Ode to Emily

Emily doesn't like to have her picture taken. She will inevitably blink, turn her head, make a wierd face, or just downright not cooperate. Today, for some reason, she requested that I take some pictures of her. So I did. And the above mentioned still happened. Even still, I was able to get a few nice ones. So, because this is rare, I post these pictures as an "Ode to Emily"- because I love her.

Baseball Championship

Mike plays baseball. Mike loves baseball. He really loves baseball. I had no clue this was the case until about 4 or 5 years ago when a patient of his invited him to join their city-league team. One game, and he was like a little kid again. He's been playing consistently ever since then. Coaching it, even. And complaining-- every single week--someone can't make it , can't find a replacement, saying he'll never do it again. But then he does. And says how much he loves to play.

We usually don't go to many games, because they are late at night, and I don't enjoy being the bleacher police to our children who turn into wild monkeys once we get there. Anyway, I guess his team is usually pretty good. They've made it to the league play-offs a few times, and even won their division last year. This year, they were in the championship game again, and since it was this morning, we were able to go--yes, the whole gang. It was held at a stadium in Scottsdale where the San Francisco Giants play their Spring Training games. It was a really nice stadium, and I think all the guys felt totally awesome playing there.

During the game, Mike hit a bomb off into left field -which I missed- because I was in the bathroom for an infinite amount of time with Emily and Dylan. (The automatic handwashing sink was just too fun.) I could hear cheering and knew I was missing something. Thankfully, Hallie brought her camera, and video taped his hit. At least I saw it that way. (Scroll down to watch the action..for some reason it loaded on the bottom of the page and I don't know how to move it).

In the end, they barely lost. They needed one more out and they would have won the game, but alas, the ball was hit, runners ran in, and the game was over. They were disappointed, but still got a nice runner- up trophy. I'm sure it won't be the last we've heard from these baseball stallions!

The 'BLACK SOX'

This is what Sydney did the whole game

New Bike

Dylan got a new bike. It's a push-bike, which means it has no pedals. The kid pushes it, Flinstones style with his feet. The idea is to learn how to balance first, then try and ride a real bike with pedals. My sister in law, Rebecca, used this method with her kids with success, and I just saw a segment on tv about these bikes. I thought it was worth a try. He seems to like it. I think he mostly likes that it's his own bike that he chose, not a "used" bike from one of the older kids.

The other nice thing is, it's adjustable, so Emily can use it also, and eventually Sydney. Look how cute he is on it! (And check out that little skinny body- I love it!!)

This is Dylan's new "picture" smile.

Springtime Fruit

Do you know what this is? I'll tell you....baby plums!! We've had this plum tree for about 2 years now, so it's mature enough to produce fruit this year. I had no idea they were even there until Hallie told me today. The unfortunate part is that we lost quite a few due to some crazy wind we had. I counted 8 that were still safe. Hopefully some will survive the next few weeks and we'll get to taste them! As for the other fruit trees- nothing on the apricot tree (maybe next year)....no tangerines, and the lemons never came, either. Which is wierd because we had a few lemons last year. I want to get a peach tree, but there's nowhere in the yard to plant it. For sure, in the Spring, I want to start a square foot vegetable & herb garden in the courtyard. How fun would that be?

Retarded birds better not eat all my plums!!

Water Baby

I really do have 4 other kids...and I feel a little guilty that I haven't included them lately. But Sydney is too cute. Updates on everyone else soon....

Sydney went for her first swim today. She loved it. And we loved seeing her cute little body in the mini bathing suit. She didn't cry. She was very mellow and tranquil in the water. Mike had her in the jacuzzi which probably helped since it was nice and warm. I'm sure this was just the first of many swimming days for this water baby!

911

Tuesday night, we had quite a scare with our sweet little Sydney. It was around midnight, I had fallen asleep feeding her, and Mike woke me up and told me to put her in her bed. I laid her down and she started coughing, then gagging and choking. I picked her up to pat her back. It didn't work. She would take a breath, then scream and use up her air, or cough gag choke, and then gasp for air again. Each time she would take a breath, less and less air was getting in. Her eyes were all buggy like she was terrified, and we started freaking out. She was super pale, like ashy gray and kind of limp.

