Baby Brooklyn

My cute little sister had her first baby this week! It was been a wonderful, wonderful week! (Sshhh....but my mom was able to fly home from Russia for several days to be here to help Becky and it's been wonderful to see her again. I'll post more about her visit).

Becky was scheduled to be induced on Tuesday, January 18th and sure enough, they told her to come in at 7:30 in the morning. They started her on pitocin and she started into labor. My mom and I got to the hospital about 1:30 or 2:00 in the afternoon. She was dilated to a 1 and we stayed until about 6:45. By then, the doctor had broken her water and she was waiting for her erpidural. We came home, ate and put my kids to bed. Jon headed to work and my sweet brother, Mike, slept at my house so that I could go back to the hospital for the birth.

We got back about 9:30 and we visited and waited. The doctor & nurse had her start to push around 12:30 (with a few breaks) and then pushed through every contraction starting at 1:00. Becky was so amazing and just kept doing what they told her to do, even after getting nauseated and needing to throw up quite a bit. It was incredible to be there and see what a miracle births are! Brooklyn Jane was born at 2:33 a.m. and weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. She was 19 1/2 inches long and is absolutely gorgeous!!

Congratulations to Becky & John on this beautiful baby girl! And thank you SOOOO much for letting me be there!

Kate's Birthday

Kate had a really great birthday and it was wonderfully simple! She woke up very excited and opened most of her gifts. She got a new bike, helmet, Max & Ruby DVD, "Tangled" polly pocket doll and some PlayDoh. The kids went to school and she had her dance class. After getting home from dance, she re-wrapped all her gifts so that she could unwrap them again.

We didn't do a formal birthday party this year, but had a few of her friends come over at lunch time and I took them to McDonald's. They played and played and had a great time.

When I asked Kate what she wanted for her birthday dinner, she told me Artic Circle. So, after dance class for Emily & Lindsey and basketball practice for Jack, we all headed there. Mike, Rich & Misty were able to meet us there and she had a great time. Jon took her in the afternoon to pick out some treats and they came back with some yummy cupcakes.

She's all ready for Kindergarten in the fall (she had her final shots yesterday)! Wow! Where does the time go?

Having a birthday in January means that you have to ride your new bike around the house. Kate loves it and is so excited to have her very own!

Happy Birthday Kate!

Quilts

After Christmas, I've been able to get my sewing machine back out and it has been great to sew again! I had a few things done before the holiday rush of Christmas cards & calendars, but hadn't completely finished them until right before Christmas and right after.

I gave this wall hanging to Misty (my sister-in-law) for her birthday in December. I felt bad she'll have to wait all the way until the fall to use it though.

I gave this one to Jon's sister Anne for Christmas.

This baby quilt was for my friend Laura. They had a baby right after Thanksgiving and they've patiently waited for their little guy for awhile. We are so excited for them.

And this baby quilt was for my friend, Heather. Her sweet little baby girl came 10 weeks early, but has done amazingly well and we're thrilled for this cute family too!

Christmas 2010

We had a really good Christmas this year, different, but good! I've never been completely "in charge" of everything at Christmas (all the gifts, all the food, all the parties, etc.), but it was okay. It was hard not having my parents close by and I think they were a little homesick too, but it made me that much more grateful for my siblings.

Christmas Eve day, we spent getting ready for that night and next day. Jon made some pies and food and I frantically finished the calendars I was making. We had the Cowden's, Richard Olsen & my siblings over for dinner and fun on Christmas Eve. They are always so great to be with and the highlight is always the white elephant exchange. There were some really great ones this year, including...

This beautiful house dress my mom had left.


And this beautiful purse that Peter found at DI.



And well as this Christmas hat that moves and plays "Grandma Got Ran Over By a Reindeer."



The Obama Chia Pet is growing a nice patch of "hair" on our kitchen counter as well!

Jack was in heaven playing the Wii with Jake, Matt & Jesse and the adults just sit and laugh and laugh. We were able to Skype with my parents and all laughed with them as well.

The kids were excited to open their Christmas pajamas that night and all went to bed so good! Jon left for work and I was so lucky to have Peter, Mike, and Becky & John sleep at the house that night. They helped get Christmas all set up! I don't know if they have any idea how much that meant to me to have them stay the night and be there for Christmas morning.

Jon got into bed about 4:00 a.m. and Peter (who can never sleep well on Christmas Eve), had the kids up and ready to go at 7:00. We opened gifts from Santa. All the kids were so happy with what they got:

Emily - I-tunes gift card, Michael's gift card, book, game
Lindsey - Nintendo DS Lite & game
Jack - Nintendo DS Lite & game
Kate - a Build-A-Bear gift card (which she asked Santa for and was soooo excited)
Hannah - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse toys

We ate a yummy breakfast together and then exchanged gifts with each other. I had taken each child shopping, so they were able to give gifts to all their siblings and aunts/uncles too. Richard & Misty came over in the late morning and we all enjoyed being together. John & Becky left for his parents house and we had Christmas Day dinner. Then everyone left and the kids played and played with their new things.

I was so tired that night and would have been happy to take down all the Christmas decorations that very night (but, I was too tired!). It was a great Christmas, full of many great memories! Thank you to everyone who made it so great!

Christmas Eve pj's

(Sorry about Mike's closed eyes). He is just like my cute dad though and had the garbage bag ready for the wrapping paper. Santa made a mistake and gave Mike a pink portable DVD player. That Santa should really make sure he's ordering the right color next time!

John & Becky

Peter - with some new smurfs!

Happy Birthday Kate!

I can't believe that this beautiful girl is already 5 years old!! That time has gone so fast, and I'm sad to see her growing up so fast! I've always had a special love for Kate. I love her blonde hair. I love her name. I love her high-pitch voice. I love her sweetness. I love her gentleness. I love beauty. I love her divine spirit. I just flat out love her!

Happy 5th Birthday Kate!

Boy or Girl??!!

Well, my friends, it's official! The Bowen household will be blessed with yet another little girl!! That makes 5 girls and 1 boy!! Holy Pink-ness!

We're very excited though and it was sure fun to see this little one on the ultrasound! We are in need of some name suggestions, so any that you have, we'd love to hear!