Tour of Olivia

While we were in Chicago for the weekend my dad's cousin, Bonnie through a great party for my extended family to meet Olivia. She loved the attention. Bonnie had an amazing party. All the food was pink, most of the people wore pink, and she even had her husbands bassinet (which was beautiful! The bedding was handmade by his grandmother) set up in the living room for Olivia to lay in. (she only layed in it for about 5 minutes, otherwise she was held)


Sitting pretty on Grandma's lap. Sophie was there to make sure I was having a good time.


Sitting with Aunt Sheila and cousin Sophie. They sure love me a lot!


Snoozing with Grandpa after a long day of meeting everyone!

Bright spot in the day!

In the chaos of laundry, cleaning, packing, tracking down a dogsitter, and just trying to maintain a level of sanity I have found I really get a kick out of watching Olivia lately. I say bright spot in the day, because the nights are not so great! She starts fussing within a half hour of us getting the boys down for the night and continues to yell, scream, hold her breath, and be miserable until around 10:30-11:00 PM. she will then fall alseep for a few hours just to wake up again around 2 or so and stay awake until 5ish (the time out alarm goes off for the day). Anyone looking for something to do around 8:30PM may come give our ears and arms a break and hold her!

With the size of the house, if something doesn't have a purpose I am more than willing to give it away/throw it away. Thankfully we have found a purpose for the bear th boys made for her the week before she was born! It makes a pefect pacifier-keeper-in-the-mouth! It also keeps her lying on her side so she doesn't face plant into her mattress.




Olivia has been getting really good at just hanging out in her crib. It's a safe place for her. Maddox can't get in there (yet). That means she has time to herself. Time that is free of smothering hugs, and wet, sticky, slobbery kisses. Don't get me wrong, we are thrilled that Maddox loves her, we just wish he wouldn't love her so hard.

What a great week!

It's only Wednesday and I am convinced this has been the best week of my life since Olivia was born. Why you ask? Well, Olivia is consistantly sleeping in her crib, getting up about 2 times a night, and otherwise is a happy baby. Maddox has adjusted to school, loves it, and wants to go. He has also figured out how to sleep through the night again. The older 2 boys are doing really well in school, have a good homework routine, and are all around great helpers to me. You would think all these reasons are why I'm loving this week... They aren't! This is why I'm loving this week...

Yep, that's a coffee cup from the new McCafe at McDonald's, that particular cup held a carmal latte. I've had a mocha, hazelnut cappuccino (2 times), and an iced mocha as well. Why you ask have I consumed that much and it's only Wednesday... I got coupons for free drinks from the McCafe, and they expire Friday! I have to use them!!!!! I have had 2 cups of goodness a day since Monday. That's not the best part. While I'm enjoying these treats, I'm also seeing this...

Maddox has gone with me every day after lunch to get my coffee (I do the drive-thru in the morning). He plays in the playland while I sit back, watch Olivia sleep and sip my afternoon cup of goodness. We then go home and he naps like a champ until Cooper and Nelson walk in the door.

Happy Saturday to me!

Ususally when I am woken up by Travis it's because there is a need he can't meet... AKA, Olivia needs to be fed. I was surprised and annoyed when he woke me up right after 8AM this morning without a screaming baby. My first thought was, "why are you waking me?!?!". He then asked if I wanted coffee (um... is the pope catholic?!?!) and chocoalte chip panckaes (um... is the sky blue?!?!). He woke up this morning with the boys, before 7AM and made breakfast. I had made a comment last night that I wanted pancakes for breakfast one morning this weekend. He not only listened to me, but he took it upon himself to make them. YUMMY!!!! It sure made the errand running a lot more enjoyable this morning.
There are no pictures of the coffee or pancakes because I would have been attatched to them. No one should have to see me in that state (unshowered, sleep deprived, and just plain scary).

Daddy's in charge of dinner.

While I was out enjoying Mexican goodness with my sister and sister-in-law, Travis was left in charge of dinner with our kids. I'm always amazed at how willing he is to do things with the kids. I'm hesitant to take them out alone, not Travis, he'll load them up, and away they go. When I tell him to just take the kids out for dinner, I think McDonald's, Burger King or Taco Bell. Usually there are coupons to one of those places on our fridge so it's an easy decision, the cheapest place wins. Aparently, Travis had something else in mind when he was left alone on Saturday evening. He took them to the gas station! Don't get me wrong, gas stations are useful for many things, the leaast of which being fuel. I go there once a week for coffee or the yummy fountain Diet Coke (with crushed ice), we go often for the free air for tires and bikes, the bathrooms are the cleanest around when we are running errands and have a potty emergency. Travis found yet another use for this place! Hot dogs, corn dogs, chips, and fountain Dr. Pepper. Travis told me for under $6 he was able to feed everyone!!!! I guess that's good.



