randy! I didn't get any "boy parts" pics, but this is a pic of his face.

TAG!

Here we go! Tara tagged anyone who hasn't blogged in 2 weeks, so that includes me. It's been forever!

Here are the rules:

1. Link to the person or persons who tagged you.
2. Post the rules on your blog.
3. Write six random things about yourself.
4. Tag six people at the end of your post and link to them.
5. Let each person know they’ve been tagged and leave a comment on their blog.
6. Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

Six Random Sadie Facts...

1. I love to color. I could color all day long with Ruthie. It always makes me feel young and happy. I remember coloring all the time as a child, and I am so glad Ruthie loves to color as well.

2. Randall and I met when we were 17, at my boyfriend-at-the-time's, little sister's b-day party. (Did you follow that?) I got dumped that night, and Randall and I went out for the first time later that week. We haven't been apart since. I knew from the first time I was with him, he was the one. It was an odd way of meeting, but the Lord knew what He was doing! Here's a pic, just b/c I want to! Oh to be that skinny again.....



3. I love to cuddle. I wish Ruthie wouldn't toss and turn all night long b/c I would love to snuggle with her every night.

4. Growing up, my brothers used to tell me I was adopted. I honestly believed it. Crazy thing is, we all look way too much alike for me to be adopted.

5. I could eat pancakes every day of my life. It's one of those comfort foods for me. Seriously. The bad thing is, I can eat way too many at one sitting. It's not good, I know.

6. I want a dog so bad right now. We don't have any, and it's lonely around here. I am in dog mode, so I am on the lookout!

Anyone who reads this- consider yourself tagged!

Where do I even begin?

I will start with pics! I haven't shared anything in a LONG time, so here it goes! Be prepared!

Halloween-


Cousins-

Belly pic- Ruthie couldn't help but get in the pic!

Thanksgiving-

Ruthie riding the horse at Thanksgiving-


On to updates!

Things are going really good here. Randall is working hard. His plant has left off quite a few people, mostly temporary employees, and thankfully he is full-time. His department can't let anyone off b/c it's only a one man job per shift, so there is nothing they can do. Even though they cut out all the overtime, he still gets it. He's such a wonderful husband & father to work as hard as he does. He amazes me at how sweet and kind he is.

Ruthie is learning so much. She loves to play her little computer and she is doing so well with her numbers and letters. I haven't worked with her on her letters much, but she knows the letters that are in her name. She only goes to daycare 1/2 time, so I am very happy to hear she is learning a lot even though she's hardly there. She's really excited about this baby still. She's been super cuddly lately, and I have heard she may do this. I am enjoying every moment of it! She still hasn't made up her mind if it's a boy or girl yet. It changes by the hour. Today it's a baby sister though. She's excited about Christmas too. I think this year will be so much fun b/c she's learning about Santa. She tells me she's going to sit on his lap, but I doubt it.

The baby and I are doing great. My job is still going good. I am bored a lot, but it's easy and fun, so that's worth it for me. We are finding out the gender on Tuesday! We are so excited and ready. I still think it's a girl, but I would say 90% of people think it's a boy. Guess we will find out Tuesday....if he/she cooperates.

Thanksgiving was nice, but it was really hard. We were missing 4 people, 3 who we lost this year. We did have 2 extra people that we haven't had in a long time, so I tried really hard to look at the positive side. It was rough, but we made it through. We all enjoyed ourselves. At Randall's Thanksgiving, we laughed a lot. Skeeter (my BIL) always puts a smile on my face. As for my SIL, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. She is having a really hard time carrying babies. They think she lost another. This is about her 4th or 5th miscarriage in about 2 years. It's heartbreaking. I don't know how much more she can handle.

Well, that's about it for now. I will do my best to update the gender, but I can't make any promises. I have a lot on my plate right now. I make a yearly scrapbook that I give to Randall on New Year's Eve. Last year, I had about 60+ pages. This year, I am slacking big time. I think I have completed 15 or so. I need to get on the ball, and that's where a lot of my time will be spent!

Hope everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving!