We Really Had a Girl.

Pre- baby

Displaying the baby blessing dress from my Madre at the baby shower.

WOW - I grew many things this go around - a belly, extra chin... thighs... pretty sweet.

Farewell photo shot to an only boy Fam -
dropping the boys off at the Andrus family's abode before we embark to the hospital.
Little C hung out with his Dad so we're missing his cute face from this picture.

Our kids playing their hearts out while awaiting the arrival of their new baby sister.
Thank you Candice and Timothy for taking such great care of our chillens!
(photo by Candice Andrus)

Getting the party started -

She's here - and the first words out of the doctor's mouth to ease my uncertainties were "and there's no penis".
:)
Wow. No penis.
It's true then.... we really have a daughter.
I'm in love.

Chunko baby - just how we like 'em.

Proud Papa cutting the chord.

We meet.

Then introduce her to the rest of her family -

Little C

Lou

Ruckus

The (former) Baby - but two is still a baby right? There's my baby holding our new baby.

Daddy

A bow!!! Can you believe it?

Cuddling with my oldest baby.

And giving love to my youngest boy baby.

Flowers from Buckabu and Papa

Aunties arrive to meet their new niece and man the fort while The Beloved and I are away.

Aunty A 

Aunty E

Trying to get the perfect photo.
I love my sisters! Thank you for traveling all the way to ID to take care of my kids and to gush over this new little girl.
I adore you both.

Ruckus and Cousin G at the hospital

My sisters made some great memories with my kids -
here's one example of letting them have a picnic underneath the table.
Plus, they decorated my house with beautiful flowers, delicious meals and new soft white towels and wash cloths.
They did take Little C to the movie AustinLand which made him throw up in his mouth a bit... but he learned his lesson.
Sometimes 10 yr old boys don't want to do what the aunts are doing.

Isn't that the best kind of sleep? Mouth wide, jaw hanging open. I sleep almost identically - regular Sleeping Beauties up in here.

Some mini doctors in our midst.

I had a gorgeous view of downtown Boise from my room. What made it even better were the dozens of finger prints covering the window left by my little humans while peering out.
I love those fingers more than any view.

Back Home -

Fell asleep while trying to read my children a story -
made me feel close to my mom as this was a usual occurrence with her when we were growing up.
Tender.  Miss you Mom.
And I miss you too Little Poppy.

The Beloved took two weeks off of work. I loved it. He was an excellent Mr. Mom and it was fun to have my best friend around to talk to all day.

More help -

Aunty S arrived to maintain the peace and help out with the work load.
Her and the baby became fast friends.
She worked her BUNS off - doing LOADS of laundry, dishes, stocking my fridge with frozen meals, taking six kids to church by herself - and being my pal.
I love you dog.

Our first trip as a family in public -

The (former) Baby dining with Cousin AR

 The boys all wanted colored mow hawks - cousin DR was the instigator.
I think they look smashing. Our sweet little baby isn't photoed but she did great - hiding safely away in her car seat.

She's Perfect.

I'm not going to lie - we did come directly home and try all of the bows on her head.

Welcome to our new family of 7 Little Girl! 
I can't believe you're real.

Your Dad told me a few years ago after hearing over and over again the opinion of others - being that we would never have any daughters - that he felt very strongly we would. At least one. And that her and I would be very close; the best of friends. 
This idea was great and strange me to at the same time. 
I love your brothers. Adore them. They're totally my buds - but it's funny how one doesn't realize something is missing until it finally arrives.
You.
I love you sweet girl.
There's a softness and a gentleness to your spirit that comes from being female.
I love that boys and girls are different.
They're meant to be.
Each having different roles and responsibilities to fulfill.
I'm looking forward to our journey together.
You make my heart melt and you do make pink look so good.
When the doctors were pulling you out your father kept saying,
"Oh she's so cute. She is so cute."
Instantaneous love.
From all of us.
Your brother directly older than you calls you honey.
"Hi, honey" he says, then plows his full two year old body onto yours while trying to bestow a kiss.
Danger.
But we'll keep you safe.
We all will.
You were born into a family of protectors.
Four older brothers - wow, good luck.
But how they adore you.
It's been a wonderful two weeks being the mother of a daughter.
Thank you for coming to our home.
Love,
Mama

I had to turn to a bowl of my favorite cereal... at 3 a.m....  for my last meal before this little girl is born. I have two favorites. Really, I only have two kinds of cereal I like.

