Behind the name

I wanted to explain a little about why we chose the name we did. I have shared how we have spent a lot of time praying about what to name our baby girl. Bill and I had tossed a few names around, but none of them seemed right. Claire was actually the name we had picked out for James had he been a girl (we didn't know ahead of time that he was a boy). I didn't think we would use the name this time around however. I loved the name, but it had been put on the back burner for awhile....and there were other names that I thought I loved more. But, one night as Bill and I were talking about names, we both just realized that we knew what her name should be. God had planned for us to have a Claire, and now it had been made clear to us.

Claire means, Bright or clear.
If you look up those words in Websters dictionary it means,

1: radiating or reflecting light : shining sparkling, sunny also : radiant with happiness 2: illustrious glorious 3: beautiful 4: of high saturation or lightness 5 a: lively cheerful b: intelligent clever 6: auspicious promising

Synonyms: bright brilliant radiant luminous lustrous mean shining or glowing with light. bright implies emitting or reflecting a high degree of light. brilliant implies intense often sparkling brightness. radiant stresses the emission or seeming emission of rays of light. luminous implies emission of steady, suffused, glowing light by reflection or in surrounding darkness. lustrous stresses an even, rich light from a surface that reflects brightly without sparkling or glittering.

The name Claire, makes me think of joy. I love the description , "radiant with happiness." That is what I felt throughout my whole pregnancy....full of joy....full of hope. One of the verses that the Lord laid on my heart during this pregnancy was, "For You, O LORD, have made me glad by what You have done,I will sing for joy at the works of Your hands." Psalm 92:4 We knew that this baby girl would bring us joy. So the name Claire just seems to fit.

Her Middle name, Eliana (eh-lee-AH-nah) means, "My God has answered" Since she was given to us as a surprise gift during a hard time in our lives, it seemed only fitting that her name should have such meaning. God answered during the storm, and provided a job for Bill and blessed us with a beautiful baby girl.

Claire Eliana is a perfect gift of God's goodness to us! We are excited to welcome her into our family!!!

Taking it all in

Here is a look at Claire, after she was all cleaned up. She was very alert right away and taking it all in.

First Cry

*Keep in mind that I had just given birth. You will hear the Dr. talking in the background.

Claire's birth day story

Wednesday Feb 20th. I started having contractions. They continued throughout the day. The kids and I spent the day baking and getting things ready to put in the freezer (I will try and post those recipes at some point). By about 11 p.m. my contractions were 5 to 7 minutes apart. Bill decided around 1 a.m. to call his parents and bring the kids to their house. We thought this was it and baby was on her way...however, we were wrong. The contractions completely stopped by 3 a.m. Talk about disappointing. I felt really dumb because we had called Bill's parents in the middle of the night. You would think that by the 4th baby, I would know when I was in labor! :)

Thankfully I had my 40 week appointment scheduled for that Thursday morning. Bill decided to stay home from work and go with me to the Dr's. Dr W. checked me when we got into his office and agreed that it was false labor...I wasn't dilated at all. So, he gave Bill and I a few minutes to talk over and decide if we wanted to wait it out another week to see if I would go into labor on my own, or schedule to be induced. Bill and I talked (and I prayed silently) and decided to go ahead with the induction. Dr. W. asked us if he could get us in that morning would we want to do the induction then. Bill and I both said yes. It seemed like perfect timing. The kids were being taken care of and Bill was off work, and we even had our bags packed and in the car with us. Dr. W. called over to labor and delivery and they said they had an open room.

They started my induction around 10 a.m. Dr. W told the nurse to let him know as things progressed because he knew my labor would go fast. I was still having contractions on my own, so the Pitocin just sped things up.

My friend Janel stopped by with a "being induced" care package. I had called her to let her know that I was in the hospital. So she ran out and bought a magazine, sucky candies, and a bouquet of pink tulips. :) Unfortunately I didn't get much of a chance to enjoy them, because things went so fast. They came in (around 12:30) to give me my epidural not more then 10 minutes after Janel left. The epidural was so much more painful then I remembered it. :( But Bill was there and was so wonderful through the whole thing.

Dr. W. came down and broke my water around 1 p.m. I knew at that point that things would go fast. I laid back (they made me stay on my back) and just tried to relax and rest. It was really hard for me to relax for some reason. I kept shaking. Bill stood by my side and held my hand and tried to help me feel calm. It really was such an amazing process. Bill put on some music we had brought with us; "Sing Over me" and "The Living Room Sessions". Both were so peaceful and so full of praise and worship. I had prayed that God would be glorified through this whole day and that I could keep my eyes on Him. I rested and prayed.

Before I knew it I was feeling a lot of pressure. It was kind of funny to see the look on Bill's face when I told him things felt "different". I told him I thought I was going to have to push. The nurse had just walked out, and Bill frantically started to look for her. She had just been right around the corner. :)

They called my Dr to come because I was ready. The nurse asked me to do a practice push, I was about to when she suddenly changed her mind, "Uh you better wait for the Dr. The head is right there." She exclaimed!

