february 11th...

Actually, let's back up and start the evening of February 10th. It was a little surreal dropping the kids of at the Patella's, knowing that the ball was rolling and wouldn't stop until we were at the hospital...baby in arms. Tad, Mimi, and I drove down to Magazine street to try and find a "coming home" outfit for the baby...no luck. We ate dinner at Cafe Rani (not the best meal I've had there), and then went to Sucre for dessert. While indulging in hot dark chocolate, coffee, mousse, and german chocolate cake, I started to panic a little. Tomorrow held a very big weight. Our lives would be changed FOREVER in just one day...how many dates on the calendar actually hold that honor. In my head were the swirling thoughts of needles, operating rooms, anticipation of meeting my child, and OH YEA...we need a name!!! We tossed around ideas, looked through a book, and listened to the suggestions of the lady eavesdropping from the next table. It was time to go to bed, and we weren't any closer...sigh.



We arrived at the hospital at 10:30am. The C-Section was scheduled for 12:30pm. Our old neighbor, Joyce, came to be our photographer...she was already there and began taking shots from the moment we walked up the ramp. We signed consents, I got my hospital bracelet, and we made the trek to the elevator...here we go! I know two of the nurses that work labor and delivery, and of course neither of them were scheduled today. I was told to ask for Elaine...she took good care of us. I donned the hospital robe and cuddled into a skinny little bed. Monitors were hooked up and IV's were put in place. The baby's heart rate ranged from 134 to 176...it shot up everytime they wiggled in my belly.

The Patella's arrived with our entourage...it was good to see my boys (TEAM PATELLA!). Other family and friends trickled in to wish me good luck and then went to the waiting room as well.

Tad and I had a few minutes here and there to ourselves, but my nerves kept me from really relaxing. We kept discussing the name dilemna..."okay we are good with our girl name...we think, but what about boy's?" After naming 3 other boys...we are really running dry!

The C-section was running a little late, so it wasn't until about 1:15 that they actually took me into the OR. I know I've done this a few times before, but I never get used to the spinal tap...it makes me really nervous! I told the nurse I would probably cry...and I did =) She held me in a super sweet hug, while two doctors worked on the injection. I can't say exactly how long it took, but after what seemed like 5 minutes and one doctor seemingly explaining to the other what to do back there...I had to ask "You've done this before, right?!" (insert nervous chuckle). All went well, and within a few seconds I was numb from the chest down and relaxed. In the blink of an eye, my doctor was in position, the blue drape was drawn, and Tad was next to me awaiting our child.

Tad can watch the whole thing. I can watch Tad watch the whole thing. It's strange to wonder what your husband is thinking while knowing what he is witnessing behind the blue drape. His wife is being operated on, right there in front of him.

Dr. M let's us know he is close...Tad gets the camera going...as the doctor pulls out the head, Tad and I make a last minute call "I bet it's a girl" "Me too"

"It's a BOY!"
Tad and I both start laughing. My heart swells with the thought of four boys running around me for the rest of my life...In a flash, I see the most wonderfully crazy life before my eyes...I'm so excited.

"So what's his name?" "I don't know!" "What should we do?" "I guess just go announce that it's a boy, and we'll figure it out later"

I hear the cries of my newest little guy, and they bring him to me for my first kiss...he looks just like my other boys did...I'm in love all over again!





From what I hear, the waiting room was pretty rowdy when they announce we were adding another boy to the mix...everyone huddles around to congratulate Tad and meet our no name baby =) This moment of fame, with everyone hanging on Tad's every word is why I am okay with not finding out what we are having. For that second all eyes are on Tad, and he gets the privilege of presenting his child to his family. For nine months I have most of the attention around me and my stomach...it's nice to share the spotlight.

In normal order, I respond to the drugs with lethargy and nausea. I can't even open my eyes long enough to really look at my baby the whole rest of the day =(. With what little peeks I do get, I am amazed with just how stinkin cute he is. We get situated in our permanent room, and after a few hours I get to see my big boys again. Joel immediately looks like a little boy...just that fast he is no longer my "baby". Everyone leaves for the night, and Tad and I get to settle in. As I hold my newborn, it is odd not to have a name to speak to him...I try out a few of the ones Tad and I had talked about...but the drugs and nausea make it hard to really think.


mommy looks a mess!

Before we go to sleep, I look over at Tad...so in love with the man who has given me four beautiful boys. The next morning, with a renewed feeling that my stomach was not about to jump out of my mouth, I woke up and told Tad that I had decided on what we should name our baby boy. All along Tad and I each had a name that we each liked, but couldn't come to an agreement on the other's choice. We knew we would likely give him Tad's middle name (all the boys have a family middle name). Being the wonderfully accommodating wife that I am (wink, wink), I decided that although I liked my name...Tad really felt strongly about his and had for the last 2 months. If nothing else, I felt good knowing that one of us was totally confident in a powerful and strong male name...so it was settled.

That morning we announced that we had a name...Abram Steven Patella.

Welcome to the world my sweet Abram!

Happy Birthday Taz!

