New Wife -err Car

Andy got another wife car.  It has been a long time coming.  He talked about trading in his old Corolla for a long time and looked at all kinds of cars to get.  He wanted a fun car to drive that would also be reliable but not too expensive.  He talked about it and talked about and talked about it.  ::sigh::  Eventually, he settled on wanting a Mazda MX-5 or better known as a Miata.  He set up a test drive with all parties (including me) knowing that we were not purchasing for a few months if we did.  The day before we got there a used Miata with less than 7 thousand miles was traded in.  It was Highland green (just like he wanted) and had all the other features that he wanted.  It was perfect.  The price was especially perfect since it was a 2007 - it was listed at cheaper than my van.  He courted test drove it.  Fell in love and finally made an offer for marriage purchase.

 Lyman likes his new mommy car a LOT!

How do I feel about Andy's new wife car?  When I think about how many - MANY - hours Andy spends doing something for someone else - either at church or work or home - and how little time he gets to do something fun to relieve stress - I think I love this new wife car too.  He loves driving it and is so silly happy - arriving home with a incredible grin on his face - that I don't know why we didn't get a him another wife car sooner!  My only problem is that I haven't driven a manual on a consistent basis for about 13 years.  So I hope he will still love me if I stall it a few times.

Pictures

 This is me with my midwife, Molly.  I didn't get a picture of her when Elsie was born because she had to rush off somewhere else afterwards.  She was a great midwife and since I didn't have a choice about being induced, I was glad at least that I could be induced by her.  She was patient and supportive and when it came down to the critical moments - very capable.

Ruby is such a silly girl.  I cannot even beginning to explain well enough to do it justice just how totally into clothes and fashion and accessories she is.  Even if she isn't the one wearing it - she will notice and compliment you on your clothing if she likes it and tell you that you look pretty or handsome.  She also has some very funny preferences on her own clothing.  Here she is just goofing off in my wellington boots.

Busy

I haven't been good at blogging recently.  My excuse is that I have been busy.  Too busy getting snuggles from 4 cute kids.  Too busy kissing downy soft heads.  Too busy receiving too-wide first smiles.  Too busy eating Popsicle with 3 dirty summer worn kids.  Too busy enjoying cool summer nights on the porch with a handsome guy.  Just too busy to sit at the computer and blog.

Mustache May

 Mustache May went off without a hitch at cub scouts.  :)  Best. Calling. Ever.

Spring!

 Spring came so beautifully this year.  It might have taken a while but once it showed up - it was breath taking.  This is from a tree in our front yard that blooms so profusely that it looks like its covered in snow not blossoms.  I love it.  Best part - it stays that way for over a week.

Welcome Elsie Mae!

Welcome Elsie Mae Mackrory

Our little girl finally was born on April 12th, 2013.  She was a healthy 8 lbs 5.5oz and 20 inches long.  She was born at 42 weeks and had to be prodded to come.  I had to be induced via my water being broken on Friday to have labor finally start.  Silly, stubborn girl.  We love her to bits though and thankfully both of us are healthy and glad to be two separate entities.

She is a wonderful eater and sleeper and too adorable not to kiss all day long.  Many people came to see her.  My parents came for two weeks to help out and she decided not to be born until two days before they left.  Andrew's mom came then and has stayed this week to help out.  My good friend, Cheri, was our doula helper at the birth to write the birth story for us.

 Cheri with Elsie

 Our wonderful nurse Nancy

 First family picture.  Funny kid faces.

 My adorable dad with her - they look alike I think.

 Grandma Putnam with Elsie

 Grandma Mackrory with Elsie

The Neverending Story: A review of my life pregnant.

I haven't posted in a while because at first we were in the whirlwind last few weeks of my pregnancy.  Lots to do to get ready for family coming and baby being born.  Hospital bags to pack, etc etc.  Then my due date came and I haven't posted because the baby decided never to come.

I am currently 12 days overdue and scheduled for an induction on Friday at 42 weeks if she doesn't come in the next two days on her own.  As you can imagine, I have felt a cocktail of emotions about being this late.  Mostly they tend to move my mood up and down and then down and up a little and then down a lot etc etc.  My graph of emotions would probably point mostly down with a few spikes of "Baby just isn't ready" or "in the Lord's timing" where I can manage a little more patience.

I don't like the idea of being induced because I try to eat, live etc in such a way that my body can go through its natural ways when it feels like it.  I like to know that I am not giving myself artificial hormones that might affect the way my body works or is supposed to work.  With exception to having to take thyroid medicine  - I am pretty good at this.  I don't like the idea of forcing my body to anything.  But having my options taken away in such a way has not been as anxiety ridden as I thought it might be.  Only because I know the risks to me and the baby sort of spike after 42 weeks. Otherwise I would not agree.

It seems ridiculous to me every morning when I wake up and I am still pregnant.  Almost like it is a really bad dream.  I even worked out the math with Andrew.  I have been pregnant for over 3 years total with all my kids put together.  Since I am not yet 30 - that is more than 10% of my life.  So I've paid my tithing right?  Sigh.  Come on Baby Elsie!