Introducing...

• Ian Justice!!!
  

  
  

  

  
  We welcomed Ian to the world on December 26th, at 11:37 a.m. He weighed in at 9 lbs. 5 oz. and was 22 inches long! So, he's a big guy! Unlike our other little ones, he was born with a whole bunch of dark hair! I will probably cry if any of it falls out... If you are interested in more details... read on...
  
  As many of you know, I have complained... incessantly... about never having an "it's time" moment (all four of our children have been induced). So... a few minutes before 4:00 on the 26th, Phil quietly woke me up by saying, "it's time"... cute...
  
  We got ready and left for the hospital around 5:15. The idea was to stop at Wal-Mart on the way, because we had run out of video tapes the day before... uh... oops! Unfortunately, we didn't consider the fact that even Wal-Mart doesn't open until 6:00 on the day after Christmas! So... We headed to the hospital videotapeless...
  
  It was a very cold, slushy kind of morning! When we got there, we found out that we could park halfway across the world, and we got very wet getting inside... We proceeded to follow a red line on the floor that directed us to the appropriate elevator. I kind of felt like Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz...
  
  Eventually, we ended up in the right plce, and I got all... uh... setlled in, while Phil left to get the video tapes. Of course, I had to explain this to everyone at the hospital, since it is a little unusual for a Daddy to be to simply drop his wife off, these days!
  
  Answered a hundred million questions, got hooked up to monitors and an IV, and Phil returned before we started the pitocin at 6:55...
  
  I am thinking they found us a little strange, because for the next hour or so, I read a new book I got for Christmas, and Phil did some work on his laptop... We felt amazingly relaxed about the arrival of this baby...
  
  At some point, my doctor came in and broke my water... and inserted a pressure device to measure the strength of my contractions... This was done, before I knew what he was doing, and caused a brief moment of panic, because it reminded me of my labor with Caleb... I wasn't allowed to get up again while having him, and I didn't appreciate that at all! Thankfully, that was not the case this time around, and I was easily able to "regroup" once I realized I was not to be held hostage in my bed for the next century...
  
  So... I moved to a chair... and then proceeded to go through most of my labor standing up. Gravity is a very good thing... I had some back labor, which is really the worst part, but Phil was awesome... massaging my back on demand and even "shutting up" without being told... hehehe... We also had a good nurse, who kept bringing hot blankets to put on my back. That was a plus...
  
  For those of you who remember the story of Caleb's birth, you know that I was stalled at 4 cm for what seemed like a lifetime! I am quite hapy to report that I was 3 cm when first checked, and they didn't check me again until I was between 5 and 6! I felt like throwing a party... I honestly never wanted to hear the word "four" while in labor... ever again...
  
  At around 11:15, I informed the baby that if he wanted to beat Seth's time, he only had a few more minutes to do it in... In the end, he missed it by 12 minutes, but that's OK, because he broke all the other records...
  
  After a few more difficult contractions, our nurse told me I needed to get back in bed. Although I knew she was right, I also felt a little irritated... A couple more very difficult contractions, and I asked for some pain medication. I should have learned my lesson from my labor with Grace. If it's to the point where I want drugs, it's useless to actually take them. The baby will arrive before they ever kick in...
  
  So... I let them know I was going to start pushing, but... of course... no one ever believes that...
  
  I really wish, at this point, that we'd had the video camera running...
  
  The look on our nurse's face told me pretty much everything I needed to know... Well, that, and the fact that I could feel the baby's head coming. Another nurse quickly found some gloves for her, though they weren't the right size, and before we knew it, Ian had made his entrance into the world... without my doctor...
  
  My doctor did arrive within moments, and I'm thinking he wasn't all that happy to find me already holding the baby... This is proof that when someone has already delivered three children, you should take them seriously when they inform you that they are going to push...
  
  For having such a difficult pregnancy, Ian's birth was amazingly easy, and I am very thankful! For those of you who have prayed for us, THANK YOU!!! We appreciate you more that I could possibly express.
  
