Monkeys About Summer

By Grace

The sun the sun in the summertime.

We can all play in the summer light.

You and me are monkeys about summertime.

A fire bolt in the sky and that is the sun in the evening sky.

Lemonade in a giant cup in the day light.

The moon the moon looks like a lagoon in the black cat sky,

a black cat floating like a hat on a head.

A Halloween party in the sky,

A feast filled with ladybugs on the zombie head plate.

Wearwolf in a mansion filled with ghosts and zombies too.

A pumpkin as scary as a jack-o-lantern,

a floating baby head, it is giggling and chuckling loud.

And back to school away.

Grace sat outside the other day and wrote this poem on a box all by herself. She did it for a challenge project at school. She is so great!!

7 Years (and 9 days) Ago

Grace Rebecca VanderLouw was born.

It seemed like we had waited forever for her to get here. I spontaneously went into labor the day before her due date. I started feeling contractions at around 12:30 am on a Friday morning, not at all painful, but regular contractions. I hadn't had any braxton hicks contractions up to this point, but I was pretty sure that's what they were. I woke Ray up and we were just too excited to go back to sleep. We got up at 2 in the morning and took Max for a walk around the neighborhood. We just let him run free because no one was out.

When we got back Ray insisted on calling my mom, she had to drive 3 hours from Pocatello to Boise. I wanted to wait because my contractions weren't at all painful, they were 10-15 minutes apart and what if I wasn't really in labor? Ray called anyway and my mom immediately left. She got to Boise and took a nap ;) After we talked to my mom we waited at home for a while, then went for another walk around 6 am. On our way back home we stopped by my sister, Dana's, apartment and told her that we thought I was in labor.

Ray and I both called in to work and I called the doctor. I went in around 11:00 and they hooked me up to a monitor to check my contractions. They came to the conclusion that I was definitely in labor and I would most likely have her some time that weekend. So we went out to lunch and went to the mall to walk around. We just hung out for the rest of the day. The contractions were slowly getting stronger and closer, but they definitely took their time. We decided to go to the hospital at around 9 pm when they started getting more painful.

We got checked in, I told them I wanted to try and go natural (haha). I wasn't dilated much, 3 cm I think, but my contractions were regular and I was completely effaced. While we were in the check in area they wanted us to walk around a bit and try to see if I could get dilated further. I started getting really scared by how painful my contractions were so we snuck into an empty room where Ray and Jason (Dana's fiance at the time) gave me a priesthood blessing. I don't remember what they said, but I was comforted and the fear went away. We finally got checked into a room and the fun began. My contractions were getting stronger and stronger. The nurse told me that Grace was faced the wrong way so I was having back labor (OUCH).

I was getting really tired at this point. I had said all along that I only wanted Ray and my mom in the room. My little sister Dana really wanted to be there, but I, for some reason I can't really remember, said no. Well, during all my pain and anguish Ray asked me if Dana could come in. I honestly could've cared less at that point, so in she came ;) Sometime during this time my water broke. The contractions became even more painful. We finally decided to try the bath at around 3 in the morning. When just Ray and I were in the bathroom I broke down and told him that I couldn't do it anymore, that I wanted an epidural. I kept saying I was sorry (why?? I don't know). Ray was so amazing during the whole thing and he said he just wanted me to be out of pain. I was dilated about 8 cm at this point. So we told them I wanted the epidural and it took 45 minutes to get it because they had to do blood work first, blood work they didn't do when I checked in because I told them I wanted to try to do it naturally (word to the wise!). So I got my epidural-oh sweet relief!! Thank the heavens for modern medicine!! We all went to sleep for about an hour. The nurse came to check me at about 5 am and said I was fully dilated and ready to push!! So we began, and we pushed for 2 1/2 hours!! At 7:21 am (I think) on April 19, 2003-her actual due date, Grace was born. She came out with her umbilical chord wrapped around her neck twice. Luckily it was just really long and had never affected her breathing. She was 8 lbs 5 oz and was 21 1/2 inches long.

Grace had meconium in her amniotic fluid, so after she was born (before I could touch her) the NICU was there in the room and took her over to suction her all out. My mom always likes to point out that she was the first person to touch Grace while the NICU had her. She always describes her skin as warm, moist and silky soft :)

I just remember being so amazed and in awe at the miracle of childbirth. It is truly indescribable. Grace's birth made it crystal clear to me what I was put on this earth to do. I was so totally and completely changed by her birth, it is difficult to put in to words. Becoming a mother has been the biggest challenge and the biggest blessing of my life. It has caused me to examine every part of myself and has taught me what unconditional love is. Those little fingers wrapped around mine minutes after she was brought to this earth were like a vice grip on my heart that has only gotten tighter since. I love my babies so fiercely, with an intensity only a parent can understand. Grace has been such an amazing, undeserved blessing to us and we love her so, so, so much.

Now on to the par-tay!

On Grace's actual birthday we went to McDonald's (where else?) for dinner and Grace opened her present from her family. Which was a cupcake maker that I didn't get any pictures of because I forgot my camera (I'm lame). We had a huge party for Grace last year, so this year she got to invite 1 friend to the movie. Grace, Aria, Elliot and I went to see "How to Train Your Dragon" on Saturday. It was such a cute show. After the party we came home and had pizza, cake and ice cream with the rest of Aria's family. We had a great time! Aria got Grace a zuzu pet (sp?) which she has wanted for a really long time! Thanks Aria!!

