The Hospital, Round Two

Home sweet home!  Mom put out pink balloons (I've always wanted them) and flowers to announce Georgia's arrival.  We all look a bit disheveled and we were - all week.

Trying out the Bjorn - Christian's favorite way to transport a baby, not Georgia's.

This is not the maternity ward, but the cardiac floor.  It's kind of a long story.  I did not feel well all week and finally went to the ER because of chest pain, heartburn, a bad headache and swelling in my legs.  After my blood pressure spiked (I can't remember the numbers because they checked it every 5 minutes) and my heart rate dropped to 40 they did EKG's, ultrasounds on my legs, a CT scan, and even wheeled in the paddles to re-start my heart, just in case.  After two morphine doses, a magnesium shot in my IV, and what seemed like a slew of other meds, they finally sent me up to the cardiac floor for the next few days to be watched, poked, and "figured out" since nobody could decide what was wrong with me.  Since Christian was on the train back from a meeting in Chicago (he still feels guilty about that, even though he shouldn't), Laura was with the boys, and my mom was on an airplane back to Utah, I was alone with baby Georgia through this horrible experience.  It was scary, just so darn scary.  I never want to re-live that.  I'll leave out the rest of the details and just say that Christian was my absolute hero through this from the moment he burst into the ER room.  When he was nearby, my body seemed to stabilize itself better and once we both stopped sobbing, we were actually able to laugh about a few things.  We had so much help through this - the seen and the unseen.  I know my sister, Georgia was with me, I just do.  I know the prayers that were said for me worked.  I know they did.  I felt it over and over again.  One of the most touching parts of this story is how Laura, my sister in-law took Georgia home during the nights I was in the hospital and nursed her along with her own baby.  She was only one week old, and it put me at ease knowing Laura was giving her the nutrition I couldn't give her while I pumped all of those meds out of my system.  Now there is true sisterhood.  Our ward brought meals and set up playdates for the kids.  Thank you to everyone, a million times thank you!  And here are some pictures of our angel family who came to take over as the parents for our shaken family:

Paddy and Genevieve were the perfect medicine for Jack, Winfield, and Charles.  I think I only saw them a few times in three days since I slept around the clock, but they kept everyone happy, fed, and clean.  Who could ask for more?

Aunt Genny and Georgia

My mom flew back to our house just days after she got home to Utah and stepped in as my personal aide, answering the door and phone for me, making sure I was well fed, rested, and emotional stable.

Caroline took over once my mom left and had probably the most uneventful Memorial weekend of her life.  The two helped me decorate the nursery (okay, I sat and nursed while the did all of the work).  They took me out to lunch for my (and Georgia's) first outing.  We went to a quiet and relaxing tea house and had crumpets, no kidding.  

Our little sweetheart.  She is worth all of the pain.  I'd do it all again for her...just maybe not right away!

Georgia Evelyn Mitchell

She is here!  Our most vocal newborn weighed in at a whopping 7 pounds - a shock to us all.  After a month of worry about her growth, Georgia was pink, screeching, and healthy.  She was 20 inches long, a height to rival her tall brothers, and had a respectable head of brown hair.  Labor lasted about four hours and was yet another "new" experience for me.  Ever heard of a Foley Bulb?  Look up that crazy contraption.  No doubt Dr. Foley is male.  You would think on my fourth I would have this process down, but my body does not like epidurals.  Just a tip: don't try watching Young Victoria while in labor.  Way too much concentrating required.  I had much better luck with Rudy.  Christian cried as he always does at the birth of our children, and has completely adored this girl from the moment she was born.  It's very sweet to watch him with a daughter.     

A visit from three curious brothers.

Charles waving "Hi" to Georgia

Mom came and picked me up from the hospital because Christian had to present to "the board."  Evelyn and Evelyn together.

