16 Weeks...

Ezra is growing fast and is a total delight. All the brothers adore their baby brother.
We're very busy around here these days........

10 Weeks Old. . .Delight

Toothless grins and double chins. . .Ezra is starting to giggle at his brothers.

Such a happy face, sunshine and bliss. . .

I like to be really close to my Mommy, and I love to kiss her. . .I am not spitting up as much so I am not so messy to hold close these days.

I am a darling baby, so sweet and tender. I am not fussy and really am the 4th baby Mommy thought I would be. This picture captures his demeanor, gentle and soft. He really is a soothing person.

Mommy loves to snuggle me.

We took some great photos the other day. Stay tuned for those fun shots.


Psalm 118:5
Blessings

xo shan

Lemonade...

Hello All,
I am writing you from a very peculiar place....Evergreen Hospital. Ezra was admitted Friday the 20th with a high fever. We hadn't had a newborn with such a high fever before, so we researched what to do and called a consulting nurse. My mom watched the boys while we packed up the wee little Ezra in his diaper only to keep him cool.

By midnight that night Ezra had undergone a septic screening for his high fever to determine why he was sick. Newborns aren't exactly great at showing what they are sick with....so they have to run a gamut of tests to diagnose their illness.

A septic screening includes a spinal tap, urine sample via catheter, blood samples and an iv for antibiotics. Ezra eventually got a pick line put in his head to replace the iv in his arm. This way he can use his arm. His arm was taped to a board for a few days. Also, iv's in infant's hands do not last very long, so the pick line in his scalp was a better option. It's also better if you're nursing your baby. The pick line is a extremely thin tube that is inserted in a vein in the scalp and then tracks down that vein to the edge of his heart.

The emergency room, pediatric floor and all the tests/proceedures were not our first choice for Ezra. We were scared, petrified really. . .lots of tears. I had read before coming to the hospital *what* they would do to our baby boy. . .I just thought that maybe we would get there and they would say, oh he's cooling down or it's really hot out today so give him some time he'll be all better. I wasn't anticipating that he would be diagnosed with a kidney infection and have to be treated for two weeks in the hospital.

After the doctor told us Ezra's diangosis my mind went immediately to our other boys. At first we thought I would be in the hospital for two days while the cultures from the samples they took ran their course. On Sunday when the urine sample came back negative we were told that Ezra would have to be on iv antibiotics for two weeks. The doctor said if he had been a couple weeks older he could have had another form of treatment. Because he was three weeks old, he had to be monitored and needed those antibiotics through an iv drip.

The doctor sat quietly with us while we pondered our situation. We didn't even know if Ezra would be ok. Eli didn't think he could make it 2 days let alone two weeks. I would stay with Ezra here in the hosptial. Kevin and my mom would take turns caring for the boys. Kevin would bring the boys to the hospital after work to hang out with me and Ezra. There were yummy snacks in the nourishment kitchen and even a Gamecube game station on wheels.

Kevin broke the news to the boys gently. We spent lots of time talking with them. After they came to see their brother for the first time it hit them that Mommy was gonna be with Ezra. It was gonna take a long time to get through all this. We all felt broken and sad, lonely. . .

As the days have gone by, Ezra has gotten better and better. The tear filled phone calls come less frequently. Occasionally, Sterling breaks down, but he's still a really young guy. The time is ticking away and now that we're to Sunday night I can see the light. The boys come to play with us in our hospital room. We talk and they boys try to not be too wild. We eat yummy snacks from the nourishment kitchen and even a Gamecube game station on wheels. We get all caught up on hugs and kisses. The boys try to keep their hands clean per my nagging (save Ezra any other bacteria from the outside world for right now) They are dying to get their brother home.

Enjoy all these photos. . .they aren't in any particular order. Please stay tuned for more photos.....I think I should have more up on the blog soon.

Love to you all from Hotel Evergreen (Hospital) My friend Debbie says it's nicknamed that.
We are just chillin' here, taking our lemons and making lemonade. I am so thankful for this unexpected strange time with Ezra. I have time to hold our baby as much as I want. We can nap if we like and just be together. Soon we'll be back in the real world. I can't wait to be home reunited as a family.


shan

2 weeks old. . .

2 weeks old

1 week old

Sage and his baby bother

Ezra 1 or 2 weeks old

2 or 3 wks old

3 wk old feet

Ezra and me in the hospital, 4 wks old

Ezra with Sterling and Eli. . .3 weeks old

2 weeks old I think

1 week old....

New baby Ezra with his big brothers!!! OUR LITTLE MEN ARE SO HANDSOME!!!

Ezra in his moby wrap. He's a sweet little pea in his wrap. If you haven't seen a moby wrap, think African Mama and a baby carrier that consists of about 10 feet of fabric. You wrap it strategically and voila baby feels like he's in the womb still. I can fold laundry or tidy up with Ezra in his wrap. It does get a little toasty with a little bebe and all the fabric, but it's worth it! My friend Debbie got me the moby wrap and I love her.

Ezra's Email Announcement...