The healthy one - Grape Nuts

The better choice - Peanut Butter Captain Crunch

Yum!

I am one of those people who worries about getting hungry. Me, hungry - not a happy time for anyone around. I set my internal clock to 3 just so I could enjoy this moment, not that I wouldn't have woken up anyway to go pee. This little human is sitting right atop my bladder. She has been for the last 30 weeks I believe. I'm pretty sure I visit the lavatory every 15 minutes.

Delightful interruption.

We have been showered with an out pour of love from those around us in anticipation of our new arrival. A couple weeks ago I innocently showed up at our regular Wednesday night YW activity where they had secretly planned a surprise Baby Shower. (because surprises are secret - but I feel in my odd verbal brain both words are necessary in that sentence)

It was such a fun night and what warmed my heart the most was the homemade gifts each class has made for the baby at previous activities.

The Laurels made the impressive diaper cake.

Miamaids - darling baby blanket.

Beehives - creative scrap fabric stuffed animal.

If I was a crier - I would have cried.

Such a special, thoughtful night.

Jed's employees, like always, have been taking care of us as well.
The day after my surprise shower they had a surprise "pink day" at his office where they bestowed the delightful diaper cake above.

Adorable.

And so kind!

I love kind people. Love them.

The ladies in my ward also threw me the loveliest shower.

I grew up in the ward we live in so it was super special mingling with the ward family I grew up with and the new family I have made. I love these women.

Even though my mom is far away she made sure this little girl had a present from her at the Baby shower. She had contacted my dear friend Elann, who took charge and went and purchased a breath taking blessing dress at my loving mother's request for me to open.

You rock mom.

This non-crier cried.

When I was growing up I never imagined by the age of 31 I would be the mother of 5. I didn't know if I would be a mother at all.

I'm about to have more kids than my parents did.

This is whole new territory.

And I can't wait.

I adore my children.

Each of their individual, unique personalities completes the puzzle that is my life.

I love loving them with my husband, The Beloved.

Knowing how much I love our kids and understanding that his love for them matches mine brings such a connection into a marriage. It makes our love stronger.

Oh barf  - I know - but I have this thought often.

This last Sunday was our ward Primary Program.

My three oldest boys did such a great job sharing their memorized parts in front of the whole congregation.

Ruckus said,

I am a Child of God and He knows my name.

Dash -

Heavenly Father loves us so much that He gave us this beautiful Earth and Amazing bodies.

Little C - 

quoted D&C 112:10

  Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers. 

He then shared his feelings about prayer and how he prays before he goes to  his Dad's house because his biological father doesn't use the best language or watch the best movies.

As he's prayed it's gotten better.

Cool kids.

As they were singing we observed their little personalities.

Ruckus was singing his heart out like a soul brother. Moving his head from side to side expressing his joy through movement.

Lou was smiling as tears ran down his face. Being touched by the spirit, relishing in the moment.

Little C was stone faced - doing his very best not to smile. This is what he does when he is excited. 

The Beloved and I took turns catching his eye and were usually rewarded with a deep gratifying smile in our direction.

The Baby wasn't part of the program but his personality still shined. 

The Beloved and I were sitting on the second to front row with nobody occupying the row in front of us.

We allowed The Baby to sit in the very front as long as he was reverent and folded his arms.

His desire to "be big" and watch his brothers helped his follow through with our instruction and he sat in the row by himself for the whole meeting. Dedication and determination. That's the Baby.

I am so glad I have the opportunity to be a mother.

It is a gift.

A hard, put your game face on, wouldn't want it any other way, gift.

In a few hours I get to meet the next member of our family.

I am so excited to get to know her.

For her to fill another piece of my heart with her perfect, unique self.

I'm also thankful for Peanut Butter Captain Crunch - and my internal clock waking me up in time to enjoy one last bowl before we meet our new daughter!