Hello blogging world!

I have not felt like blogging in a while.  A lot of things have been happening, and I just didn't really have anything nice to say.  So, I didn't.

To begin, Jordyn is 3 months old now!  Once the colic was done.  It was DONE!  She has turned into the most wonderful baby!  I wish all my kids had been like this!  Here are some recent photos of "fat baby."

If I haven't mentioned it yet, I have been pumping and giving Jordyn bottles, and have continued to do so!  If anyone is having trouble nursing, pumping is the way to go!  It is a HUGE commitment!  (Like getting up and pumping even when the baby is sleeping through the night!)  But, it has been a real game changer around here.  I can leave.  It helps me figure out WHY she is crying and not that I am starving her to death!  So in all, I have been enjoying this process!

And what have we been up to?!  And let me remind you, I share the good with the bad!  This Mama is NOT perfect.  And I am not trying to portray a perfect life.  It is FAR from that!

To begin.....EASTER!

I have always loved Easter.  Easter and Halloween.  Holidays that involved a lot of candy!

First the kids and I colored Easter eggs with my Mom and sister Jamie!  Oh, and Emily and Ava came as well!

I put this one here because nose picking seems to be a huge problem here in this house.  We have tried EVERYTHING!  So gross....

We then had an Easter egg hunt with Yia-Yia!   She is recovering from back surgery, and she STILL had the kids over!

They made out like bandits!

Then on Easter day, we went to the zoo with my Mom, Dad, and Aunt Jamie.  I only have a few pictures.  The lions were roaring so loud you could hear them every where in the park!  So, the kids were lions as well.

This past month has been a month of being SICK!  Kids waking up at night.  Fevers.  Let's just say, it sucked.

I have been finding Gabby asleep all over.  Even at 4 in the morning.  The past two days have been better.  Spring needs to come and stay so we can open the windows and air out all this junk!

Speaking of Spring, we have been outside as much as possible!  Now that Laney and Ike are older, they can get their own boots and coats on and head outside.  The problem with this is that they do it at times without me knowing.  Like yesterday.....

Here's what happened.  The kids came downstairs from their rest and Laney had Gabby's poopy diaper in hand.  Yup.  The one Gabby took off.  So, Gabby needed a bath...

(cute huh?  Yeah, if she had not been covered in poop)

While giving her a bath, Ike and Laney went outside.

As I was getting Gabby ready to go outside, Jordyn woke up needing to eat.  So, I send Gabby outside, grab Jordyn and her bottle, and go to sit on the back porch.  Once I realized what had happened, I was feeding Jordyn.  So, I just let it go.

And here are just some random ones....

Jordyn's first time in the swing.

Ike being a baby?

Gabby and the new puppy, Deke

Happy baby!

Everybody loves Dad!

Jordyn's first carousel ride.

And last but not least.  A video.  It is not long.  About 30 seconds.  But if you would like to see what it is like in my house every day, you will need to watch!

And that my friends, is an UPDATE!

I know I have been needing to update.  

Jordyn turned into a screamy scream.  So that has consumed a lot of my time.  The screaming has slowly gotten better, and is just at night now.  But like with all my kids, I am counting the days until she is 13 weeks old.

We have been doing a lot, but just not taking enough pictures.  So I will share what I have!

We have been going outside as much as time allows.  The hardest thing about infants is there is no schedule.  And when it takes 20 minutes to get everybody ready to go outside, it becomes a challenge!

 We have entered the super hero phase in our house.  Gabby is pretty much like this at all times!  She chooses the Avenger movie whenever she can, and is practicing her jumping from the back of the couch!  Laney has proclaimed she is going to marry the hulk and Ike is the leader, since he is Captain America!  Thankful to be moving away from dresses!

(Her alter ego....Gabby)

We also attended the mustache world record for laughfest.  I was glad to be there, Ike was not.  He screamed the whole time.  Being on steroids may have played into that!

