Shelden's 3rd birthday!

Last Sunday was Shelden's third birthday. With me having just had a new baby less than two weeks before we didn't do a whole lot, just had family over for pizza, but I was able to make him the cake he wanted and that thrilled him. He seemed to really enjoy his special day. :) I was also thankful I was able to complete his slide show of this last year. 

11/12/13

On Monday I was texting back and forth with my sister-in-law about when Ian might make an appearance. Sunday had been the day she had first chosen and for a little bit there we thought he might prove his Auntie Ruth right. Anyway, she mentioned that the next day, 11/12/13, would be a neat birthday. I hadn’t thought of the date until she said something. I began hoping and Daniel did too that this fun birthday would be in the Lord's plan for his arrival. To add to this fun date I found out it would have been my great grandpa's... Ian's　great great grandpa's 122nd birthday, so this made me want it even more.　

But, Tuesday morning dawned with no sign of him on the way, which with my long, hard labors seemed to mean he would not make it for this great date. My mom, the kids and I headed off to Target with me hoping our shopping trip would have to be cut short. Well, we got to fully enjoy our outing with no abrupt end to our time there. After lunch I lay down for a nap with my dream of him arriving on the 12th fading as quickly as it had come. You have to understand my labors had been close to 24 and 12 hours.　

I have been discrete but, the following may have a little more detail then some of you want...

Around 4:40pm was the first sign I had that labor might not be far away, but no real labor. I called Daniel to tell him my feelings. At about 5:30 I start to have the first pre-labor contractions and by 6:30 I knew it was the real thing with them moving to three minutes apart. My midwife arrived around 9:30, just before she arrived I told Daniel I was scared because I was already feeling like I couldn’t handle it and didn't know how I would be able to do it if this was only the start of labor and that I had hours still to go. To hear from my midwife a few minutes later I was already at 8cm was some of the most wonderful news I had ever heard. Daniel’s verse for me this time was John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. I felt the Lord's peace settling over me and him telling me that Ian would have this fun birthdate. With less than six hours of labor and our sweet little man arrived at 11:26pm. He weighed 8lbs even and was 21" long. The Lord also blessed in that I had no hemorrhaging this time!

Shelden and Jenae were elated to wake in the morning and find their baby brother was already here (they had gone to bed excited of that possibility). No baby could ask for a more loving big brother and sister. Ian receives many sweet hugs, kisses and cuddles. We are so thankful to The Lord for all of our precious blessing. Here are some more pictures of our cuties. 　

Ian Elijah

Well, our third little youngster squeaked into the birth date of 11/12/13 by being born at 11:26 PM after a relatively short labor (as compared to our previous standards). We prayed for good health, and God has chosen to answer in the affirmative. The little man even sleeps decently at night. I would even be tempted to say that he sleeps through the night, as I have yet to hear him cry. The elbow in the side to change a dirty diaper however proves otherwise.

Over the several days that have passed since his birth, Shelden and Jenae have continued to develop a bond with him, and even carry on monologues with their new brother. Both enjoy wishing him a good morning, and kissing him good night. Jenae’s bear hugs could do with being a little less hearty. 

With three kids now, I feel like an old man, or at least an experienced one. I recall those weeks after Shelden’s birth, how much of an adjustment it was to having a child and not having sleep. 7:30 at night seemed like a perfectly appropriate bed time. Now the additional responsibility of having kids to watch while still attempting to somewhat keep track of additional responsibility at work, surprisingly seems bearable. Much of this is due to the invaluable support of family and friends.

So here we are with an additional soul for whom we have been granted full custody. It truly is a daunting task. The little guy is 100% dependent on us for every need. As the kids grow older, I am again reminded of this fact. This evening, Shelden and I had a discussion of his current skill set as his older brother looked forward to playing animals with him, and commented on his lack of productivity. Investing, however, in my kids I feel like is one of the soundest ones I feel like I can make. They require a lot of work on the front end, but I trust that the best is yet to come.

Daniel

Ready and Waiting

Well, we are ready and waiting for our third little blessing to arrive. I was 39 weeks yesterday so anytime now is fine with this Mama. :) Big brother is ready too... Any question to him about someone coming or something happening is answered with "baby Ian!" and a big smile. Ian's nursery is decorated and waiting for him, although he will be in Mommy and Daddy's room for awhile. Yes, we keep the panda theme we had used with Shelden so a lot of it will look the same if you saw his nursery pictures. Hopeful our next post will be of Ian Elijah's arrival!!!

