Stella: 2 Months, Ruby: 17 Months, Mama: Alive

Hey Everyone,

I've been meaning to blog for awhile now, but am just now getting around to it. Today Stella is 2 months old, Ruby is just about 17 months old, and well....I'm alive to blog about it. Oh yeah, Ben and I have been married for 6 years! Yahoo!

Ben is such a wonderful man. As you are well aware, teachers don't make a whole lot of money. He works so hard and usually picks up different side jobs like drivers ed and helping out with the ag program in Buffalo just so I can stay home with the girls. We both find it so important and it is something that I have always wanted to do. It is SO wonderful having Ben home on summer break. We've just started the Daniel Plan diet and I've been able to cook good (non-processed) meals for our family. I forgot how much I really truly enjoy cooking. It is so hard to do with an infant and a toddler at your legs wanting up, or trying to climb in with her sister in her rock n play. Oofta! Ben is such a great dad. We had fun celebrating him on fathers day! Oh yeah! Ben also got a job at Phoenix Learning center in Buffalo! We don't have to move! Praise God! Phoenix Learning center is an alternative school, which I think Ben will do amazing at! His heart automatically gravitates towards at risk kids and so this will be right up his alley! Thank you everyone for praying for us. It is such a relief knowing where we will be at least for another year.

Let me tell you..God must have known that I needed an easy baby. I will get more to Ruby later, but Stella is seriously a dream baby. So far she goes with the flow, sleeps when she can, and eats about every 3 hours. At night she sleeps from around 9:00-4:00, eats, and then sleeps again until around 8. It is amazing! She never really cries unless she is really hungry. She doesn't seem to mind her carseat. I absolutely love her. I do feel guilty though when there are days where I only hold her when I"m feeding her because of her older sisters needs. Those days aren't too often though. Ben was on a mission trip to Pine Ridge for a week. Yep, I was a single mama for a whole week. It was rough! It made me appreciate all that Ben does around here even more. Stella is starting to coo a lot more and smile more socially. She has her 2 month well visit tomorrow. I wonder how much she weighs. I think she is longer than Ruby was at this age and maybe a little lighter. Long and lean. She doesn't get that from her mama. ha ha!

Ruby. Ruby, Ruby, Ruby. She is such a joy, but this girl is busy. I mean, from the moment she wakes up to the moment she is in bed she is always moving. She won't watch the cartoons I swore I never would let our kids watch. I got PBS all ready for Ruby. She sat down for about 5 seconds and then bam she was off. Ha, I guess that's what I get for saying "I"m never going to..." Which by the way, I think I've already done everything I said I wouldn't do. Oh well. Ruby's hair is super curly in the back, especially after a bath. The front of her hair goes down over her face, so now we dress her up like bam bam. It is adorable. It is really hard to tell Ruby no with a straight face when she looks at you with those big brown eyes. She is starting to talk a little bit more, but definitely has her own language. I say her own language because she says the same phrases often and says them quite seriously.

Six years ago, our wedding reception was being held in the basement because of tornados. Thankfully it didn't last very long and we were able to party the night away. We like to say that people made money by coming to our wedding. (Hello hail damage!) Ben and I spent our first 3 years of marriage in Alaska. Don't worry Alaska...we will be back...someday. Our second 3 years were spent in Maple Lake. We have gone through so many life's trials in our marriage. The biggest one is probably losing my dad. Ben has honestly been my rock and I don't know what I would do without him. We plan on celebrating by going to the Carrie Underwood concert in October. If you think this is all my idea...pull over Beethoven! Ben doesn't mind me saying this, but he knows every single word on her new cd. He requests that we play it in the car. It is wonderful because I have been a Carrie fan since my good friend Erin McBurney introduced me to her 10ish years ago. Right now Ben is mowing the lawn. When he comes in I think I'm going to pour us some wine, watch a movie, and be in bed by 10:00...because that's what you do when you have kids. Right?

Sorry for the very random post, but I'm kind of a random person!

Stella at 2 Months

Ruby at 2 months

She is usually very good with Stella.

She LOVES spaghetti! 

Ruby always gets the best smiles out of Stella! 

Bam Bam

They share the love of agate hunting. 

6 years ago.

Stella is ONE Month!

Hey All,

I don't know how it happened, but Stella is one month old today. Wasn't it just last week that I had her? Sheesh! I thought time went fast with Ruby, but nobody warned me that the second would go even faster. It could be that I have a toddler who doesn't sit still for a second. Speaking of Ruby, she is such a sweet girl. I can't even handle all of her spunk and personality. Unfortunately, Ruby has a double ear infection at the moment. She has had a runny nose and has been coughing for the last few days and just looked sick in her eyes. Poor girl! So, now we are on operation keep Stella healthy.

