Mothers Day, Return to work, receital, yada yada

So...not too much is new in our house, except Charlie's already growing up way to fast..I think the older they get (i.e. the girls) while it's noticeable that they are growing up, when it's a baby, it's right there in your face, they change every day and seem to get bigger every day...

Charlie weighs over 13 lbs now (well according to when I step on the scale with him, but judging from his upper thighs I would say that's accurate) he's smiling and talking more and more everyday..Much better at his head control, which is a good thing, given that he has a huge head..he's starting to like tummy time more and he has graduated from the bassinette to his big-boy bed! He's doing a little better at night, he usually goes down around 8:30 -9 p.m., makes it till 1 a.m., eats for about 20 minutes and then sleeping till 6 - 6:30 a.m., I can deal with this schedule and hope he sticks with it, when I go back to work on Wednesday am., because I'm not quite sure how I'm going to function if he gets up anymore than that! He's still an awesome kid during the day too, sleeps for 1-2 hours, gets up, plays, eats every 3-4 hours, and then back to sleep, pretty easy going personality... We love him, and can honestly say now we don't know what we did without him, and are just so grateful to Heavenly Father for blessing us with the opportunity to raise Charlie.

The girls are great, had their dance receital May 2nd, and they all did a fabulous job!!! We are anxiously awaiting the end of the school year, 18 more days and then we are free till Sept. 1st, yippee! The girls are hopeful for a warm summer, so they can spend lots of time swimming in Grandma & Grandpa's pool, thanks to Daddy we have a HUGE garden to weed (actually 2, if you count the 1 by Grandma's) we plan to have lots of fun but work comes first!

I had a wonderful mothers day & hope you all did too! I started breakfast but Jerod soon got up & finished it for me, we played Uno Attack with the girls in the afternoon, Charlie gave me lots of kisses & smiles, the girls got me some potted flowers from school and made me beautiful cards, and last...I got to take a 2 hour NAP!!

Work starts on Wednesday for me, I'm sad but excited..I do miss the pre-k kids and the staff that I work with... The great news is that school is done on June 5th and my last day is actually the 4th because the classroom I work in is done on June 4th, so it won't be soo bad and then I have all summer to snuggle Charlie!

Wishing you all a warm, fun & Happy Spring!
Love, Michelle & Crew

It's been a while

It's been almost a month since I've updated..we keep pluggin' along.. Charlie is doing well, he's already 9 weeks old, the time just keeps ticking away on the clock! I've done my best to savor every moment since Charlie's been born, I can definately say I have more patience for him then I did for the girls..maybe it's because I'm older and he's the only one in diapers, maybe it's because I know he's my last, I don't know but I hope my patience continues. His weight is no longer a concern, he weighed 11 lbs 12.5 oz at his 2 mo check-up last week and was 23 in. long. My only concern for him is that he doesn't want to take a bottle, which could pose a problem when I go back to work, we'll keep trying!





The girls are doing well, plugging along in school, they got really good report cards for 3rd quarter. Brookie continues to have some struggles with reading, she's almost to the level she should be for the end of 1st grade, but it's hard for her, so we keep trying! Taylor lacks confidence in math, but her teacher has said all year long she gives it her all, and she's gotten a b+'s each quarter, I'm so proud of her! Mackenzie's report cards have been good too, she loves to read, always has, always will, and I catch her writing stories and song lyrics all the time too.

As I think about my kids, their personalities, I wonder what the future holds, what will they be when they grow up? Mackenzie told me she was talking to her teacher (who happens to be Mrs. Hoffman too!) and she said I don't know what I want to be when I grow up, her teacher gave her the best advice, she said just enjoy it now, because your not even half way there, on that note, I think that's what I'll do, enjoy every moment I have with them now, because all to soon they are growing up and I'll miss these times. This weekend is Dance Receital, it will be Taylor's last as she starts middle school next year, and I gave her the choice; sports or dance, she's choosing to try sports. I hope financially we can figure out a way to keep Mackenzie & Brookie in it, I feel like that's the only fair thing to do, as Taylor started out when she was 3 yrs old, they did too, so they deserve to dance until 5th grade if they so choose.

Until next time, hope we get some *WARMER* spring weather so I can take charlie outside and show him the sights and sounds of the country.