And Ike.  We have clinic again on Monday.  He is scheduled for a spinal, which is never fun.  They have upped his chemo again.  We are now taking 10 methotrexate once a week.  Plus a whole 6MP everyday.  Since then, Ike has been VERY emotional.  I am praying to find out why.  Normally he is just a pretty laid back guy.  Now we are throwing things and punching furniture.  (Not cool!)  Needless to say, I am so thankful for only 10 more months of this.  I can only imagine how amazing he is going to feel once he stops having to take meds that make him tired and irritable.  I am super pumped to meet the "real" Ike.  And him to not have to take meds everyday, and me to remember all the things to take when!

Not much to update.  Praying for Spring like the rest of you!  And for Jordyn to get on a schedule.  That is it for now!

Linda

One whole month.

Eek!

But really, in my defense, 4 kids under 5 is busy.

Jordyn is currently 5 weeks old and we are battling reflux and colic.  I thought I was scott-free, but alas, we have spent the last two days with Jordyn SCREAMING whenever she was awake.  The worst was last night.  The screaming started at 9:30 and lasted until 1 a.m.  No joke.  This is kind of hard to juggle with 3 other kids who really could care less that you only had 3 hours of sleep last night!

In the meantime, I have been doing my best to keep them busy and outside.  With Jordyn being fussy, my other kids have been pretty neglected.  But, we just keep moving forward.  We all know this is just temporary!

So, bring on the pictures!

The kids have been doing really well with Jordyn!  I do have to keep them from bouncing her to death or mauling her with her pacifier.  The hardest has been Gabby, as she misses having my time whenever she wants it.

Gabby is probably the most fascinated with the baby.

Gabby ALWAYS wants to hold the baby.  Ike sometimes.  And Laney really could care less.  But Laney does like to hold her sometimes.

Papa Jim has been plowing our driveway which has been a HUGE blessing with all the snow that we have had.  He pushes up into the lawn and makes a HUGE hill for the kids!  Jacob took them out one day and helped get the sledding started!

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Gabby, in particular, loves everything about the snow!  Getting stuck, eating it, the icicles it makes!  I really love that about her!

Ike on the other hand?  Well, he likes it. But is usually the first one inside.  On this particular day, he got stuck!

But, I sure do love this cute little guy!

And with Jordyn screaming so much, Jacob has had mercy on my soul and been doing a lot of this....

I can not sleep with her anywhere near me, but he has no problem with it!  Which works out great for me!

And that is my quick update!

Back to the screamer!

Adios!

Alright.  Well, I am pretty delirious.  This blog may seem really random, but I wanted to get something out there!

Welcome to the world Jordyn Marie Quist!  8# 2 ounces, 21" long!My biggest baby yet!  2 pounds MORE than Laney!

We had a really hard time with the middle name.  Finally, at midnight, we decided.  In honor of my Mom, sister Katie, Jacob's Grandma, and the most important person.....ME!  (Not really, but eh, I'll just pretend!)

I'll share a quick version of the birth, just because I always LOVE hearing people talk about their birth story.

After MANY failed hopes of going any earlier, my OB took pity on me, and allowed me to be induced at 39 weeks.  I was miserable.  If I had to go one more week being pregnant, I think I would have cut her out myself!

So, On January 15, I called at 4 a.m. to make sure they had room.  Sure did!  I had to arrive at 5 to get the prep going.  I was so thankful God had allowed it to be this way!  They once again had a hard time getting my IV started.  3 pokes and one huge bruise later, they were in!  Let the Pitocin begin!  Well, they started it, but I noticed 2 hours later, that they had never added the line to my fluids!  Ha!  I guess all those hours at clinic paid off, since I was being nosey and looking at my IV line!  So, really at 9 a.m., they started things!  I asked them not to break my water until I got my epidural.  Mostly because I am a chicken and I made it to an 8 with Ike and Gabs.  Not trying.  And I KNEW I never wanted to feel that pain AGAIN!  It was so weird getting my epidural relaxed  and not in between contractions!  They broke my water, and I thought for sure that she would come quick since I was already dilated to a 5.

Nope.

Laid back chicka did not want to come out.

After sitting around for almost 10 hours, around 7 p.m., I was ready to push.

I am not exactly sure, but I think it was 45 minutes of that fun stuff....

Jordyn was born at 7:48 p.m.

And I could not be more thankful!  I was no longer pregnant.