Back to the star of the show. Stella. Here are 10 facts about one month old Stella!

1. She doesn't really cry except when she is hungry and I can't feed her because she is in her car seat. Even when she is hungry during the day, she usually just starts squirming and then when picking her up she tries to eat my arm. Ha!

2. She is getting better at sleeping through Ruby's shenanigans. She sleeps pretty well at night, but is pretty inconsistent. Two nights ago she woke up every three hours. Last night she slept from 10:00-6:00. Eight hours! Yahoo!

3. She still has hair that sticks up. It won't lay down. It also is greasy. I give her a bath and the next day it is greasy. I think I remember Ruby's kind of being like that in the beginning.

4.  She has started smiling and talking a lot more. I can't guarantee that her smiles aren't from gas though!

5. Ben, Ruby, and Moose (dog) have brown eyes. I have grey eyes. It is fun trying to figure out what color eyes Stella will have. Some days they look lighter and some days they look darker. I feel like Ruby always had dark dark eyes and now she has the most beautiful brown eyes.

6. Stella got to meet her cousin, Leni who was born just three days after her. It was fun just hearing the different sounds and the different looks. Leni has a head full of hair as well!

7. She is starting to grow out of her newborn clothes.

8. She is starting to get some baby acne on her chin. I remember when Ruby looked like a little teenager with the baby acne.

9. She loves baths just like her older sister did and still does. Just like their mama!

10. She is a great/efficient nurser. It is still one of my favorite parts about being a mom, but I don't get to enjoy it as much when Ruby is running around, climbing things, and getting into things she isn't supposed to.

Thank you everyone who has been praying for us. We are so thankful for all of you.

One Month Old! 

Enough with the pictures! 

Starting to smile more! 

Ruby's Adjustment to Big Sisterhood!

Hey Everyone,

Today is my first day completely solo with my girls. I'm blogging. Good sign, right? I just put Ruby down for a nap-no problems. Stella just got done eating and is resting peacefully in her rock-n-play. This blog post is all about how Ruby is adjusting.

Let me tell you the day we brought Stella home we put Ruby down for a nap because she was so tired. Like, as soon as we got home from the hospital she went straight to her crib. When she woke up she was SO sweet and SO lovely to Stella. Looking at her, resting her head on her and sucking her thumb. Then Ruby woke up a little bit more and I don't think was well rested yet. She was needy, whining about everything, demanding our attention. I had never seen Ruby quite like that. I think Ben and I were both thinking, "what have we done?" We couldn't reverse the situation we were in. I said, it will get better. It has to get better. When I had Stella, it was the first time Ruby had been without me in the morning. She woke up to my mom, whom she loves dearly, but I think she was just confused. She didn't really show it at the time with my mom, but I think it caught up to her about the time that we arrived home. I think it was Ruby's way of saying, "what the heck mom and dad!"

Friday went a little better and the weekend went ok as well. Ben's parents came on Sunday and so Ruby got a lot of attention and a lot of outside time. She LOVES being outside.

 Ok, lets back up about a month. Ben found out about 3 or 4 weeks before having Stella that he lost his job for the fall. They needed to make a cut, and unfortunately Ben and his non-tenured status was the one to get cut. We couldn't believe it and the whole situation left us shocked. Ben has had a great time at Buffalo High School and has done quite a bit for the school. We are trying really hard not to be bitter about the situation, but we both kind of want to just say, "Screw you Buffalo." Pray for us to have a forgiving heart will ya? Anyway, Ben since interviewed for a job in Soldotna, Alaska. Yep, you read that right. He also was given that job, but in the end turned it down. I believe we will one day end up back in Alaska, but the timing with two girls under 2 was just not the right time. We need the support of our family right now. Anyway, how does this pertain to Ruby? Ben and I were both stressed to the core about this decision. There were tears almost every night leading up to him having to give his answer. I think all that stress just put out a big tension in the house. I think it added to Ruby's demeanor.

Ok, fast forward to Monday. My mom was coming out for the week during the days to help out. Ruby continued to be sassy and into everything. Before my mom had gotten here, Ruby was eating spaghetti for lunch. I forgot to strap her into her high chair. I was feeding Stella over on the couch and I look over at Ruby and she is standing up in her high chair throwing spaghetti all over the place. Thankful to have our dog, Moose to clean up, but I thought for sure she was going to jump out. I put Stella down and went over to get Ruby. At this point I was pretty crabby with being sleep deprived and having a 15 month old who was testing my patience. Somehow we got through it though. As the week went on though Ruby got a little bit better and a little more like herself pre-Stealla.

