I think the biggest change in having four kids has been the lack of any sort of "free time."
Before Melissa's arrival, I usually had a couple hours in the afternoon where Blake and Tate would be at school and Ryan would either be napping or having quiet time.
Time for me to do a little yearbook work, make dinner, clean-up, do laundry and work on keeping my blog up to date.
The past, almost 6 months, that "extra time" has all but vanished.
There is a little time in the evening when all the kiddos are in bed, but by that time I just want to call it a day and go to bed or watch a television show.
So, the blog has been moved down on the priority list.
Which is why I'm just getting to posting about Melissa's birth now.
Just about six months later.
My last entry before we send this year to the blog printers.
Little Miss Melissa was scheduled to arrive Thursday, August 21st in the afternoon.
The afternoon time got moved to first thing in the morning which then got delayed because the doctor had another last minute surgery.
Karrie was nice enough to fly up for the occasion and to continue the tradition of being our "Delivery Photographer." A big thank you for doing such an excellent job documenting the birth of our children. I love looking back through these pictures remembering each special day!
We certainly could not have done it without grandma helping watch the big brothers while we enjoyed a few days in the hospital with our newest addition.
The C-Section was a bit on the more difficult side this go around, but I am just grateful Melissa arrived safe and sound and we are all recovered at this point.
Melissa was born with that mark across her forehead. The doctor said she must have been laying up again my pelvic bone or something. It started fading away the next day and was gone by the time we went home.
I couldn't believe all the hair she had when she was born.
I was totally expecting another bald baby!
She weighed in at 7 pounds 10 ounces, exactly one pound less then Ryan.
I love my time at the hospital.
Food delivered and cleaned up for you.
Nurses to take care of you and the baby.
Nothing to do but just hold a sweet baby girl.
I enjoyed every last minute of it.
Our trip home.
Karrie swapped out with John and hung out with me the day we were getting ready to head home.
While she drove us home, I kept thinking how our lives are going to change with this precious cargo!
That's about how we all felt those first few weeks.
Exhausted.
Cousin Luke and Melissa about 6 months apart.
When the boys came to the hospital I was still feeling a bit out of it.
They brought their lunch boxes and enjoyed moving my bed up and down.
I think I was more concerned about them not destroying the room or hurting me by moving the bed, that we didn't focus on getting a good family picture.
Thank goodness grandma snapped a few of these pictures.
Big brothers can be so helpful.
It is hard to believe how small she was.
Enjoying the swing at home.
First time brothers got to hold Melissa.
They still love holding her to this day.
Tate was just commenting at dinner tonight how we are a family of six now.
It is a pretty awesome thing.
Thank goodness for family and friends to make the transition to four kids such a great experience!
