A big day!!

Toben James Griffin was born today! As it happened, he has a most interesting birthday -- he was born at 12:09pm on 09-09-09! There is absolutely no way we could have planned that...!

The hospital I delivered at is extremely busy on the maternity floor right now, so I ended up laboring in a small triage room until it was time to deliver, when they wheeled me to the operating room. It was such a different experience compared to when I had Caleb and Logan!

Toben is my smallest baby -- he weighed in at 6lbs, 10oz and measured 19 inches long. He has the most distinct SMALL features, and to Ryan and I he seems to look more like Caleb than Logan. Of course, it's only been a little over 10 hours since he's been born, but he is so peaceful. (We'll see how things go after we get home on Friday!)

Caleb was so excited to meet his new baby brother. He instantly wanted to hold him, but announced after barely 30 seconds that he was all done. He's definitely the proud biggest brother, though! Logan did well with Toben, although I am not sure he's fully aware what this all means.

More pictures will be forthcoming, of course. These are just a few I copied off the camera, so they are completely unedited. I just know I'd have a few aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends out there who would be on pins and needles to 1) Know his name and 2) See his little face!

Before I sign off for the night (I'm a tad tired -- been up since about 3am and it's been a busy day) I thought I'd give a tiny bit of insight on his name. Toben is actually a form of the name Tobias, which is found in the Bible and means "God is GOOD." That has been a theme of sorts for Ryan and I this year, between finding out we were unexpectedly expecting again and also dealing with a tighter financial status. God is always good -- He provides, He cares, and He leads, even when it seems stressful and so hard to cope.

Also, we've given all three boys middle names that have ties to family. Caleb's middle name is Ryan, after his daddy, and Logan's middle name is Marshall, which is my maiden name. Toben's middle name, James, is after Ryan's paternal grandfather who passed away several years ago. I never had the chance to meet him, but Ryan has always talked so highly of his grandfather and has mentioned numerous times that I would have loved him. So, that is how Toben James came to be! We kept the name a secret until he was born because it was kind-of our last surprise to give, but also because we did end up with a 'different' name. I hope this gives a bit of insight on how we decided upon a name that we came to love! Now, we have a little person with that name to love!

OH! I was not able to take Caleb to his first day of preschool today. However, his Na (Ryan's mom) took him and he did great!! :) She took pictures, so I'll try to get some of those put on here in the near future as well.

Almost time...

-- Bathrooms clean? Check.

-- Floors vacuumed? Check.

-- Rooms dusted? Almost.

-- Hard floors mopped? Not yet.

-- Laundry finished? Check. (for this week, at least)

-- g3's room ready? Diapers and wipes out? Check. (Minus the crib - the mattress level needs to be raised still, and the mattress made up. But he won't need any of that for a while to start!)

-- Pack-n-play set up? Not yet, but that takes all of 3 minutes, tops.

-- Meals frozen in big freezer? Check. Two of them.

-- "Big brother" gifts for Caleb and Logan? In progress.

I think it's safe to say that the whole nesting thing has set in, and I don't think I've felt it this strongly before now. We just need to make it past next Wednesday, which is Caleb's first day of preschool. After that . . . Game On!!

The first of September...

Hello, September!

It's nice to see you. Our little family has been waiting for your arrival for various reasons. Your appearance means that Caleb will be starting preschool for the first time on the 9th and that we'll get to meet another special little man, but we don't know exactly when he's coming yet. However, he must be getting ready to meet us because we got to take a sneak peek at him today through an ultrasound, and he's in prime position to make his way into this world and into our lives. He just might be a big guy, too, so I am hopeful that he comes sooner rather than later! How does that sound, September? Maybe by the 15th?

So, September ... your first day saw us enjoying your pleasant weather (Highs in the upper 80's! What is that!??!) at a couple of different parks in town. Logan went with Gram to a cool park that has a train theme, while Caleb and I had a date at a different park with HUGE slides. Of course, I had to take my camera. Caleb asked me to take pictures of myself, and I actually obliged! I had my 50mm lens on the camera, so I'm sure I was quite the sight with my arm outstretched beyond normal limits just to get an uber-closeup shot of my face!

Ryan worked from home this morning so that he could go to a dentist appointment close to lunchtime, and then he met up with all of us at Whataburger for lunch. Then it was back to the house for naptime (photo editing time for me!) before Gram returned and Ryan and I went to my doctor's appointment. Like I said, our newest little one, g3, could make his entrance soon. I won't bore y'all with details, but things are starting to perk! We'll probably start doing a ton of walking right after Labor Day to bring on a labor day of a different kind. (So, for those of you antsy to know a name, you probably won't have too much longer to wait!)

September, I like how you've started out this year. Let's hang on to this cooler weather and fun days of bonding with the boys, and you just might be my favorite month this year. Oooh, that's a challenge...!

Might not want to mess with me...

...I'm (temperature) hot all the time, a bit on the sassy side, I've got a camera nearby, and I'm about a month away from meeting the boy making that big bump on my middle.

Life...

