Miley Turns 4!

Today our little girl turned 4!  We've been down this road before, but with boys...and she is all girl.  So, bring on the barbies, babies, strollers and princesses...all foreign to this mamma.  She's been thinking the last 3 weeks were her birthday since that was how long ago we put up our tree...as soon as the tree goes up, she knows her birthday is coming.  It finally came and when she woke up, I said "Happy Birthday, Miley" and her reply was "Happy Birthday, Mommy"...confused, but sweet girl.

We spent the day taking pictures of her and getting her dolled up in her favorite color of pink as well as painting her nails--a favorite thing for her to have done.  After daddy came home, we also welcomed Nanna, Granny and her cousins Liberty and Lisa and had a family party complete with cake and presents.

*Posing*



*Happy Birthday to Miley*

*Loves those stickers*

Miley is certainly coming into her own...not an easy task with 3 older brothers.  At this stage, she is starting to speak up more clearly about her wishes and goals.  She plays contently with her baby dolls and barbies, talking for them as if she's playing "house".  It's hilarious to listen from the other room and hear her repeat things like, "it's time to clean up the room" (if only the dolls could clean up after themselves) or "don't hit...it's not nice to hit"--I suppose some of what we say does get through.  She is not the most graceful 4-year-old and at least once a week will trip over her own feet...my clumsy girl.  :)  She is slowly discovering crafts (thanks to friends) and I think it's time to put some of my own OCD aside and allow her to involve herself more with the 'arts'.  She loves hugs and must have Daddy put her to bed every night.

Happy Birthday to our big girl...we love you!

November 20th

Dates.  I've always been pretty good at remembering dates.  I can remember the day I started my first job over 20 years ago, the day I passed my driver's test and received my license, and of course I remember special occasions like birthdays and such.  Most of these dates bring with them happy memories with only a few sad memory dates...November 20th will forever be a bittersweet memory date.  Only 4 years ago, I didn't think too much of November 20th...it was a pretty typical Tuesday.  Fast forward one year and November 20th became a very sad date for our family as we lost our sister, Penelope Josephine.  I began to hate this date and for 2 years didn't much care for the holiday season as they were too close to this date and memory for me.

Sisters

Pene acting like Pene...loved that girl's humor



Then came the fall of 2010.  For 2 months, I had been sick and we couldn't figure out why.  Nothing seemed to cure me and on November 20th, we found out why: I was expecting my greatest gift of my lifetime...after years of being told I may likely never be able to get pregnant, we learned that Sophia Josephine was on her way.  Although I still greatly missed my sister and will always remember the day she left us, I was so excited to hear this news that I decided November 20th will be remembered as a day of celebrating life.  Celebrating my sister's short life and how she impacted my life and also a celebration of my future baby's life.

November 20th of this year marks Sophia's 4-month birthday.  I know, not the great 1-year-milestone just yet; but a milestone all the same.  She has already blessed our lives more than I'm sure we even realize.  She is such a happy baby and is surely in love with her family (especially those big brothers).  Her whole face lights up when her brothers come home from school and then again as soon as Daddy walks through the door.  She has been a gift to me in more ways than one and has filled holes in my heart that I thought could never be filled...and for that I celebrate November 20th.

Family Pictures

So, I have a few minutes before the boys get home and Sophia wakes up.  A couple of weekends ago, we had some family pictures done.  Not an easy task with a 2-month old, but we were lucky that the photographer was so understanding (she herself had a 3-week old).  We didn't get as many as I would have liked but only because Sophia was pretty much done with the whole thing and both Gavin and the photographer were stung by some angry wasps.  Here are some of my favorites.