My Little Mini Cake Decorators

Yesterday after I  finished decorating Ian's birth celebration cookies (something I have done of all three births), I decided to save the left over icing for a fun little project today... I baked large sugar cookie and let Shelden and Jenae just have fun. It is never to early to start cake decorating lessons right? ;) "My Little Mini Cake Decorators" seemed to have a blast. They had some fun eating the icing too. :)

Pumpkin Patch Pics 2013

Well with the tradition I started Shelden's first October, I have now paint fall shirts for the third time. I can hardly believe one month from today "My Little Man" will be turning three-years-old and by that time we should have another little man here to join us! I guess next year I will be painting three shirts for our trip to the pumpkin patch next year. :) Anyway, I could resist post some pictures of my Little Cuties from our trip this year...

A Little Afternoon Vacation

Daniel had a meeting in Galveston yesterday, so we went with him for a change. The kids and I drove around for a little while daddy was in his meeting, then we went to the beach with him for a picnic. This was Jenae's first time to ever see the Gulf, and I guess Shelden's really too, as the other time he had ever seen it was only from the Seawall on a cold foggy day in December before Jenae was born. They loved the event as well as the anticipation before hand. In the morning the kiddos and I had gone shopping for the things we needed for our picnic supper. With almost everything I touched a little excited voice from my son would call out "That for our picnic Mama?" :) He could hardly wait for Daddy to get home to pick us up. They did nap on the way down there and some of the time Daddy was in his meeting, which helped making the waiting easier. After Daniel got out we drove along and out past the Seawall to a point where we could drive out on the beach. The kids where happy to go a good ways out in the water as long as Mommy or Daddy were holding them and they definitely enjoyed playing right at the water's edge. Jenae tried to make friends with a seagull  who couldn't seem to decide if he wanted to run from this "miniature female" or not as she had a Cheeto in her hand. The bird would waddle away from her or would start to fly off then turn and come back. I was a little afraid he would get brave enough to come after the Cheeto, but he never did. It really was a nice relaxing family time, with a delicious breeze blowing making the weather perfect.

Getting Ready For Baby Brother Ian

Well, this past week we moved Shelden and Jenae into a shared room and Shelden into a "big" bed. It has worked relatively well. In fact I was surprised at just how well the transition went. There have been moments of enjoying our new found freedom a little to much, such as crossing the "bridge" that spans between beds and climbing into sister's crib, :) but on the whole things have gone very well. They both seem to love being in there together and it has been so sweet to hear them singing and talking together...which at times can also served to keep each other awake. ;) 

Yesterday, Shelden's art work came so I was able to finish decorating. I basically split the room in half decorating one side for Jenae and one side for him. Shelden's side is decorated in one of his favorite things...vehicles - trucks and construction vehicles . We were even able to find a comforter for his new bed that looks like it could have been made just for him. He is totally happy with his new room (or half of a room :) ). On Jenae's side we keep her tea set theme, but moved it all to her side of the room. I found the cutest little teapot shelve a few weeks ago at an antique store that goes perfectly with her bedding; so that is also newly hung on her side. All in all I am very happy with how it turned out and now that it is fully decorated and rearranged I am ready to share pictures.

Naming Number Three

We are praying for the happy arrival of a new grandson, nephew, son and brother this November. The choosing of the name for our son was rather unique in that Lauryn and I were away from each other for two weeks, and seemed to both independently settle on the same given name during this time. The name that has been chosen is,

Ian Elijah Falkenstine.

His first name, Ian, is the Scottish Gaelic equivalent to the English, John, which means, “God is Gracious.”

The middle name, Elijah, is a direct translation of the Hebrew meaning, “God is Yahweh.”

Both this attribute and name of God is eloquently combined in a single passage of scripture, which we have chosen to go with his name. The Holman Christian Standard translation uses both exact words,

“Know that Yahweh your God is God, the faithful God who keeps His gracious covenant loyalty for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commands.”

Deuteronomy 7:9 HCS

God gave the prophet Elijah the ministry of declaring the meaning of his name in that the one true God is Yahweh. At a very critical point in Elijah’s life, God demonstrated that he is indeed gracious to those who serve him, and keep his covenant, by both dealing kindly with the depressed Elijah, and preserving the life of the remnant of those who remained faithful to Him.

We ask a blessing on little Ian, that he will have this same view of who God is, and understand with all of his heart the graciousness of this God he serves.

Daniel, Lauryn, Shelden and Jenae

It's A...

Yesterday afternoon we went for our ultrasound to find out who our sweet Baby 2013 is. 

Before the ultrasound Shelden and Jenae helped Mama make a cake to hide the either blue or pink little teddy bear in for the reveal party  They seemed to have a lot of fun and intently watch "their cake" being mixed. Which is why they aren't looking at the camera. :)

 Tonight was our little reveal party for family.

Shelden was the one to to have the teddy bear in his piece and get to tell everyone that we are having a... 

The votes 

 Our sweet Baby Boy's face and feet.