It's been a bit busy around these parts, so I apologize for the ol' bloggy being pretty "quiet" for a while now! Remember that to-do list I posted a while back? We've been working on it fast and hard lately. I'll post some pictures soon of Caleb's 'new' room complete with his new bed (he slept in it for the first time last night!), as well as some more recent belly shots. Lately, I've been getting a mixed bag of comments - it's either "Wow! There's no way you're 8.5 months pregnant! You're so small!" or "You're about to pop, aren't you?" Caleb still thinks the baby is either going to bust out my belly button or I'm going to somehow 'burp' up the baby out of my mouth. I think we'll leave the "delivery discussion" for another day...

On another, yet related note, only about 5 more weeks (or less!?!!) until we're a family of 5...

Yikes.

And whew.

31 weeks...

Already finished:

• Choosing a name! (Sorry, we're not sharing until g3 arrives! It's sort-of our last surprise, in a sense.)
• Caleb's 'new' bathroom
• Hospital pre-registration
• Weeding out baby clothes

In progress:

• Painting and assembling Caleb's 'new' room. We're moving him into our back bedroom, and his current room will become g3's room. As I type, Ryan is finishing the last coat of paint! I'll post pics when it's all done.

Yet to do:

• Stain Caleb's new bedframe and move him into his 'new' room
• Wash newborn clothes (I forget how tiny they are!), sheets, blankets, burp rags, etc.
• Finish a quilt, burp rags, embroidering onesies and shirts
• Turn Caleb's current room into g3's room -- turn the bed back into a crib, set up the changing table, stock with diapers and wipes...I'm sure there's more!
• Buy a new crib mattress
• Get swing and bouncy seat out of attic; wash covers to swing, bouncy seat, and car seat
• Start a packing list: One for the boys' stuff that needs to go with them to Na & Papaw's for a couple of days when the baby arrives, one of stuff for me and baby to take to the hospital. I packed for the hospital the morning I went into labor with Logan -- in between contractions! That was a very interesting morning!

Life is certainly unfolding around us all the time!

A view from above...

This is how I see my feet and legs while standing these days. :)

**Updated to add:  Today, while getting ready for naptime, Caleb and I were having a discussion about how he was getting bigger all the time.  We talked about how he was getting taller, and how Logan was too.  We then talked about the new baby, and how Caleb will soon have two baby brothers - but that Logan would be the "bigger baby brother".

Then came the quote that had me biting my lip so hard I'm surprised it's not bleeding.

"And Mom, you're getting really big.  You're getting to be as big as a...  as a... as a HOUSE!"

Couldn't make this up if I tried.

Two-thirds of the way there...

To all who read this (all six of you): What follows are many thoughts in this mom's head, stored up for far too long and now written out so that they might not be forgotten.  Fair warning - some thoughts might seem more random than others, but such is the state of affairs in the ol' hormonal brain these days!  Read on at your own risk...

Baby boy,

You are a most unexpected surprise.  I admit that I am still having trouble grasping the fact that you're on the way - even though it's quite evident that you are, indeed, on your way.  Your dad and I are in the midst of trying to figure out how to do your room arrangement, along with your brothers', and I think we've got a good idea of where you'll be spending many of your sleeping hours once you move out of our room (and first, out of me...).  We haven't purchased anything for you just yet - unless you consider the mini-van as a purchase for you!  It became a bit of a necessity after we realized our cars would not be near big enough to accommodate three car seats.  Let's just say that you will be riding in spacious style from day one.  Your oldest brother Caleb is getting very excited about your arrival - most likely because it means he will be moving to a "new" room.  Logan, bless his heart, doesn't have a clue how his little life will be changing in three months.  His only connection with you at the moment is to continually push my "be-bo" (belly button) as it is already sticking out quite obviously these days!

When I think of your presence in this family, I am filled with a mix of emotions.  I'm excited to see who you are - what and who you look like, what your personality will be, how you'll interact with your big brothers, if you'll be a good sleeper and eater, if you'll be a happy little guy, what your name will be, and so much more.  I'm nervous - I wonder how in the world I will be able to devote individual time and love to all three of you boys, how we'll ever get anything done, if we'll ever make it to church (or anywhere else) on time once you're here ... especially since I feel like so many things get done at a "surface level" as it is now.  To say I was in shock after learning we were expecting you is quite the understatement - I'm still not sure if it's completely worn off.  However, the shock is gradually being replaced with anticipation, and all the excitement and nerves that are associated with expecting something big.  (But baby boy, please don't take that "big" statement literally...)