I'm happy to report now that Ruby is back to her lovely self. She is goofy as all get out. She is learning how to climb on things, which we only really let happen when Ben is home. She has been back to her normal nap schedule and night schedule. I think she has learned that this baby is here to stay and things may be a little different, but it is ok. Ruby really does love her little sister. She will often just look at her and smile. If I'm holding Stella at Ruby's level, Ruby will come over and put her head down on Stella and give her kisses. It is the sweetest thing and it melts my heart. I couldn't ask for a better outcome at this point. I do know that things will probably be a roller coaster again at some point and I'm ok with that. I know that we will get through it and from it will come an even greater love for my girls.

Please pray for Ben (and I) that Ben would find a new job. He continues to apply to places around the twin cities. He is also thinking about getting his masters. We are in the process of finishing off our basement to put our house on the market. This leaves me so sad because we love our church, our small group,  the friends I have made through MOPS and MOMS club. However, I believe that God has a plan for us and I know that we will be ok. I often joke with Ben saying that we are used to transition. We got married and moved to Alaska right away. We found found our home there. We moved back to Minnesota three years later and found our home here in Maple Lake. Now, we will end up somewhere new and we will find out home there. We will be ok.

Such a sweet and goofy girl.

Melts my heart. I LOVE my girls. 

So thankful to have Grandma here this week. Ruby loves her so much and so do I! 

Ruby loves climbing and she almost made it. Daddy snapped a picture and then helped her down. ha! 

Stella's Arrival

Hey Everyone,

I've been meaning to blog for awhile now, but it turns out that having two girls under 15 months is crazy. Stella is now a week and a half years old. I feel like she has been here for a lot longer. Maybe that is because I was so so pregnant for so so long! There were many people who told me that because Stella was my second that I would probably go early. Keep in mind that I only went two days over my due date with Ruby. Stella was worth the wait I tell you! Here is how her birth went....

On Monday the 25th of April I started having some mild contractions that were very spread out. Like hours apart. Towards the evening they started getting a little more intense though and a little closer together. About 20 minutes apart. My mom has quilting class on Monday nights from 6:00-9:00 PM. She was our go to for watching Ruby while I was in labor/in the hospital. So, I called her and told her she better come out just to be on the safe side. Well, all night (while Ben was peacefully sleeping) I was next to him having contractions at times every 6 minutes apart. They weren't as painful as the contractions I had with Ruby though. I told Ben at about 2 in the morning that he better put in for a sub. This go around, Ben had sub plans made ever single day ready to go in case I went into labor. If you remember with Ruby, we had to go to the high school so he could put out his sub plans while I was in active labor. This time he was prepared! Anyway, I woke up on Monday morning and the contractions went to about every 45 minutes. I was feeling bad for making my mom come out for nothing and for making Ben take off work. Let's rewind real fast, my OB ran in the Boston Marathon so I had to meet with a different Doctor for my 40 week appointment. Well, it turned out that my OB was running in another marathon in California the next week. So, I had an appointment scheduled with him again for my 41 week appointment. It was scheduled at 4:00 PM. Well, I moved my appointment up to 10:30 just in case I had made any progress. So, I showered and enjoyed the morning with my mom, Ben, and Ruby. Ben and I took off to the clinic and brought our bags just in case. The doc checked my cervix and turned out that the night of having contractions paid off. I was dilated to a 3, which is a huge improvement from the "finger tip" I was the week before. He asked me if he wanted him to strip my membranes and then head upstairs to have a baby. He was that confident that it would just send me into labor. I looked at Ben and said heck yes! So, he stripped my membranes and he called upstairs and told them to expect me. It was way different checking into the hospital this time around. I was able to talk and sign the papers that I needed to sign. I think it must be a rule or law that I get escorted by a security guard in a wheel chair. I felt so silly being in a wheel chair when I could have walked. Oh well. So, we got all checked into my labor and delivery room and met our nurse. She was in training. Lovely. ha, she was actually really great. Contractions had now started to come more frequently and a little more intense. I was telling the nurse that I wanted an epidural before it was too late. Basically, my plan was to labor as naturally as long as possible and I didn't want to feel the end. I will spare those details. Anyway, they were great and just kept telling me you tell us when. With Ruby my labor was super fast and so I figured the same would happen with Stella. So, I just figured what the heck, lets just get it and then for sure I will be covered in the end. Well, that didn't exactly happen. It almost slowed things down. At one point Stella's heart beat took a big dip and all of a sudden I had an oxygen mask on and wasn't really told what was going on. Ben looked a little panicked and they had paged the doctor. I still don't exactly know what happened, or why it happened, but it turned out ok. Stella came back around and all was well. I was so worried that I was going to end up having an emergency c-section. Phew! I started feeling contractions again AKA my epidural was definitely waring off. I told the nurses and I don't think they believed me. One of the nurses told me she was going for her lunch and that if I ever felt the need to push to page her. Well, she leaves and I'm not kidding about 1 minute later I felt this great pressure and urge to push. I looked at Ben in this panic because I had never felt this with Ruby. I told him to page the nurse. He asked why and I think I screamed just do it! Sorry Ben! So, she comes rushing in and checks and says ok yep, it's time to have your baby. The head is right there. She paged the doctor and it was go time. I feel like he took forever when in reality it was probably only about 5-10 minutes. The nurse in the meantime told me to do some practice pushes. Inside my head I was thinking absolutely not. I'm not going to practice push and have you deliver the baby. So, I kind of pretended. I think she saw right through me. The doctor got there and at this point I was feeling everything. It was not fun, but I'm thankful to have gone through it. After about 20 minutes of pushing, Stella Louise Harvey graced us with her presence at 5:55 PM on Tuesday, April 26, 2016. She had a head FULL of black hair. She had the cord wrapped around her neck once, but was immediately placed on my chest. Of course there were tears and relief. I loved that the doctor really let us have that moment and didn't cut the cord right away. We spent the next two nights in the hospital and came home on Thursday. In my next blog post I will post all about how Ruby is adjusting. Let's just say there have been high high's and low low's. :) 