It took 3 pushes and our sweet Claire was out (at 3:37 p.m.)! Her cry was the most amazing beautiful cry. We waited so long to meet her, and now she was finally here. Bill squeezed my hand, and tears filled my eyes. I was just in total amazement. I have never had such a wonderful birth experience. It was so so easy and peaceful!

I felt so great after Claire was born. Bill and I joked and laughed the whole time we were in the hospital. I have never felt more in love with my husband. He was and has been so sweet and supportive. He reaffirmed me by telling me how great I did, and how proud he was of me. He agreed that it was totally amazing.

My whole pregnancy and birth experience were such a gift from God. I really can't put into words what I feel right now. I am SO blessed. God has been so good to us. I am just so thankful!

Dr. W. with Claire.

Holding Claire for the first time.

Not the best picture of me...but I'm not going to be vain here! :)

Sweet kisses from Daddy.

First look at Claire

It's late here. I just finished nursing my sweet baby, and I am ready to go to sleep, but I wanted to get on here and post a few pictures.

I will write more when I get a chance. We are all doing great! I could not have asked for a better birth day.

For this we prayed

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above...

Announcing the arrival of our baby girl

Claire Eliana

born at 3:37 p.m.

Weight, 8 pounds 7 oz.

Length 21 inches

More details and pictures to come...

Coming soon...

Just a quick update. I am sitting in the hospital right now, hooked up to an IV. I saw my Dr. this AM, and we decided to go ahead with induction. So...hopefully next post will be with baby news.

Please keep us in your prayers today!

Last Minute stuff

Today I decided that I should make some last minute preparations for baby. So, as part of school Anna and I spent all morning cooking. Normally I make our breakfast the night before we will eat it. Well, after the baby comes I won't be able to do that for awhile. Anna and I made a bunch of breakfast food to freeze. We made a big batch of granola cereal, 2 loaves of cinnamon bread, and 2 apple coffee cakes.

Ok, now we are ready for baby! :)

Actually, I have been having contractions consistently all afternoon and evening, so we will see. I am going to my Dr. appointment in the morning. So, if nothing has progressed we will schedule to induce...hopefully tomorrow or Friday.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers. I really appreciate them.

I will update tomorrow!

Nursery pictures

Go here if you want to see pictures of our finished nursery!

Waiting...

Saturday was a rough day for some reason. I was SOOO emotional. I spent most of the day in tears for no reason. I know my time is drawing near, and I think that is why I have felt so emotional. It's so frustrating, I really don't like to cry for no reason. I totally felt as though I had lost control of myself. Anything anyone said to me, or any thought I had pretty much made me cry.

Bill stayed home with the kids Sat. night so I could just go out for a little bit and be by myself. As much as our family time has been needed lately...I think I also just needed a little time to myself. I spent 2 hours just walking around different stores (My Dr. said walking could help put me in labor...and since we have SOOOO much snow...and it's been so cold, walking around stores was the only thing I could think to do.) Even though it wasn't a "productive" shopping trip, I think I really needed it mentally.

I came home in time to bathe and put the kiddos to bed. I started feeling really icky...and then the contractions started coming. They were coming pretty consistently, and they were getting more painful. Bill and I sat down to watch LOST together (we didn't get a chance to the other day). I really thought for sure I was going to go into labor that night. After we finished watching LOST I picked up around the house (between contractions) and made sure everything was ready to go just in case this turned out to be it. But alas, the contractions subsided in the middle of the night. :( Sigh! It will happen soon...it's just starting like I am going to be pregnant forever. I totally trust God's timing though. We ended up getting so much freezing rain last night that the roads would have been dangerous to drive on had we need to go to the hospital.

And so, we continue to wait...and rest in God's perfect timing. I am trying to enjoy these last days I have with my baby growing inside me.

*Pictures taken today.

Valentine's and fun day with mommy

We had a really nice valentines day on Thursday. Bill and I gave the kids each a little gift in the morning; a heart shaped box of chocolates (you know the .99 cent ones from Target) and they each got a play cell phone. Anna said it was the "Best day ever!" Bill gave me chocolate...yummo! :) What a perfect gift for a prego mama (not that I need to gain any more weight...HA!) But I loved it, and have been enjoying it! :)

For supper I ran to Little Ceasears and picked up pizza as a special treat. I fed the kiddos before Bill got home (he was running late because we got yet another snow storm, and the roads were bad). When Bill got home I sent the kids up stairs to their rooms for 20 minutes so Bill and I could enjoy a nice quiet meal together. It was really nice. It was the perfect day.

