Yaya Gone Wild

The lady. I kid you not. Every day she puts on the high heels, bracelet and necklace and will stay that way all day long.

The other day my mom stopped by and spoiled us. She did that the day before and the day before that and she'll do it again tomorrow. Old Navy had a great sale and the girls got some new matching clothes (And Joe too!)

Family of 5

Our family of 5!

Labor and Delivery

I'm not one for video taping births, but if I could have just video taped our day at the hospital...

Highlights include:

* An anti-semitism special on TV with violent clips of gun killings. Where's the remote?

* Nurse Juliette - a transfer from cardio nurse who has been with labor and delivery for 2 days. Makes us very nervous with comments like, "I don't really know how to turn off the light." and "This might take me a while to find the baby."

* Waiting in triage from 8 am to 5 pm for a room while a woman comes in with a baby's foot hanging out of her (immediate c-section), a man burping and farting loudly while his wife and 6th child are on the way, a vomiting prego woman... etc.

* Late antibiotics because Jorge can't spell. "Slow down." Really, Lykes? Do I need to slow down the spelling of that?

It's a good thing we went in early. I got all the antibiotics in time! Dr. Mellum broke my water and I started active labor at 6 PM. I really wanted an epidural, but for some "odd" reason didn't get it till I was about to die at 8 PM. I was very panicked and felt the need to push at 8 PM but 10 minutes earlier the nurse said I was only at a 5. Again, I started saying very loudly that I could feel the head... she checked and I was fully effaced and dilated to a 10. God's merciful though and the guy got me my epidural in time to push. Much more peaceful! And with the epidural we were able to wait for Dr. Mellum who rushed back from his office. I might add he wasn't on call, he just loves us and called to tell the wife he'd be late. Is that a doctor for you or what? 12 pushes, his shoulder got a little stuck and voila 8:20PM ... my perfect angel was here.

With this labor I feel much more appreciative of what the Savior did for us in the garden of Gethsemane. I truly feel God was with me and giving me strength and watching over us. I am such a wimp, but I felt that in my hour of need He was right by my side. I have a deeper testimony that we truly have a Father in heaven who loves us. Who knows us. Who will comfort us and sustain us. I am grateful for this knowledge and will always worship Him and devote our home to Him. I have had a few nightmares about the pain but I can say with all my heart I would do it again in a heartbeat to have my treasure Joe! There is nothing more exquisite in life than looking into the face of your child and knowing you will be together forever.

Little Joe is the most carefree and happy and laid back baby. He barely cries and when he does it's so soft. He is completely mellow like his father and is truly happy to be at the breast (he's smiled a few times already!) My milk came in very very quickly. On the 3rd day, which is normal, but the last 2 times we had to wait 5 days! So this is good! He had swallowed a little bit of fluid and they had to wash his stomach out, he ate once and slept the entire first day! But his body needed that and now he's feeding often and sleeping less :) I'm amazed he's getting any sleep! His 2 big sisters adore him constantly!

Baby Joe loves kisses. Did great with his circumcision. (Slept through it) and is just absolutely perfect in every way! I look forward to what He will bring to our family, because already it's been lots of love and more happiness than we ever deserve! God is good to us.

My Sweet Baby - Joseph Edward Lykes

Day 1. Must. Give. Baby Joe. Princess things.

This is my sweet boy. He was born July 15, 2009 8:20PM.

7 lbs 5 oz. (So much for the doctor's humongous theory)

20 3/4" long

Perfect in EVERY way!!!

I'm having contractions and blogging.

It's 5 in the morning and really... what else can do but blog? I can't concentrate on reading, hence I post about the past couple of days.

First of all, I love my mother. I don't know why I'm morbid, but the day she dies will be the saddest day of my life. The same goes for my dad. I am so blessed to be close to them and have all the support and love they give. They will be watching the girls for the next couple of days. Probably more like partying for the next 2 days.

I tested positive for Group B strep. Dr. Mellum told me I shouldn't be worried, but I know how to google and on Thursday I was pretty much the most stressed out person you'd ever meet. I got a priesthood blessing and feel much more assured and hopeful. I know God loves us and will help us whatever happens in life. I'm scheduled to be induced in 3 hours, but I am feeling mild contractions. He said we'll get the antibiotics in and nothing will happen to the baby. I trust him. He's a good man. My due date was messed up though. They have a lot of patients and I didn't quite catch the math early on, but it turns out from my date of my last period and the 20 week ultrasound that today is my due date (not the 25th). At my appointment he asked how big my other children were. I told him 7 lbs 9 and 11 ounces. He looked at me and said, ugh... this one will probably be bigger. Well, how big? Am I going to have an 11 pound baby? No! Not 11. Well, do you think I can push out a 10 pound baby. Oh yeah, no worries! Well Dr. Mellum, how big do you think my baby boy is? Let's just say he's not too humongous. Thank you Dr. Mellum.

Christina is finishing up swimming lessons and did a great job. She also started kindergarten on Monday. I was less than excited. I "like" her teacher and hope to "love" her. Christina's first day went well and when I asked her what they did she replied, "We sat on the carpet for 5 hours." There was a teacher at Glen Duncan that I really loved, however it's all day kindergarten and I'm just not ready for that. I think this will turn out good. The deciding factor was Christina, she really wanted to go to school. And I want to always encourage a love of learning. Maria was quite sad about not being able to go to kindergarten, but she understands she'll have Ms. Kathi (Christina's preschool teacher) in February.

