At least somebody is getting some sleep around here...

Sam's dad came to visit this past week. It was good to see him, and the kids love having visitors! It was his birthday while he was here, so we made dinner and had some cake to celebrate.

Meet the Robinsons

My parents came to visit us a few days after Sydnee was born to help with the older kids and around the house. They did a lot of fun stuff with Shaye and Jaxson like going to the water park, fishing, shopping, and lots of playing. It was a huge help for me to have them here!

A Baby Story

Sydnee Ruth Springer was born May 22nd at 10:42 AM. She weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces, and was 21 inches long. Sam and I checked in to the hospital at 6 AM so I could be induced. It takes an hour just to get settled, fill out paper work, and start the IV. At 7:00 the doctor came in and broke my water, about 7:30 I got the epidural, and at 8 the nurse started the potosin (however you spell it.) Unfortunately, that's about the time I started getting really uncomfortable. Not because of the contractions, but I seem to be allergic to epidurals! The same thing happened when I had Jaxson - after I got the epidural I had terrible itching all down my legs and on my stomache and everywhere. Its torture!! Thank goodness this time it settled down after about an hour and I could at least bare it.

We had a few worries because Sydnee's heart rate would drop really low each time I had a contraction, so I had to wear an oxygen mask to help her, but the nurse just kept an eye on it and it was okay. So at 10:42 she came to us healthy and screaming! :)

I stayed my two nights in the hospital and enjoyed the quiet and rest that I couldn't have gotten at home. Every since the kids first met her, they have been very excited and want to hold her constantly, especially Shaye. So Sam and I are trying to find a balance in letting them help, and giving Sydnee some peace.

I am feeling pretty good. I just have to relearn a few things: how to function without sleep, how to do everything (like type this) with one hand, and how to prepare for a day without a shower!
Thank you to all our family and friends who have sent us your well wishes. Here are a few of my favorite pictures, but I have attached all of them from the first 3 days in the slideshow. And of course, there will be many more coming.

Introducing Sydnee Ruth Springer

The End of Kindergarten

Tuesday night was Shaye's kindergarten graduation. It was really cute. The kids sang several songs, and got to walk across the stage and accept their diplomas from their teacher.

This is Shaye with a good friend of hers, Mary Kate. Aren't they cute? I can't believe Shaye is going into first grade.

The official last day of school is on Thursday, but Wednesday was Shaye's class party. They did a small performance, and the teacher had "candy bar" awards for each kid.

9th Month Woes, and Mother's Day...

I know I have posted quite a few things in the last two weeks, but this will probably be it until Sydnee is born, which will be next Thursday, May 22nd. I am so grateful not to have to go much longer. Pregnancy never seems to hold me back from doing most of the things I do every day, but it has slowed me down the last few weeks. Its hard to clean up all the kids toys because bending over so many times is uncomfortable. And its hard to do things like make the beds because I have to lean all the way over to tuck in the sheets against the wall. And of course cleaning the bathrooms has been off limits because the cleaners are so strong it tears the paint off the walls! So its frustrating to me to be held back. Of course sleeping is almost non-existent. I can't get comfortable, and as soon as I do, the restless leg problem drives me crazy!! BUT... I suppose I can make it another week and a half! :)

And if all it takes is 9 months of uncomfortableness to have these sweat little babies, I guess I will manage. Here are some pictures of Mother's Day! Shaye made me a flower in a decorative pot at school, and then another craft at church. Jaxson made a fun candy arrangement at church also. Sam made a dinner of grilled salmon and lots of vegetables, which was awesome! (He has proved he can be quite the cook when he wants to the last few weeks.) We had a great day together. The kids were sweat, and Shaye tried to be especially helpful.

Father and Son

This past Friday was the father/son campout for our ward. Sam took Jaxson and he had a blast! Here he is fishing. I guess they didn't actually catch any, but the dad and son in the background you can see (only a few feet away) caught 5 or 6 - go figure! :)
The campout was for kids of all ages, so a lot of the boys were older, but these are some of our friends that Jaxson played with the whole time.

Sam tried to convince Jaxson to come back home to sleep after all the activities were over, but he was not havin' it! He wanted to stay there in the tent. Jaxson had a great time, and is already talking about when he gets to go again.

Spring Soccer

Soccer is over now for this Season. Shaye did a lot better this year, so really enjoyed it! She loved having Sam as a coach, and she had several friends on her team this year. These pictures are from the end of season cookout party we had. It was fun, and a good way to celebrate for the kids!

Concentration...

Jaxson has been playing the computer games he got for Christmas more recently. This week he was really concentrating and trying to do it all by himself. I love the second picture how he puts his hand on his head and watches the screen. When its time for him to click on something he sticks his tongue out while he moves the mouse. I was trying to get a picture of that in the first one, but he caught me!