He did redeem himself, he found a park for them to eat at. Thankfully, he didn't line them up on the curb and start feeding them.


He had them all sit down and eat in a civilized picnic.

Aunt Sheila's weekend visit.

Sheila came down for the weekend. However, Ike found her. The 5 hr drive took 7 hrs on Thursday night and the same amount of time on Sunday morning. We had a great time while she was here! We went to Old Town St. Charles on Friday with Olivia. While there we were able to get some Christmas shopping out of the way, and bought a birthday present. Lunch was at Mag Pies, the best restaurant there. The soup, sandwiches, and salads are amazing! We found out they have really good bread pudding too!!!! Saturday we took the 4 kids and ran a few errands and then went to the mall for them to play and have lunch. After bringing them back to Travis we left all of them, and went to the movies. We did have to stop along Manchest Road to retreive my phone, it was left on the top of her car and took a tumble when we started down the road. Thankfully it was found (in three pieces), and still works!!!! After getting the phone, reassembling it, and getting back in the car we continued down the road to the movies. The Women, great movie to see with your sister or a group of friends! We met Jenna for dinner that night at Iggy's Mexican Cantina, yummy food, yummy drinks, great conversation!!!! Travis met us back at Jenna and Karl's and dropped off Olvia. We ate ice cream and hung out with Layna for a bit. It was a perfect weekend!

Olivia's room

The drama that is named Olivia's room is finished!!!!! This room has had more paint on the walls than anywhere else in this house. It started out as Cooper's room, then was Cooper and Nelson's room, then it became the library, and now it's Olivia's room. Travis started painting on Friday. Sunday we had to make a trip to Home Depot because the primer was the right color, the top coat paint was not. Think lime green/ radio-active/Shrek. Yep, that is what her walls looked like. Thankfully, they were able to fix it, 2 hrs later!!!! Who would have thought it would take that long to re-mix paint. Finally, Tuesday night and Wednesday morning we were able to get everything back in her room. She slept in her crib last night and did pretty good.


That bucket is awesome! It holds all of her hair bows, lotion, finger nail clippers, you name it, it's in the bucket. We are also looking for something to hang above the changing table, nothing has jumped out at me yet.



Above the Crib we are goint to hang a large white "O".

Maddox's first day of school.

Yesterday Maddox reached yet another Ferris milestone. He went to Mom's Day Out. We have been utilizing this program since Cooper was 2. As a matter of fact, the older two boys went all the way through Mom's Day Out, pre-school, and pre-k at this church. I was expecting lots of tears from Maddox and lots of "no, Mom". I got none of it!!!! He insisted on walking into the building and carrying his lunchbox and wheeling his backpack. We got to his classroom, he kissed me and Travis, and marched right in. The only tears I saw or heard of where when Olivia and I went to pick him up, then he said, "No, Mom", and tried to go back to playing. We are now looking into extending his time there. One day a week might not be enough for him (or me... I missed him but 5 hrs of no whining were amazing!).

showing off his new lunchbox and backpack before getting in the van.

Walking down the hall to his classroom.

Getting right down to business, playing with the farm animals.

Cooper showing off his latest skill.

Cooper has been seeing the reading specialist at his school for 45 minutes everyday. We have really seen the benifits of this in the past week. He's been coming home so excited about the books he's mastering. For the first time since last year, he will sit down and try to read things without me fighting with him and one or both of us ending up in tears! I'm so proud of him. He's also been rocking his Spelling lists. 2 weeks ago he got 100% on the pre-test, and he's gotten 100% on all of his Friday tests. Again, I'm so proud of my Coop-Dill!!!!!

Back together again...

Maddox is back home. I'm not sure if he likes it... He was up more times than Olivia last night. However, today was much better than yesterday afternoon and evening. Tonight I gave him a bath, we read books, and then we climbed into bed and watched some of the Bears game. Everytime the football was in play he would stand up, pull his pacifier out of his mouth, and yell, "BALL". It was all rather cute. Travis has all the mornings off again this week and Sheila comes down Thursday night for the weekend. I'm dreading Tuesday, Sept 16. That will mark my first day home with all 4 kids.

A first for both of us!

Olivia and I had an entire afternoon together today. No daddy, no brothers, no nothing. Just us girls...
I LOVED IT!
Travis left for work as Nelson got on the bus. We napped, we did a couple loads of laundry, we chit-chatted about what it's going to be like being the only girls in our house full of boys. I definately think we can get used to this arrangement. But, wait... It won't last. Maddox comes back from Big Brother Bootcamp (I mean vacation) on Saturday. He's going to be hanging with us every afternoon (except for Wednesdays when he's at Mom's Day Out) starting Monday.

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.