OUR LATEST GIFT - Austin James Rojas :)

I apologize for taking so long to blog about all of the excitement in the Rojas family lately! I know you all understand! I have so much updating to do, I am sure this will be a long entry!

Our sweet new addition: AUSTIN JAMES ROJAS was born on the scheduled C-Section day, October 28th at 8:02 a.m. He weighed 7 lbs. 15 oz. and was 20 in. long! He was born healthy and strong w/ an apgar score of 9 and we knew immediatly that he had a healthy set of lungs by his strong cry...music to my ears! I can't necessarily say that it is STILL music to my ears though! ;) Here is video that the anesthesiologist's assistant was nice enough to get since my husband was too afraid to look over the sheet! It could have looked much worse!

The kids were able to enter the hospital but couldn't go any farther than the nursery (right off the waiting room). They were only able to see Austin if Joe took him to the nursery and then they could view him from the window! My mom is also standing next to the kids taking her own video. Her video is much better because you can hear the kids' reaction and see Joe and the baby better, but it wouldn't upload! The kids' Madrina (godmother) was taking care of the kids for us for the first day and my parents took them for the second day. They were excited to see Austin but so bummed that they couldn't hold him, especially AJ!

C-SECTION:

The C-Section went very smooth! I had great nurses and an amazing anesthesiologist! However, as we were on our way to the operating room my nurse informed us that, starting that day, they were no longer allowing visitors under the age of 18 due to H1N1! We were devistated for the kids, who were SO excited to come to the hospital and hang out in the room w/ us! Aleigh had all sorts of activities packed and had been telling me, for months, how excited she was to go to the hospital and hang out w/ me! I cried on the way to the operating room and was starting to get sick to my stomach because I was so sad for the kids! I completely forgot, for a minute, that I was about to get a big ol needle in my back! Once we arrived in the FREEZING COLD operating room I had to sit on the table for my epidural and spinal and got REALLY nervous because there was nobody there to hold my hand or lean on while he did the procedure (the part I hate the most)! At the last minute, right before the anesthesiologist stuck me w/ the needle, my doctor arrived to greet me and then stood in front of me and held on to my shoulders through the whole procedure! He is such a GREAT doctor!

After the surgery the nurses were all nervous about the post natal hemmoraging I had w/ my last c-section, so for the first 24 hours they were constantly coming in to push, HARD, on my stomach! It was PAINFUL!!! That had to be the worst part of everything...recovery, surgery, etc! Luckily there wasn't too much of an issue w/ hemmoraging this time...thanks to my dr. who administered drugs to prevent that during surgery!

We left the hospital after 2 nights! I was so sad I had not been able to see my kids, that I was bound and determined to prove that I was ready to go! I regreted not staying at least one more night though! There is a huge advantage to being in a bed that you can adjust when you have a huge cut in your belly! Laying flat in your own bed and trying to move around and get up to feed the baby can be very painful! It took me more than a few minutes to get up and walk just 2 steps to the bassinet. My husband sleeps way too hard to hear the baby and help me...the booger!

SPECIAL VISITORS:

Mom was Austin's first visitor who arrived when he was just a few hours old and I was finally out of recovery and in my own room! Labor and Delivery was so busy that day, they actually had women waiting in the halls for a room! Madrina and Austin

Aunt Robin visiting Austin
Uncle Bryson and baby Austin

My dad also came to visit twice, as well as my friends Malin and April! I am dissapointed that I didn't think to grab the camera while they were there!

Austin's favorite place to sleep! I probably shouldn't have let him sleep on me the whole time we were at the hospital! He is finally adjusting to his bassinet though!

Austin - Ready to go home!

They are all so proud of their new baby brother, and VERY happy to finally get to touch and hold him!

Ansley adores her baby brother! Thank goodness!

I just love this photo! They sat like this for a while too!

Proud Big Brother!

Proud big sister Aleigh!

I have recovered well, although the healing process was longer and I finished the whole bottle of percocet (for the 1st time), I am feeling great now! Nursing is going well and we are all doing as well as can be expected! Austin had some jaundice for the first month but his levels were never high enough to need the therapy lights. We did have to go to the hospital 4/5 times for heel pricks, but he never fussed at all over that so it was painless. Now that he is no longer yellow he has major baby acne! I can't wait until it clears up, poor little guy! He is such a laid back, sweet little guy who really loves to snuggle! He has the funniest cry though! It's like a squeal at first and then he breaks out into a loud cry! We still can't figure out who he looks like though! He is his own little person and a great addition to our family! :)

HALLOWEEN:

We didn't think we would be able to dress Austin up w/ him being so new/small! Joe was determined to get this on him though! This Karate uniform was actually given to us as a gift when AJ was born!