(my cranky baby)

(mean-mug packers fans with happy dallas fan...

probably because dallas has more superbowl rings)

(the binky she couldn't be without)

(after Gavin was stung...really forcing that smile)

2 Months

So, I'm starting to think the pediatrician's office is the social hangout for moms...for the second time, we ran into friends.  It was good to see Becky and the girls and Miley kept looking for Audrey after our appointment was over.  :)

Sophia had her 2-month appointment this morning and she just growing so stinkin' fast! (They all grow way too fast.)  She is currently 11.81 pounds (jumping from the 39th percentile to the 68th in only 6 weeks...what are we feeding her?!?!) and 23 inches (78th percentile).  She is also a straight up formula-fed baby now.  We both gave quite the effort (more me than her), but since I had to supplement because I couldn't produce much, she apparently became spoiled and realized this bottle thing doesn't require near as much work on her part and started rejecting me all together.  Little sad, but as long as she gets her food, I'm happy.

Our little Squeaker (Paul's nickname for her) has had a few milestones recently.  On Sept. 11th, she finally smiled!  I don't mean just a little grin, this was total giggles and gums showing as her dad was getting her out of her car seat after church.  I ran over to witness and she even gave me the smile and giggles.  It made my heart melt.  She has been grinning and flirting with us ever since.

On the 18th, she was dedicated at our church.  I was so grateful that she was well behaved during the dedication.  Of course, she had to make sure everyone knew she was awake just after we got off the stage...quick diaper change and off to visit her friends in the nursery.  :)  It was a good day and her favorite football team (Dallas Cowboys) even won a game (I'm pretty sure that was for her special day).

My Precious Baby Girl...

eyes like her daddy

My smiling baby

(and new favorite picture)

Boise

Well, we're finally back in Boise.  We're still getting situated, but the kids are coping pretty well.  All three boys started a new school on Monday and they all love their teachers.  Gavin thought it a bit strange to go back to elementary school (Nampa has 6th grade as middle school), but he's adjusting.  Ben was the only with minimal changes and has already made new friends.  Jacob is so excited that he gets to go to school everyday now (Nampa's kindergarten is only 2-3 days a week).  Miley, Sophia and I are refining our schedule everyday but are mostly unpacking for now.  And Paul has already taken a bike ride to work instead of using his car.  I have a picture, but I told him I wouldn't post it until he gives me reason to.  :)

I LOVE being so close to everything and everyone.  Kay-Cee and Eric were able to walk to our place over the weekend and my niece took all the kids to a nearby park.  As much as we loved our previous house, I'd take location over layout any day.  As we took our walk yesterday, I thought about how nice even walking around a neighborhood can be...especially when you came from just one loop of a subdivision and the view got pretty boring.  Now, we can just make a different turn for a change of scenery...Love, Love Love.

Moving!

We have about 10 days left in Nampa...and I am so glad to be leaving!  We found a house in SE Boise and were lucky enough to be able to get the boys all in the same school - they will start Sept. 12th.  Unfortunately, Gavin won't be able to finish football in Nampa and we haven't been able to get him on in Boise (registration has already closed).  We haven't told him yet...not quite sure how to break the news.  On the other hand, basketball is only a few months away...

I have never moved this many people with a newborn also requiring all of my attention and it's starting to feel like I won't be able to get it done by next week (no wonder--I'm sitting her blogging).  Trying to just get one room done a day...fingers crossed.

Back at it.  :)

Our Little Miracle

So I know this is a little late, but our latest addition has finally arrived!

Sophia was due on July 13th, but my doctor noticed that I wasn't dilating when I had started seeing her weekly around the middle of June.  My last doctor's visit was July 19th (41 weeks) and I still had not dilated...at all.  It was then we decided to have me induced the following morning.  (Luckily, Paul's mom was in town and able to stay with our older four kids.)  By this point, I'm pretty sure I had only had very, very slight braxton hicks contractions.

That Wednesday, July 20th, Paul and I woke up at 4:00am and made the "long" journey from Nampa to Boise to get ready to meet our little girl.  We arrived, checked in and got settled in our room.  Then the "issues" started.  I've told Paul before how much I absolutely hate needles...even with that knowledge, I don't think he was prepared for my reaction to the pokes.  This being an induction, they needed to get me hooked to an I.V.  Well, they couldn't get the dang i.v. to stay in any of the first 5 veins.  Every time they'd try, my vein would "explode" and thus be useless.  So much tenseness, so many tears (and I'm not a cryer)...I was pretty much just short of punching the 3 different nurses that were trying to get this stupid i.v. to stay in.  Success finally came after the 6th poke, when the nurses had to call someone from the anesthesia...thank God!