Ezra Aaron Stainer
born: 27 May 08 @ 8:05 pm
8lb 9 oz, 22 in long

God has been very good to us. We are humbled by His love.
He's been so generous to give us another beautiful son.

Love,
Kevin, Shannon, Sage, Eli, Sterling, and Ezra Stainer

Ezra Has Arrived FINALLY!!!

Ezra Aaron Stainer arrived yesterday, Tuesday, May 27, 2008 @ 8:05pm
He weighs 8 lb 9 oz and is 22 inches long.

We are all resting and enjoying this beautiful baby. I am so glad he's finally here!

Stay tuned for more photos......

40 Weeks + 3 Days

Ok, so it's is flippin' hot here right now. I'm getting ready for bed and a fan blowing on me all night. We decided to get out of the house this afternoon and head to the river. The river is extremely high right now from the snow melting rapidly.....so we had to redirect to Flowing Lake. The river was also GLACIAL temperatures....it was bizarre to be so hot and then have your feet freeze off in the water. Eli braved the water with his daddy up to his knees. The other boys got their toes wet and balanced on rocks. The water was rising while we were there.

Flowing Lake was relaxing. My mom and I knitted while the boys floated. I think barring an appearance of Ezra, we'll return there tomorrow for some food and more floating. The water is nice and clean and the swimming area is shallow. They even allow dogs there with leashes and proper owner clean up of doggie messes. Pug had fun, but he needs a towel to lay on next time. He is a fickle lap dog. No laying on rocks or sand for him.

So, I feel like the baby is getting ready to be born. We'll see. I have gone in to labor 10 days early, 12 days late, and 2 days late with our prior pregnancies. It's up in the air at this point. I am glad to not have a OBGYN breathing down my neck at this point. I can't imagine I'll make it to my appointment on Wednesday. If I do end up going much over due, I will just assume my due date was off by a couple weeks. I pray for sanity to just be patient and not anxious.

Stay tuned for more photos and maybe even a picture of us soon with our little Ezra. I hope to see him very soon.

If you're in Washington and experiencing this heat wave, stay cool, and know our cooler maybe even rainy weather shall return inevitably. My weather forcast on Firefox says 71 tomorrow and then Monday will be 67.

Much love....
shan
Here's my big boys @ Flowing Lake, we went back the lake Sunday afternoon. We were much more prepared today. We went to Fred Meyers and got floaties and water squirters...picnic food. The boys had a terrific time. I love how much they love the water.Pudge @ the river yesterday. He is so photogenic.....handsome pug. He hates water though, some day I will get him all the way in a natural water source. When we went to the ocean this summer, he did end up eventually walking in the very shallow tide.
I finished Ezra's quilt. Kevin had to hold it up for me because I couldn't get a good, straight shot of it on the floor. I think Kevin is hilarious. He gave the quilt eyes and legs. He makes me laugh.......... The black and white floral print below is the quilt's back. I bought this fabric at IKEA, it was a really great price, too...I made a matching changing pad to match the quilt. It's crazy quilt style. It's not lopsided, but the camera distorted the image. I didn't take a picture of the back because it is black fleece, not too exciting of a picture.

And...last but not least, one last knit item for Ezra's layette. Baby leg warmers. Knit in a lovely dusty purple color....almost blue-ish purple. I can get you the pattern I created for them. It was pretty easy. I knit them at the same time on two circular needles. They are made out of Wool Ease yarn on size 3 needles. We'll see how they fit on his little legs. If he has chubby thighs then they won't fit him very long.

40 Weeks and 1 Day

So the house is quiet, and I couldn't go back to bed. Pretty soon the boys will be waking up. We are all so excited for our baby, it's like Christmas Eve every night right now. I love all the things that they are saying, questions they're asking....... I especially love watching the baby move in my belly with them. Last night Ezra has hiccups and we could all watch him move around.

I thought I should post a picture of the LOVELY stairs that my sweet man built for our bed. I cannot tell you how much easier it is to go to bed, get up in the middle of the night, get down in the morning. Kevin did a terrific job on these stairs. I was really impressed with how he created them. A lot of times I'll draw pictures for him for projects around the house. Stairs were another thing all together. I spent about an hour trying to draw these ridiculous things up.....well I never did get them figured out. He had very little problem getting these done, measuring out the stairs....... They are really solid and so pretty to look at. They're made out of 3/4" ply and he just sealed them with some orange oil. The handrail is divine too. So props go out to Kevin, builder of stairs.

We're gonna work in the garden this afternoon. I will hopefully take some more pictures of our 40+ week adventures. I'm not in a hurry to make Ezra come at the point. I guess give me a couple more days until I'm certifiable. I long to see him and hold him in my arms.

We did think Tuesday night, our 13th annivesary, that we were going into labor...........just a practice round though. I am glad to not share our anniversary with our baby's birthday, but, it would have been nice to hold him. Instead we got to go home and one of us didn't sleep very well that night. It was good to experience some of the intensity that is due any time though.

Stay tuned!

Almost There. . .