Ansley dressed up as Elmo...OF COURSE! :) Aleigh as Monsters Bride
AJ as a Convicted Zombie!
We were thrilled to be able to spend Halloween w/ Chelsea this year! She happened to be home for the weekend and was thrilled to get to hold Austin when he was just 3 days old!
A kiss from Elmo! :)It wasn't but a week or two ago that Joe and I dropped off the older two kids w/ my parents to spend the night, and we headed to Wal Mart w/ the babies. Joe was holding the baby and I was holding Ansley's hand as we took our time walking through the store. We were only there to get a couple of things and I was THRILLED to be out of the house...even though I was feeling some discomfort from my incision. As we were walking I noticed an older lady (probably in her 70's) standing still w/ her cart just watching us. She had such a loving grin on her face and as she looked adoringly at Austin and Ansley she said "GODS MOST PRECIOUS GIFTS!" We

couldn't agree more!

Austin, still a little jaundice in these photos, loves looking at the sparkling lights on the Christmas tree!Joe and I couldn't feel more blessed! We may have stressful situations we are facing in other areas of our lives, but we feel like we have the most important gifts anyone could ever ask for, a strong, loving marriage, and 4 incredible and healthy children!!! I look at all of our children and am amazed and grateful for creating them and bringing them into this world! I have been more and more amazed by life's miracles w/ every one of my kids' births! There were many times during my pregnancy w/ Austin that I would wonder "are we pushing our luck to hope and pray for a 4th healthy baby?" You hear so many stories about the struggles that people have to either conceive, stay pregnant, or birth a healthy baby and the fact that we have been blessed four times is something we will never ever take for granted!!! However, WE ARE DONE!!!
It's so funny how you just know when you are done, without a doubt! While sitting in the waiting room at my post natal visit, I looked around the waiting room and saw all of the pregnant women and thought "oh boy! I'm so glad that's not me anymore!" Hahahaha! That is something I have never felt before at a post natal visit! I usually sit there and see all of the bellies and think "awe, I can't wait to have another one!" That thought didn't cross my mind for a second this time!

We are very busy w/ 4, but I tell ya, my two older ones are SO HELPFUL! I am so grateful to them for all they do to help w/ Ansley! AJ was a challenging 2 yr old when I had Aleigh, but in a totally different way than Ansley! Having Austin when Ansley was only 20 months old is a lot closer and much more challenging because Ansley is so mischievous and has been showing her jealousy by either crying hysterically when I can't hold her because Austin is being fed, or by being VERY defiant! I am just happy that she loves her baby brother!

Once again, I have waited too long to blog, but I have been working on this entry for the past month! I don't get many opportunities to blog, but I will do my best! Austin has already changed so much since I last uploaded my pictures! I figure this blog entry has been long enough, so I will take some pictures tomorrow and post those on my next entry.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and has an awesome Christmas!!! :)

Tomorrow's the BIG DAY!

Why does it feel so surreal that tomorrow morning, before most of you will even be awake, I will be a mom of 4 beautiful children?! Bringing a baby into this world is the ABSOLUTE most miraculous gift from god!!! I just feel so blessed! I do have to say though, the anxiety I am feeling today is killing me!!!

Anyway, I was just thinking...we won't be the Rojas 5 anymore! How to I change the name of my blog w/out losing all of my old entries? Does anyone know the answer?! I don't want to start all over. I kind of like going back a year ago and reading my entries and seeing the pictures. If anyone can help me w/ that it would be very appreciated!

Joe seems to think we get wireless @ the hospital, I'm not too sure about that! If he is right, I will update this blog as soon as possible w/ photos of our newly expanded family!!!! Until then.....

An exciting week!

Tomorrow is the beginning of a very exciting week for the Rojas family! Baby Austin will be arriving by Wednesday, at the latest, and we couldn't be more anxious to meet him! As some of you know, and as I have mentioned in earlier posts, I am a little more nervous this time around! It is my 4th C-section and although this whole pregnancy has been very textbook "normal and boring...which is always good" as my dr. has told me every visit, I am still nervous!