  Here are a couple more pics. of Ian and our family:
  
  

  
  

  
  Time to enter the next "phase" of life...
  
  Lisa
  

  Comments (5)

  • 
    Glad to hear everything went ok. Ian is REALLY cute!!!

    • 12/30/2006 9:49 PM
    • Shanderific08 (message)
    • reply
  • 
    Congradulations Guys. Love the pictures. Glad all went well I was praying for you. Ang. Roberts

    • 12/30/2006 9:57 PM
    • KimHollingsworth (message)
    • reply
  • 
    Hee Hee i love Ian. I knew about him when Phil told me on Tuesday. I love his name, too bad it wasn't Jesse. Lol, just kidding. Congratulations! Jessica

    • 12/30/2006 10:10 PM
    • WhosWhoIsWho (message)
    • reply
  • 
    Welcome to the world baby Felipe!

    • 12/31/2006 7:33 AM
    • momkat4 (message)
    • reply
  • 

    Congrats Congrats Congrats!!! Love the pics. I am praying you have many sleep-filled nights .

    Kate

    • 1/2/2007 1:49 PM
    • drsuessmomma (message)
    • reply

One...

• It's almost baby time!!!
  
  I hope everyone had as blessed a Christmas as we did!
  
  And now we switch gears... and get ready to celebrate another special birth... Look for updates in the next couple of days...
  
  I must admit it was strange to put Caleb to bed, tonight, knowing that at some point tomorrow he will no longer be "the baby"...
  
  Lisa
  

  Comments (3)

  • 
    Zero
    
    :)

    • 12/26/2006 7:42 PM
    • pomohoro1212 (message)
    • reply
  • 
    Congrats! i know your babys name!

    • 12/27/2006 9:22 AM
    • WhosWhoIsWho (message)
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  • 
    I know the first name!!! But not the middle name.... I can't wait to see him!!!

    • 12/29/2006 7:18 PM
    • Shanderific08 (message)
    • reply

Two...

• 'Twas the Night Before Christmas...
  
  And I think that everything "essential" is ready...
  
  Our family has a tradition that involves taking communion together on Christmas Eve. I love this reminder of God's grace. When Jesus came, as a tiny baby, it was for the very purpose of growing up to die for us. On this night, I am both humbled and thankful...
  
  We also do some singing... worship songs and Christmas carols... This year we threw in "Frosty the Snowman" at Caleb's request... I hope God laughed...
  
  Lisa
  

  
  

Three...

• Ah... Grandma and Grandpa have arrived! The presents are almost wrapped! And I think I might get some sleep tonight!
  
  Lisa
  

Jordan...

• I just found out a couple of hours ago that one of the teens from our former youth group was killed in a car accident. For those of you who pray, please pray for the family and friends of Jordan Parker. Although I did not get to know him as well as I would have liked, he was definately a kid with a contagious smile who loved Jesus very much. He's doing alright up there with God, but there are a whole lot of people here who will miss him greatly.
  
  Lisa
  

  
  

Four...

Had my last non-stress test today! Everything looks great! Yeah!

Took Grace with me and then planned to do some quick shopping which turned into a 4 1/2 hour trip... ugh... That wasn't supposed to happen! It was a zoo out there, today! All those last minute shoppers, I suppose... Had some fun "girl time", though. We ate lunch at IHOP... Split a pancake combo... I ate all the protein and Grace ate all the carbs... hehehe...

Still have a million and one things to do to prepare for Christmas!!! Does anyone know the present wrapping fairy personally?

Lisa

Comments (1)

• 
  It's Christmas break!
  
  Three...

  • 12/23/2006 11:16 AM
  • pomohoro1212 (message)
  • reply

And To Top Off The Day...

• 
  
  I just got my grades for this semester... Five As and a B... I'll take it!
  
