4 kids + A Photoshoot

Grayson - 2 years old

Hannah - 4 weeks old

Saray - 4 years old

Josh - 4 years old

The kids were adoring Hannah and laughing together as Grayson named all of Hannah's parts.

My three little silly kids.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope you enjoyed our random photoshoot!

We're Surviving!

Jer went back to work last week on Monday, and I've been flying solo with 4 kids during the day when he's working.  Thank God he gets home close to dinner time to save the day, because at that time everyone seems to be a little maxed out, or maybe it's just me. 

Hannah will be 4 weeks old tomorrow - Seriously?!  Where did August go?  I think somewhere between sleepless nights, 3 big kids that are early risers, and a sweet baby that eats every 2 to 2.5 hours, I have just been flying by the seat of my pants, and lots of God's grace and mercy for each SECOND of the day.  Even with everything being a big, fat blur, I have enjoyed these fleeting moments.  Holding baby #4 - sweet Miss Hannah, makes me realize even more just how fleeting these days are, even if they seem long and hard, I know in my heart that the years are short and they fly by incredibly fast.

Hannah is an incredibly easy baby, well that is when this Momma steers clear of anything with lactose in it.  She does not tolerate that at all - poor thing.  She is still sleeping only 2.5 - 3 hr stretches at night, and when I have had anything with lactose, a 2.5 - 3 hours stretches of sleep turn into 2.5 - 3 hours of dealing with a fussy baby with a belly ache.  Thank God I have experience with lactose intolerant babies (Josh & Grayson) so I know what to do to fix it...avoid it...hard to do though, especially avoiding that ice cream on these last warm Summer/Autumn evenings.  Miss Hannah is content and seems to enjoy having all the kids ooohing and aahhing over her.    She is for sure a snuggle bug, at least for now.  She is a spittin' image of her Momma's baby pictures, it's wild, even I feel like I am looking at myself as a baby 30 years ago.   She is a good little eater and is filling out those smootchable cheeks of hers.

Grayson is kinda hitting a hard time with all this "family of 6" stuff, especially now that Daddy has gone back to work and Momma's attention is a little more divided, even though the love I have for my kids has only multiplied.   I think he misses our old daily routine and therefore has acted out a little more than we're used to.  We're all adjusting...  On a good note: Grayson adores his baby sister Hannah and he still is a Momma's boy.

Josh and Saray turned 4 on August 29th and 30th.  We had a super simple party outside on our front lawn/neighbor's fun driveway with their cousins and a few friends.  It was nearly 90 degrees at 6:30pm so we stuck with the popsicles, water, and rice krispy treats.  It was perfect and they seemed to enjoy it all.
How is it possible that I have two 4 year old twins now?  Wasn't it just yesterday that I was up at night with 2 little sweet babies and kissing their baby toes and chubby cheeks?
These days instead of reading "Becoming Baby Wise" I am now reading "Love and Logic magic for early childhood", so we can help them become the kids (and someday adults) that God wants them to be. I am so tired of sending empty threats and several warnings and tossing all my "control" out the window with those things, so reading this book is helping me keep some of my sanity and they are learning that I am strong in love and discipline, and in that they remain secure.  It's a constant battle, but we're on the road to better days.

I have to say, I am still shocked that I am now a Momma of FOUR KIDS, 4 years and under.  My how God has done a marvelous work in our lives so far.  I don't deserve His goodness or his grace...but man, am I thankful for His everlasting love and grace that sees beyond my selfish little heart and flaws.
God you are good, and all I have belongs to you...I am not the owner, I am just your steward...help me to be the Mother, Wife, daughter, sister, friend, person you want me to be.  I am nothing without You...

Introducing Hannah Marie Chapeau

Introducing Hannah Marie Chapeau! 

Miss Hannah Marie was born August 10th, 2012at 5:26am via c-section (it was a surprise...due to her heart rate being 180 - 200 for nearly 30 minutes we were sent to the O.R.).  She weighed 5lbs 15 oz and was 18 1/2 inches long.  She has lots of black hair and is quite content being apart of our family.  She's such a blessing to our lives already.

I hope to post her birth story soon....so keep watch.

Pictures taken by: Momma :)

Welcoming My New Neice - Aspen Rae Limbo

Alesha and Brad - Brad is in Kuwait but was able to be apart of the big day via Skype.

Welcome to the world, Aspen Rae, you are richly loved!   

It was an honor to be able to be there for this little one's birth.  Alesha did great and was able to do a VBAC, which is always incredible.   Alesha's husband, Brad, was able to Skype for hours from Kuwait with Alesha and was able to be "there" via Skype for the delivery.  What a blessing! 
 