Some things that are different while expecting you compared to when I was expecting your brothers:  

• I have a MAJOR sweet tooth that has gotten worse with each pregnancy!  Chocolate, cake, cookies, Dr. Pepper, cheesecake, dirt cake, any and all things cake, ice cream to a lesser degree - I can't seem to stay away from these things.  This might prove to be quite unfortunate, as I will go for my official glucose test in two weeks to see if I have gestational diabetes again (I had it with Caleb).  It's already proven to be quite unfortunate to my behind...I just try not to look back there too much right now.  In that respect, maybe it will be a good thing if I have diabetes with you - you will force me to stay away from the sweets a bit more!  Will you have a sweet tooth?
• My legs are taking a beating this time.  I started getting a few spider veins in my left ankle about two weeks before Caleb was born, and then some popped up behind my left knee while I was pregnant with Logan.  This time, baby boy, they are all up and down that left leg.  And oh, do they hurt some days!  I am wearing compression hose on the 'bad days' and they do bring a bit of relief - but it's definitely a trade-off.  The throbbing is decreased, but the heat factor is increased.  They make me sweat!  And itch!  Hopefully once you're here the spider and varicose veins will go away - or at least get much better.
• I'm certainly more tired.  I think keeping up with your energetic brothers might have something to do with that, but I feel like I'm always operating at about a 60% energy level.  Naptime is a very important time of day - please take note of that! :)
• I got "big" really quick with you.  Let's just say that I can no longer see my toes when I stand up straight.

Baby boy, some day you might be interested to know some things that I am praying for you.  Many of these things are also what I prayed (and continue to pray) for your brothers.  We worship and follow after an awesome God, and He is certainly faithful to us even when we fall short.  He has chosen for your dad and I to be your parents, and while I might question how He thinks we're ready for you...obviously He does.  So, here's some of the items your dad and I bring before Him daily:

• That you will be a peaceful child.
• That you will grow to be a strong, gentle, wise, caring man.
• That you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior at a very young age, and never waver in your decision for the rest of your life.
• That your dad and I will have His wisdom in raising and loving you - loving you for who YOU are, in your own unique ways.
• That your future wife will be raised in a loving Christian home, and that she will also decide to follow Christ at a young age and never waver in her decision as well.  (That might seem odd that I am praying that before you are ever born... In fact, your dad and I started praying for our childrens' future spouses before we even decided to have kids!)
• That you will have a certain drive in order to do as well as you can at all you set out to do - school, sports, music, anything it might be.  That you will not give up easily.
• That your peers will think highly of you, and be drawn to you - that you will leave good impressions on them, pointing them to Christ, and being a good friend.
• That you will have an amazing relationship not only with your dad and myself, but certainly with your brothers.
• That you will have one awesome childhood - and life, for that matter.

I hope you've enjoyed taking a peek at some of my thoughts while I've been expecting you.  I have a feeling that one day both you and I will have to chuckle a bit over this little collection of words.

You are loved, son.  Now be nice to your momma. :)  I'll see you in a few months.

Too much preciousness...is that even a word?

These have got to be some of the most precious newborn clothes and outfits ever.  I love the simplicity and the hand-made touch to all of them.  (Plus the photography is so sweet...)  I just wish I knew where the actual shirts and pants came from, because 'g3' could possibly have a similar little outfit of his own to wear home!

These are all made by a sweet little company called Tiny Sprouts.  I just had to share in some of this cuteness... Enjoy.

Splish, splash...

It's amazing what this dynamic duo can get into within just a few moments. This is what I came across yesterday morning - and I was hit with the decision: do I scold them and get them out of the bathroom, or do I grab my camera and at least supervise the cooperative play time?

By now, you know what I decided.

I love Logan's expression in the picture on the left. This was the first picture I took of them - I think I caught him just a little bit off-guard!

Would you believe that the little one was the first one to put bubbles on his head? Big brother got the idea from him, and actually let LoLo put a majority of the bubbles on top of his head. (oh yeah, great fun!) It was a soapy, watery mess in that bathroom! So much fun, though, to watch them play together. They've been doing more and more of this - the playing together part - and it makes my heart so happy! (FYI - I eventually closed the bathroom door and had the both of them help me clean up the mess. Or should I say clean up the clean?)

They're a hoot to watch in the bathtub, as well. It won't be long until we're all singing "Rub a dub dub, THREE men in a tub" in this house!

For your viewing pleasure, here's that third one we've talked about this week! Kind-of looks like he's blowing kisses, huh?

In the round...

My guys gave me a new camera lens for my birthday, and I am totally loving it.  Last week, during naptime (of course...that's when I "play") I tinkered around taking belly pictures of myself.

It's just for fun, but I may have to somehow hide these pictures in about 3.5 months - when I'm REALLY big.  Maybe I'll just take some more belly pictures at that time just to remember what that particular point in time was like.  This is the last pregnancy, and I'm feeling the need to chronicle a few parts of it more than I had with either Caleb or Logan.

For now though, I'll hit 'publish', grab a Dr. Pepper and Tylenol at 8:15 in the morning, and hope the boys are OK with their mama sitting on the couch (or maybe outside under dark sunglasses) nursing a migraine.  The "halo effect" is starting...

(by the way - I look a TON bigger in that second photo than I am in real life...weird)

A pattern...

One... February 13, 2006

Two... November 28, 2007

Three... sometime around September 26, 2009

The title to this blog will not need to go through a 're-branding process'!  We found out today that our third BOY is doing very well - kicking, waving, and growing perfectly!

Prayers will be appreciated starting now on my behalf... this is one testosterone-charged household!  We wouldn't want it any other way, though.  Fun and crazy - now, times three!

Movement...

"Edamame" is on the move.

flutter kick, flutter kick, flutter kick... 

It's unmistakable this third time around!