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| Daddy and the girls made a snowman family to welcome our coming snow storm. Notice baby Kate in front of Arianna. |
Monday, February 25, 2013
We are a happy *snow* family!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Bar cookies are the way to go
I have been winging it alone this week. My mom left us after being here for 2 1/2 weeks last Friday and Kenneth left Sunday morning for Germany for work. I had very low expectations for myself this week. I didn't try to unpack anything. I didn't try to hang pictures or organizing the many things that need organizing. My main goal was to feed the children and keep them alive (I also wanted to keep up on Emma's school work, but keeping the baby happy was first priority). I have succeeded! Hooray!
Many things have helped us to be happy this week, but these bar cookies were a definite sanity-saver for me. That and going to bed at 8:30 pm. And this rice pudding. Yum. (Thanks, Mel! You are a gem!) There are a few reasons why bar cookies are the way to go. First, they are easier to make. Second, you don't have to feel guilty about how many you have eaten- you just keep cutting off little pieces- no problem! What's a little piece? No big deal. Third. . . okay maybe just 2 reasons but they sure have made my week. I don't know what the deal is, but I have wanted to eat everything bad for me this last little while. It's horrible! I don't usually allow myself to make such treats anymore because I don't need to eat them. But, I guess I needed a little comfort food this week, so I let myself.
The baby carrier has also been a life-saver. I guess after being in the womb for so long, being in the baby carrier reminds the babies of being back in their watery home. I wore Kate in the carrier today while I went out in the snow for over 2 hours. I swept 6 inches of snow off the trampoline and the glass-covered wells to the basement windows. She was happy as a clam sleeping away the entire time in there. I can even get on my hands and knees and sweep the floor under the table without her even batting an eye! It's great.
I planned on not leaving the house this week and that was a very good thing especially with the snow yesterday and today. I don't know if I could drive anywhere even if I wanted to. They don't so much know how to clear the roads around here. New York has that down pat and that is what we were used to. Not so here. So, the car hasn't been driven since Saturday. Playing out in the snow has helped with any cabin fever we may have developed. Our neighbors must really think we are fruity Californians out clearing snow with bucket lids and a broom. I can't seem to find that snow shovel we used to own when we lived in New York.
Also, before the snow came we had a nice walk on our neighborhood walking trail that passes by a small hobby farm that has five horses. The kids love to say hello and feed them carrots.
Speaking of Kansas- it is fabulous! Well, the people are anyway. Kansas itself if kind of just flat plains. We have had 5 neighbors bring us baked goods and gifts to welcome us to the neighborhood. Another neighbor that I don't even know plowed my driveway yesterday and today. We got a personal letter of welcome from the Mayor of North Newton (I guess you can do that when there are only 1,765 people who live here, 500 or so of whom attend the college located here). We have felt very welcomed. We live in the kind of neighborhood where the people who drive by you when you are out for a walk all wave. I love it.
Some more points of interest for the week:
Why do babies always look so different on different days and in different positions? If I didn't know better, I wouldn't know this was even the same baby!
We are a little unconventional around here:
My five year old daughter sleeps with a 6-foot-long stuffed snake:
The piano has turned into a parking lot:
Arianna is a horse pulling a carriage, which her brother is driving:
The kids decided it would be fun to play doctor with the 'living doll':
So, only one more day to go 'til Daddy comes home. I think we'll make it. Hopefully without making another pan of bar cookies!
Many things have helped us to be happy this week, but these bar cookies were a definite sanity-saver for me. That and going to bed at 8:30 pm. And this rice pudding. Yum. (Thanks, Mel! You are a gem!) There are a few reasons why bar cookies are the way to go. First, they are easier to make. Second, you don't have to feel guilty about how many you have eaten- you just keep cutting off little pieces- no problem! What's a little piece? No big deal. Third. . . okay maybe just 2 reasons but they sure have made my week. I don't know what the deal is, but I have wanted to eat everything bad for me this last little while. It's horrible! I don't usually allow myself to make such treats anymore because I don't need to eat them. But, I guess I needed a little comfort food this week, so I let myself.
