No touch her Binky

 

She means it too, unless of course, you're shoving it in her mouth. Don't touch the binky folks!

Finsihing my stepping stone project

 

 

4 down and 3 more to go. It takes atleast 3 days to complete one stone and I have been busy lately, so I'm excited to see this project complete. I think this summer in my summer to end this hippy-type project. Alas my front garden will be Lashified!

Momma Ava's first Clara feeding

 

 

 

 

After a good dance, Ava got to feed her baby sister for the first time. She had the attention span of an ant but was so excited to be big sister Ava. She did a good job.

What my New Dress looks like doing chores

 

 

 

 

It was amazing, I found this new dress and I discoevred that it inspires me to clean like a crazy lady. Today in my new dress I cleaned the kitchen, fixed a drain pipe, worked on Joe's car, and weeded my front herb garden, and it's only 11 o'clock. I can't wait to see what else this dress and I can accomplish today!

hey Aunty

 

Aunty Nara, this is Clara. I heard what you asked Grandpa Dennis over the phone when I was like um 2 hours old. No, I'm not ugly! As a matter of fact, I'm darn right precious. Of course what do you know about that? Grandpa Dennis said it was a down right miracle that they had more children after they had you, freakin crier, I think is the exact words he used. Stick that in your yapper! I've gotta go and continue being pretty. Over and Out!

More Clara photos

 

 

 

Check out her baby blanket. I had a co worker recommend this lady who custom makes baby crib sets. I picked out the fabric and she does the rest. Now Clara will have her own blankey like the rest of her siblings!

Clara 4 weeks old

 

 

 

 

Isn't she cute. Or as Ava would say, "Ahhh, Clara you're so cute, cute, cute!" Clara is just busy being a baby. She eats, sleeps, poops, and cries. In a nut shell, she likes to cuddle, cling, and be warm. A typical baby, not much to share.
Oh, yeah here's a fun mom story. Joe went to Barbados on mock business/ 1 day vaca, and I was home for 4 days ALONE, all alone. Well clara, who had been sleeping for 4 hours during the nights decides to get up every 2 hours to eat, burp and cry all 4 days Joe was gone. FUN! Well, when he got back, guess who decided to return to her 4 hour sleep habit, yeah that's right, CLARA. Way to go Clara, or should I say, way to go Joe!

Awana Awards

 

 

 

 

We had another great year in Awana. It was tougher on me than the chillun, due to me waddling around a huge church chasing 5th & 6th graders around. I had the best volunteers cover for me 3/4th of the year however.
Gabe and Ava had a great year and walked away all the richer with God's word hidden in their hearts.

easter picture fiasco

 

 

 

 

What the heck. The spirit of Dennis the picture ruiner has invaded my offspring. We attemped to take our own famly photos for Easter, becasue I'm too friggen cheap to pay for quality and these are the least painful results. Why do I torment myself, right?

The smitten older brother

Gabe is smitten and often claims that Clara is his favorite sister . We let him think that for now. What a blessing to have such a loving brother.

a big sister at last

Baby Clara Ann "broccoli" Stewart

Baby Clara was born May 18th, induced early due to mom's misery. Thank you Dr. Drikell
Baby is named after Great Grandpa Clarence and my sister Adriel Ann. It was also the name Joe and I didn't debate and argue over. Joe and I loved Grandpa so much. When we were first married we'd go over and visit Great grandma and Great grandpa and he would tell us funny stories about the good ol days.
He made us laugh and think about life past 20 years of age. We still reminisce about him and our happy pobre time in Grand Forks. Our favorite part about visiting with him was when he'd shout at grandma from his swivel chair, " Momma, give me some coffee!" and she'd yell back, " In a minute, I'm making your sandwich,". But in less than 2 minutes, there was his coffee on a hot afternoon day. Joe tried that on me once and I'm pretty sure he got a shoe thrown at him.
Ann comes from Adriel Ann, reaon being, I still like her after all these years, so I thought I'd name something after her.
The name Clara means BRIGHT and Ann means Favored or Grace. Clara is and will be Brightly Favored!
Birthing Story:
Joe and I went into the hospital at 7a.m. to be induced. I stole some toast on the way out the door because I knew I'd be starving and couldn't eat. I was hooked up to the "speed it up" meds and off the contractinons went. I was fine a happy for 2.5 hours. The contractions went every minute on top of each other all the way down to every 7 minutes. For jeeze sakes is all I could think. I have plans, come on baby! Watch what you swish for, right?
The Dr. came pre warned that I deliver fast starting at 5 months of pregnancy, so with this in mind she broke my water at 10:57. The contractions started immediately and I went from peace loving happiness to PAIN, in less than a minute.
I told Joe that if the pain lasts any longer than an hour or more I couldn't take it and he needed to help me make a decision for drugs or no drugs. Every time I contimplate them, I end up with a baby on my lap, 30 minutes later, so the plans for a spine shot nerv fully develope. The nurse was also the best EVER. She said, give it 15 minutes and I'll check to see how far along you are and you can make a decision from there. I agreed.
The pain worsened and I was feeling the need to push with in 15 minutes. She checked me again and said I was at 5 cm, then 6cm., then 7cm...Every 2 contractions, if not less, I was dilating 1 full centimeter. The nurse and Dr. were ready though, unlike my other deliveries, which seemed to surprise everyone but Joe and I. We always warn them; I deliver fast, but no one wants to believe me, until they're catching baby in a baseball glove.
I went from 3.5 cm at 10:57 to delivery in less than an hour. She was brorn at 11:39. It was super fast and Clara even got a bruise on her forehead to prove it!

Ava's B day