Finley Grace

poolday6, a photo by allenrose8 on Flickr.

Sweet Baby Girl-
You are my little bud these days. You sleep in between Mommy and Daddy and we dont mind one little bit. You LOVE to blow bubbles with your mouth and your smile is contagious. Your eyes light up when you see Ginny and Reese and I know your little heart desires to be JUST like them one day...playing ball, doing cartwheels, you name it. Your personality can be dramatic at times especially when Mommy wants you to take a nap....you are a fighter!!! Just this past week you have started to take a bottle. It lasted one day and now you are strike again. You are better at the paci...but it isnt your favorite. I think you look just like your daddy. It makes me smile that all of our children are soo different...we have a brown, blue and green eyed baby! All three! HOW cool is that?! Mommy LOVES to shop for you....I have got to get a picture up of your closet...it is pretty ridiculous. You are not so much into toys...you love to be right on my hip in all the action. You GO GO GO...we have no schedule and I really dont mind. I love that you go with the flow.

I love you sweet angel. I want to walk over to your crib right now and wake you..I just cant get enough!


Love you always,
Mommy

CH-CH-CH-Changes........

Well, where in the world do I begin?? (WORLDS WORST BLOGGER GOES TO THIS GIRL)

Let me count the ways...

1. Allen got a new job- we are back with Stryker! He is BACK doing joints and some trauma now.

2. We will be living in Belton, Texas...10 minutes from my mom and dad! THANK THE LORD!

3. We are building a BEAUTIFUL home....we should close on the house around July 15th...I think it will be the following week though...ugh!

4. Finley is four months on the 14th of July.....I do not want to take about this! :(

5. I have a new nephew...he is perfect...Brayden Joseph Hitt.

6. I have started to work out again at Exhale Fitness in Temple, Spin Class is my new love and well, hate.

7. Ginny starts Kindergarten at Sparta in Belton...something I dont want to even think about.

8. Reese has already had his first big issue with a bully at school. This deserves a whole blog entry!

9. I am soooo excited to be around all my friends that live in Temple/Belton! This is going to be sooo much fun!

and..

10. You know that whole thing about trusting in the Lord and he will lead your path. Well, prayers have been answered....this is where we wanted to raise our family and here we are....in a city of simplicity! Let the journey begin!!

She is a week old!

I cannot believe how fast this week has gone. We are so in love with this sweet girl...she is a angel baby! I have heard her cry maybe 5 times. She loves to eat and I think that we are on a good track with nursing. So poops after every feed and in the middle of diaper changes. I think the other day I counted 12 poops in one day. It is funny how mommy's attribute a good day to good poops! With Reese I had supply issues and with Finley I have overproduction issues. I guess they are right when they say, "a fed baby equals a happy baby". She is so content all the time, it is wonderful! I think I may keep her around! :)

She now eats every 2.5-3 hours and a night I get a 4 hour stretch. YAY! We have had to change her TONS due to massive blowouts....let the fun, girly, dressing begin! I am glad I have an excuse to change my sweet girl all throughout the day! So FUN!

She is HERE!

We had planned for her to be induced on March 15th. Well, God and my doctor had other plans. Since EVERYONE and their dog was planning on being induced on the 15th, Dr. Westmoreland thought it would work out best if I went ahead and did it on March 14th. I went in to her office, she stripped my membranes- OUCH!, and then I was to come back up to Labor and Delivery around 2:30pm to get the process started.

We checked in and found out that Dr. W hooked us up and got us the V.I.P. room! The biggest room they had. We got to stay there the whole time after delivery as well. It was HEAVEN! They started my IV around 3:30PM and then the pitocin was given to me FULL FORCE at 4:30pm. I felt contractions until I was about a 4.5-5cm and BOY that was NOT FUN AT ALL! My nurse was very slow and didnt call the epidural in when I asked for it....UGH! As soon as the anesthesiologist walked in I heard angels singing and bright light

....I just knew I was going to be in heaven soon! I went from a 5cm to 8cm in about 2 hours.....Finley wanted OUT! I was able to watched the finale of the Bachelor and I was feeling good! We went ahead and started me on some Zofran since I was getting very nauseated....I think it was heartburn, nerves, etc but they went ahead and added it to my drip. Dr. Westmoreland came in about 15 minutes after my nurse checked me to be an 8 and in 15 minutes I was ready to have that baby! I went from an 8 to a 10 in 15 minutes. I could feel Finley moving down the birth canal...it was the oddest feeling. She was wanting to see the world and didnt waste time. I pushed TWICE and the nurse asked for me to stop so she could "rally the troops"....I was ready to have this baby. Dr. Westmoreland arrives and two pushes later I delivered the sweetest little baby girl! She was so tiny,

6 pounds, 12 ounces and 19 inches long. Her head was NO WHERE NEAR as big as Reese's and her body frame is totally different and petite! It was a BREEZE of a labor and I am blessed with a happy baby. She never ever cries......in fact, she cried 5 minutes when she was born and that is about it! She eats great! Breastfeeds like a champ and we are a great team. My milk came in on Day 3.....so we have been stuffing that little girls face. She poops like a mad man. The first day of life she went 8 times and I have yet to change a diaper that was just teetee. She is my little poop machine and I LOVE HER!