The baby carrier has also been a life-saver. I guess after being in the womb for so long, being in the baby carrier reminds the babies of being back in their watery home. I wore Kate in the carrier today while I went out in the snow for over 2 hours. I swept 6 inches of snow off the trampoline and the glass-covered wells to the basement windows. She was happy as a clam sleeping away the entire time in there. I can even get on my hands and knees and sweep the floor under the table without her even batting an eye! It's great.
I planned on not leaving the house this week and that was a very good thing especially with the snow yesterday and today. I don't know if I could drive anywhere even if I wanted to. They don't so much know how to clear the roads around here. New York has that down pat and that is what we were used to. Not so here. So, the car hasn't been driven since Saturday. Playing out in the snow has helped with any cabin fever we may have developed. Our neighbors must really think we are fruity Californians out clearing snow with bucket lids and a broom. I can't seem to find that snow shovel we used to own when we lived in New York.
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| Boy, this is hard work! Arianna taking a break. |
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| Here is our backyard this morning. |
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| Arianna is obsessed with eating the snow. I even found her licking a puddle off the mud room floor hours after we had come inside. Oh, child! |
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| Such fun! |
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| Anything is more fun if wheels are involved! |
Speaking of Kansas- it is fabulous! Well, the people are anyway. Kansas itself if kind of just flat plains. We have had 5 neighbors bring us baked goods and gifts to welcome us to the neighborhood. Another neighbor that I don't even know plowed my driveway yesterday and today. We got a personal letter of welcome from the Mayor of North Newton (I guess you can do that when there are only 1,765 people who live here, 500 or so of whom attend the college located here). We have felt very welcomed. We live in the kind of neighborhood where the people who drive by you when you are out for a walk all wave. I love it.
Some more points of interest for the week:
Why do babies always look so different on different days and in different positions? If I didn't know better, I wouldn't know this was even the same baby!
 |
| Little Kate |
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| So sweet |
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| Sleep is good. Look at those little lips! |
My five year old daughter sleeps with a 6-foot-long stuffed snake:
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| It is so funny to me when I go in to check on her at night and she is lovingly curled up with this thing! |
The piano has turned into a parking lot:
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| Grant loves to find new places to play with his cars and his marbles, too. |
Arianna is a horse pulling a carriage, which her brother is driving:
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| I have a future project on my hands changing the wall color in that dining room. Some day I'll do that! |
The kids decided it would be fun to play doctor with the 'living doll':
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| Oh, children! |
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| Checking the knee reflex |
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| Dr. Emma says she is healthy as a horse! |
Friday, February 15, 2013
It's a. . .
GIRL!!!!!
We are so happy to introduce the newest member of the Larchar family! Katherine Belle Larchar was born Sunday, February 3rd. (5 days after her due date.) (We'll call her Kate). She weighed 6 lbs. 5.4 oz. and was 19 inches long. She was born in Wichita, Kansas. Her sisters couldn't be more delighted. Although Grant kind of wanted a brother, he has taken quite a liking to his little sister.
I'll give the full labor and delivery report after the pictures, so if you're interested stay with me until then! Here are some pictures of our newest little princess and her adventures in coming into this world:
Of course, they all wanted their own turn at holding her:
We have been so thankful to have my mom here with us. She has kept the house clean, helped with unpacking and breaking down boxes, done projects and helped the kids with their school work, laundry, sewing and mending and so many other things that I am sure I won't recognize until she is gone. She has almost read the entire novel Heidi to them. Many times, Emma holds Kate while Grandma reads. Arianna sometimes brushes Grandma's hair while she reads, or else, in pure Arianna style, rumbles and rolls around nearby listening, but unable to sit still.
