Sarah

Yes...I KNOW, I am severely behind on updating! I am so sorry...but I guess that is what happens when you have FOUR kids! YIKES ;)

Anyways...lets back up to the day little Sarah Ella Tomlinson was born. 

The C-Section went perfectly...only taking about 20 minutes tops, then our beautiful little girl was born. The doctor (jokingly) said "oops, she's posterior cuz her bottoms coming first! Oh wait...nope, she just has no hair!" LOL My doctors are quite the jokesters, ha ha. But really, Sarah did not in fact have any hair..poor girl. Oh well...she'll get it eventually ;). Sarah was born at 7:13 AM and weighed in at 7 lbs 12 oz and was 19 inches long. She was absolutely PERFECT! She had such a sweet little cry and she just did everything that a normal, perfectly healthy little baby would do.  She even got to go to REGULAR nursery! YAY! FINALLY a baby that wouldn't need a little extra help to be accustomed to this world. Everything went really great in the hospital. Sarah was such a little Angel...RARELY crying. I even had nurses make comments about how they were just waiting for her to get upset, but she just was so content and peaceful there really was no need. During my stay I was able to have one of my dear friends from High School be my nurse for three days of my visit there, which was so wonderful. We had many visitors during the stay and it was just so pleasant...oh, and the food was A...MAZING!

When we brought little Sarah home things were just so great.  I was quite sore still (from the C-Section), but I had LOTS of help...so that was really nice! Families in our ward brought in meals and my family really helped with the older kiddos.  I must say, it has been nice being able to give the time it requires for a baby and having older kids that can understand and basically help out or take care of themselves.

At the four week mark, I no longer had to take pain medication and things were really looking up. My energy was returning...slowly, but surely and Sarah was getting better and better with her sleeping at night, adding more time as the weeks passed. Now we are actually up to 6 to 8 hours of sleep at night..awesome! I must say that Sarah has been a true blessing in our home and has brought such a sweet spirit  and presence. I look forward to all her smiles, which happen basically all day long.

The next few posts will basically be photos of Sarah....

Time is up!

Today is the BIG delivery day! It is 2:30 AM in the morning right now...and SHOCKER, I am wide awake! In a couple of hours I will be headed to the Hospital to prepare for my C-Section, which is scheduled at 6:30 AM. I have so many emotions..its crazy! I'm EXCITED (like Christmas), scared to death, anxious, etc....all the expected emotions I guess. I literally can't wait to just be in my recovery room and holding our new little addition already!

The past few days have been so up and down for me. I have been EXHAUSTED beyond belief, taking several naps a day and STILL sleeping at night. I guess that is what happens when your making a baby, huh? I have been off and on excited and nervous...depending on the day. Some days I could totally wait longer for the baby come and others I just wanted it over and done with NOW! Its sort of cruel what these darn hormones do to ya! Ha ha. Acid Reflux has been in full force the past week...so, I know I'm being silly, but I am HOPING that means she has beautiful hair! Silly Me :)

As for the kiddos...ANXIOUS I don't think even describes their feelings. They are so darn excited, I love it! Rachel has had a bit of a hard time sleeping the past week. Coming into my room often in the middle of the night just to ask if it was time for baby to come yet. I LOVE how much she is in love with her baby sister already. We have pictures posted on our refrigerator of her and her baby sister (that she drew and colored) and just yesterday she wrote a letter to baby Sarah...can you say awwww :) Brock and Kory have been telling EVERYONE that the baby is on its way! I guess I can just say I am super excited and looking forward to the three BIG helpers I'm gonna have! Me and Clint decided that with all the anticipation and excitement that the kids have been experiencing that it would almost be cruel to make them go to school today. We feel as if they are all ready and old enough to be able to participate a little in the whole hospital/delivery/baby's arrival event today. Since I will be having a C Section, they will wait in the hallway with all the other family members and will be there when the new baby is brought out. I am definitely making someone record their reaction...I definitely don't want to miss it!