I had some postnatal hemmoraging when I had Ansley and was in recovery for 3 hours instead of the normal 1 hour. Everything turned out fine, obviously, and I didn't need a blood transfusion! My dr. actually told me I wasn't even close to needing a transfusion, I just had a "very concerned" nurse! She alerted all of the other nurses and, as if the nurses don't come in enough when your in the hospital, they were in there constantly pushing on my stomach...OUCH! It was not comfortable at all! They have all of this in my chart and are going to go ahead and administer the drug to help my blood clot after surgery, so I shouldn't have the same discomfort! One of my doctors actually said "oh we will be prepared for that and everything will probably be fine, the scary stuff that happens when were not prepared!" So not a good thing to say out loud to someone like me! LOL!

So, I just ask that you please pray for Austin and I, that we both have a healthy and pleasant experience in the hospital and that all will go well! I am sure it will, it's just me doing one of the things I do best....worrying!

We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family and I know you all are already praying for us, and it means the world to me! I am so grateful to all of you! Aunt Lorene, THANK YOU so much for reminding me that you also survived 4 C-Sections and were just fine, that brought more comfort to me than you know!

13 Days and counting!

Our sweet kids before bed last night! I thought it would be difficult to get an updated shot of all three of them smiling, but when I asked them to sit on the stairs and let me snap a shot they all eagerly smiled and yelled "CHEESE!" even Ansley...the one who usually doesn't do what we asked because we asked! LOL!

So there are 13 days left until our scheduled C-Section date (Oct. 28th)! I had several friends...one being my husband...who predicted the 15th (today) would be the day! Well, there are two big reasons why I am determined to convince Austin to stay snug in there for at least another 5 days! My parents are out of town, and I just think it's too early! I want to make sure he is good and cooked. I am sure, based on the size of my belly, most people can't fathom the fact that I could remain pregnant another 13 days...at times I can't! Getting comfortable enough to sleep is pretty impossible! My feet are swollen and I start having random contractions if I am on my feet too long! Also, to be quite honest, I am nervous for a 4th C-Section! All we can do is pray that we will be blessed w/ a healthy baby and that the surgery and recovery will go well for both me and the baby!

My kids seem to think that I am asking too much of them lately! I simply asked Aleigh to go get me a pen today so that I could sign her report card. She looked me straight in the face and said "No." I kind of laughed because I thought she was kidding. She continued to stand there w/ a straight face and I then said "seriously Aleigh! Please go get me a pen so that I can sign your report card!" Without missing a beat she said "I'm not your maid!" Needless to say I was not happy w/ her smart mouth and definitely let her know it, but I was incredibly shocked! She is always so sweet and willing to help...maybe i am asking too much lately! I have asked them to grab things for me a lot lately because being mobile is not exactly what I am best at these days! So, I do ask them to grab the phone, help me pick things up off the floor, and grab something (like a pen) every now and again! I think we are all just a little frustrated and ready for mommy to have some more energy and not feel so tired, swollen, and ginormous!

I didn't really want to post this, but I have had several requests to see my big ol preggo belly! I refuse to post it on facebook, but thought I would post it on our family blog. I know it looks like there HAS GOT TO BE more than one in there, but I assure you there is not! I keep telling people that this little guy is all out front because this is the first time my belly button has ever started to pop out! Not sure if he will be bigger than the rest or not! If he is bigger than 8 lbs...he is the biggest! We will be sure to keep the blog updated when little "Austin James" decides to make his way into this world!

WHOA!!! Here is my big belly, taken just yesterday! I didn't want a picture of my swollen nose...lol! Is it just me, or does anyone else's nose seem to grow or swell during pregnancy? You can see how swollen my hands are! I haven't been able to wear any rings for a while and bending my hands hurts! I haven't been able to make any bows for a while! :( That's all very normal for me during pregnancy, unfortunately. Not much longer though! It's a small price to pay and I am willing to tough it out another 13 days! :)

Aleigh's 6th Birthday!

I figured I had better update my blog before I have to write another novel! I can't believe it's been a month already since I last blogged! I haven't even posted pictures from Aleigh's birthday!!!


So for Aleigh's birthday (August 14th) all she wanted was to have my family, Chelsea, and her Madrina (godmother) over for chinese food and instead of ordering a cake, she wanted me to bake her a chocolate cake! I love that she is appreciates the simple things! :) Joe and I did give her a few gifts in the morning and then checked her out of school to take her to lunch at her favorite local Pizza place (Partners)! Her Uncle Bryson and his girlfriend (Liz) joined us for lunch and then we took her back to school. She had a great day at school and kept making sure I knew how grateful she was for baking cupcakes for her class. She said everyone really liked them! She is such a sweetheart!
Aleigh and Ansley with Uncle Bryson and Liz.