We finally had the drip going to force my body to go into labor.  I was determined to go through without an epidural--I mean, I'm pretty tough, right?  WRONG!  The first hour and a half went by just dandy and I would only feel slight contractions.  I thought: "geez, this is easy.  why do so many women complain about labor?"  So naive.  Then the next hour and half absolutely sucked!  I was in pain like no other...thinking at one point: "this is it, I'm going to die and Paul will just have to raise all 5 kids by himself."  (Looking back, I've learned that I get pretty dramatic when I'm in pain.)  I kept throwing up and of course, more tears.  My doctor finally came in to check my progress:  I had dilated a total of 0 cm.  That's right - nothing!  So, do we want to continue with the induction (after throwing up at least 4 times and the worst 3 hours of my life) or do we want to do a c-section?  Can you believe I actually chose to continue with the induction?  Ugh!  Well, that decision lasted a total of 30 seconds after the doctor left...then I came to my senses and sent Paul down to chase the nurse so she could tell the doctor that I changed my mind...just cut me open!  Best.Decision.Ever.

She could do the c-section, but we'd have to wait until 2:30 when the operating room would be available.  Fine with me...just make this labor stop.  (We also learned I have a VERY LOW tolerance to real pain...obviously.)  I remember the anesthesiologist coming in for the spinal tap--great, more needles--here come the tears again.  Surprisingly, though, the spinal tap needle was barely even felt (probably because of the morphine they had to give me for my pain from the induction).  Then they allowed Paul to come into the room and began to cut me open.  I kept telling the doctor: "make sure you don't cut the baby".  Yeah, let the doped-up, emotional mom-to-be tell the educated, experienced doctor how to do her job.  I'm sure they just loved me in there.  None of our other children were born via c-section, so this was a first for Paul and a bit scary.  Relief came when our doctor told him to "get the camera ready, here comes Sophia" and I was still talking away not feeling a thing except a slight tug.  (I'll spare those pics.)

Paul was still able to "cut the chord"...well

at least from her.

Trying to adjust to her new surroundings.

Sophia Josephine Reyes Kohl

July 20th, 2011 @ 3:03pm

8 pounds, 1 ounce

20" long

I still can't believe she's here and sometimes miss her kicks from within my tummy.  We've had many discussions about the timing of her arrival and I truly believe God planned for her to arrive exactly four days after losing my beloved father.  As truly bittersweet this summer has been, I'm grateful to have spent time with my dad during his last days, glad that he is at peace and excited to share so many stories of Sophia's Poppi with her.

Sophia is now 1 month and 1 day old.  She has changed so much and some days I want my new newborn back.  She will be the only child I will ever carry and deliver and I miss certain parts of pregnancy and her birth.  [Side Note: C-Sections are the only way to go...definitely for me anyway since we learned that my body just refuses to dilate--at all.]  A little about miss Sophie: when she was born, she was (of course) crying but immediately stopped as soon as Paul spoke.  She is truly another Daddy's Girl and he is usually the only one to get her to stop crying when she is in a "mood".  She is surely loved by each of her siblings, but is most protected and doted on by Jacob.  She currently favors her left hand and I am secretly hoping she is left-handed (she has greater than a 26% chance since I am a lefty).  Although she still wakes up once through the night (usually midnight or 1am), she is a pretty sound sleeper.  She has the longest fingers and toes I have ever seen on a baby...definitely not from me.

Protective big brother

Sophia meeting cousin Nancy from Texas

Sophie with cousin Yolanda

Cousin Athena, Tia Sunshine and Sophia

Relaxing with Daddy...