"Baby" turns 2

It seems every time we have another baby Christian has to remind me it's time to stop calling our youngest "Baby."  I know it has to go, but Charles still seems so little to me, so huggable, so cuddly, and so cute.  I will be sad to say goodbye to my littlest boy and turn him into a true toddler.
Some highlights of his toddler-hood (we think he is hilarious):

Me:  Do  you want some milk/crackers/pancakes/any food?
Charles:  Me, me, me! (while jumping up and down)

Favorite words: Bacca (Chewbacca), DarRex (T-rex and Dinosaur), Tops (triceratops), "Is hot?" (the question before every meal), "Byyye Mommy" (accompanied by a wave when leaving my room each morning after waking me up), "Diaper on.  Is yucky." (on = off).

Favorite songs: Star Wars theme (which he sings perfectly), I am a child of God (he can sing nearly the whole thing), ABC, Follow the Prophet (he gets very serious and wags his finger on the words, "DON'T go astray!"), Twinkle Twinkle (which he hears on the Suzuki violin CD every night of his life).  Not to boast, but this kid can sing!  It does a musician and mother proud.

Favorite people: Jack, Winfield, Mom, Dad, cousins Jane & Audrey, Charlie across the street (he's 5).  In that order.  Someday Charles will realize he is 2, not 6.

Someone is excited for cake!  Isn't it grand that Charles has no idea that we celebrated days after his real birthday and that I just slapped on the plastic Cars tablecloth I used on Winfield's birthday?

A true blow, but a little close to those candles.

This is serious inspection.  Charles had first dibs on the gummy bears, but as you can see on Jack's face, the boys helped me frost and decorate the cake.

Ahh sharing.  This is the way a 9-month pregnant mother did the birthday shopping: a trip with just Charles to Toys R Us to pick out a toy.  No wrapping paper, no surprises, and guess what?  No disappointment on his part.

Thanks to Gammy and Paddy, we did have at least a couple wrapped gifts.  Thanks for coming through for us.  He was very into unwrapping.

Don't let the cute face fool you, this kid has perfected weapon sounds - guns, light sabers, swords, you name it.  He even says things like, "A DarRex kill a Tops" (can't believe I'm admitting that my two year-old knows what kill means).  Like I said, he thinks he's six and we love him.  Happy Birthday, Baby!

Showered...make that Soaked

Check out this spread!  That is the magic of Cortney Huber's creativity.  She and Laura gave me the most fabulous baby shower.  There were potted flowers with little seed packages stuck in, veggies in lined pots, and tiny little flower pots with quotes in them from my mother (things like, "Elbows off the table" and "Be interested and interesting").  I wish I had added "grits and sausage are married" but maybe I would be the only one to get that.  In any case, it was a gorgeous spread and the food was incredible.  Just check out this lemon tart with raspberries, and no, I didn't take the pictures.  That would be Melinda from our ward - she's a genius with photography. 

Laura put together my first every diaper cake, complete with a tiny pair of black, patent-leather shoes on top and home-made flower clips.  Each diaper was tied with one of those unbelievably skinny rubber bands that mothers of girls use with a magical ease.  The next day I practiced on Audrey's hair and saw what a long way I have to go with hair-dos.  In any case, it was a really cute addition to the already decorated house.  Laura had painted a big "Baby GEORGIA" banner on fabulous paper and it was less shocking to me than I thought it would be.  I just have to again say how thrilled I am to use that lovely name in honor of a lovely person!

Okay, I have not been this spoiled at a shower since I had Jack.  There were something like 25 women there from church and they all were in the party spirit.  It really was a girls' night out kind of party.  So, kudos to Laura and Cortney for planning such an event.  

This is me with Audrey before opening presents.  Just add two more curious hands and a mound of gift bags and you get the idea of the shower.  I was surrounded - by children and gifts.  But hey, I'm not complaining.  I felt so utterly loved that night.  So, thank you a million times to Laura and Cortney!!

I just had to add this last picture.  As you can see, I am one of the last in the ward to have a baby in this ridiculous surge of births.  Luckily, 4 of these 5 baby carriers are for girls, so our little one will have lots of friends.  Adam stayed downstairs during the shower with the toddlers for as long as he could manage, but they all made their way up, along with Adam - the sole male at the party.  With a baby on his hip, he seemed quite at ease among the moms, albeit a little frazzled with the kids.  Way to be comfortable with your manhood, Adam!  (oh, and thanks for babysitting).