Blessing day...

So for those of you that don't know Jerod & I too close, we are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In our church, we bless infants, which basically is a prayer that Jerod (the baby's father/or another family member) gives. I always love this blessing, in doesn't matter if it's my own children, nieces/nephews or just a church members baby, such beautiful words spoken to these children of God. A few things mentioned in Charlie's as he was blessed... that he will grow strong, he will always love and honor his parents, that he will someday serve a mission, and marry a righteous girl; I'm so grateful that my husband holds the priesthood and he can bestow blessings like this one for his family. We felt so loved as all but a few in our family were able to attend, and it was a beatiful day (even if not outside!) The whole crew came to our house after for lunch (Grandpa Jeff counted, and if Auntie Jen & Uncle Mark would've been present, that made 35!) It was also my parents 40th wedding anniversary,wow!! I love them both so much and am grateful for their examples!! I hope all of our family members know how much we love them!

The ups and downs of motherhood.

So, I truly love motherhood, it's the greatest joy and blessing that we can have here on earth. However, when you have sick kids it can be a real downer, and I mean in the sense of you worry so much about your kids, just want them to be better, enough to make yourself get sick! So, after the worry about Charlie's weight gain was over, Brooklyn & Kenzie got sick. Fevers, headaches, stomach aches.. so we went in & the dr. said just a virus. They felt better for a day, than Brook's fever was back in full force, Taylor ended up with the rotovirus on Sunday.. So for the past 2 days I've had Tay & Brook home sick, hoping they get better soon, because it's hard to miss school & catch up on school work, and I know they miss their friends. Brookie went back to the dr. yesterday and an ear infection showed up, so at least we have a cause and meds now, yeah!!

Enough grumbling, I'm not the only Mom who's been there and this too shall pass! Onto the joys, pictures like the one with Brook & Charlie, just fills my heart with so much love and joy!

Hope you are all having a better week than me!

Week 2

Well, Charlie turned 1 week on Sunday night, just shy of midnight, and we are settling nicely into a routine (or as much of a routine as you can have with a baby.) I was fortunate enough to have Jerod home until Sunday and my mom to come up for the week on Sunday, so I haven't been alone.
What am I going to do come Monday???

Charlie is doing much better than the 1st night we brought him home, Jerod and I thought we were in trouble, he fussed and cried pretty much all night, but by night 2 we figured out that he just likes it warm, so as long as he's bundled in a nice warm blanket he's good to go...

Our only concern is his weight gain, on Friday he was 7.5 and Saturday 7.6, Monday he had only gone up to 7.65, so I'm taking him tomorrow for another weight check, if anyone reading this wouldn't mind, can you keep him in your prayers that he has gained more weight, thanks!

So that's all I have time for, above are some more random pix of Charlie, some Uncles (Brandon and Mark) and his new cousin Livi, who was born on Feb. 5th...

He's here!

While Jerod is still my number one love, there is a new man in my life who is not far behind, Charles Jeffrey Hoffman entered our world on Sunday, Feb. 22nd, 2009 at 11:43 p.m., 8 lbs, 4 oz, 20 1/4 inches, born via C-Section after 11 hours of labor, he was just too stubborn to be born natural.

After pushing for about 50 minutes, my Dr. looked at me and broke the news that she thought he was face up and just wasn't going to come down naturally. I asked her to wait and let me try a little more and than decided to throw in the white towel because I was exhausted. I'm so grateful for all of my sweet support team that was there; Jer, my Mom, my sister, my mother in law and sister in law Jill. My dad and Grandma Verna waited in the hallway, making little appearances here and there. My sister did leave at 9, to get my girls settled in to bed, and thanks to my brother in law Mark who babysat them all day long with some relief from my Dad & Grandma for a few hours of help. I'm proud of my Mom, she was brave and it couldn't have been easy on her, because when we decided on the C-Section, I had a meltdown and just couldn't stop crying, I felt like I hadn't done all I could, but all of my lovies encouraged me that I did all I could and it was ok.