Goodbye...for Now

As an few earlier posts stated, my dad had been battling kidney cancer.  By the time it was detected, he was already in stage 4 and had been living at the VA Hospital Long Term Care since February.  June and July of this year were crazy hectic on our family.  Most all spare time was spent visiting Dad in the hospital.  We all received several calls to come say our final goodbyes...but the old boy would pull through.  My older sister spent some serious money coming up from Las Vegas several times on a 'moments notice'.  Dad was able to come home for a few days in early July.  We were all able to gather around and laugh with him and remember healthier days.  At a certain point though, Dad basically became incoherent and was unable to communicate with us...but, that didn't mean he didn't hear us.  We were reminded of this at one point when I was sharing a story with Sunshine about how a month earlier Dad was teasing my about my swollen ankles (from pregnancy)...dad heard me talking and just chuckled in his sleep.  I absolutely LOVE that laugh and it will forever be in my heart.
You see, we did have to say goodbye to the man I've always had on a pedestal.  My father's final breath was taken on Saturday, July 16, 2011.

My Dad, Raul Reyes, at 17...

one of my favorite pictures of him

Dad on 4th of July, 2010

I have long considered myself one of the luckiest girls in the world for being this mans daughter.  The other "lucky girls" were my 2 sisters, Sunshine and Penelope.  Dad would be the first to admit that he wasn't a perfect father...but he was perfect for us.  Even through his parenting mishaps (which I would later learn we all go through), he made sure we, his children, knew that he loved us unconditionally (even through our own mistakes and struggles).  He treated each of us with the utmost respect--even when and especially if we didn't deserve it.  He taught me so much about life and family; I'm still learning from him and am sure I always will.  I remember him sharing with me stories of his life as a child migrant worker and his time overseas during the Vietnam War.  We would stay up into the wee hours of the night going through his Marine paperwork and pictures...time that would prove to be some of the most cherished...just me and my dad.  His laugh was so contagious.  It amazes me how many people bring up that laugh of his and his witty sense of humor.

4th of July, 2011...our last holiday together

  ...our last few days together...

I know I will see my Dad again...he was a true Believer and raised us kids as such.  My faith in Christ is a reflection of the example Dad was.  This is only "Goodbye for now".  I love you, Daddy...

A true hero...Semper Fi 

Raul Reyes

08/11/1949 to 07/16/2011

4th of July in Pictures

This year we had what ended up doing 3 different celebrations for Independence Day.  The first was our now annual trip to the God and Country Festival at the Idaho Center.  We all enjoy the groups that perform...especially the headliners and the kids LOVE the fireworks display at the end.  When we arrived, we tried to find "the perfect spot" to sit (which really means a spot big enough to fit our large blanket, all 6 of us and of course a little extra room for the kids to stretch out).  Paul picked a great one...especially since we coincidentally sat behind some friends of ours!

Group shot...Miley is turning into such a ham when it comes to camera-time...

...then again, she is Paul's daughter.

Dancing to The Afters

Bryce teasing Miley.  We were lucky to have

found seats next to Bryce & Chessica.

Jacob playing with his glow sticks...

***

Our 2nd celebration took place on July 3rd.  Off to Kay-Cee's house we went and had a great time BBQ'ing and socializing.  Kay-Cee had a bubble machine which was a hug hit with the kids.  We were able to get some fireworks in as well.

Bubbles!

Auntie Kay-Cee protecting

Miley from the noise...

***

Finally, we spent July 4th at home.  We were lucky to have Nanna and Poppi (my mom and dad) over for the occasion.  My dad had been in the VA long-term care since early March battling kidney cancer, but he was able to get a 'day-pass' so he could spend the holiday with me, Paul and the kids.  It would end up being his last holiday with us and I remember cherishing every moment with him that day, but that's another post.

The kids spent the earlier part

of the day on the slip-n-slide...

Picture time with Nanna and Poppi...

Kinda failed to get many pics of the actual fireworks...but ya'll know what they basically look like, right?  :)

Birthday + VBS + Carnival = BUSY June

Note: this post really was started during the end of June...It's just now being posted (a month later) as I am trying to play "catch-up" during our chaotic time...