  Lisa

• Comments (1)

• 
  Two-part comment:
  
  1.) You **** (and for all those wondering, yes, it's a four letter word, and no, it isn't a swear word...unless your name is Dr. Dork...so, anyway, I'm on the rabbit trail again). OK, not really, but it makes me even more annoyed about my final project fiasco. Going back to the day..."I was robbed."
  
  2.) FOUR!!!!

  • 12/22/2006 11:08 AM
  • pomohoro1212 (message)
  • reply

Five...

Made a whole bunch of yummy looking Christmas cookies today... and some more fudge... Painted handprint and footprint reindeer with the kids... Still didn't get all the presents wrapped yet... ugh... Still didn't brave the paper snowflake project... ugh... again...

Quote of the day, from Phil, "I'm nesting!" Well, at least the van will be clean... hehehe...

Ah... Is it bedtime yet?

Lisa

P.S. Be careful what you ask for... You just might get it... Now I have to put together a Buzz Lightyear bike in my... uh... "spare" time... ahem... hehehe L.

Six...

• You know what amazes me? A house that is perfectly clean one day can look like a wreck the next. Who comes in while I'm sleeping and tears my house apart? At any rate, I cleaned... and cleaned... and cleaned some more... again! Think I'll do something fun tomorrow!
  
  Lisa
  

  Comments (4)

  • 

    Better beware if your phone rings. Evidently that can induce labor. Just ask Justen...

    Me: Seth's mom is going to have a baby soon.

    Justen: Really? Why? Did the phone ring?

    Followed by a conversation about the meaning of 'going to'. So later he was telling Kiley the news...

    Justen: Seth's mom is going to have a baby. [Then turns to me and says...] Did the phone ring?

    So, evidently he is patiently awaiting the arrival of the baby. And, oh, is he thrilled that it's going to be a boy! Which initiated this conversation...

    Justen: What's his name going to be?

    Me: I don't know. What do you think?

    Justen: The Glock.

    Me: The Glock? [???]

    Justen: No, that would be too silliest. It should be Felipe.

    So there you have it. It's not too late to change your mind. Felipe Michaels. Justen will be so happy to meet Felipe.

    • 12/20/2006 8:45 PM
    • momkat4 (message)
    • reply
  • 
    I dunno...we could use "the Glock" for a middle name....
    
    nahhh.......
    
    That's just awesome. Kids are great.

    • 12/21/2006 12:32 PM
    • pomohoro1212 (message)
    • reply
  • 
    FIVE!!!!!

    • 12/21/2006 12:32 PM
    • pomohoro1212 (message)
    • reply
  • 

    You are pretty much amazing, and I think I like Felipe "The Glock" Micheals, it sorta has a ring to it...

    Love, shandi

    • 12/21/2006 2:08 PM
    • Shanderific08 (message)
    • reply

Seven...

• And, yes, I believe the Christmas shopping is finally done... well... almost. It seems like there is always one person every year who makes it hard! However, the Christmas shopping for the kids and Phil is definately done, so I am very thankful for that. Although I LOVE giving gifts, I do not always enjoy shopping for them... or wrapping them... but that is another project for another day... probably tomorrow...
  
  Today's appt. went well! I am so excited to be done with that part of this pregnancy and looking forward to actually welcoming "Baby" to the world soon. By the way... He does have a name now, but you will have to continue to wait patiently... ahem... for a few more days for that to be revealed!
  
  Had another decent day, although I am getting awfully tired at this point.
  
  Haven't mentioned it in a while, but did you know that God is really, really good?
  
  Lisa
  

  Comments (1)

  • 
    SIX!
    
    Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha.......
    
    :)

    • 12/20/2006 5:14 PM
    • pomohoro1212 (message)
    • reply

Eight...

• Today has been fun. I think I finally started... uh... nesting a couple of days ago, so this house is about as clean as it's gonna get... That left me free to play with the kids a whole bunch! I taught them how to make paper chains, which was a blast. Even Caleb got into it. I am hoping to teach them how to make paper snowflakes this week, as well... except... I forget how to make them... A little help... At any rate, although I consider myself somewhat artistic, I have never been a very good paper snowflake maker, so we'll see how that goes!
  