Although it took me 15 hours to feel my left leg again, I was so happy to be able to breath!!!!  I could bend!  I could wash my feet!  Relief!

As with most 4th children, I really do not have a lot of pictures, but I will share with you what I have!

 

 The hair!  Oh the hair!  I think I have called her Gabby more than I have Jordyn!

I thought of all my kids, Laney would do the best.  And that I would have to watch Gabby the most with the baby.  But, alas, I am wrong.  Laney has been having a REALLY hard time with the adjustment.  Ike and Gabs can't get enough of Jordyn!  I know everything will eventually go back to normal.  But Laney has been very challenging to say the least!

 This boy LOVES his sister

 My friend EB made me this BEAUTIFUL rainbow bow.  I can't get enough of it!

She's here!  I thought I would just HATE having a newborn again, but I find that I am REALLY enjoying it.  For now.

I have so many things to say.  Like why did it take me to my fourth kid to give my kid formula until my milk came in?  I got to just enjoy her AND get a little sleep.  Instead of "cluster feeding" all day and night while PRAYING my milk would come in faster!

Or instead of taking a nap when help is here, cleaning my house!  Why did I do that?!!?!?

Needless to say, I have learned a lot.  Mostly that I don't know much.  But at least TRYING to relax a bit.  And allowing people to help me.

Thank you all that have helped with EVERYTHING along the way!  Time, diapers, infant carriers, nursing bras!  I feel so overwhelmed by the love from you all!  Thank you.  SO MUCH!

And now, I must bid you ado. Everyone is asleep, and now I as well!

Adios!

The time is currently 2 a.m.  I can't sleep.  I can't get comfortable, so I blog.

 

I have had pictures uploaded for a couple days now.  But I kept hoping and praying I would be "too busy" to get to this post.  But alas, I am not.

So, on to recent happenings.

I hate the holiday let down.  My kids keep asking when the next Christmas party is, but to their dismay, there is no more.

With this let down, and being 9 months pregnant, I have been trying to do fun things.  Moving around has been tough, and I have been in a lot of pain.  This limits a lot of activities.  But, we have been able to keep moving!

Going outside to get freezing cold, and coming in to drink hot chocolate is always a classic hit!

We also had our first milestone in our home with Laney losing her first tooth!

She has since lost another one.  Two baby teeth down!  We are working on her quitting sucking her fingers, and trying to rip any other teeth out.  This whole "cash" thing has her motivated!

With the nudge of one of my favorite people, Stacy, I DID take recent pictures of my belly.  One even showing some skin.  She said she never took one, and regrets it.  I have debated whether to share it on here or not.  I know that I LOVE seeing other peoples' bellies.  So, I decided to share with you all my big 'ol belly.  Skin and all!

This was me.  37 weeks.  Total weight gain, 40 pounds.  I totally share this with you because I always LOVE comparing notes, and pictures.  And really. I am not ashamed of it.  The "baby fat" will be coming off, and staying off.  Forever.

With my "moms" having mercy on my soul, they have been taking turns helping me with my kids.  Cleaning, babysitting, and getting the tornadoes outside. I know that people can do it without their family, (Stacey, you are my hero!), but I am thankful I don't have to try!  I seriously HATE being so needy, but am thankful for the rescue that has come!

 

 One day was snowman day, and I got to stay inside and take a nap!

I keep reminding myself to try and cherish things like this.  I am trying.  With lots of prayer and grace from my King, I will continue to pray for a good attitude.  I practice gratitude as much as I can.  I know I won't be pregnant forever.  And pictures like these, although I had nothing to do with it, make my heart happy.

In Ike news:

 

He REALLY has been doing AMAZING!  I still do not get tired of hearing him ask for something to eat!  He is wild.  Insane.  Completely normal if you ask me!  For this, my heart sings.  I love that I am counting months now, instead of years of treatment!  Thank you all who have followed me on this journey and have been praying for me!  I KNOW that without this support, my family and I would be in ruins.  Your prayers have saved my life. Thank you.  I really mean it.

 

And the next blog will be introducing to you the newest member of the Quist clan!  Whenever she decides to show up!

 

Adios!