I want to win this

So go here and maybe you can win it too!

Wouldn't I look great in that Tutu?? Okay, I would probably get it for Gracie....maybe. I think.

Happy Thursday!

This is what happens......

.....when you don't get your child dressed for the day. They dress themselves.

In your sweatshirt.

What I miss/don't miss

What I love about NOT being pregnant:

*No heartburn--HALLELUJAH!
*No more pelvic pain
*No baby bum in my ribs
*PEPSI
*No sudden kicks in my ribs that make me go "OUCH"
*My legs aren't so swollen--even if the cankles will never go away
*I can get out of the bath tub with no help
*SUSHI
*Don't have to worry about my water breaking at Target anymore

What I miss about being pregnant (I can't believe I just said that)

*Not having to suck in my tummy (MISS THIS THE MOST)
*If some article of clothing doesn't fit, you blame your growing tummy and go buy a new shirt/pants!
*Eating....because the baby wants it
*Having people pick up things I drop because I can't bend over enough to reach it
*Not having to breastfeed....I am not one of those mom's who love it, but I am doing it

Happy New Year everyone!

My resolution---Lose this baby weight. It was sad to try on my 'fat jeans' and not be able to button them.
I think I will try this Special K challenge I have been seeing on TV. Maybe.
I think I will still blame Stella, since she can't defend herself.

While I am talking a little about Stella, she has been very Jaundice. At her check up on Monday, her doctor sent us to the lab to have her billirubin levels checked. Turns out they were super high, 20.9, and they started light therapy on her. We are home now with a machine that has a belt that wraps around her middle and constantly shines light on her. They are slowly going down, and yesterday she was at an 18.3. We haven't gotten her results back from today's blood work ( a nurse comes every morning to check on her and take her blood) , but the doctor told us that we can stop the light treatment when she is under 16. So pray that she is under 16 today!
Okay, I am going to go back to watching the Winter Classic--go Flyers!

Gosh I miss hockey.

Miss Stella Bella

My Christmas present weighed 6 lbs 13 oz......

You guessed it! Stella Makayla Flynn was born Christmas Eve day!

And this is how I felt around 5 am....

Not good at all. This labor SUCKED. Why can't men be the one to go through it??

Anyway....let's get to the good stuff. The LABOR STORY. TA DA!

Around 3:30 on Wednesday night, I started having strong contractions. I had a doctor's appointment Monday, but I was only dilated to a 1. I went to the hospital at 9 and was only at 1.5 dilated, so they decided to monitor my contractions and see if there was any change. 45 minutes later, I was at a 2.5, 45 more minutes later, I was at a 3.5. They admitted me and got my antibiotics started since I tested positive for Group B Strep. At midnight, I was between a 4 and a 5 and the Dr said I could have my epidural if I wanted. I decided to get it so I could get some sleep. About 10 minutes later, I started feeling weird and numb all over and blacked out. I tell you what, I was scared to DEATH. As was Clancy. The anesthesiologist came back quickly and lower my epidural and put something in my IV. I started to come to, threw up, and felt fine. It was the weirdest thing ever. My blood pressure had dropped to 60/38!! Scary! This happened another 4 times before they said to stop the epidural for now. My contractions stopped completely and I slept. Around 7 am, my doctor came and said Let's get this show on the road! I couldn't agree more. They started a pitocin and a low dose of epidural. My water broke around 8, and I could really feel the contractions. There was blood in the amniotic fluid, which they discovered later was because part of my placenta had ruptured. My left side was numb, but I could feel everything in my right side. NOT FUN. I have soooo much respect for all you mama's who go natural!!!

At 10:15, I was a 9-10, and they called my Dr to come deliver. I started pushing and she was born at 10:32 am on 12/24/2009! Her cord was around her neck, but it was long enough to not bother her until her head was out. I was able to up my epidural right when I was at a 8-9, so I could feel her coming out, but I didn't feel any pain. She arrived 17 days early, but weighed 6 lbs, 13 oz. and 19.5 inches long!

She is perfect! She sleeps a lot, eats well and is adored by her sisters! The best Christmas present we could ever receive.

