1st Bath

 We had to make her first bath quick because she still struggles to maintain her body temperature.  She was content and ready to sleep again when we were finished.  Once again, Joel's boss' wife made her a towel.  This is our 4th child to receive a towel at birth which means we have 4 children that are Ohioans!  Never thought we would say that!  Crazy how life takes us places we never dreamt of going.

May Mayhem

 Lots of time spent sitting and nursing!  Long days and nights as I needed to wake Rebekah up every 3 hours to feed her.  Nothing like setting an alarm to wake yourself up all night long!

 Sam's class went to Hale Farm and Village for a field trip.

 Jacob always begs Spring to share her after school snack with him.  When she wasn't looking he helped himself to her ice cream!  She can't say no to his "bite, please!" pleas.

 Jacob helped Sam with his Famous Ohioan report.

 Josh and his great friend, Taige, on the way to their field trip. They even got to help milk a cow...his favorite part!

 Josh made a temple out of his campfire desserts!  They love roasting starbursts!

 Thomas ended up napping while the others were swimming on Memorial Day.

 Joel took Sam geo-caching!

2 Weeks

When Mom is Away....

Joel held things down great while I was in the NICU.  I'm so grateful for an amazing husband who wanted me to be able to stay with Rebekah while he spent extra time with our other children.  They love when Dad is home!

 Spring donated her hair to "Wigs for Kids".  This is the 3rd time she has donated her hair.  She said the only thing she misses is her long braids!

Gideon climbed the tree to pick flowers (blossoms still on the crabapple tree) for my birthday!

Gideon and Sara helped Dad sort laundry on laundry day!

This is how Dad packs lunches!  No complaints from the kids either!

They built a fort in the basement and Dad let them keep it up ALL week!

 Stake Conference!

 ICE CREAM

Cedar Point with the Jazz Band

Spring was able to go to Cedar Point with the Middle  School Jazz Band.  They performed in the morning and received the highest rating! Then they spent the day having fun.  Spring learned she likes roller coasters, thanks to her friends who "forced" her to try it out.  She had a great time.  Joel was able to chaperone this trip, like he did with Thomas a couple years ago.  I'm so grateful he looks for opportunities to be with our children and have fun with them. And, it gives them a great opportunity to tease their dad a little bit too!  

Coming Home

Mary stayed at the hospital with me the night before Rebekah was released to come home.  We watched a movie and shared treats before she drifted off to sleep.  It was a great way to spend the last night in the hospital.  The following morning Sue Ann picked us up from the hospital to bring us home.  I still couldn't drive, due to having a C-section, and Joel was chaperoning a trip to Cedar Point with Spring's Jazz band. So grateful Sue Ann could pick us up.  Betsy discharged Rebekah and gave me a big hug.  So grateful she is in our family's life!  The kids were beyond excited when we came home and Rebekah was in someone's arms all day long!  So good to be home and all together again!  

 11 Days in the NICU!!!!  That 's amazing for a 34 week Preemie!