Jack Attack

Finally Jack has a real uniform, a real team, and real games!  He could not be more thrilled.  This was his first game and it was wet and very cold.  He is easily one of the biggest kids on his team and actually really good.  Next to him in this picture is Rocco, the "biggest boy in my class, but I'm actually faster than him."  I think our son has some good competition in him.

They only play 3-on-3, so it gives them a really good chance to learn passing and teamwork.  Can you believe there was actually a kid talking smack at Jack's game?  They are kindergartners for crying out loud!  He loves to tell the story of the "tall boy" that said to him, "You're not going to get the ball!" then just as the kid swung his leg to kick, Jack stole the ball from him.  He is so proud of that moment in his first soccer game and I can't blame him.  I'm pretty proud myself.  

That is Jack's Russian coach in the black, behind him.  These teams are coached by parents, but we really lucked out with this guy.  He says things during the game like, "Are you dreaming or playing soccer?  Run!" which is kind of harsh on a 6 year-old, but he is also very nice and playful.  Every time they score he says, "Celebrate!!"  I'm grateful Jack is getting some good coaching.

I had to add this photo after all of the soccer pics because Jack said to me the other day, "Mom, I really like soccer better than violin."  Oh boy.  His teacher just told me he is one of her best students.  At least he is learning and doing well.  Thank goodness his friend, Seojun is still taking lessons (not that I really care, I mean let's be honest, it's still up to me and so he's taking violin.  Case closed.), so at least group class is fun!  I'm really proud of Jack.  He is a hard worker, no matter what it is.  I think he gets it from Christian...

A change will do us all good.

Do you like it?  My new background for the blog?  It's so refreshing for me, and in honor of a new female joining our family soon (better be soon!!!), I decided to go a little spring-and-flowers on the boys.  It feels wonderful!  On a side note... I am due in exactly one week.  Christian is supposed to hop on the company jet tomorrow and go to NYC for a meeting.  He'll be gone for 12 hours.  I have never been an early deliver-er with our babies, but what if, just this once I go into labor tomorrow?  Will we forever have to tell the story of our first girl coming into the world while her Daddy was jet-setting across the country on a posh private jet?  We're torn.  What's a man to do?  I'll take the pressure off of him and say for the record, I think he should just go.  Check back with me after this is all over - I may have changed my mind.

Daddy Time

I just love the fact that the boys all crowded around to be on Christian's lap instead of spreading out on the couch.  They get all worked up when they hear him coming in the door each night and their favorite thing to do with Daddy is to jump on him when he's laying down (usually on one of their beds).  It's great to see the wrestling side come out in Christian.

At Winfield's preschool they had a Dad's Night where each dad was presented with a portrait and description of themselves.  Here is a little of what Win said about Christian:

"I call him Christian Mitchell or Dad.  He is 100!  He's huge, and his hair is white, but I have blond hair. His eyes are blue like me.  He's at work.  He just works.  He just does some things.  Dad wears worker clothes - white pants and a black shirt.  When he comes home from work, he plays Lego Star Wars with me and Jack.  He is good at Legos.  I like to hug Dad, and he does like that.  Dad likes to eat cheese.  He eats cheese a lot, and that makes his tummy bigger.  Dad and Mom like to go on the computer and set up PBS Kids for me.  I love Dad because he is so cool, and so is my mom."

Yeah, I love that last line.  I love the whole thing.  I have to add my two bits that Christian really IS a wonderful dad.  I'm so lucky that my boys have such a steady, loving, and hard working father and he really is the love of my life.  I can be sappy on my own blog, right?  Love you, Babe.

Oh, and I just have to add a funny side note.  See the hat Christian is wearing?  That is a fleece-lined hat that he wears inside the house.  It's cold here and we have a very drafty house, what can I say?  But, the best is to come to bed at night and see him reading in bed, pajamas on, and a snow cap on his head!  Our house isn't that cold!  Or is it...