And now as to what the big kids are up to (besides snuggling Kate and spending time with Grandma):
Here are the kids tobogganing down the stairs. If you think it is fast when they are together, you should see them do it separately- they really fly (much to mom's fright). That's uncle Bryan's voice in the background in case you wondered. He had business here in Kansas and came to see us a couple of night's ago!
So, as for the birth story. I have never had a baby go past their due date and I certainly didn't think this baby would be any different. After all, at my first appointment with the doctor here in Kansas at the very beginning of January, the Doctor said to me that I was already somewhat effaced and dilated to 1 cm and that she would see me next week at my appointment if not sooner! I put a back up plan in place with our new Relief Society President (who happens to be Kenneth's cousin's wife), in case I went into labor while we still lived in temporary housing 30 minutes away from our new home. At each subsequent appointment, I was a little further effaced and more dilated. But, still no baby. And I was thankful she hadn't come yet. We closed on our house on January 18th- 10 days before the due date and were able to get moved in and somewhat settled before she finally decided to come 2 weeks later.
The Thursday before she was born, I was dilated to a 3-4 and almost completely effaced. We set up a time to go to the hospital on Monday morning for the Doctor to break the bag of waters to get things moving. Friday and Saturday, I vacuumed the house, was up and down the stairs unpacking and taking care of things and we even went on a pretty good walk. Saturday night when I sent to bed I told Kenneth I was feeling a little something happening, but no real contractions. (At this point my mom was already with us and so it could happen anytime and we had her to take care of the other kids should I go into labor.) He had to stay up late that night to work for his California job and then, he figured I was going to go into labor, so he might as well stay up, he watched a half hour of Hulu before coming upstairs to bed. Sure enough, when he came up a little after 1 am, I had just awakened with contractions. I told him I thought this was it. He wanted to wait just a little while to be sure so we didn't drive the half and hour to the hospital in vain. We prepared to go and the contractions continued to be regular, so at 2 am we left for the hospital. The contractions at this point were definitely regular, but no big deal. I just closed my eyes and visualized what my body was doing in preparation to bring this baby into the world.
We got all settled into the hospital by 3 am and the nurse had to fill out all kinds of paperwork and enter in a ton of information into the computer. When they checked me I was dialted to a 4 and fully effaced. I told Kenneth he might as well go to sleep (since he hadn't slept at all yet) since I was just answering questions. He slept for 3 hours and then got up to see how I was- I was doing great- resting between contractions and answering questions. No big deal. So, he went back to sleep and I told him I would wake him up when I needed him. At 7:15 am the contractions were still regular, but nothing difficult, so I figured I should call my mom and let her know that I was doing great, but had no idea when the baby would be born, since I was perfectly comfortable and even though contractions were still pretty regular, they were not intense at all. Just about a half an hour after that, all of the sudden, I had a real change in contractions, it was intense! I called the nurse and called Kenneth and told them things were moving forward. I had a couple of contractions like that and then I started to feel like pushing! Bam! It came out of nowhere! I pushed, oh I don't know, maybe 7 times or so and at 8:36 am she was born!!! My doctor was not on call since it was a weekend and the other doctor who was covering for her from the practice, barely made it there. In fact, the resident, said to me a couple of times, "if you can breathe through this one and not push, do that". And I thought, "I don't know this man from Adam and couldn't give a rat's behind if the doctor is here or not, so I am going to push when I feel like I need to push!" Luckily I remained calm and serene and didn't say this out loud. I really concentrated on completely relaxing between contractions and I had a GREAT nurse, who talked me though each one of those contractions and the birth was amazing! Yes, it is very intense, but I focused and I could have asked for it to have gone any smoother! Kenneth was very supportive and kept me fanned off and cool. I am always so thankful to have him right with me through labor. (He didn't even feel faint this time!! fourth time's a charm I guess!) After it was over, I just thought, I did it!, I did it!!! And Kate was so beautiful. She was 7 pounds 5.4 ounces and 19 inches long. This hospital let me hold her straight out of the womb for an hour before they weigh her or clean her or anything, which was so great.
