The First Few Days

Bridgette is fitting right in at home.  Big Brother and Sister are smitten (so far) and have enjoyed having Daddy home.

Watching cartoons with Rooke

Putting Gretchen's hair accessories to good use! 

Super Dad of three

Ryan is our family's champion napper.  He's been helping Bridgette master his techniques.

"We want to sleep with her"

Bridgette Kara Payne

She's here!  Our little Bridgette is with us!  More on her name later.

We are extremely thankful for a safe, speedy, and natural delivery.  To sum up: my water broke at 1:30 on Sunday while I was unloading groceries.  My mom had just arrived back home in London the day before, so she brought her still unpacked bag with her and arrived at our house that afternoon.  I started timing my contractions at 8:00 that evening and decided it was time to head to the hospital at 10:30.  By the time we got to the hospital, were checked in and settled, it was 11pm and I was having to really work through the contractions and was dilated to a 7!  Bridgette was born at 12:05am with a full head of dark hair and a healthy cry - what joy!  She was the smallest Payne baby, weighing 7lbs 15oz.  We thank God for His mercy in blessing us with this precious life.   

 . . . breathe, breathe!

Delivering in a local hospital brought about several differences than my experiences with the first two.  Some were a bigger deal than others (like the walls not being sound proof and me having to listen to another woman giving birth in between my contractions).  This was my post-birth snack: tea and toast!

The hospital had strict visiting hours and Ryan was not allowed to stay the night in the recovery bay (that I shared with three other women and their little ones).  Bridgette was so excited when he came back to see us later in the day!

"Oh, Daddy!"

 Getting ready to head home.  We left around 1pm.

The big kids did great with KayeK and were excited for Bridgette and I to come home.  Gretchen was so ready to hold her sister!

Rooke liked the new car that Bridgette gave him and wanted her to see it all put together

 SO thankful my mom was back in the country and able to be with us for this special day!  

 Super KayeK with her Payne grandkids

This Weekend

Ryan and I have enjoyed working our way through a sermon series on marriage from the church we were a part of in Seattle.  We get good listening on our own during the week, then great conversation over a romantic and quiet in-house dinner date on the weekend.

 Happy St. Patrick's Day on Saturday!  If you haven't ever read up on who St. Patrick was, take a minute to do so.  I love doing special things to celebrate holidays with the kids and the history of this one is not lacking in inspirational and spiritual lessons.  Plus, who doesn't love green pancakes?! 

We decided to go bowling after breakfast.  I suggested the idea, not really thinking that I would have to carry two bowling balls to play the game!

"Whoa, Daddy!"

I know, I know.  You're supposed to throw the ball, not tuck it in your shirt.  That's probably why I didn't knock any pins down on that turn.

Going into the tenth frame, the kids were ahead.  For real.

I'll stop with the bowling ball jokes and just let you come up with your own caption for this one. :)

Bowling + 40 weeks pregnant = worst score ever.

One week to D-Day

I'll be 39 weeks tomorrow!  Can't wait to meet Baby Girl.

I think you call this nesting :)

Growing Up

I feel like Rooke is changing and growing up in new ways every day.  

Maybe it's because he's about to be Big Brother times two.  

Maybe it's because he wants to ride his bike without training wheels.  

Maybe it's because he's figured out how to get his sister to do things he doesn't want to.  

Maybe it's because he's so proud of himself for coloring in the lines.  

Maybe it's because he's asking "important questions" on our walks to and from preschool.  

Maybe it's because he is more interested in real legos these days.  

Probably it's a combination of all this and more, but I just love this little man so much and am blessed to see him grow.  

This is a recent creation that he was super proud of. . .  I'm proud of him.    

Get-Away

I got a great Groupon deal for an overnight stay in a city we'd not ventured to.  So we headed out last weekend for one last family hurrah before Baby Girl comes.  The kids were ecstatic when they saw their little cot beds waiting for them in the room and immediately jumped in!  If only Gretchen had been as excited when it came time to actually use them for their intended purpose! =)

Super Dad spent the afternoon swimming with the kids.  Rooke hasn't been a fan of the pool in the past, but showed a lot of courage this time.

We checked out the remains of an old castle . . .

And after touring some caves below the city, we ate at a quaint little cafe that made me feel like we were back in Seattle.  Someone didn't want his picture taken.

Gretchisms

I hear this at least once each day: "I need to get my pink bunny.  She's crying for me."

On our way to the car after some immunizations: "That little man put two pokies in my legs."

On wild animals: "If a lion comes, I will kill it and then put it in a safe place."

She has a strong interest in the story of David and "Golilaf".

Mommy answering a request for help: "Yes, just after I go potty."

Gretchen, in complete shock: "AGAIN, Mommy?!"

Sleeping in a hotel bed: "This is my pretend bunk bed."

On being a big sister:  "When Baby Sister comes out, I will give her soft and gentle cuddles.  And if she cries I will sing her a song and tell her to stop crying."