Now, enjoy the pictures.

She LOVED her bath!

I just can't get enough of her! She reminds me a lot of Livia, but definitely has the Flynn nose!

I know, the no make up look is really in right now.


My three girls, AKA my life.


Our family of five! Don't you love how the nursing pillow is still on. I think it's classy.

Baby Shower!

On December 10th, my AWESOME co-workers at the credit union threw me a babyshower! You know how much I LOVE presents, so I was very excited!! They threw it at Cyrus O'Leary's (yum!) and we all ate and had a blast! I am going to miss these people soooo much. It has definitely been the best company I have ever worked for.

The BEST cake I have ever tasted! Can you tell what name they want me to pick for this baby??

Opening some presents! I love how there is a chicken with sunglasses behind me.

I love presents!

Krista and Deb!

Connie and Krista!

Cora, Louisa and Amy B!

I was sooo excited that so many people were able to make it. Even my boss, Joe, came and he is a busy man! I left so loved! I am so glad that everyone supports me in my decision to stay home with my kids after this baby while they have to keep working....is that rubbing it in a bit??

Louisa being her fun self! I put her in charge of pictures and she will probably kill me for posting this, but TOO BAD. You take a picture like this and you know it will end up somewhere! Love ya Lou!

Eric and Sandy

Tricia.....the mastermind behind it all! She organized everything. I am going to miss her!!! Next to her is Amy K and her adorable little girl, Avery.

Kaylee, me and David

Kaylee, Tricia, me, Louisa, Cora and Toni!

I got so many cute things for the baby! It just made it all that more real that I will be holding a newborn in the next couple of weeks. Okay, everytime I look at this huge belly I am carrying, it makes it real to, but all the baby clothes made me so excited! I can't wait to dress her up! Yes, just like the Cabbage Patch doll I had growing up....I wonder where Elva is now? Hmmmmm

Anyway, thanks to everyone who came and for those who pitched in to get me a gift card to Target! I spent it the other night and bought all the last minute things needed before she arrives. 3 weeks (or please, Heavenly Father, SOONER) to go!

I just had to throw in a picture of her crib. I finally washed the bedding, put it on and put the mobile together. Her bag is also packed and ready to go!

Quick baby update!

Wooo hooo! We are past the 36 week mark!!! I had a check up today and my Dr. says she is VERY low ( tell me about it---I can feel the pelvic pain!). I am dilated to a 1 but only 20% effaced. So she probably won't come today. And I am typing this as I have a contraction....I know, I am dedicated. :)
Anyway, everything is good and she is still measuring a little big. My Group Strep B test came back positive (UGGGHH), which means that he won't strip my membranes on the 30th to get things going, as we had planned. That's okay though! She will arrive when she is good and ready! Any bets on when baby girl will choose to make her debut???


Oh yeah, and you need to click here to enter this awesome giveaway on this blog I found! She is quite entertaining! Then give it to me!

Disney on Ice

Can I tell you how much my mom rocks?? She took me and the girls to Disney on Ice a couple of weekends ago. Gracie can't stop talking about it and thinks that it is something she should be able to go to everyday. Needless to say, they loved it!!!

My mom and Livia inside the Princess Room that we went to before the show started. In the Princess Room, they had displays of certain princesses dresses and items from the movies.

Snow White, standing by Snow White's ACTUAL dress! :)

The Princess and the Frog.....I think her name is Princess Tiana.

Belle's dress from Beauty and the Beast.

Inside the Princess Room, they also had two real live princesses there! Cinderella and Princess Tiana from The Princess and the Frog!

Patiently waiting for the next princess.Cinderella!

Finally, it was time for the show to start!
Me and Livia (AKA Tinkerbell) before the show
Gracie said this is her "I'm so excited!" face.

We had so much fun and the girls were entertained just about the whole time (they kind of got bored during the Lion King part)! Gracie loved Ariel and Livia screamed when Lightning McQueen and Tinkerbell came out!
I highly recommend it to anyone with kids! We are going for sure the next time Disney on Ice comes to town!
Thanks Mom!!!