  Now... If only Phil could get off early so we could finish our Christmas shopping!!!
  
  Lisa
  

  Comments (2)

  • 

    snowflakes are pretty easy, but if I were you I would practice a little before you show them. haha Your family christmas picture is cute. I love the whole christmas theme for your background too.

    I hope you get to go shopping before its too late. It's sad for me this christmas because money is tight, but my family understands, I just like to be able to give more than I recieve, its just my thing. I hope you guys have a wonerful christmas I know I can't wait to spend time with my family and eat some great goodies. hehe

    well, I will talk to you later. God Bless, abbe

    • 12/18/2006 4:08 PM
    • abbet1213 (message)
    • reply
  • 
    SEVEN!
    
    I'm tired.......

    • 12/19/2006 4:24 PM
    • pomohoro1212 (message)
    • reply

Nine...

• And I think I have the flu... ick...
  
  Lisa
  

  
  

Here's The Latest Update...

• ...on Michaels Baby # 4...
  
  I went yesterday for one more ultrasound, and it looks like Baby is around 8 lbs. 1 oz. Even though that is in the 95th percentile for 37 weeks, I was thrilled. I had dreaded hearing that he was a 10 pounder + for much of the day!!! His head circumference is measuring 13 inches. Caleb delivered at 13 1/4 and Seth delivered at 13 1/2, so I'm thinking we're OK there, as well! I still expect him to be our biggest baby yet... My estimate is 9 lbs. 2 oz.
  
  That said, if he doesn't make an appearance on his own soon, we will induce. Let the official countdown begin...
  
  10...
  
  Lisa
  

  Comments (2)

  • 

    Sounds like things are going good. miss you!!!

    • 12/17/2006 2:09 PM
    • Shanderific08 (message)
    • reply
  • 
    NINE!

    • 12/17/2006 2:17 PM
    • pomohoro1212 (message)
    • reply

And Another Quote...

• Today's quote of the day, also from Caleb, "Get a Life, Mommy"...
  
  Don't worry... we were playing a video game... hehehe...
  
  Lisa
  

  Comments (2)

  • 
    I don't no...

    • 12/15/2006 2:54 PM
    • Shanderific08 (message)
    • reply
  • 

    hows everything going?

    marie

    • 12/16/2006 3:17 PM
    • MPortentoso09 (message)
    • reply

Sunday Swim...

Yesterday's quote of the day, from Caleb, "You're are not a chick, Mommy!" Hehehe... uh... thanks.

I had such a nice Sunday! I think the highlight was taking Seth to the Y, where we swam for over an hour... Well, if you can call it swimming. Actually, we spent most of our time in the small pool, and I pretty much just sat there. The water was super warm, and it felt great. There were tons of kids there, and a few parents, but I was the only one over age ten or so in the pool. It gave new meaning to being a big fish in a little pond. Truthfully, it was more like being a whale in a sink, but I'm glad I got in anyway, because first of all, it was super fun to play with Seth and have some special time with just him, second, I don't like to spend a whole lot of time in my lovely maternity wear tankini in public unless submerged in water, and third, being weightless for a while is simply wonderful... hehehe...

After our swim, we decided to go walk on the track. I think the days of walking a mile are over until after our newest addition arrives. I am simply too tired at this point. I did walk 1/2 a mile, though. It's still good exercise. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that Seth lapped me at some point. He is quite proud!

Then we did some shopping, and I made a GREAT find! I can eat just as many Hershey's Nuggets as I can pieces of sugar free candy! Clearly, I bought some, and counting carbs. became a little less painful!!!

I finished up my semester last week and am just waiting for final grades now. Seth and Grace will finish up this week, and they are SO excited about Christmas break! Phil finishes this week, as well, and I think he's probably just as excited as the kids!

On with my Monday...

Lisa