I said, "We're taking her to the emergency room right now!", but at the same time, Mike grabbed the phone, and called 911.

The operator helped us try different positions to help Sydney, while the paramedics were on the way. They were so fast! Like 3 minutes! I'm so grateful we have a fire station a mile away!

By the time they got there, she was taking shallow breaths and her color was coming back. They did a few things to check her out and then the fire captain/paramedic said that because of her age and she stopped breathing, if only for 2 seconds, they wanted her to go to the hospital to get checked out, and have a doctor watch her for a little bit just to make sure she was ok. Even though she seemed fine now.

I rode with her in the ambulance and Mike followed us. When we got to the Emergency Room, we were seen quickly, and then a nurse told us it would be awhile until we could leave...like a few hours. So Mike went home to sleep and I stayed with Sydney. I didn't sleep at all. I just layed by her and watched her chest move to make sure she was ok. The time went by faster than I would have thought. Finally at around 4:30 am we were cleared to go home.

We barely fell back asleep and it was time to get up and get the others kids off to school. We told them about the scary night we had, and they couldn't believe it. We had a fire truck, ambulance, and 3 police cars in front of our house. People were coming in and out, sirens and lights were on, and no one woke up! I don't know how, but I'm glad. And SO grateful that everything turned out ok and our sweet baby is healthy and doing fine. Hopefully we never have to call 911 again, or take a ride in an ambulance!

(Lots of pictures, yes, but I can't stop looking at that

cute face!! And I learned how to make a collage...yay me!)

Blessing Day

On Sunday, we blessed Sydney at church. Mike's brother David and his family were visiting us and stayed for it, and his parents also came. My parents weren't able to come, but we had just spent a week with them so it was fine.

Mike gave a beautiful blessing, and I had several people afterward tell me how much it touched them. It was a very special day. There was even one guy who handed me a piece of paper and said that he had tried to write fast and he had gotten about 80% of the blessing for us. I don't know who he was, but it was very thoughtful of him.

As usual, I tried a photoshoot and only had minor success. Sydney is a such a sweet, super happy, smiley baby, but as soon as I get the camera she turns all stone-faced. Or, she wiggles and the picture is blurry. She's still my favorite one to take pictures of right now. I love her!

The kids picture and family picture, also had certain people that were uncooperative ( I think it's obvious who those 2 people are). At first I was annoyed, but that's how real life is, everyone is not always smiling and doing what I want. It will be a good memory when they get older.

Home Gym

We've been talking for awhile about turning our living room into a home gym. Mike promised it would be done before Sydney was born so I would be able to work out until she was old enough to go to the gym's child care. Well...it's still a living room. Hopefully, it won't be much longer.

After seeing this picture, I'm all motivated to get the ball rolling on this project. Then we can exercise in the privacy of our own home, and wear extra awesome workout clothes- just like this snazzy couple....(note to self- find Mike knee socks and shorts he can pull up to his chest and gingham hot shorts for me!)

First Photo Shoot

I'm trying to be all fancy with picture taking, so last week I decided to test out my new lens and do Sydney's first photo shoot. It's hard to believe she was only 5 days old-she looks older to me, and already so photogenic! Hopefully my skills will get better with time. I have lots of ideas in my head, but I don't know how to work my camera out of Auto Mode. I need to take a photography class and learn. I also want to figure out Photoshop...it may as well be Chinese to me. I've downloaded a trial version and stare at the screen unable to figure anything out. Do scientist/computer nerds invent these programs for other scientist/computer nerds, and not the average (although still intelligent) person? It's not like I have aspirations to become a "photographer"- I just want to take nice pictures of my kids. Anyway, here are my favorites:

Welcome, baby Sydney!!

Sydney Annette Greding

February 20, 2010

7 lbs 4 oz 20 inches long

This little sweetie joined our family yesterday and we're all totally in LOVE with her!! She is a very good, mellow baby so far...hopefully she'll stay that way!