Dr. Pardini was fabulous and got the ball rolling, and I believe it must've only been about a 1/2 hour from the time they wheeled me in to the time he was born. The Dr. announced, it's ok Michelle, I'm looking at a face, the most probable cause of his stubborness to be born. When they pulled him from me, I heard he's so cute and he's so big! All I asked was, It's a boy than? Jerod said yes, and he's fine. The Dr/Nursing staff were guessing at his weight, thinking he had to be at 9 lbs or maybe a little more, but when they put him on it read, 8 lbs, 4 oz (my biggest one.) My Dr. even said the scale had to be wrong :) He had a pretty big head, and some chubby little cheeks, but he was absolutely perfect. Daddy went with him, and he was greeted by all the family who was there, the nurses let them all come into the room while he was checked out, cleaned up, etc... I was greatful they all had the chance to hold him and love him, a small reward for not being able to see him actually be born.

I had a rough time those first few hours, but everyone was wonderful, especially Jerod and I was well taken care of the entire time of my stay. I never knew what a C-Section felt like and to every woman who's had one before me, I commend you, it's a whole different experience. We got to come home on Wednesday morning, and I was relieved, but tired. Our first night was less than ideal, lots of fussing, crying, but he's so perfect we got past it, and pray our 2nd night goes a little smoother. Jerod looked at me yesterday and smiled and said can you believe we have a son? No, it's still sinking in.

Thanks for all of you who've expressed your congratulations and kind words, they mean the world to us. I'm so excited for my 3 girls, they are in love with their brother and are sure to spoil him for the next 18 years or so! I'll keep updated pictures every few weeks, as he's changed so much even since his birth.

Love you all! Michelle

I'll miss this...

So, with only 8 days till my due date, and me being awake at 3 a.m., I figured I would leave this note to my unborn child, but you can all read too if you like, but it might be a snooze fest for you..

I will miss being pregnant (except that last 2 nights when sleep as eluded me!) This is my 4th child in 11 years. The first 3 are 11, 9, and will be 7 in April, it's been a while...

I so enjoyed the first time I was pregnant, 11 years ago! The 2nd came so soon after (10 months) and the 3rd, was a blur, because I was taking care of two young children at the time. About a year ago I was diagnosed with some female problems that left me with the knowledge I would very soon (within a year) need to take care of those problems, and leave me all done having children. I was ok with this, I had resigned myself to the fact that Jerod & I had a complete family with our 3 beautiful little girls.. We had prayed about having 1 more, and after 2 years of nothing, I was ok with this.

So last May I prayed 1 last time, knowing that I would need to have surgery by the end of summer, I took it to my Heavenly Father and basically asked that this was it, if I was meant to have one more than the time has to be know. Lo and behold to my SHOCK and 3 tests later in June I found out I was pregnant. I still denied it until I went to my first Dr's appt. on 8-1-08 and she got out the Ultrasound machine to prove it to me! All I could do was cry, I was overwhelmed (literally, with both scared and excited emotions.) I was just 2 weeks shy of turning 35 years old, was going to start working full time in the fall! How in the world was I going to do this??

The firsrt 12 weeks were uh, ok.. I had morning sickness feelings all day long, which made life miserable in the hottest part of the summer, but once I hit 12 weeks, that feeling went gone as did all of the tiredness. I actually felt really good, and with working 8 hours a day, working on homework, driving the girls to dance, I've managed to stay busy and enjoy it this time! When we told the girls, they screamed and Taylor cried, my growing belly, the first time I felt a flutter, the ultrasound in October, the babies first "unofficial" Christmas where the people who love us the most spoiled him already, the girls kissing my belly and talking to the baby, some very sweet people in my life telling me I look great, even though I feel huge, my surprise baby shower at school, my sweet husband talking to my belly a week ago and telling the baby to hang in there but it's ok to come out now, me talking with the baby telling him PLEASE come out now, hearing the heartbeat every time I go to the Dr (it never gets old), getting the room ready, agreeing to Mossy Oak Camo bedding, realizing that if the U/S was wrong, this poor girl is wearing blue, green or brown for the first 3 months of her life!!! I really have tried to cherish every moment, because I know this will be my last time.

I can't wait to meet the baby, but a part of me is sad, because for right now he's all mine, tucked away sweetly in my belly, just waiting to make his entrance into this big, bright world!

I love you already Charles Jeffrey Hoffman, and I can't wait to look into your eyes to tell you so!

XXOO Mommy