My recovery has been fantastic. I feel great! Nursing has been hard and very painful (with cracking and bleeding), but at 12 days old, I can tell I am already getting over the hump. Kate had her first checkup 2 days ago with the doctor and she is already 7 pounds 14.6 ounces and 20 inches long. She is a great little nurser!
It is amazing when I look at her, I feel as though I have known her much longer than just 12 days. I am so thankful the chance to be a mother. I still can't believe I have 4 children! My how the time flies!
Well, there you go. I am sorry this took me so long to write. I meant to do this everyday and somehow it didn't happen til now. My mom leaves in a matter of minutes. Wish me luck as I wing it on my own!!!
We are so happy to introduce the newest member of the Larchar family! Katherine Belle Larchar was born Sunday, February 3rd. (5 days after her due date.) (We'll call her Kate). She weighed 6 lbs. 5.4 oz. and was 19 inches long. She was born in Wichita, Kansas. Her sisters couldn't be more delighted. Although Grant kind of wanted a brother, he has taken quite a liking to his little sister.
I'll give the full labor and delivery report after the pictures, so if you're interested stay with me until then! Here are some pictures of our newest little princess and her adventures in coming into this world:
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| Here I am 2 nights before the birth. We figured we better get a picture of me at the very end! |
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| Here is Mom and Baby Girl right after she was born. (She didn't have a name until right before we left the hospital) |
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| Sucking her thumb already. Uh-oh. Look at all that dark hair! |
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| She did NOT like her first bath. She was even gripping the side of the tub to try to pull herself out! Strong girl! |
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| Here are the kids (and my mom) meeting the baby for the first time. The kids were so interested in her tiny toes and little fingers and the umbilical cord stump. |
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| Here's Emma with baby Kate. |
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| Arianna's turn |
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| Grant loves his sister! (He is wearing an eye patch for a few weeks to strengthen a weak eye.) |
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| Checking out her little toes! |
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| The monkeys must climb! |
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| Daddy and the kids decorated for our arrival. Daddy even bought be beautiful flowers. There's little Kate in the bottom right corner snoozing in the swing. |
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| Here's Kate a couple of days after coming home. |
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| Here's my attempt at a photo shoot. |
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| Reading Heidi |
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| Reading Heidi again, just this morning. |
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| Arianna 'listening' to Heidi |
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| One thing's for sure, everyone loves to snuggle this baby! |
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| And with a face like this, who could resist? |
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| Daddy has been so busy with 2 jobs and a lot of responsibility at the new job, but he still likes to take the time to hold and talk to his sweet new baby Kate. |
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| Kate likes Grandma to hold her on her belly. |
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| I call this the Grandma hold. She never lets me hold her like this. She sleeps so contentedly on Grandma's lap like this. |
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| See that face? Don't you want to snuggle her, too?! |
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| One day we saw her sleeping in her swing like this. So. . . |
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| We gathered the kids around and asked, "Who loves Mommy?" It's unanimous! |
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| Building amazing structures with Magnatiles. Grant got a small set for Christmas and we gave Arianna a set for her Birthday and Emma a set for when Kate was born, so now they have lots and are making amazing things! Check out that horse barn with attached stables! |
So, as for the birth story. I have never had a baby go past their due date and I certainly didn't think this baby would be any different. After all, at my first appointment with the doctor here in Kansas at the very beginning of January, the Doctor said to me that I was already somewhat effaced and dilated to 1 cm and that she would see me next week at my appointment if not sooner! I put a back up plan in place with our new Relief Society President (who happens to be Kenneth's cousin's wife), in case I went into labor while we still lived in temporary housing 30 minutes away from our new home. At each subsequent appointment, I was a little further effaced and more dilated. But, still no baby. And I was thankful she hadn't come yet. We closed on our house on January 18th- 10 days before the due date and were able to get moved in and somewhat settled before she finally decided to come 2 weeks later.
