4 kids, back down to 3.

Maddox went home with my parents yesterday afternoon. There were some tears, but after a few minutes, I was re-composed and able to go on with my afternoon. (seriously, I cried putting him into my parents' car) I talked to my mom about mid-way and she reported that Maddox played nicely for over an hour, then without a sound fell asleep and slept for 2.5 hours. They had to wake him when they stopped for gas! We have NEVER had to wake that child on a trip, he's been known to wake us. This morning I called when I woke up for the final time ( Olivia was kind enough to wake me every hour last night) and found out that my dad had to wake him this morning around 7:45AM, again, we have never seen 7:45AM and had it still be silent!! Usually Maddox in on his second breakfast at that time. He spent the day with my sister and her family, took a 3 hour nap, and played like a perfect angel. If he keeps this up, he may find himself relocating to a different state and with that relocation a new set (or 2) of parents...

Fun at Grant's Farm.

The boys loved Grant's Farm. It was very mild and nice out on Saturday morning. Since we got there right when they openned, it wasn't crowded either. This worked out well for us. Maddox was able to get out of the stroller and run with the older boys. Olivia wasn't nearly as impressed with the animals as her older brothers, maybe next year she will show a little more enthusiasm.

Great-Grandma's visit.

My grandmother rode down with my Dad on Friday. She was able to see all of us, if just for a short time. We took her to Grant's Farm so the boys could show her all the amamzing animals.

Sleep, brief moments.

The boys enjoying their baby sister.

All three boys have really enjoyed having Olivia here. The older 2 are constantly fussing over her. Giving her toys, talking to her, trying to make her more comfortable... You name it they try to do it for her. Maddox just loves pointing out her nose, eyes, ears, and mouth. He also cannot come into the room she is in without giving her a big, slobbery, open mouth kiss and a squeeze.

Our little glow-worm

Olivia had jaundice. 3 of the 4 did. She had it the worst. We got discharged on Thursday morning. By Friday afternoon there was a billi-bed at our house. Olivia spent 4 days in it. She was our little glow-worm.

Updates coming

I PROMISE!!!!
We had to deal with:
* jaundice and the billi-bed
*2 in school
*1 adjusting to being a big brother for the first time
*emotional mom
*busy dad

We have TONS of pictures. Hopefully with Maddox going on a vacation this weekend for a week, a long weekend, and a few more days of recovery for mommy we can take some time to post updates and adorable pictures.

My turn

Thanks to modern technology, and my parents, I'm able to blog from my vacation ( I mean hospital room). My parents brought their laptop and St. Luke's Hospital is nice enough to provide the Wi-Fi.
As I sit here looking at Olivia, and have allowed the last 26 hrs to set in, I'm still shocked, amazed, and in awe. It's a girl... Something I never thought would be uttered to me within seconds of giving birth. I fully expected an Oliver! But, gosh, now that I have Olivia, it's just sureal. She's so different than the 3 boys, but so much like all of them!!!!
For instance, she has Cooper's dark thick hair, and only wieghs 2 oz more than he did at birth.
She has Nelsons love for cuddling. So much so, we have to get her almost naked and really angry before she'll even think about eating. As for how she's like Maddox... She has his temper and strong willed-ness. She waited and waited to come, and then took the next 1.5 hrs screaming about being here. Really, I'm not kidding 90 minutes of screaming!!!!
I've been able to spend a lot of time with just her. Travis has been amazing with trying to keep the boys in a routine. He even got the older 2 fed, dressed, and off to school without a hitch this morning.

IT'S A GIRL !!!!!

I know!! I couldn't believe it either. I thought Ferris genes could only make boys! I'm not sure if it was God answering the prayers of her older brother Cooper, or maybe God giving Sheri and I the desires of our heart, but lo and behold, it's a girl. And to top it off, she looks like her momma, with a full head of hair.

Welcome to the world Olivia Lynn Ferris! Born 08/19/08 at 11:40am CT, weighing in at 6 lbs 11 oz and measuring 19 inches long.





Olivia and Mommy, looking good after having to deliver au-naturale; without any meds. She took a while preping to come, but once she decided to make her debut, 7cm to 10cm and -2 station to +2 (pushing) station in 15 minutes, there was no time.



Olivia and Daddy in his new U.S. National Soccer Team jersey his awesome wife bought to celebrate 9 years of marrige on Thursday.



Maddox practicing rocking his baby. Maybe tomorrow you can rock your sister. After we work on not poking her in the eye.

Shout out to Sheila and all my other peeps.

Maddox preparing for his new role, big brother.

In preperation for the new baby, everyone is adding to their responsibilities. Maddox has taken it upon himself to help with the garbage.



He has also appointed himself official swinger.

First Day of School.

Public Service Announcement...

No we have not had the baby.
We don't know when we are having the baby.
The sex of the baby is still a secret to us.
Yes, we will make an announcement when Baby O decides to come, we won't keep the baby hidden in our back pockets forever.

Something is seriously wrong with these pictures...

Lately I've been trying to lie down in the afternoon and rest when Maddox is sleeping. The older 2 boys are really good about playing quietly and giving me that little bit of time. Yesterday it just didn't happen. When Maddox woke up, I had to get up. I went to get something and then come back to my room to make the bed. Instead I found him in the bed! The child has figured out how to turn the TV on in our room, climb on our bed, and arrange the pillows to make himself comfortable. Apparently, he's also figured out how to get his snack from the kitchen table to the middle of my bed too.
Same goes for Toby, he sees a pile of pillows and blankets and can burry himself quicker than anything!

Another one bites the dust.

I'm losing my sons, but I'm gaining superheroes! Nelson has one prized posession... His capes (yes plural, there are currently 3). Maddox got a hold of one of them and had Cooper put it on him. He refused to look at the camera, but was very willing to strut his stuff in the cape!!!!!

Deal of the century and sure fire quiet!

The boys and I ran out this morning to grab a few things before going back to being hermits in the house. Thanks to a heat index of 110 we are getting good at staying in the AC. While at Walmart we cruised the clearance isle. I found fleece throws that were $20 on sale for $1.50! Yep, you read that correctly!!!! I grabbed one for each of the older boys and headed to the check out. While checking out the checker asked where the 3rd blanket was. I told her I didn't grab one, Maddox is too young to know who Batman is. She told me for that price it didn't matter, he needed one like his big brothers. She was right. I went back to get it. I was glad I did, I was going to get the other one for my nephew, but in the 10 minutes since I grabbed the first two, only one was left. Now they are sititing on them watching The Bee Movie (rented from the Red Box, my other summer saviour). When a movie is on, there is silence! The magic of the TV is amazing, and I am forever grateful for it.

Updates

Saturday we did go to the park and play in the fountains, we never thought to take the camera. Boy am I kicking myself now!! Maddox loved it, he got so brave at the end and ran through the big ones drenching himself. The older 2 didn't even seem to mind having the water splashing them in the face.
Sunday night Travis and I got away for the first time in months! It was amazing. The church gave us a gift card to The Melting Pot, and provided babysitters (thanks again, Chris and Rebekah). We had a 3 hr dinner that just adult time. We loved every minute of it! The best part was the Snickers fondue for desert. YUMMO!!!!!
Sunday night/Monday morning I ended up with the flu. Travis was home all day yesterday taking care of the boys and I spent literally the entire day in bed! Thankfully, I'm doing much better this morning, the baby is fine (had a doctor's appointment yesterday) and I'm attempting to get the boys de-programed from all the Daddy time they had.