So far, June has proven to be the start of a busy summer.  First off, it was nice to finally have a year where school let out in May.  The past 2 years, the last day of school has landed on Ben's birthday (June 3rd).  I imagine it's not so fun to get up on your birthday and have to go to school...especially when you have what appears to be a summer birthday...so if nothing else, it was at least a treat for him to be able to sleep in this year (which he did while Paul and I went off to work).  As with all of our kids on their birthdays, Ben was able to choose what was for dinner that day: he picked spaghetti.  I suspect he was talked into this by his little brother who craves spaghetti every day; but since Ben isn't as picky of an eater, he obliged (as did we).  He received some really spectacular gifts, including several Green Bay Packer items from Paul's parents.  He also received some money from Aunt Sunshine--which he hasn't yet decided what to spend it on...hmmmmm...the decisions of a now 8-year-old.  :)

Candles just waste time when there is cake to be eaten...

Aaron Rogers jersey and GB Packers hat...lucky boy.

***

A week after Ben's birthday, it was Gavin's turn for some much-deserved fun.  Gavin has been a huge help with his younger siblings this summer.  He has been their 'baby-sitter' until I come back home permanently.  Anyway, he has recently moved to the middle school class at church and they always do a special "Lock-In" to welcome the 6th-graders.  This year the event took place at Wahooz and Gavin had a blast.  The group pretty much had free-reign of the facility and he played laser tag to his hearts content.  He was also able to make some new friends--which is what concerned him in the beginning as he goes to school in Nampa but we go to church in Meridian.  Sad that there aren't any pictures, but what 11-1/2 year old wants their mom to stick around taking pictures of them.  He has officially hit the "just drop me off and pick me up" stage...I'll find a way to embaress him soon enough, I suppose.

***

The kids also had VBS (Vacation Bible School) at church this month.  [Miley wasn't supposed to go since she's not quite old enough, but we were lucky enough that they allowed her to be with the preschoolers anyway.  It was also Gavin's last year to be able to attend...next year he'll be old enough to volunteer though and he's already mentioned that he'd like to do so.]  It started on a Sunday and lasted 5 crazy, busy days.  Paul and I would rush home after work on Monday - Thursday, grab the kids (thank goodness Gavin mostly would have them all ready for us), and rush back to Meridian to get them to the church on time.  {Boy, I'll be glad when we move from Nampa and closer to everything we involve ourselves in.}  The great thing our church did this year was had a Bible study for the adults while the kids were in VBS.  This was so nice for Paul and I so we didn't have to make 2 trips to Meridian each day...plus we both really enjoyed the study.  Win Win.  The kids each had a blast...which I'm so grateful for (and grateful it only lasts 5 days).

Miley, Benjamin and

Jacob enjoying the

songs and dances

at VBS.

Gavin and his 5th Grade group performing their skit at VBS.

***

We were able to take the whole family to Dairy Days in Meridian this year.  We decided to get the boys unlimited ride passes as well...such a great investment.  Since Gavin and Ben are so much taller than the younger two, they were allowed to go off on the "big kid" rides by themselves (so long as Gavin kept his phone on him).  Meanwhile, Paul and I toted Jake and Miley around to the "little kid" rides.  Six hours of rides and carnival dinner made for a fun (albeit tiring) evening.  The kids enjoyed themselves so much and it was a needed family (of 6) night before the new arrival.  (I was a bit jealous that I wasn't able to ride the Zipper as I traditionally do...dang preggo belly.)

Ben (with his hand up) and Gavin (with NY hat) on the Pirate Ship ride

Miley & Jacob during their "Safari" ride...

Daddy was able to join Miley & Jake on the Carousel

Gavin & Ben getting on the Zipper...Ben's very first Zipper ride!

***

And although not in the post title, Paul and the boys were even able to get in a few fishing trips this month.  Paul even found a new fishing spot that he enjoys...only about 15 minutes from our house--bonus!  Although he "missed the big one", he did get some good catches.

Paul's catfish...