When Aleigh came home we had filled her bedroom w/ balloons! Although we weren't able to fill it w/ even half as many as we had hoped, we did pretty good for blowing them up w/ our own hot air....well I didn't blow up any on my own (I was saving my air for the baby), Joe, Bryson and Liz did that! I blew up the ones that we actually had enough helium for...which was only about 25 balloons! Joe says next year we will rent a helium tank that blows up hundreds of balloons! I don't know about that though, those balloons turned into complete madness and overtook the whole house! I was picking up and popping balloons for two weeks! We can't do that with a crawler in the house next year!
Aleigh was a little spoiled by her Nana and Papa with some new accessories for her American Girl doll "Kit" She got a few outfits, a couple of books, and Kit's scooter. She was thrilled and very appreciative! Aleigh thanking her Madrina for her Fancy Nancy books, puzzle and the movie she gave her!
My parents stayed until midnight doing puzzles with us....even though my dad says he doesn't like puzzles! They had a hard time pulling away from the puzzles! It was fun!

AJ and Aleigh are both enjoying and doing well in school. They both love their teachers and although I agree that they have great teachers, AJ's sure has a crazy love for Social Studies! She did express to us how that was "her thing" but wow...it really is her thing and AJ has a social studies, spelling, and vocabulary test every Friday, a reading comprehension sheet due every friday, has already had 2 social studies projects given to us on Monday that were due on Friday (so we couldn't use Joe's help during the weekend), and then she assigns homework from at least 2 subjects on top of all of that each night! I have to say, it's a HUGE difference from his homework load last year! It makes things quite challenging for me in the evenings since Joe works, but we are doing our best to knock as much homework out in the beginning of the week so that we are not stressed trying to wrap up loose ends on Thursday nights! I have to admit, I am actually learning a lot by helping AJ w/ his homework! I just have to mentally prepare myself for nights of lots of homework and two babies to take care of!

An end to Summer Vacation & Photo updates!

A TYPICAL SUMMER EVENING IN THE ROJAS HOUSE!
I finally had to grab the camera and get a picture of how my kids...including my husband, fall asleep most nights! It doesn't bother Joe and I that the kids love to sleep in the living room since it's right off of our bedroom (their bedrooms are upstairs) as long as it isn't a school night. Both Joe and AJ have an on and off switch and when their out...THEIR OUT! Joe had a long summer w/ summer camp and the kids fitness course he taught at the gym, so it wasn't unusual for him to pass out shortly after coming home and getting comfortable! The kids loved that they were able to stay up late and wait for daddy! In the photo below, although it might look like Aleigh is being smothered, she isn't and she loves that spot! I of course wake her up and move her to a spot where she can sleep comfortably. Joe and the kids got a kick out of this picture!




WHO IS THIS SCARY CHARCTER IN MY HOUSE?!

AJ is so crazy! He loves to dress up in costumes and the scarier the better! I have to admit, when he tapped me on the shoulder and I turned around to this...I freaked a little! Hahaha! He is wearing a santa clause beard on his head, his voldemort mask from halloween last year, some crazy fake teeth he got at wal mart, his voldemort robe, and santa clause glasses! This is what he does when he is bored!

JUMPING JELLYBEANS!

Jumping Jellybeans was a great idea for the kids to get out, have fun, and let out some energy this hot summer! It's indoors and full of fun for the kids! They do have a wonderful parents lounge complete w/ leather furniture, big flat screen tv, magazines, and coffee. About a year and a half ago it was a GREAT place for me to go and relax while the kids had fun! Not so much this summer...with our energetic Ansley! The first time we went it was after dinner (their open until 8pm) and there weren't many people there so I was comfortable with letting Ansley run all over and jump on anything she could climb in! They all had a blast and I was thrilled that Ansley had done so well!

The Second time we went, we went with my friend Tammy and her little girl Hayley who is just 3 weeks older than Ansley, but not used to be around so many crazy and wild kids! Hayley was fine as long as she was with her mom and towards the end of our afternoon there she seemed comfortable enough to get in one of the bouncers w/ Tammy! Hayley is adorable and there were times that I had hoped Ansley could stay near me instead of trying to get into everyone else's business and escape through any open door!

