Yet another 2 P's blog challenge.

Today's challenge is:

Share the most recent book you have read and think others would enjoy?

I just finished reading "The Doctor's Wife" by Elizabeth Brundage. It was a relatively easy read and entertaining.

I'm thinking of heading out to the library today to see about getting the first book in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.

2 Pea's Blog Challenge

Today's challenge~ What is one thing you enjoy doing during the fall season?

I love to go to Apple Hill, in Camino and let the kids run around.

I also love to decorate the house and by my front door for the season. Once upon a time I used to plant flowers in the planters out front too..... we'll see. I may be able to swing that since I have 2 great helpers now!

A sad goodbye to a dear old friend.....

My little feathered friend, Sweetpea, passed away during the night. He was a canary with 9 lives. I recently rescued him from his waterbowl, frozen half to death.... twice. Fly high and fly free my little friend!

A bird does not sing because it has an answer. It sings because it has a song. ~Chinese Proverb

I survived my first day alone!

My Mom went home on Saturday and Greg worked a full day yesterday. I'll admit I was pretty scared. Maren slept most of the day, and Teagan took a nap too. So that left just me and Declan for a few hours. We made play dough and made every letter of the alphabet with it. I should have taken a picture, it was pretty cool. I imagine that I'll be busier as the baby sleeps less during the day, but at least she's breaking me in slowly!

Maren gets up twice at night, but the 2nd waking is scary close to 4am. There have been a few times that I'm still up with her when I hear one of the other yahoo's is getting up. Now that is Just. Plain. Scary. I don't 'do' tired well.

We have had some GREAT mail days as of late too! Baby Maren has been receiving some beautiful gifts from friends and family. I thought I would post the gifts here so that the people that have sent them know we got them (if they are checking the blog). It may take me awhile to get Thank You cards out.

12x12 Scrapbook album from A. Sue and U. Steve

2 outfits from Amy

Outfit and burp cloth from my Mom's friend Terry

Blanket and outfit from my Dad and Step Mom

2 burp cloths from my Mother in Law
I'm going to *try* to take some pictures of the baby today. I have an idea of a few scrapbook layouts I'd like to do, and she is growing and changing so quickly I'm afraid to wait much longer. It's kind of like the little plaster of paris tin thing I bought to do Declan's footprint in (when he was a newborn). I waited too long and decided I'd use it for Teagan. Well, needless to say, I still have it.

Also, take a lookey see at this glass necklace on Esty.com. It sold yesterday, or else it would have been MINE! http://www.etsy.com/view_transaction.php?transaction_id=5993918

How not Mom looking is that?! Beautiful. They are made by Alison from Hambly Screen Prints. Very cool transparencies that all the cool scrappers are using.

Okay, kiddo #1 is at preschool, kiddo #2 & #3 are sleeping. I'm going to go snuggle with Otis on the sofa.

Declan's 1st day at preschool and Maren's busy, busy weekend!

This was a very busy week for us! Declan started at his new preschool on Monday. It's at the school where he'll go to kindergarten. I wasn't discharged from the hospital until Tuesday so I missed his first day, but I hear he likes it a lot! His teacher's are very nice and I hope he makes some good little friends. The class is small, which I like, only about 20 kiddos. I'm glad he already has the experience of having been to preschool, he knows how to take turns and get in line. He is excited to go too, which is always good!

We were invited to 2 birthday parties this weekend, AND we went to both of them! Maren benefited from some photo therapy and the other two had a blast! The first party was our friend's Sara and Niki's combined 4th/2nd birthday. Ariel came and did face painting and a treasure hunt. The kids did arts and crafts and played in the pool the whole time. Here is a great action shot of Declan 'helping' Teagan in the little pool......

And one of Maren, sunbathing with Daddy.

And baby makes 5!

This time last Saturday evening I was in labor!

I had an uneventful remainder of the week. Greg took Declan to see "Surf's Up" and my Mom and I were hemming the panels for my sliding glass door. Around 4:00 I felt some contractions, but wasn't going to even write them down, as I had done 3 or 4 times over the previous week. After about the 4th contraction I figured I had better start keeping track of them. At 5:00 we met the boy's at the Spaghetti Factory for dinner. Contractions continued through out dinner.

Once we got home I laid down to see if the contractions stopped like they had previously. At 7:30 Greg was going to help me go lay down upstairs when *thankfully* my water broke and I knew it was time to go to the hospital!

We were in the Labor and Delivery room by 8:15, and I was ready to get my epidural at 8:16. Well, it turns out I didn't end up getting it until about 9:45, which is just cruel and unusual punishment if you ask me. It's pretty much a pain-blurred memory for me, but it seems like it took forever for the relief to begin. I think the nurse thought there would not be enough time for the epidural, but she kept telling me there was.

At 11:05 our world was blessed with Maren Claire. Sweet. Tiny. Beautiful. She weighed in at 7 lbs, and was 20" long. Amazing.

I guess baby #3 doesn't mess around. I think I earned a little bit of bragging rights! Oh, did I mention that it was 'back labor'? Yeah. Fun.

I felt GREAT after I had her, could barely believe how 'easy' it was to actually deliver her. She was fine (which is always a concern), I was relieved, the pain was finally over and I felt great! And then I puked.

But just look at this sweet face, it is all worth it!

My Mom brought the kids by the next morning to meet their new sister. Teagan was glad to see Greg and I. Declan was thrilled to finally meet 'Baby Maren' and wanted to hold her right away. Then he sang "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star" to her and it made me cry!

Let me tell you, this girl is just too sweet! Last night we slept from 11:30 to 4:30 - yep, 5 hrs straight! I didn't even sleep 5 hrs straight when I was pregnant. I was worrying it was because she is a little jaundiced, but I think it's because she knows her Mommy likes to sleep!

Don't you think I should have this car?!

Do you think I can get 3 carseats in it? Teehee!