Thanks to all who were praying for us! We appreciate all of you!

Getting checked into my labor room. I was feeling great! 

The best feeling is when they put this baby on your chest! 

Proud Daddy! 

Due Date and....

Hey Everyone,

Today is my due date. Today is supposed to be the day that Stella graces us with her presence. It doesn't appear to be happening today though. I went to the doctor and sure enough, I'm still only 1 cm. dilated and 50% effaced. Still have some work to do.

I can't really complain as I have two other good friends who are past their due date. Like 9 days I'm taking castor oil overdue. She's a tough cookie. I don't know that I could do Castor Oil. I have gone through different nesting stages. Last week, our house was really clean...all the time. This week, I have been keeping up on laundry, but things like Ruby's toys all over the place. That's difficult and involves a lot of up and down movements that just aren't as easy anymore. Ruby has also salvaged through the snacks that I have packed for Ben for when we are in the hospital. She knows right where they are and so I should maybe go through the inventory to make sure Ben doesn't go hungry.

Ruby has been extra sweet and lovely lately. She has been so much more cuddly than ever before. I have been soaking up Ruby has my only girl. We laugh, we play outside, we go to the park. We do as much as a 1 year old and her very pregnant mom can do in a single day can. I know that when Stella comes along, these things won't be as easy to do.

Well, that is all I really have to report. I'm 40 weeks pregnant today and so now we just wait. Hopefully the next post will be the birth announcement!

He really is the best daddy. I LOVE weekend mornings when I just sit and drink my coffee and watch him love on Ruby. Ruby equally loves her Daddy! 

Waddling our way through Maple Lake. I'm sure there are people who watch us out their window every day to check and see if I've had the baby yet. 

38 Weeks and......

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I remember these blog posts from Ruby all to well. Going to the doc and finding out that I've made no progress from week to week. It's ok though. I really want a healthy baby and that is all it comes down to. I didn't dilate with Ruby until I started having contractions, so I don't put much thought into the dreadful cervical checks. I have some really funny dialog between my OB and myself that I wish I could share here, but I fear that it is TMI. Just know that it's good. Real good. Have I mentioned how much I enjoy my OB? Is that weird? She is down to earth and makes me feel so comfortable in the most awkward situations.

