Ivy Mattea Webb

 
Finally I am posting about #5. We are so happy to have Ivy here! After a week of no sleep and many false alarms, she arrived two days after her due date, October 4th. My parents arrived from Washington the night before. It was so nice to have them here to take care of the other children while I was in the hospital.
Here is the TMI paragraph if you would like to skip it. I had an appointment in the morning with my midwife. After a non-stress test, they stripped my membranes and said, see you in a few hours. I was dilated to 4 cm. Matt and I came home and he ate lunch. We headed to the hospital around 1PM. My contractions were not very regular, but very strong when they came. They had actually stopped on the way to the hospital. I wasn't sure if I should bother going inside or not, but after a few strong contractions in the parking lot I went ahead. I was only 6 cm when we arrived. That was a little discouraging, but at least some progress had been made. They checked me in and as long as I was sitting I had very few contractions. At 2:30 my midwife went ahead and broke my water. Four contractions (very strong ones) and a few pushes later, Ivy was born at 2:49. They were still dressing my midwife for delivery when I was holding my new arrival. I will never say that labor is my favorite thing (or even that I like it), but this one had to be one of the best for me!
Ivy is a name that both Matt and I could agree on. We would like to thank both the Bosley's and the Beecher's for having such cute little girls that we couldn't resist stealing the name. Mattea is the feminine version of Matthew. So, she is named after her Dad. Also, I knew a number of Mattea's in Italy and have always liked the name.

 My parents brought the girls by the hospital to see their new sister. They loved her right away.

 Getting ready to go home. I can't believe how small she looks is the car seat.

I made Matt bring the Cadi because all of our children have come home from the hospital in that car. I NEVER would have guessed that it would still be running, but I love a tradition.

 I stayed overnight at the hospital and went home the next afternoon. The girls were so excited to have their new sister at home.

My Parents and Ivy

Fall 2013

I promise to post pictures and events of Ivy's birth soon. I just need to do a little catch up first.
The First Day of School (actually the 2nd day - I forgot on the first!)

Ruth 1st Grade

Cora - because she wanted her picture taken

Mariah 4th Grade

Lindsay Preschool

 CF Energy Fair- We went last year and had a great time. Apparently the utility company in our town knows how to throw a real party. Last year my girls wanted to have their faces painted, but the line was really long and I told them, "next time." So, they patiently waited a whole year, and this is what we waited in line for this year.

 One last cookout in the fire pit. Good times! We cannot wait to do it again. Maybe this winter?

 Me nine months pregnant. I am only posting this for posterity's sake. Apparently I have no great pictures of me pregnant. Maybe that is just how it is when you are huge, swollen, and don't feel like exercising.

 Ruthie lost her first tooth! That was big news in our home. Earlier this fall Lindsay had gone to the dentist and he wiggled one of her teeth and told her it was going to fall out someday. Lindsay told Ruth who broke down and was so upset that her younger sister was going to loose a tooth before her. The real story is that the Toothfairy needs to be fired at our house. She missed the first TWO nights. It must have been a busy time. To make up for it, she had to bring extra money. She needs to remember next time, or might end up broke!

 Lindsay and Cora because they wanted their pictures taken.

 Raking Leaves - We love this activity. My kids did an awesome job this year. They moved all the leaves from where they fell, across the yard and made a giant pile where there were fewer leaves. A lot of unnecessary work, but hours of fun and play.

Cora wanted to be in the leaves whenever possible.

 

I wanted to post this picture of Cora. She loves hats and wears them whenever she can. It seems strange to me that I don't have more pictures of her with them on. Also, check out the picture below- Cora can totally wink. It is the cutest thing.

 Mariah in her school music program. They did a great job. Mariah was selected to play an impromptu piece on the instruments they were playing. She still is playing piano and loving it.

 HALLOWEEN

Our newest pumpkin!

 Carving Pumpkins

 School Parade

 Cora cracks me up. I saw her lying under this table with a blanket on it and it totally reminded me of The Wizard of OZ.

 The Little Witch Herself...