Caroline's First few Days

We love our time in the hospital with our new babies.  It is such a special time that we get to just shut everything else off and get to know our newest love!  

We had a very hard time naming this poor girl.  We had a name somewhat picked out up until a couple days before she was born when I finally admitted to Neil that I no longer liked it.  So we were back to not having any girl names on the list!  She was Baby Bloede for the first 24 hours of her life.  The lady came in twice to fill out the birth certificate and we just kept sending her away.  Finally we decided on Caroline Paige.  We called home to tell Nana and Pop Pop and the girls but I panicked and hung up!  Knowing that once we told the girls it would be hard to change it.   We talked it though once more and then I called again.  Nana answered and put it on speaker phone.  When we told them we had names her and the girls were so excited.  They were yelling we love you Caroline Paige.  Hearing their sweet voices saying it we knew right away it was the perfect name!  

We just passed her back and forth the entire time we where there.  

Grandma and Grandpa came to meet her too. 

And Aunt Bridgee

Our babies favorite spot! 

Martha is always one of the first visitors too. 

A tired Mama and baby!  We had a rough first night due to her not eating!

Pop Pop fought for some snuggles too. 

Nana and Pops kept the big girls for us so they didn't get much time due to the girls being baby hogs.

They now do the hearing test in the room so we got to watch.  We sent this picture to the big girls and they thought it was SO funny that she had little headphones on.  She didn't make a peep and we were happy to hear she passed. 

One morning we woke up and were ready for her to be back from the nursery so Neil just walked down and got her.  I thought it was funny to see him pushing her down the hall.  

She was lucky enough to get a hand me down blanket that GG made from cousin Drew.  

Right before we were supposed to be released a tornado was spotted so we all got moved to the hallway to wait it out.  It was pretty unbelievable to look around at all these moms and dads sitting in the hall with their new babies.

Finally, they got the all clear to let us back in the rooms and to leave. So we loaded her up.

Usually, the nurses walk you all the way to your car to confirm you installed the car seat correctly.  Well, it was late and the nurse kindly said...it's your 4th baby I am sure you know what you are doing.  We didn't ask any questions and just took off.  

Headed home to her sisters.  

She was still so swollen from the delivery and chubby so her sweet cheeks were resting on the car seat straps. 

April FUN

April started with spring break and not a vacation in Florida but a week at home.  The doctor didn't love the idea of me being so far from home at that point in my pregnancy.  So we found lots of ways to keep busy around home before our quick trip to Columbus.  

The girls planned a campout one afternoon

There were chilly park visits,

Lazy time, 

and plenty of games! 

They planned a surprise party for Audrey because they felt bad everyone else had a birthday and she hadn't.  

They were so happy to all be home together. 

Emmerson did the little girls hair.  (and she doesn't look that little)

Emmerson and Claire did all their own thank you cards this year. 

Claire kept telling me over and over that her teachers birthday was the first day back to school after spring break.  I had not been told this but she had it all planned out.  I decided even if it wasn't her birthday we should celebrate her anyways.  Claire picked out flowers and cupcakes and couldn't have been happier to carry them in.  (and for the record it was her birthday)

We got to have a special birthday date with Marin, Quinn and Colin too. 

Colin is really hoping Baby Bloede 4.0 is a boy! 

I find pictures like this on my phone now that Emmerson and Claire know how to use it. 

When her sisters are at school she gets all their toys out and is very happy to have them to herself. 

Who do you think taught Audrey to pose like this?  

Daddy let them paint some flowerpots and so they could plant their own flowers. 

We planted some new grass and Daddy sent Audrey and I out for straw.  She was very excited when we found it. 

The little girls had a playdate with Quinn and Colin while I had a quick doctors appointment that turned into a not so quick trip to labor and delivery.  Brigid sent me pictures to keep me busy.  They love being there with them! 

Claire loves her space gear from space week at school. 

Emmerson had an art show at school. She was very proud of all her work. 

Daddy took the little girls to the fire station while Emmerson and I were at the art show.

Kickball

Emmerson was excited to play kickball again this year.  We were excited that she actually did play this year...as in she kicked the ball and ran instead of just standing and watching the game.  

Growing number 4

My pregnancy for baby number 4

The early announcement to some family and friends.

Another announcement to a bigger crowd. 

20 weeks (Florida)

Claire likes to decorate my belly (20 weeks) 

26 weeks

30 weeks

31 weeks

Zionsville Brunch

32 weeks...my view while seated.  Claire said, " Mom the baby is sitting on your lap!" 

Audrey likes to feed the baby.

Easter Day- 33 weeks

My view...all.day.long! 

36 weeks

Audrey talks like the baby is already here all the time.  She will say, " I need to hug the baby!", or "Hey baby look at this!",  but my favorite is, " when the baby pops out I am going to hold it and share my crib with it!"

37 weeks

Audrey put a cookie on my belly and asked me to hold it. 

This is what I looked like as I left for my last doctors appointment.  The baby had dropped and my stomach was such a weird shape.