gabe is 5!

Gabriel turns 5 today. I am working on writing out the kids' birth stories, as I never have, and even though it's out of order, it seems like a good time to tell what I remember of his birth. My mom is working on writing about it from her perspective, too, and I can't wait!

I was SO DONE with being pregnant. It was the middle of the summer in Georgia, and I was hot, tired, and uncomfortable. I convinced my doctor that he should induce me at 39 weeks, and was so excited! Well, the day of the induction, I got a bad surprise. Our hospital only had 6 labor and delivery rooms, and they were all full. My elective induction was out the window.

I was so upset, and I cried and cried. Tyrone went to work, and I wasn't sure when we would meet our 2nd son. Well, as luck would have it, Gabriel was meant to come! My water broke the very day that I was to be induced, and the hospital was forced to make room for me.....but not before Gabe and I ate a big bowl of collard greens :) I knew it would be awhile before I ate again.

My labor with Gabe was about 8 hours, from when things started getting intense, and I received several doses of pain medication, but no epidural. Mom arrived at some point, but I honestly don't remember when. Tyrone's dad also stayed for awhile, and of course Tyrone was there! Things were pretty uneventful, aside from the pain, of course!

Gabriel Joseph Martin was born a beautiful, healthy, 7lb, 4oz, 20 inch long little boy at 8:05 am, July 1, my smallest baby. He was perfect, and maybe a tad mad :) I specifically remember watching Tyrone watch Gabe and feeling my heart melt. A daddy in love with his newest son :)

My mom went home, Gabe went to the nursery to be checked out, and I was quickly taken out of L&D because they needed the room. I later found out that there were 8 babies born that day in those 6 rooms. I started feeling badly, and actually passed out in the wheelchair to my new room. Turns out, I was hemorrhaging and almost ended up not being able to have more children. I required 2 units of blood and some extra hospital time.

Other then some jaundice, Gabe was perfect and able to leave the hospital when I was. Kaleb was 2 1/2 and taken with his new baby brother, constantly wanting to cover him up with his blanket. Sibling rivalry wouldn't rear it's ugly head for at least a year :)

Our lives have been fuller, crazier, more loving, and busier since Gabe entered them, and we wouldn't have it any other way. Happy birthday, buddy. We love you!

just another summer day...

Playing in the water.....





Loving the splashes....

Keeping cool.....

Ok, now, we are STARVING!!!

All in all, a nice afternoon!

first day of summer vacation

Yesterday, we kicked off our vacation with a mommy group at a friends house. She has acres and acres of land and you should have seen the kids running around, happy as larks, to have that much space. I'd love to show you....but I didn't get any pics while we were there :( Unfortunately, Shiloh also got into something that she was allergic to, but I don't know what. More on this in a minute...

After a nap, we went to the park, just us. We played on the playground, ran through the baseball field, played catch, and rolled down a big hill. It was alot of fun! I do have pics of this :)

We had big plans for today, too. Tyrone is playing softball at work today, and we were going to go watch and then go to the splash park. Sadly, Shiloh's reaction has gone from just the back of her neck to down her chest and tummy, so we had to cancel. We are hanging at home, doing benadryl, and keeping a close eye on things. Have you ever had a day with a 1 year old on bendadryl? It is NOT my fav thing ever!

Anyway, pics from yesterday!

end of the year awards!

Summer vacation has officially hit my house! Yesterday was the boys' last day of school, and Kaleb had an award ceremony in the morning. Gabe, Shiloh, and I went, and, sure enough! Kaleb got an award for excellence in math! That boy, math is really his thing! We are so proud of him!

Unfortunately, Gabe was restless, and Shiloh ws tired, so my pics of the ceremony are sub par at best, but I PROMISE that first one is of him getting his award! Funny side story, but Shiloh was getting VERY fussy and didn't want her crackers, sippy cup, paci, or for me to rub her back. She wanted to leave. There was a grandfatherly gentleman sitting behind us who had been talking to her earlier, and he leaned up and rubbed her hair, she calmed down IMMEDIATELY! She loved it, and I could just picture him comforting his grandbabies the same way.

Well, guess who it was? The superintendent of our entire school district, lol. It made me laugh, but at least we know he's a good guy with a heart for kids!

Way to go, son! We are so very proud of you!

breed prejudice

I am angry and sad as I write this post. As you may remember, last November, we acquired Domino as a 6 week old puppy. We have loved on this dog for months, and have just nearly pulled him successfully through the annoying puppy phase, and he is turning into a great companion. And now we have to give him away.

Three months after we got Domino, our post (and now all army posts) have passed rules against "aggressive" dog breeds, including, but not limited to, Pit Bulls, Chows, Rottweilers, etc. No exceptions. With a fourth baby on the way, our budget will simply not allow us to do anything but move on post. It was always our intention to do so come October, when our lease is up here. Had I known what was going to happen, I wouldn't have done this to us, to the kids, to poor Domino. We are desperately trying to find our dear dog a good home. Do you know how hard that is? My biggest fear is that he will be used to fight, this is such a common abuse of these poor dogs. Please pray for us, that we will be discerning and find Domino the perfect forever family.

I wish we were the forever family....

new hair cut and lots of playing

Have I mentioned that by his own insistence, Gabe got a new hair cut? Our youngest son is TOTALLY rocking a mohawk. Not everyone loves it, but we do and he REALLY does. He's a cutie any way you slice it!

I set up our pool out back today and the kids had some fun playing in there this afternoon!

And, our little cookout last weekend, complete with wiffle balls and bats & bubbles!

Us girls, sticking together, helping Shiloh out with her bubbles. We heart Tricia!

big bad kaleb

Kaleb's play at school was Thursday and he did such a good job! They did Little Red Riding Hood, and had to audition for parts. Kaleb was awarded the biggest male part-the wolf! Even his teacher made a point of pulling me aside after the play and telling me how much K impressed all of the people judging who should get what part. He REALLY shined. I have a video at the end of this post, but unfortunately it is a little hard to hear K's solo, but you may be able to if you turn your volume all the way up. Did I mention K had 3 solos?! Go, Kaleb, go!