She looks like baby Emily with a teeny bit of Hallie. She also has the most hair out of all our kids-little brown fuzzies. She has super blonde eyebrows and eyelashes though, so I think she'll be another blondie. We can't stop looking at her she's so cute!

Coming home from the hospital outfit- one of my favorite purchases!

Still Waiting...

Well, my wish didn't come true- we aren't having a Valentine's baby. That means I don't really care when she's born now, as long as it's SOON. I've had a good pregnancy this time, so it's not just being uncomfortable and large, I just want to see her and hold her and put giant flowers on her hopefully bald head! But also, I don't think my skin can stretch any further. (The picture doesn't make my stomach look as big as it is in real life, maybe because I'm short and you can't tell by a photo-it's BIG).

I'm also sick of people commenting to me (even strangers at stores) saying things like:

"You're still pregnant"?

"Are you overdue"?

"I thought you would've had that baby by now!"

"Wow, that's a big belly, you must be so done!"

"My daughter was about as big as you and she had her baby last night"

"You look uncomfortable, hang in there, I'm sure you'll have that baby soon"

"My (insert random relationship of family member) just had a baby..." and then a birth story.

Etc...etc...etc.

(Along with phone calls, texts, facebook inquiries, e-mails...don't be offended if any of that is you. It's natural to be curious, it's just annoying when it pertains to you, or in this case, me.)

And then there are the "suggestions" of things to do to get yourself into labor. I get it, people. Yes, I'm still pregnant- and I probably will be the next time you see me. So just keep your comments and birth stories to yourself. And for anyone who is interested, NONE of the "home remedies" to induce labor work!! I've tried them all, and obviously, no baby. I also don't want to hear everyone and their relatives birth stories, I simply don't care.

So, this week, I plan on just going on with my life and trying to ignore the fact that I'm going to have a baby any time. I'm planning activities, making lists, going shopping, and will probably be at my next doctor's appointment on Thursday. Whenever it happens, is fine with me. I just hope for a quick, easy, painless as possible (epidural) delivery, and a healthy little baby girl!

Freaky pictures!! Her head was turned away and the computer "guessed" what the rest of her face looked like. I'm sure she's cuter!! See you soon, baby!

And a side note:

On Friday, I was moving furniture, trying to get things going, and I had the brilliant plan to move a bookcase cabinet with items on top of it, without removing them, and they came crashing down on me. I thought I broke my nose because blood was everywhere. Turned out just to be a good gash, Mike stitched me up. His skills sure come in handy at home! I'm now the third person in our family that's had stitches by him! This picture was taken then next day, before a bruised/slightly black eye also appeared.

Dylan turns 4 today!!

Happy Birthday, Dylan! We LOVE this cute guy. I can't believe he's already 4 years old! Where has the time gone?

I asked him some questions and here are some special things about the birthday boy:

1. His obsession right now is Star Wars. He picked out Yoda cake plates, Darth Vader candle, and black & blue balloons with black streamers for his party decorations.

2. He is super cuddly and sweet and still requests Mommy every night to tuck him in and cuddle in his bed. ( I need to stop at some point, but I want to enjoy him while he's still little-he won't be my baby much longer!)

3. Favorite color (today): blue.

4. Favorite food: He says cake (probably because his cake is baking right now) but he eats a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch EVERYDAY and never wants anything else I suggest. He also eats like a maniac when we go out to Japanese, yet requested hot dogs and Kraft macaroni & cheese for his special birthday dinner (gag).

5. Favorite Star Wars character- Chewbacca & Darth Vader.

6. Favorite book- lately "Curious George goes to School". He wants to read it everyday. Last week it was "The Gingerbread Cowboy".

7. He is a good helper and pretty obedient. He is always willing to help me sweep the floor or wipe down the countertops in the kitchen. When we ask him to clean his room, get dressed, or get himself ready for bed, he usually does it without needing more reminders, like other children in our house.

8. His best friend: Annie (lucky dog- I thought he would say Emily).

Merry Christmas!

The kids on Christmas morning.

I made them all matching jammies bottoms and they turned out so cute! What a great day we had- SO NICE to stay home and not have to pack up and go anywhere!