I can't believe how literally time just FLEW by for this pregnancy. I must say it was my very FAVORITE pregnancy...even with being the SICKEST with this one. Clint has been a HUGE support to me, which helps...and the kids have been AMAZING! I have been able to enjoy many special moments of this pregnancy because the family has been so understanding and helpful. I really do appreciate all their love and concern towards me. I have enjoyed watching the maturity grow in my kids with preparing for this new baby. It is unbelievable how much they have grown up in the last nine months...proving to me, they are ultimately ready to take on this new adventure with me. I am just so in LOVE with them...that's all :)

Well...I guess I should go and try to get a few more minutes/hours of sleep in before all this excitement goes down. I am so grateful for this wonderful opportunity I have to be able to care for one more of our Heavenly Father's children. I can't wait to breathe in this experience and enjoy each and every day and moment.

Easter / St Patricks Day

Since we are getting so close to the arrival of our new little addition (4 weeks to go) and knowing that our Easter Egg Hunt in Mesquite tradition just could NOT be broken, we packed up and went to Mesquite last weekend to keep up with tradition (even if it was early). Most of Clint's family was able to be there which made for an extra special, fun weekend. Friday was the best day...hitting a whopping 80 degrees in temperature! Ahhh, heavenly! We spent the day visiting, soaking up the sun rays and Clint took the kids on a few rides in the Ranger. Saturday was a bit chilly off and on...with cooler temps and some heavy wind. However, we made the effort of still putting out eggs and having the kids go hunt for them. It really was such a great time. Since Saturday was also St Patricks Day, we ended the day with a totally GREEN dinner. I think that will be a day the kids will definitely remember. Yesterday (Sunday) was a bit nicer, but not like Friday. We enjoyed the day by mostly resting and visiting...you know, all the NORMAL Sunday stuff. We sure do enjoy Clint's grandparents company, they are such wonderful people! I can't wait until we visit again!

Things at home have been so wonderful. I am enjoying my time being able to prepare for the baby! I am in FULL FORCE cleaning mode and LOVING it! I know...did I just say that? We still have things to do in order to be fully ready, like putting the baby's room together...luckily we still have 4 weeks. I have been feeling good and bad...depending on the day. My good days usually involve LOTS of cleaning and organizing...which I am sure what lead to the bad days that follow, because of possibly over doing it..hmmm. I feel HUGE and so ready to be done with all of this! My anticipation and excitement may just kill me! Everyone (friends & family) have been so wonderful, with helping us out with items for the baby, which really helps! I forgot how expensive ONE baby can be and how it all really does add up!

The kids are all doing really great. I can't believe how much they have grown lately, and just not physically. They are such great helpers and such great kids! I am very proud! Brock is now officially registered for Jr High...yikes! I'm really not sure still what I think about this! I feel I have been so protective over Brock because of all the trials we have been through in his life, but I am sure this will just be another stepping stone to help him grow even more, I just PRAY he will fit in and find himself a good friend to be there by his side. Kory is such a sweetheart...giving me so many hugs, feeling when the baby has hiccups or moves...he truly enjoys it and being such a little gentleman. He is always in tuned with my needs and opens all doors for me, which I think is so sweet. I think Rachel has grown the most...she is so excited to become a big sister and I can truly see her efforts in growing her maturity. She has become so dedicated in keeping her room clean (which is HUGE for her) and always makes the comment that it is because she will be a big sister. There is just something about a little girl that brightens up a home. She is always saying the cutest little things, dancing around and singing her little heart out. Something only a girl would do...I love that about her!

Me and Clint are doing good as well. I don't think I could love anyone more! I am so lucky to have such a great guy that is always willing to help me whenever needed. Him and his buddies have really been getting into driving R/C cars lately...and even though I tell him they are "NERDS", I am really happy that this gives his something to do and also something he can do with the kids. I know they truly treasure it.

That's all I have for now.... I will try to update again before baby comes, but I do know that life will be busy, with Easter and all :)

32 Weeks

Wow...time is FLYING! This past week has been SO wonderful! My dear friend, Riley threw me a baby shower last Saturday and it was absolutely AMAZING! Since we THOUGHT we were done having kids..we had gotten rid of pretty much everything! I can't believe what cute things there are out there now! So many new accessories and designs since 7 years ago! Yesterday I took the time to hang up all the adorable outfits that all our friends and family so generously gave to us. Sure makes the excitement that much stronger! I am so in love with all the bows, it just may make me CRAZY! ;)

Not only was my shower great for receiving wonderful gifts, but I also had the chance to visit with so many of my very dear friends. Since I am such a social person...that is something I truly treasure and look forward to! I am truly blessed with all the wonderful people around me!