After Aspen's birth, it hit me like a load of bricks...I'm next in line!  GULP!  I need to get things organized around here!  I better start either planning my bag or packing my bags and I better get those kiddos down in their rooms so we can work on the nursery.

Aspen Rae Limbo - 7 lbs 10 oz and 22 & 1/2 inches long.

Happy Mommy and New Baby Aspen

Happy Auntie and baby Aspen

Sweet little one

Baby Aspen Rae is welcomed by twin siblings: Brother Tristan and Sister Torin

35 Weeks Along

Yesterday we had an opportunity to spend some time watching our sweet baby via ultrasound, thanks to a friend at the hospital - gotta love connections!
She kept her hands up by her face most of the time but right at the end, after I turned onto my side, we were able to catch a glimpse of her face even though she kept one hand up by her nose.

Good news: it's still a girl!  Phew!  The last few months I've had lots of dreams that I was having a boy puppy.  Funny how our dreams play with our heart strings.  She's also head down, ready for the big day.  Soon, very soon!   Praying that I'll be able to have this little one natural again like I did with Grayson and that labor and delivery go quickly and smoothly.

Progress with Our Little Helpers

Jeremiah and I have been working diligently to get kids' new rooms finished downstairs.  It seems like it takes forever when you work an hour or two here and there, but progress IS progress nevertheless. 

Jer finished putting in all the trim in both rooms last night - hip hip hooray!!   What a big job.  Thankful that Jer is a super handy-man and also thankful for the all free matching trim from my Dad.  Next step: call the carpet guy and tell him that we're ready for him to come and do his job.  During the wait though we we'll finish filling nail holes, touch-up paint, put outlets in, put in the remain lights, put shelves in the closet, and hang the pull down blind. Oh and the twins' room still needs a shelf for the half wall and trim around that, again, one thing at a time.  

Looking forward to getting these rooms finished!  I am ready to work on the nursery, but currently that has to wait until the twins are out of their current room upstairs.  Still planning to have the 3 kids downstairs in their new rooms by the first week of August, so we still have a few weeks yet.  But, with each passing week(I'll be 34 weeks along tomorrow - Monday 7/16)  we get closer to the day our new little one will arrive, plus with each passing day my energy levels decrease, so normally I'm pretty EXHAUSTED by lunch time, especially on these extremely hot days (in the 90's and low 100's).  I really have to dig deep within to find spare energy to be able to get dinner on the table, kids in bed and put an hour or 2 into working on the basement projects.  Must. finish. well.  

 Anyway, enjoy the pictures of the progress of the twins' room and the pictures of our little helpers.  

Summer Celebration

We celebrated my 30th birthday by going to the carnival (just like almost every other year for the last 20 years).  The kids had a BLAST!  The kids rode 6 rides (even Grayson!) and I am sure they would have been more than willing and happy to ride on a few more, even if they were repeats, but we had to cut them off since tickets weren't cheap (a dollar a ticket, and each ride cost 2 or 3 tickets each kid...it adds up fast).  But this Momma was more than happy to see the kids ride in my place.  

In years past I used to favor the "Zipper", "Mean Machine" and the "Til-A-Whirl".  My siblings and I would ride 'til our hearts were content or until a rain storm would come and break up the fun.  For years my Mom and Dad would get us wrist passes for an evening and boy did we get our money's worth of rides.  I think in a year or two we may just have to get passes for the kids if we want to continue this birthday/4th of July tradition.

We decided to go crazy and attend the Belle Fourche (10 minutes from Spearfish) Parade instead of the short parade in Spearfish. Belle Fourche's parade was 90 minute long (far too long). Pretty sure everyone and their neighbor from all around came out to view it, just like they do every year.  People begin lining the streets 3 hours BEFORE the parade even started!  NUTS, but oh so fun.  I wouldn't trade this small town living for anything.  I am super content and happy to stay right here.

My heart was moved a little more this year as we celebrated America, her freedom and all those that fight for her freedom.  Brad Limbo (married to my younger sister Alesha) is being deployed overseas for 10 months; his activation (he's with national guards) ceremony is today (7/6/2012) in Sioux Falls, SD.   Brad and Alesha have a set of twins, Torin (L) and Tristan (R) and their 3rd baby is due July 26th (3 weeks away).  If you think of Brad, Alesha and kids, pray for them as this is a very difficult season for them to endure.  Brad will be unable to return for baby #3's birth, but hopefully he will be able to be apart of it via Skype.  He is being sent overseas on July 26th (Alesha's due date), so if you would, stand in agreement with us that this baby will be born earlier than the 26th so Brad doesn't have to miss out on the big day (even if it's via Skype).

You're our Hero, Brad!