On Friday, I decided that the kids and I needed a fun day together. Like I've said before, I have been so tired lately and sadly I had been crabby too. I really wanted to spend a day doing fun things with the kids before the baby comes. So, I took them to Target and let them each pick out a (50% off) stuffed animal. Then we went to McDonald's play land. We ate lunch and then played. It was a lot of fun. Then we headed to the Library to pick up a movie. We got home and I put James to bed, and Anna, Ryan and I watched a movie together. It was such a fun day...something we all needed to do. I really enjoyed spending quality time with them. Buying them toys for no reason is something I never do, and eating at McDonald's is not a common occurrence here...so the kids really thought they were in Heaven! :) Two "best day ever" in a row...wow! :)

I am so thankful for my sweet husband and my three little ones (soon to be 4). This week has definitely had it's low points, but was also full of treasured moments. Thank you God for precious memories and quality time with my family!

What's going on with baby

Ok, I know some of you have been wondering if there is a baby yet. I have been absent from the blogging world for a week or so. Well, there is no baby yet. :( She is still safe inside of me for the time being. My Dr. checked me on Thursday and I am still not dilated at all (no surprise to me). So, it looks like we are going to wait until next week and then decide to induce if this little girl doesn't make her appearance by Thursday.

I have not been blogging or commenting as much as I usually do simply because I have been SOOOOO tired. I am not really sleeping anymore, which makes it hard to take care of my family and homeschool. Most of my free time is spent in trying to rest. Our lives are about to change in a good way and we we are all getting ready for that. :)

Thank you for all the e-mails and comments wondering how I am doing. I feel so very loved. Bill and I are planning on taking the lap top to the hospital (which has wi-fi) when I do into labor, so that we can announce baby girls arrival and post pictures asap! :)

If you think of it, please pray that God would help me to be patient. It is getting hard to wait. I am also feeling nervous about having to give birth again! :) But, hopefully this time I will get the epidural in time and everything will be fine!

Mommy's helper

As this pregnancy is coming to an end, I have been so tired. I have had to rest more then I want to, but I know it is needed. I have also needed to recruit more help from the kiddos. Anna has been such a big help. I spent an afternoon last week showing her how to clean different areas of the house. She scrubbed the kitchen floor, helped clean the bathroom, dusted the living room, and ran the vacuum. She loved it! She gets so much joy being such a big helper, and I have to say it makes me so happy to see her enjoying it. She said to me that she wanted to learn how to do all this stuff so that when the baby comes she can clean the house for me. What a sweet girl!

Question

Ok, so I'm going to mention something here that maybe I shouldn't....I don't know. Hopefully it doesn't come out as sounding ungracious. I don't mean it that way. Maybe it's because I AM hugely pregnant, or maybe a tad emotional. Whatever the reason is, I am wondering why people feel the need to point out the fact that I am so big...or to put it in the words of most, "That baby is getting really big"? Now, if you are reading this and you have said something like that too me, please understand I am NOT offended. I find if somewhat amusing. Although I have to say I am starting to feel a little self conscious, and not wanting to leave the house until the baby is born because of the attention I tend to draw to myself! :) I don't mind talking about the baby or my pregnancy, but please don't bring up how BIG I am! :)

It's mostly older woman who say something to me. I am wondering if maybe you forget over the years that that is not really what you want to hear just days or weeks before you are supposed to give birth. :)

Note to self...choose your words wisely around pregnant woman. :)

Snow pictures

Here it is, pictures of the 20 extra inches of snow we got yesterday.

This is looking down the driveway onto the street.The backyard. View looking at the back door.
Bill is feeling very thankful for the snowblower we were able to get this year!

20 inches

That is how much snow we just got!! We got hit hard with a winter storm. I need to take a picture in the morning and post it...it is simply unbelieveable! Bill was able to work from home today thankfully.

Thankfully I did not go into labor today! I think Bill would have had to deliever the baby, because we were plowed in.

The snow is beautiful...but I think I'm ready for spring!

Thanful

We have managed to make it this cold and flu season without really getting sick. Ryan had a bad ear infection a few weeks ago, but that has been the only sickness in our house so far...until now that is. Anna and James came down with a cold Sunday night...and now germs have been passed on to me. Ugh, I really want to rid the house of sickness before the baby is born. So we are trying to rest and drink lots of fluids. Resting is hard for me to do. I like to stay busy. I really do like to stay on top of my housework (not always accomplished, but I try).

Last night, seeing that I was worn out and sick, Bill offered to help with everything. He and the kids picked up the house, put supper away, did the dishes. Anna also folded all the towels that I had washed and she vacuumed the living room. Here I was worried about how things are going to go after baby girl comes...Bill sweetly reminded me that I have all of them to help out.

I am so thankful for the loving helpful husband I have; and for my little ones who at this point love to help around the house!

So, today I am concentrating on getting better, not worrying about what doesn't get done, and letting Bill help out where it is needed. :)