Only 6 1/2 more weeks to fully prepare for this new chapter in our lives. I feel like I'm on the right path of becoming prepared and I'm just trying to keep myself busy to help pass the time. I can't wait to hold my sweet little spirit in my arms! The last few days I have started into a little bit of heartburn. I have heard that lots of hair on a baby can cause this...so I am hoping this is the very reason for all the madness!

I am truly grateful for so many things right now! My kids have all been so amazing with helping me out when needed and I really could not have asked for a more understanding and helpful husband than Clint! I love where we live and our neighbors are truly amazing. I am grateful for my family and for the love and concern they share. I am so grateful to my Heavenly Father for this time of my life I am at. What more could I ask for?

30 Weeks Pregnant

I can't believe there is only 10 more weeks til I'm due!! WOW! Things have changed A LOT! I am feeling much better...sick wise. Now for the uncomfort, oh joys. My tummy has REALLY grown, causing my sleep at night somewhat non existent. However...since baby is getting bigger, her movements are MUCH more noticeable and oh so special. It is so cool when she shifts and my entire belly moves around with her. I am loving her little hiccups as well, since she does get them quite often. Last night she had them twice and so she sure moves when she gets them...so, needless to say, she did keep me awake most of the night. Just preparing me, right?

We have now fully moved the sign business home, which has been FABULOUS! No regrets there! I am still doing a few smaller jobs...but for the most part it has given me opportunity to rest when needed...and believe me, it has been NEEDED!

Today is Valentines Day. It has been such a special day, starting out with Cinnamon Rolls and Strawberry Milk. Then of course the little "love" packages we gave to the kids. Then Clint surprised me on his lunch break with some BEAUTIFUL flowers and chocolate, my FAVORITE! Before Clint came home from work, me and the kids all chipped in and cleaned the house extra good as part of our gift to him. I truly do love Valentines Day and all the thoughts and feelings it brings into our home. Not that we really need to be reminded to love one another...it just is so fun to celebrate how lucky we really are to have each other. Couldn't have asked for a better day!

Anyways...that is my update for now! Hugs & Kisses to all!

"Ella"

Remember this post: Her.Name ?? Well, I just learned of a new special addition to this story that I thought I would share. Last weekend we went to Arizona for a small trip as a family. On our way home, we made a stop at Clint's grandparents home to visit. Well, Clint's grandma told me that there was even more significance to the name "Ella". Not only is this the name of the special person Rachel has befriended practically her entire life and the name of Her Great, great, great Grandma, but...come to find out that this special grandma of her's died on February 4th (don't know the year). Well.....the significance is this...Rachel was BORN on Febuary 4th. So..amazingly interesting and special, right??

I think Rachel's little friend has been her Guardian Angel all along...

25 Weeks

Woohoo...FINALLY made it to 25 weeks! I feel as if time is just FLYING by! I guess one of the fantastic things about being pregnant during all the MAJOR holidays :) Things are going well...I'm actually feeling MUCH better! Now I am to the point of being short for breath only because the room in my stomach is becoming crowded. I am getting quite the tummy I might say...and I feel as if the cheeks (not only the ones on my backside) on my face are puffing out. Even though Clint says they are not...ha ha.
This weeks was a bit rough...I ended up with a mild tooth ache last friday, in which advanced into pretty intense pain by Monday. I went to the Dentist only to find that I had chipped part of my tooth off and in turn had grown a cavity under one of my fillings....in turn needing a root canal to fix the problem. My first root canal! Since being pregnant...I couldn't partake of all the lovely strong drugs, only the milder ones..in turn I did feel half of the surgery for the wonderful 1 hour and 2o minutes. I survived however and am recovering well. I still can't chew on that side because my tooth is pretty tender to touch, but no throbbing pain whatsoever, thank heavens!
We have also began moving things out of my Office and bringing things home. I was a bit sad last weekend, I must admit...but being home this week has changed my thoughts immensely. I am amazed with how much I can get done that I wasn't able to before. I am also able to get in some MUCH NEEDED rest times during the day which have been so great with the lack of sleep I get at night.
I feel as if life is moving in all the right directions for now...and me and Clint are getting really excited for this new little baby that will be coming into our lives. I am doing everything I can in order to have things prepared for this little one. We have been organizing and cleaning A LOT lately. The next step will be getting the babies room ready...which I'm sure I should be starting on SOON.
I will update again...but for now that is all I have :)