Sweet birthday girl

The dress Grandma made for Grace-she and Maggie can be twinners ;)

The whole crew

PS-I seriously didn't plan it very well having 2 kids in Jan and 2 kids in April. It's hard keeping up with all these birthdays!!

3

Maggie had her birthday while we were in Pocatello, but I thought it deserved a post all it's own.

Boy howdy, this frosting was good!! Grandma's special recipe ;)

She really got in to opening her presents this year!

She got a couple of dresses...

Some dress up shoes...

Grace picked out this outfit for her :)

Naomi enjoyed the cake!

Here's the birthday girl in the dress that grandma made for her. The new dress up slippers are the perfect finishing touch, don't you think? (I l.o.v.e. the bruised up legs, she is so tough!!)

We also got to go to McDonalds for lunch and Maggie made sure everyone knew that she was the birthday girl!!

Spring(?) Break

Spring break is a bit of a new phenomenon for us. I mean, we had it last year but Grace was just in kindergarten and is that really school? Not so much. So this year Grace is in school all day and Elliot is in preschool 4 days a week so spring break took on a bit more significance. We decided to make the trek to Pocatello to visit Grandma and Grandpa for the week. We had a great time! I drove down there alone the Saturday after school got out (I didn't forget my dog this time). It was a long drive, which involved some throwing up somewhere in Northern Idaho, but we made it safe and sound! Ray flew down to Boise on Wednesday night and rode the trusty Salt Lake Express shuttle to Poky.

Can I just say that after a few days without dad I am soooooo ready for some backup. I don't realize how much Ray does to help until I am without him for a few days. I mean, mom and dad are totally willing to help, and they totally do, but I feel bad thrusting the chaos of 4 young kids so completely on them, know what I mean? Wow, I am a lucky girl to have such an awesome husband!!

Anyway, I know that it is supposed to be spring and all, but that news hasn't exactly caught up to southeastern Idaho. It was seriously FRIGID there. We're talkin' a full on snow storm one night. And the wind. Oh.my.gosh. I always forget about the Pocatello wind. So, we didn't get our spring weather (or maybe we did, spring in Poky is pretty much always like that) but we had a great time!

Are you talkin' to me? Meet my daughter the mobster! This was the night before we left, but how hilarious is this baby Capone!

The kids all got new swimsuits at Costco, they were dying to model them for all to see. And then Maggie promptly ran outside in the frigid weather and started jumping on the trampoline in her swimsuit. Yep, I get the mother of the year award.

We colored eggs...

And here is some random shot of Elliot because I didn't get any pictures of him coloring eggs (mother of the year, remember?).



We ate chicken nuggets with apples (several times).

And here is some random picture of Naomi because I didn't take hardly any of her either, mostly because we planned all the fun stuff when she was asleep. It's just easier that way. Don't judge.

Awwww! Ray took this one. Naomi loves Max so much. She is always lounging on him. He loves it. Poor doggie will take all the attention he can get! I really do love him so much.

Grace and Maggie loved snuggling in this faux snuggie (yes there is such a thing).

And of course we had Easter! What says "Easter" better than shoving a whole batch of peeps in your mouth? Not much.







Yes, it really was that dark when the kids got up.





All Naomi really cared about was the chocolate. Like mother, like daughter!

The Easter bunny came up with some really creative places to hide the eggs...

(my mom has year round nativities, I love it.)

The kids also got to go to an Easter egg hunt at the church on Saturday. I don't have pictures because I wasn't there. Grandma and Grandpa took them to that one! The had a good time and learned about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ (not that I don't teach them about it, but you know what I mean, it's the true meaning of Easter and I'm grateful for anyone who will talk to my kids about it!).

Ray was there to drive home with us, thank goodness. This peaceful bliss of 4 sleeping babes lasted about 10 minutes. But it was a nice 10 minutes!

And that about wraps up the week. We had such a good time but it is always good to get home. I'm sure the sister missionaries who live in my parents basement weren't too sad to see us leave ;) But they were really good sports! I did a few projects myself while I was there, pictures to come as soon as I can finish!

Sometimes It's Hard to be Small...

Like when you are learning to walk. You are so excited to see your older brother, so you run down the sidewalk to him...and fall flat on your face, your nose breaking the fall :( Don't worry, you still look adorable!

3 Years (and 6 days) Ago

Our sweet little Maggie Rae was born.

(I'm a terrible mom who didn't post this on her actual birthday)

Our little Oakie, proof that we did actually live in the Sooner State.

She was actually due on April fools day, but we didn't want to do that to her, so we had her the next day.

It's nice to live in a day and age when you can actually choose those things...

For the first time it was just Ray and I in the delivery room to welcome our girl. It was so special. For the first time I got to spend some one on one time alone with my baby in the hospital while dad was at home caring for the other kids. I loved that so much. I loved getting to know my baby a little more.

She was such a sweet baby. She ate well, she slept well, she was snugly and precious.

She was always happy and loved making people smile and laugh, she still does :)

Happy Birthday Maggie!

We love you sweet girl!

(even if you are seriously giving us a run for our money with all the drama lately!!)

9 Years Ago Today

Ray was baptized and became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.