NO MORE DIAPERS!

In a week or less we will have a new baby......and Reese decides TODAY, NO MORE DIAPERS! He took his off behind the couch, grabbed his little potty and only had one little accident all day! Friends, this means 10 teetees and 2 poops in the potty!! WOW! He would run to the potty and go...we really didn't have to remind him. The poops scared him a little as he is used to hiding and being able to go. Now, he has all of us watching him in excitement! :) He wore just a shirt today, no underwear....we let the boy "air it out" all day! Allen took the kids to the park and of course dressed him in Elmo underwear and shorts...NO ACCIDENT!! I am so proud of my little guy. I wasnt planning to do this potty training thing a WEEK before a baby but what do you do...tell him, I am sorry but we are going to MAKE you wear diapers?? Tomorrow is day TWO and thank heavens Daddy is home to help! :)

In a week...

Well, it looks like Dr. Westmoreland wants Miss Finley to make her arrival next week sometime. I have an ultrasound on Tuesday to check her size and then we will go from there. I was originally scheduled for induction day of March 15th but due to my fourth degree tearing that I had with Reese she wants to try to avoid this happening again. So- C Section is a possibility and to be honest, I am nervous about having one. Maybe it is because all I have ever known is vaginal since that is what I had with Reese. I think on Tuesday she will make it clear to me what the best route should be. My mom is able to help out for quite some time so that is WONDERFUL!!! I have large-headed babies....Finley's noggin was measuring at 38 weeks about 3 weeks ago. YIKES!!! Please keep everyone in your prayers as we decide the best way to get this girl out! I am nervous.........I cannot believe next week I will have THREE KIDDOS!!!! :)

37 weeks of pure belly!!

New Gadget

It was time that I purchased a Flip!! I am SOOOO BAD about bringing my big camera along with me and the only other thing I have is my iPhone....of course, the picture and video quality are SOOOOO BAD! My kids are funny, entertaining and sometimes a bit dramatic so I wanted to make sure all my peeps weren't missing out on the Rosenbaum kids in action! :) Oh, and of course, I am excited about taping Finley's first days!!!

Here is a tester video....First Flip video! I cannot wait to use this little thing!!

Happy Valentines Day!!

So, I decided to make my own cards since the other ones you get at the store are kinda corny in my opinion. What do you think????

Visit to Labor and Delivery

WHAT A DAY!!!

So last night (Feb. 3rd) I was feeling this crazy cramping going on. I could not control it....bath, water, stretches....you name it. I went to bed and thought nothing of it. Around 6:30AM I woke up in pain. Not crazy contraction pain but this menstrual-like pain that wrapped around to my back. I got up, had a bowl of Raisin Bran and then fell asleep on the couch.

We all slept in until 9:15AM!! It was heaven except for the lingering pains I was having so we headed over to Memorial Hermann. Poor Allen had to watch the kids and whatnot in the waiting room. Nurses would ask over and over "is someone with you??"...I felt pretty teen-mom-ish so I called Allen in the kids back with me so I could justify my pregnancy! ha!

They did a stress test and of course it was showing mild contractions. I had to drink tons of water and lay there for about 3 hours. NOT FUN! The kids did great and just sat there. Reese would not look at me, touch me, acknowledge me...it was so weird and I guess he is giving us a glimpse of what is to come in 5-6 weeks (hopefully). The noises, the machines, the cords freaked.him.out!!!

Finley looked great, moved great, heart was great!!! As far as I was concerned I could have "peaced out" then since that is all I really cared about! But, NO...more observations. :(

Long story short, I am having "uterine irritations". What the heck is that?? I mean, I have "mommy irritations" everyday but I cannot just press timeout and take a bedrest from life. But, apparently with uterine irritations everything has to be PAUSED until it settles. Furthermore, I am on locked down for the weekend. Temporary bedrest. Boredom. Anxiousness. Bedrest. We will call Monday and see what Dr. Westmoreland wants me to do. I am sure she will say, "you may now get back to your crazy life of photo-shoots, two kids, gymnastics and activities 3 days a week, cleaning, laundry and cooking"...HA! Looks like from here on out I have GOT to take care of myself.

Keep you posted, friends. And pray for my "uterine irritations" as well as all my other daily irritations! :)

My funny girl

This morning I could NOT stop laughing. This might sound inappropriate and outrageous but it was the the funniest thing especially after the crazy day we had.

Ginny- (while brushing her hair and looking in the mirror) says to herself: Gosh, my balls hurt.

Me- WHAT?!?!!!!