Here are a few photos to celebrate the home stretch of Ezra's pregnancy...

These flowers were given to me by my friend Debbie. She said that by the time they wilted that Ezra would be here. There were iris' and 2 sunflowers in the vase as well. The sunflowers expired today...........so, it looks like she may be correct. These green flowers look like they could last another week.

Ezra's space is completed. I need Kevin to put some guards across the shelves so that I can actually have stuff on the shelves (sort of not safe in case of earthquake to have stuff above a baby's bed)...My work is done though.....I love how the 'wading pool' blue and 'chocolate' brown set each other off. It's pretty electrifying. I am glad the color scheme worked out. It was so hard to find a bed that would work. If you're looking for a great portable bed, this one is the bomb. It has a pretty cool sound box that hangs in the corner. It even has a mp3 hookup and night-light.
We like the flip up changing table/hammock, wipes/diaper holder and bassinet insert. It's cool baby gear.

We bought this shelving unit at Ikea for baby's things. It's really handy. I think it was a little $100 with all the bins. They have blue, green, orange/red, and red bins, too. A regular dresser wouldn't have worked with the space we have.

Stay tuned for pictures of Ezra. We are very, very close. This may be my last post before he comes. I may post one more HUGE belly picture for funzies.

...shan...
will knit for tattoos
ps 118:5

39 Weeks....Painting and NESTING!!!!!!

The mess is always worth the end project...HOLY COW I AM SO TIRED!!!

So here we are a week before our due date...the projects have been tiring. We got Ezra's wall and the hallway painted. Kevin put together the dresser and I started putting some stuff in it. That will be the big job today, sorting itty bitty baby clothes. Putting away diapers. Putting the bed together. I am so excited to be done working in our room. Feels like I did a months worth of work the last couple days. My hips are sore for it too. I am hoping to just sit and work on the baby's quilt this coming week. I will have earned some couch time. Tomorrow we have our 39 week midwife appointment. Kevin and I are getting a sitter now to go to the appointments. We had dinner together last week and got Ezra's bed, etc... He called me this morning and was like, "Do we have another midwife appointment tomorrow?" And I was like, "YES!" He was tripping that another week had already gone by. I told him, "That's why I am such a headcase!!!
Here's some photos from the week. Oh, Kevin rebuilt our loft stairs too. They are amazing. I can walk up them easily hugely pregnant. This will be so nice when the baby comes.

The finished wall and hall....I'll post pictures when everything is clean and tidy...

Our infamous loft. It's 72 square feet total. We have a queen sized bed, two side tables, side bed for kids, and Pudge's doggie bed.

Me, painting, 39 weeks along.

The old stairs. . .roughed in and functional. Hard to get up and down though during my pregnancy. The new lovely stairs Kevin built. They are very beautiful and easy to climb. We added a handrail for kid safety....and ours. He amazes me at how he can take my requests and voila, stairs are there. I like math and tried to draw these up for about an hour, it didn't take him quite so long. That guy knows how to build things.

The mess of baby gear, clean laundry, light saber, and stuff before the painting began.

The hall before the painting and cleaning. Lumber, tile for our bathroom remodel, and just general mess. It's hard to post the mess pictures, but, it's so glorious to see the transformation.

Our Boys at 38 Weeks Expecting a Baby Brother...

I just had to post these photos of my darlings. . .they are growing so big. They really are going to be great big brothers. I know in a few short years they will be arguing and fighting with Ezra, but we'll enjoy the honeymoon for now.

The hilarious thing about the picture of all three of them together is they were totally hurting each other huddling together. It was frustrating to take the photo and Sage was sort of being a bully. I think it ended in tears for one of them. It's sort of like herding cats getting them that close to each other and then having them not wrestle. They are ALLLLLL boy.

Sage Kevin Scott Stainer, 10.5 yrs oldEli Joseph Stainer, 8.5 yrs old

Sterling Ayden Stainer, 6 yrs oldEzra Aaron's quilt. I have almost finished it. I'll buy the backing fabric at Ikea hopefully tomorrow.......

The bed dilemma is officially over. We bought this bed last night from Babysrus. I am pretty excited about the color combination, etc. Most of these beds have bad color combinations so it was a mind bender to say the least. I was gonna maybe buy a simple crib from Ikea, but, I am happy with this bed. Like I've said before it's only for naps, so it doesn't have to be extravagant. It does have to be the right color and look incredibly cool though. hahaa.....

38 Weeks, Almost time!!!!!

Our dear friend Heather gave us a couple's shower this weekend. It was loads of fun!!! We had so much fun with our friends and family.....especially during the playdoh games. I'll spare you the details of the sculptures :o) Creativity reigned!!!

I'll post some more pictures later. My brother was so kind to take pictures that day.

Kevin is on his way home from Lowe's with a truck load of materials to finish Ezra's area, build new stairs for our loft and other fun and exciting home improvement materials. I am really excited to go to Ikea on Wednesday or Babysrus us to get a bed for him. He honestly will only take naps in it during the day, but a guy needs a quiet place to take a nap in this house.