Introducing Briggs Earl

Our little guy decided it was time to join our family. On Wed. Aug 4th I went to the doctor for my 38 wk checkup and he said I was super close.. I was dialated to a 4, and 75% effaced and "Really baggy", really baggy, what the heck does that mean (probably not the best thing to say to a pregnant lady as your checking her :) but, he just laughed and said my water bag was very full and low, meaning it could break really soon. So I decided to have him strip my membranes and if I was really ready that would help put me in labor. Well, sure enough a few hrs later I started having regular contractions 3-5 mins apart. I tried to ignore them and honestly hope they would go away...( I think it finally hit that I was going to have a 4th child and I think I was getting a little freaked out) but we were all at my moms birthday party, and my sisters wouldnt let me forget that I was having contractions and they were timing them more than me :) So by the time dave got home from work around 6 they were pretty strong and getting worse, so I broke the news that he better pack his bags. We ditched the kids on my mom for her birthday (good present eh?) and headed to the hospital. When I got there I was at a 5 and 90% effaced, so they kept me. I waited a little bit for the epidural then the nurse said "if your water breaks, you are going to go fast and might not have time for the epidural, so you might want to think about it" So I decided now was a good time. And, oh man, that was so nice! after having contractions every 5 mins for 7 hrs then no pain.. It was so nice. So we relaxed for an hr or so then the doc came and broke my water. They said to call them if I felt any pressure. Well, I was starting to, but it hadnt even been half an hour yet, so I didnt want to bother them. About half an hour after she broke my water the nurse came to check me, sat down on the bed, and said "oh, theres his head" then calmly ran out and yelled for the other nurses to call the doctor and come help set up. A few mins later the doc showed up, got all dressed and said to try a practice push.. then out came the head.. so 2 more pushes and little Briggs was out. He cried right away and everything was perfect. Well, except he come out upside down and his little nose was completely squished flat and over to the side. Poor little thing could barely breath through it! he had some bruising on his face, not bad and it went away soon. Then we spent the next 2 days at the hospital enjoying the sweet little thing. Its amazing the love you feel instantly for the little things, even when they cry, poop, nurse, then repeat the cycle all day and all night. We are so glad to have him here and that he is a healty little guy!!! So, theres my birthing story, more for me.. I always think I will remember it then a few yrs later I dont. I didnt record my other ones and now I wish I would have. So, sorry so long, but this is my journal!

This is just a few minutes after he was born

Being Weighed. 8lbs, Ooz... good thing he came early he would have been a big boy. He is 1/2 pound bigger than any of my other kids and he was 2 wks early! He was 19 in long.

Awe, a little snooze time with mom

And.. a little snooze time with dad (sorry is sideways)

The whole family. Its weird to think I have 4 kids now! We are a family of six!! Im way too young for that! ( in my mind I still think I'm about 22)

Being smootherd by the girls.. Man how we love him!!

Proud dad with his kidos!!

His crooked nose :) this is even the next day after it had popped up a little.

4 days old after his first bath at home.. wide awake and happy as can be.

oops.. wrong kid :) he decided he wanted to try out the bath after Briggs did.

Cozy in dads arms

All ready to leave the hospital to go home and be mauled by his sisters!

In the hospital with his name tag.

Were glad hes here and are gratefull to all who have helped. We have the BEST families and neighbors and friends in the world! THANKS!!

Cadens 2nd Birthday!

On July 13th Caden had his 2nd birthday. For the life of me I cant figure how to put the pictures in order.. so these are in random order, but some fun memories from his birthday.

Opening presents with dad

With his cake... He didnt care about the cake he was just fasinated with the tractors on it.

With his blue no 2 pancake for breakfast.

He was lucky enough to have 2 parties... This is at Grandma Snyders.

On his birthday we moved him into a toddler bed, well, this is the next day after I put him down for a nap, I didnt hear him for a while so I went to peek on him and this is what I found. And no, he does not have a diaper on. We have gone thru quit the stage lately... everytime he needed to poop he would take his diaper off and go all over the ground then usually walk around in in. I dont even dare guess how many times I've shampooed my carpet. Before this picture he already came out of his room with his diaper off and poop all over his hads, feet, and floor and door knob, so I cleaned that up and put him back down for a nap and found this. Luckily, he hadnt pooped, just decided to take his diaper off then finally fell asleep. Dave used to tell me "just duct tape his diaper on" and I would laugh, saying no, I am not taping his diaper on.... Well I do now. I should have started this weeks ago and it would have saved me a LOT of headaches!! so, now his diapers are duct taped on and we havent had a mess in like 2 weeks!! YEA!!

This is his first night in his big boy bed... Dad is a softy and layed down with him and was out cols! Im not sure who likes it more :)

The next morning for breakfast he had to have all his new toys gathered around him while he ate

Our little "Home Slice" Dave calls him :)

Look at all those new trucks and tractors... He is in HEAVEN!!!!!!

Caden is the one in our family who keeps us going. He is always on the move and usually getting in trouble! Whenever its quiet and not pestering his sisters its usually a guarantee hes causing some kind of trouble. I have him to thank for the yellow food coloring carpet in the front room, the many toothpaste stains on many rondom places on the carpet, the bottles and bottles of carpet shampoo and so much more. But, we LOVE this kid and the joy he brings to our lives! He does have a very sweet side where he loves to hug and kiss you. Sometimes I think he hurts his sisters just so he can give them hugs and kisses better. He is obsessed with tractors. Whenever he is cranky or causing trouble I just find a good long you tube video of tractors- )A combine cutting grain is his favorite- and he makes sure you know its a combine.. not a tractor) and he will just sit and watch it- totally mesmorized! He has a CAT machine movie that is the only thing he will watch on the tv. When driving he will pick out every tractor along the way and make sure you see it too and repeat it back to him or "tractor, tractor, tractor" never ends :) He goes to bed great and wakes up happy!! He is his daddys little buddy and would spend every minute with him if he could. We Love him so much and are glad hes in our family!! Happy birthday buddy!!!