Ginny- Mommy, I said my balls hurt.

Me- SILENCE

Ginny- You know, Mommy, the "hangy balls in your throat" You know, Mommy, when you talk they shake.

Me- I love you Ginny!

Enough said. Ginny's balls hurt, you know, the balls in your throat.

Dear Finley

I hope you want to pose just like these babies when you are born. Aren't these girls precious?!?!

A fun find!!!

I would HIGHLY recommend these yummy scones by Immaculate Baking Co. My kiddos are devouring these things as fast as they come out of the oven. I love this company since it is all natural and they have a lot of gluten free options. They aren't the most healthy option but these days I am just trying to find something to get some weight on my skinny mini, Ginny....AND, they are kids, right?? I purchased these at HEB in with the crescent rolls and biscuits. There are 3 different flavors but the Cinnamon Chip is VERY TASTY!!! Plus, they dont flake too bad and I dont mind if they grab one and go. I love finding yummy food for my sweet munchkins..now, only if I can keep my hands off of them! YIKES!

Dear Birth Parents

Dear Birth Parents-

You might read this, you might not. You might sit and wonder about Ginny, you might not. You might feel a sense of guilt or feel like you gave up on her, or...you might not. The purpose of this letter is to thank you for the decision you made. I can honestly say that my life would be so different without this sweet girl. She wakes us up every morning with a big giggle, she challenges us, she loves her little brother and her unborn sister, she rolls up Reese's pant legs when they step out in the grass, she puts on his shoes, she gives him big kisses, she hugs my belly and talks to Finley, she could rest in her Daddy's arms for eternity, she loves Justin Beiber and already has crushes at school, she asks to have her hair straightened every morning and wouldn't mind a dab of makeup on her cheeks to start the day, she loves yogurt, cheeseburgers and chocolate milk more than anything, she is firecracker, lightening bolt, a ray of sunshine....and most importantly, she loves Jesus.

We pray for you often and in my heart I hope that your life is full of the same joys and love that we are experiencing. We pray that all guilt will flee your heart and know that this was God's big plan. I was always supposed to be her Mommy and Allen, her Daddy. There were no mistakes, mess-ups, oops.....this was the plan and rest assured that God embraces you for what you did for this little girl. We take pride in the fact that Ginny is the "leader" of the Rosenbaum sibling group. I cannot think of a better role model for the other kids. I was never HALF the little girl she is....she is defiant, bold, passionate, confident and so many things that five year olds aren't. She raises the bar, always wins the prize and has a heart for others. So many things that a Mommy would pray for in a child.

How this little girl came into our lives is still a mystery to me. Let me rephrase that...of course I know the logistics and facts of it all but how God could trust Allen and I to raise her is beyond me. Days that I get down and feel like God is not on my side I remember that He trusted in me so much that he placed a little girls soul in my arms. Of all the people in the world, he wanted Allen and I to be her parents...WOW!

With all this said, I am thinking of you today. I don't want you to feel ashamed, guilty, have regrets.....I want there to be a sense of peace in your heart. I hope that you can truly understand the power of the sacrifice you made. This was the most unselfish thing anyone could ever do for a child. It is truly remarkable. We pray for you today and hope that Jesus lives in your heart.....that you are free from chains today and that you feel God's love surrounding you.

Blessings!

Lindsay

OH, Finley Grace

Better now than never, right. I haven't been blogging lately due to photo shoots, kids and vacations. So, here is to 2011....more blogging, more babies, more stories and more smiles!!!!

the belly is hanging over my pants..haa!

NO ROOM!

I'm 32 weeks!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 32 Weeks

Size of baby: Finley is the size of a sack of potatoes (about 4 lbs)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: I have gained a total of 14 pounds
I am trying to keep it around 20 pounds so I have started doing Prenatal pilates and LOVE it! I cannot carry that much wait. I dont have girly hips, haha! My body just doesnt do well after 30 weeks. My torso is as short as can be so when she kicks my ribs her head hits my pelvis....it is crazy!

Gender: It's a girl!!! FINLEY GRACE ROSENBAUM

Movement: She is VERY active--She is very active at night...so I get no sleep. Last night I think I slept for MAYBE 3 hours. :(

Sleep: Not so good.

What I miss: Wine, although i have had a glass here and there. Sushi, being comfortable and feeling FREE! :)

Cravings: Not really anything new. I do love some good ole ice cream, that is for sure! I went to DQ the other day and got a blizzard...YUMMY!!!

Symptoms: Lately I've been having a lot of pressure - mostly because she is low and it's the second pregnancy. I have frequent Braxton Hicks as well.

Best Moment this week: When I saw her feet protruded out of my side...haha..very awkward but also a reminder that she is coming very soon!!!!

We already love you, Sweet Finley Grace.

Here I go again

I am getting geared up to be back to blogging..... with Finley coming and all in about 6 weeks I have got to be better about it! Stay tuned......... :)