The Thursday before she was born, I was dilated to a 3-4 and almost completely effaced. We set up a time to go to the hospital on Monday morning for the Doctor to break the bag of waters to get things moving. Friday and Saturday, I vacuumed the house, was up and down the stairs unpacking and taking care of things and we even went on a pretty good walk. Saturday night when I sent to bed I told Kenneth I was feeling a little something happening, but no real contractions. (At this point my mom was already with us and so it could happen anytime and we had her to take care of the other kids should I go into labor.) He had to stay up late that night to work for his California job and then, he figured I was going to go into labor, so he might as well stay up, he watched a half hour of Hulu before coming upstairs to bed. Sure enough, when he came up a little after 1 am, I had just awakened with contractions. I told him I thought this was it. He wanted to wait just a little while to be sure so we didn't drive the half and hour to the hospital in vain. We prepared to go and the contractions continued to be regular, so at 2 am we left for the hospital. The contractions at this point were definitely regular, but no big deal. I just closed my eyes and visualized what my body was doing in preparation to bring this baby into the world.
We got all settled into the hospital by 3 am and the nurse had to fill out all kinds of paperwork and enter in a ton of information into the computer. When they checked me I was dialted to a 4 and fully effaced. I told Kenneth he might as well go to sleep (since he hadn't slept at all yet) since I was just answering questions. He slept for 3 hours and then got up to see how I was- I was doing great- resting between contractions and answering questions. No big deal. So, he went back to sleep and I told him I would wake him up when I needed him. At 7:15 am the contractions were still regular, but nothing difficult, so I figured I should call my mom and let her know that I was doing great, but had no idea when the baby would be born, since I was perfectly comfortable and even though contractions were still pretty regular, they were not intense at all. Just about a half an hour after that, all of the sudden, I had a real change in contractions, it was intense! I called the nurse and called Kenneth and told them things were moving forward. I had a couple of contractions like that and then I started to feel like pushing! Bam! It came out of nowhere! I pushed, oh I don't know, maybe 7 times or so and at 8:36 am she was born!!! My doctor was not on call since it was a weekend and the other doctor who was covering for her from the practice, barely made it there. In fact, the resident, said to me a couple of times, "if you can breathe through this one and not push, do that". And I thought, "I don't know this man from Adam and couldn't give a rat's behind if the doctor is here or not, so I am going to push when I feel like I need to push!" Luckily I remained calm and serene and didn't say this out loud. I really concentrated on completely relaxing between contractions and I had a GREAT nurse, who talked me though each one of those contractions and the birth was amazing! Yes, it is very intense, but I focused and I could have asked for it to have gone any smoother! Kenneth was very supportive and kept me fanned off and cool. I am always so thankful to have him right with me through labor. (He didn't even feel faint this time!! fourth time's a charm I guess!) After it was over, I just thought, I did it!, I did it!!! And Kate was so beautiful. She was 7 pounds 5.4 ounces and 19 inches long. This hospital let me hold her straight out of the womb for an hour before they weigh her or clean her or anything, which was so great.
My recovery has been fantastic. I feel great! Nursing has been hard and very painful (with cracking and bleeding), but at 12 days old, I can tell I am already getting over the hump. Kate had her first checkup 2 days ago with the doctor and she is already 7 pounds 14.6 ounces and 20 inches long. She is a great little nurser!
It is amazing when I look at her, I feel as though I have known her much longer than just 12 days. I am so thankful the chance to be a mother. I still can't believe I have 4 children! My how the time flies!
Well, there you go. I am sorry this took me so long to write. I meant to do this everyday and somehow it didn't happen til now. My mom leaves in a matter of minutes. Wish me luck as I wing it on my own!!!
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