Maria has been pooping on the potty now for 2-3 weeks. And peeing! I haven't put her in underwear consistently because I'm 9 months pregnant and can't bend over. It's a little crazy timing, but she wants to go to the potty and I'm all about that. I think the key was the potty seat Papa got for her. It's actually attached to the toilet and very fun to use. I also wonder if it's because I've been going to the bathroom so much? Again, I am not potty training her. I don't potty train. She tells me and I do. I'm not a glutten for cleaning up accidents, so when it happens it happens. However, I think it's happening.

Joe had the day off on Friday and we went to Rancho San Rafael Park. The girls had a blast and enjoyed their first pony ride. We panned for gold, played with arrows and hunted a stuffed horse (much to my displeasure... boo hunting), swung on dinosaur swings...They were mesmerized. We ate at a place that has 10 tacos for $9 and free guacamole. Yum Yum Yum. However, I ate too much and later felt like dying. Christina and her daddy must have ridden the water ride 30 times. I like days off! It was super hot, but I did surprisingly good... key- water misters throughout the park. Hoo-ray. We also got a couple free snow cones because we knew the guy working there. Hook up from Andy! Do you remember him from Thanksgiving Mrs. VenHuizen? It was the one where Sara barfed all over the table and he was our little 9 year old neighbor?

What's your religion?

I was getting Christina ready for her Kindergarten Assessment and asking her some questions her teacher might ask her. This was a little more random and I wanted to see how she responded so I asked, "What is your religion?" to which Christina replied, "My religion is get your booty on the floor tonight..."

Love it! I then changed the wording a little and said, "What church do you belong to?" to which she responded, "The church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints."

Also, today she was talking about something collapsing. I said, "Do you even know what collapse means?" and she said, "Yeah. It means to fall down." Duh mom! Brilliant child.

Artown - Nevada Musem of Art

I hate when things are advertised for children and then aren't really kid friendly. We went to the museum and I feel like art should be appreciated at the speed of the onlooker. However, we had a geriatric docent and some "regulator" to make sure no one left the group. The only way in for free was to stay with the group... can this be considered fascism? But we took off and went our own way when the time was right. Favorites of the girls included the large elevator, the rooftop art and doing chalk art.

Ready to pop any day now.
This piece of art was featured at Burning Man (aka Let's smoke opium for a week and wear neon glow sticks)... and Maria's face/body captured the essence of what the statue spoke.

I told her to rock star the picture and this is what she gave me. Do I have the best children or what!

Artown - Ferdinand the Bull

The 5 men in Strange Hats! Loved it!

Every July, Reno has quality events for children. I know. Wow! Downtown has a large park called Wingfield Park where most of the events take place. This was a giant puppet show and had amazing music! The girls loved it! And so did we! We saw it for family home evening and had DQ for treat after. Ferdinand the Bull is a wonderful story, probably a favorite of the girls. They love that he was peaceful and that "fighting is not the answer".

The Matador.

Happy 4th of July!

We wanted to take it pretty easy to watch how Christina was feeling. We had a wonderful bar-b-que at Papa and Yaya's house. I woke up and called them and said NO MEAT! I just felt totally lethargic. But then we arrived and I must have eaten 3 pounds of ribs. Thank you obesity. Dad always makes the best food! Thanks! The girls also enjoyed fresh salad and yummy bread amid 30 other food choices. Buffet Milpitas.

We ate, we played in the slip in slide and then headed out to find a spot for the fireworks. We didn't want to deal with the 80,000 drunks of downtown Sparks so we headed to an elementary school that's on a hill. On the way down to get our sweaters we found another spot that was completely secluded, had bunnies and a perfect view. It was very peaceful. Joe serenaded us with some patriotic tunes and then we went home and passed out.

When Papa and Yaya have off....

We have been having too much fun as of late. Recent activities include:

1. Trip to the planetarium for Amazing Journeys. We took Yaya Sofia who almost died in the movie of dizziness. But it was her first time and now she can say she's been there! It was a wonderful animal movie about migration. There was a point in the movie where you are under millions of monarch butterflies and it was heavenly. God is good and His creations amazing. I wish they showed more movies like this in life.

2. Ice Age 3. Within 5 minutes, Maria's lip was quivering. It was way too scary. It had horrible and inappropriate "lines" for children. Plus I didn't like that a pregnant mammoth was searching for a rat friend in a land of dinosaurs. Just doesn't seem smart. However, it was fun being with Yaya and Papa and we enjoyed a nice lunch at Port-of-Subs. Maria ate all her sandwich... I don't know where it goes!

3. Christina got a mild case of food poisoning. We're not sure from what. She barfed for a whole morning straight, took a nap at 10AM for 2 hours and woke up ready for a day of rest and Disney. Then she was perfectly fine. I called our pediatrician, who I love dearly and asked if she thought it might be a reaction to a hepatitis immunization she had 3 days ago. I also asked if it could be swine flu or heat exhaustion. Those were my questions. She responded, "Why would you think that." However, since I know her so well I am very seldom offended and told her I didn't go to medical school for a reason. I would always rather be the crazy mother who asks too many questions than the mother who's child gets eaten by their illegal python.

4. While Christina was sick, I "nested" and got quite a few things done around the house with the help of Joe. I just can't bend over quite right. Joe took Maria to Wild Waters for... yes... 5 hours. She came back fully hydrated, fed and no sunburns! He lotioned her every hour like asked and they had a blast! She even braved the wave pool with daddy and enjoyed it.