AJ, Aleigh, and Chelsea discovered a new favorite spot in the biggest bouncer (see photo below).

Finally, the 3rd time we went Ansley was CRAZY!!! She wanted to try and take other kids' sippy cups, she wanted to run out into the lobby and take whatever candy/goodies she could get her hands on, it was CRAZY busy that day w/ tons of little ones, and all Ansley wanted to do was run around and make me chase her! I was BEAT by the time we left, and we haven't been back....not w/ Ansley ....for a while at least!

Chelsea, AJ and Ansley in the biggest bouncer (above) and AJ and Aleigh in their new fav. spots..up really high! (below)

Hayley and Ansley. Ansley was trying to get Hayley to go play, but Hayley wanted to make sure that she was near her mommy in a new strange and crowded place!

Hayley loves her momma! She's so cute! Look at those cheeks!!! :) She looks SO MUCH like her mommy!

PLAYDATE!
My friend Robin and her daughters Drew and Tessa came over for an afternoon so that the kids could all play together! Chelsea was w/ us as well that day and the older kids had a blast playing lots of hide-n-seek and making crafts!

Tessa and Ansley were so adorable together! At one point they were walking through the house holding hands! Robin and I have so many laughs over the monkey's that we are raising! Both little girls have climbed bunk beds, climbed on to tables and think the stairs are the funnest thing ever! The higher up, the better! Their both little thrill seekers, but very cautious and coordinated!

Tessa really had very little experience w/ stairs and Robin wanted to get comfortable enough w/ Tessa being around stairs so that she didn't have to freak out everytime they are at another persons house w/ stairs (they obviously don't have stairs at their house). Tessa took to the stairs like a pro! She had been climbing up and down them several times when she did have a little fall! She lost her footing towards the bottom and fell down a couple of stairs. It scared her and she stopped crying the moment her mommy picked her up! She was totally fine! I asked Robin if she wanted me to put the gate up and she said "No, she's bound to have a couple falls, but she knows how to do it, she just lost her footing. I want her to get more comfortable with the stairs and now that she knows she can fall she will, most likely, be more careful." She did great and did go up and down the stairs w/ more caution and no more falls! The girls had a blast together and were fun to watch!

Even after Tessa's little stair tumble, the girls insisted on playing on the stairs! Of course we were right there the whole time!

CUPCAKE FUN!

Of course during their last week of summer I think of something pretty simple and had NO IDEA that the kids would think of my idea as brilliant! I had some cake mix, and asked the kids if they wanted to make cupcakes! Their response was very enthusiastic! I gave them each 5 cupcakes and a bowl of white frosting. They all got to pick their own color and create it w/ food coloring. I pulled all of the sprinkles out of my pantry and let them go at it! They were entertained for a while and I enjoyed watching/helping them! Aleigh has decided that this is all she wants to do on her birthday...no party, just decorate cupcakes w/ her family!

A BUNK BED FOR THE GIRLS!
Since we do have a little one coming in October, we realize we will need to get Ansley out of the crib, even though I am SO not ready for that! We weren't sure how to go about doing this the most economical way. Finally we found a bunk bed at Ikea for only $169 in a natural wood color. I told Joe that would work, but we would have to paint it white! Aleigh was thrilled to be able to help her daddy paint her bed! As you can see in the pictures above and below, Aleigh has been wearing her hair back and putting on a hat. This is the only way she will allow me to photograph her! She got her haircut this summer and thinks it's way too short (it's at her shoulders)! I never knew it would affect her self esteem like it has this summer! It just seems so silly because her hair looks adorable, but she will not leave it down. If I don't pull it back, she will (and then it falls in her face)! It is the length she asked for, but I guess she didn't realize it would be as short as it is! At least it's hair and it will grow longer soon!

Aleigh has had fun decorating both beds her own way! She refuses to part w/ her stuffed animals so she has found a way to decorate w/ them! :) Ansley is still in the crib for now, but loves hanging out on her future big girl bed! As you can see, we intentionally didn't put one of the steps on the ladder. Our purpose in doing this is to keep Ansley off of the top bunk! It's worked great!

STINKY FEET!

Joe had Ansley laughing so hysterically a couple of nights ago, I had to grab the camera and capture this! Ansley was literally laughing so hard she was crying! It was awesome!!!

Here is the video of my sweet little girls contagious laugh!!! :) If you haven't already, scroll to the bottom of my blog and pause the background music.