I have felt so different this pregnancy and especially this late in the game. I feel like Stella is so much lower as I have so much more hip and pelvic pain. Night's really stink because I turn so often and well, it's not the easiest and it is not comfortable to do so. When I need to turn though there is no telling my body otherwise. So stubborn! I feel like this baby is bigger even though my doctor says I'm measuring normal and don't seem to be bigger. My blood pressure and vitals have all been normal which is good. I was telling Ben that I think it was easier teaching 23 Kindergartners while this pregnant than being this pregnant with Ruby. My sweet sweet child is all. over. the. place. She doesn't stop. Even if she does stop, she keeps moving something. She is in the process of cutting two big teeth in the back of her mouth and that is causing her quite a bit of pain. Add a cold to that and she can be a real treat at times. I used to think that when kids got sick they were more mellow and would cuddle with you. I was wrong, she just walks around being miss sass a frass.

Ben continues to be super busy and super wonderful. He teaches drivers ed on Mondays and Wednesdays from 2:30-5:30. He leaves for work around 6:00 A.M. I know I have been so blessed being married to a teacher who could potentially be home everyday around 4. I commend those mamas who have husbands who work 12 hour days or even don't get home until 5, 6, or later. I had a meeting at church the other night and had to bring Ruby with for about 10 minutes to do a swap with Ben because he had drivers ed stuff until 6:30. After my meeting I got home and made some egg bake and cheesy potatoes for MOPS the next morning (which we didn't go to because Ruby was sick) Thankfully the mentor mom at our table also lives in Maple Lake and was able to take the food. Anyways, I was just kinda stressed because I didn't get started making those things until about 9:30. Anyway, I was so frazzled and busy that I didn't notice the big bouquet of flowers on the table. Now, Ben will be the first to admit that he is not very romantic and doesn't do things like this often. When he does though, man is it a treat. It was so sweet and even though it was something material, it was just what I needed. So yeah...he is great.

That's all I got. :) Life lately continues to be fun and exciting with Ruby and another little girl who should be coming anytime now. Preferably after Saturday when my mom gets home from Florida. Thanks for reading and we continue to welcome prayers for our family!

Won't be long before there are two girls to love on. 

Stella's Room is completed

Well, as soon as I remove the junk in her crib...and get an area rug. 

36 Weeks

Today I'm 36 weeks pregnant. That means that I go to the Doc every week. That means that in 4 weeks give or take, we will have a brand new baby. Ahhhh! I remember doing this last year. Well, I guess a little over a year ago. Today I went in and found out that I'm a finger tip dilated (sound familiar?) and head is definitely down. I could have told you that as I'm able to breather a little easier. With Ruby, I was a finger tip dilated on the day that I started having my first contractions. So, this time around I'm not going to put any thought into it really. I have had a few friends lately who have lost their precious babies and so I don't ever want to sound like I'm not thankful for this pregnancy and the temporary discomforts of pregnancy. I also know many who have tried to conceive and have not been able. It pains me knowing this. So, if you're reading this...please say a prayer right now for the people who are struggling with this.

Today I had a brunch for moms who are new to MOPS. The gal that was sitting next to me is 34 weeks pregnant. She has a two year at home as well. Anyway, she was mentioning that she is in nesting mode and just kinda sounded like she had it together. I turned to my friend and said I'm so behind. Although, the more I think about it, the more I realize that I'm not. We're not. I think we are just not mentally prepared and I don't know that we will be until we have this sweet new babe in our home. Then reality will hit and we will figure it out. Right? Am I right? Oh Lord, please tell me I'm right! ha!


My sister brought us a newborn swing over the weekend. Well, I set it up today and Ruby tried climbing in. I was almost in tears because I remember when she was little enough to fit in that exact swing. Now I caught myself saying, "Sorry sweetie you're too big." It made my heart just ache. Bittersweet I tell you. I'm not ready for Ruby to not be my only baby. I'm not ready for her to be climbing anything and everything. I'm not ready for her to be transitioning to one nap a day. I'm not ready for her to be the "big" sister. I'm soaking up these last days and weeks with my baby girl as much as I can!

So, that is where I'm at. 36 weeks pregnant. I feel kinda huge and getting house chores done are getting to be a drag and being down on the floor with Ruby is a lot more difficult. It will be fun when I can be more active with her because let me tell you...that is exactly what she is. Active. She's pretty awesome!

This is the week of Easter. I know that I should think this way all the time, but it is this time of the year that I feel the most blessed in life. Knowing that Jesus died on the cross for my sins, your sins, everyone's sins. I've been reading in the Old Testament lately and I'm just so thankful that we have the new covenant. Eternity is granted to those of us who place our trust in Him and believe in Him. Seriously. I pray that you are all able to get past the easter eggs, candy, and bunnies (not that stuff isn't all fun...it is) but I pray that we can focus on the meaning behind Easter and be thankful for all that God has done for  us.