It's hard to believe that it's been a year since our limo riding/fancy pants hotel staying 30th birthday celebration for my handsome hubby. This year was a bit more subdued, as we had had a baby 6 days prior. During one of my nighttime escapades with my sweet Abram, I was able to at least make a little sign to show that today was going to center around Tad...as much as it could. He left to bring Elijah to school, and my mom and I decorated a with whatever birthday decor we had kept out of the POD. Tad spent most of the day, unfortunately, at a funeral for a fellow firefighter...not the most uplifting celebration. Seeing as the kitchen isn't cranking out our traditional filet mignon and baked potato birthday meal, we opted to indulge in another favorite food...Popeyes! Tad and I left 3 of the 4 kids with my mom when we went to pick up dinner...we'd like to think of that as a "date drive". It wasn't much, but we'll take it! We picked up fried chicken and a ginormous ice cream cake from Baskin Robbins...yum!



(the girl misspelled his name...which I think is hilarious...Happy Birthday Taz!)


A trip to the mall wasn't in the cards, so Mimi helped the kids make homemade gifts and a card while we were out. They were really proud of their creations! Elijah made a sun visor, Dominic made a necklace/bracelet combo, and Joel made a picture with stickers.



I handed him Abram with a bow (not really, but that would have been cute).

Tad's mom came by for singing and dessert...


We put in a comedy central dvd, and fell asleep by 10pm...
I was a little disappointed that we weren't able to give him the usual treatment, but in a mini meltdown post partum session, Tad assured me that this birthday showed him what really makes him happy...being with his family.

Abram Steven Patella...

We are proud to announce the birth of our fourth BOY...

Abram Steven Patella!

7 pounds 10 ounces
20 1/2 inches

We are so in love!!!!








stay tuned for his birth story....

"nursery" reveal...

What exactly does a baby need? Well, that all depends on your perspective. With your first child, the baby needs a room which has been freshly painted, a crib outfitted with newly purchased up-to-date bedding, enough onsies to last their first month of life, and top of the line swings and bouncy seats that vibrate/sway/swoon/massage...among a slew of other things. The room is completed a month early.

Each subsequent bambino changes your approach to preparations. Excitement remains throughout the pregnancy, but time and energy wane. I have tried to make little changes and additions to the nursery for each boy we have had the pleasure of bringing home...trying to mark each arrival with some sense of individuality. This go round is so much different!

Well, we have 4 days to go, and I am happy to say I am finally ready to reveal what this baby needs.





We are currently in a rented 2 bedroom townhouse, so the whole "baby's room" thing isn't really an option. We do have a window nook in Tad and I's room that perfectly fits a pack-n-play, though!!! I couldn't not decorate at least a little bit, so I found some $6 wall decals from TJ Maxx to add some whimsy to our joint space. Did I mention we already have a 22 month old living in our room?! Joel is going to get a crash course in big brotherhood...he is going to be sleeping 3 feet away from his newest sibling. Hopefully he isn't too shaken from his sleep routine during the next few months, but we'll cross that bridge when it gets here.




So, to recap...this baby needs: a 3x5 nook, a pack-n-play, a new fancy pack-n-play quilted sheet, a changing table, a 5 year old swing, and a borrowed bouncy seat. We are all set!!! Now if only we hadn't packed all those baby clothes in a POD...oops =) All joking aside, we are whole heartedly ready to welcome our baby into our crazy little world. What we lack this time in preparation, I am praying God grants me in patience. Did I mention we don't have names nailed down yet...sigh.

The excitement of February 11th is mounting...my mom has her flight booked, the boys are getting their "big brother" shirts made, we have the photographer booked coming to the hospital, and now a small corner of the world is dedicated to our newest little miracle.

table for 5...for the last time =)

Normally our Sunday mornings include going to church and then spending some time on the playground before mommy ropes everyone in for a PB&J back at the house. But today after church, we loaded the boys up and told them we were taking them to a special lunch! We don't typically take all 3 kiddos to an eating establishment...it doesn't usually end well. =) But today, we decided...for old time sake...to go out as a family of 5 one last time before baby arrives. We had a great time!

We started off at Izzo's Illegal Burrito...



Joel was pretty grumpy the whole time...

Next we hopped next door to Tutti Frutti! (A big thanks to the Beltz's for the gift card!!!)





Joel was in a much better mood here =)



yummmmm......


all done!

And what better way to burn off those extra calories and sugar???? A dance party!!!!




Even Daddy got into it...



good times, good times...

stay tuned...nursery reveal is next =)

7 days and counting...

Today marks one week until the baby arrives! I hope to document a lot during these next seven days, it is this whirlwind of feelings and events that will get washed away as soon as sleep deprivation and chaos sets in. Tad had off today, so with Elijah and Dominic in school, we took Joel to breakfast. We ran some errands we have been meaning to get to, and crossed some things off mommy's list of "things to do to get ready for baby". Looking forward to posting the little details that I am trying to take care of to make this arrival it's own.
This pregnancy has been different from the other three. I have been very distracted with life this go round. Only now am I really focusing on what this new life is going to bring with it. I am only now getting anxious. Once your youngest begins to show signs of independence (walking, feeding self, playing alone, etc) it is a little overwhelming to think that you are about to start totally over again. For the first time, Tad and I feel like this will probably be our last pregnancy. Have we reached the point where energy, emotions, and economics are all pointing to enough? Guess when bambino hits a year old we'll see where we are with that...that's usually when I get the itch to go back to work, only to become pregnant shortly after. Next year I may need to just take that job and buy a puppy =). Physically I have struggled more by far. I am now at the point where walking is a chore, and my next grocery visit will likely find me in one of those motorized scooters...(don't worry, we'll take pictures!) I have never felt this ready to no longer be pregnant! I am carrying similar to the other kids, but my supporting muscles are strained to their max.

This is our last weekend as a family of 5...hopefully I am able to soak up every second of it.