Thanksgiving

Cousins having a dart war in the castle in our house

Our thanksgiving

Now that thanksgiving is so over I can post my blog, since I have about a 2 week lag time these days. Plus it's so much more fun to relive those memories that have past, right? We had a great Thanksgiving. Aric's brother, Mike, and his wife Lynn and their three wonderful kids came to visit. Our kids rarely get to see their cousins, so it's always a special occasion when they get together. It was truly a stress free weekend, and so much fun.

I love having people over for thanksgiving. To me the more the merrier. There's something special about being together with people you care about on Thanksgiving. For the past three years Aric's family (whom ever can make it) has been able to join us for Thanksgiving, and I had love this tradition. For some reason I get so excited to make the whole dinner and be the hostess for the weekend. This is the only time I get out Aric's grandmother's china and silver. It's fun getting out all the fancy plates and silverware and dressing up the table. That is a rare event in our house.

We just hung out all Thanksgiving day, and Then on Friday, the day after T-day, we went to see Bolt (which is really cute) and then looked at Christmas lights at a campground in Zumbro Falls, which is about 20 minutes north of us. We drove through a mile long drive full of Christmas lights with scenes of all four seasons. It was a fun way to kick off the Christmas Season.

We did make the mistake of stopping in at the campground barn where we were told they were serving free cider. The cider was free, the cup was a $1. While we sipped our cider the local High School put on a concert for us of the "Top 40" songs of the 1980's. I guess if I had known any of the students singing it may have been enjoyable. Hannah liked the music and thought the girls looked like princesses and kept dancing on her chair, it was cute to watch her. I don't think any of us wanted to be the first to say "let's go", just incase someone did actually enjoy it, but then my 14 year old nephew said he couldn't stand the music and dancing any longer, so we left. Saved by the teen. I would definitely go see the lights again and skip the talent show.

We had such a fun weekend. Our family was sad to see the Kansas Murphy's go.

On a sad note, Aric's Grandma died last friday, December 5th. She will be missed. She was 91 and had moderate dementia for quite sometime. Grandma Harry truly is in a better place. Aric is taking Brecklen to Kansas for her funeral this Friday.

When I take out Grandma Harry's China for next Thanksgiving I think it will be even more special to use it. To be able to think of her and her wonderful life, and the cherished gifts and memories she has given to me and her family. We love you Grandma Harry!

kids pictures

Here are some pictures we had taken in November by a friend of ours, Mark Zollinger, who is a talented photographer. Aric was suppossed to be there, but got called back into work, so unfortunately we didn't get a family picture. Here are some of the best pictures.

This is my favorite picture out of the whole session. Hannah is so photogenic.

I had Mark just take a quick picture of me and the kids. When Aric saw this he started laughing and said I looked like a single mom! (I think he felt guilty for not being there).

Twilight

DON'T READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYTHING ABOUT THE MOVIE YET!! (Or if you haven't read all the books)

Well for those crazed fans of the book TWILIGHT, the movie is finally here. My friends and I have been beyond excited for this movie to come out. Or Perhaps the better term is DON'T SCREW IT UP FOR US! We loved the books, fell in love with Edward and for a few even Jacob, and rooted for Bella to become a vampire and just get it over with.

I got to the movie early so that I could get a seat in the front, just in case I had to make a quick get a way with Madelyn without having a drink thrown at my head for making noise. I was waiting in line for my tickets and the girl behind me must have been very anxious to get in because she was practically on top of me. I could smell her minty gum and feel her breathing literally on my neck and kept almost pushing me as if willing me to move forward so she could get into the movie quicker. I don't really consider myself having personal space issues, but if I can practically taste your gum, yeah, your too close for comfort.

I was the first one of my friends there, so I found some seats for us. I sat by myself feeling completely awkward being surrounded by girls all wearing a shirt that said SENIOR on the front. I called my friends who were coming, Aric twice, my mother, and my brother. Yeah, I was really feeling my age, when they are taking about high school and lip gloss (seriously) and I am old enough to be a teacher at their high school with one of the only babies in the audience taking up a precious seat with my carseat. Thank goodness when my friends arrived. Everyone that walked in the theatre kept eyeing the 4 open seats beside me and I wouldn't look at anyone and kept talking to Aric, or my mom, or my brother.

I am having a hard time deciding on how bad the movie was and why it is so disappointing. I think my friends and I all agreed it was lacking in something. For one I think the chemistry and sexual tension between Bella and Edward was seriously lacking, where in the book that's what drives it. I knew the book would of course be better, but still. It was so cheesy and very high schoolish. Yes, we all know it was a young adult book, but it can still be enjoyed by all ages, like the book. The characters were all wrong. Edward is supposed to be hot, in a classy elegant 19th century way, not some pasty surfer boy with big hair, and same with Carlisle for that matter. The whole scene in the woods that started this book was too cheesy, when it was supposed to be beautiful and romantic, and we get more cheese and lameness. One of the best parts about the movie was a pretty scene where they are high in a tree looking over a river, only because it was a scenic view and there was no talking, and it wasn't even in the book! My favorite part in the movie had nothing to do with the movie, but when Bella first sees Jacob the audience sneers at him, and he gets a few cheers too. That was awesome. People were really into it. It was a vocal audience at times. My other favorite part was at the end, when things get "scary" and it's supposed to be tense. A girl behind me gets scared and gasps, and here I am practically laughing. I think the whole movie would have been better if the acting was better and the actors weren't trying to be so "sexy" with their obviously try-to-hard pouty lips and what was supposed to be sexy eyes. I think the teens liked it, but I don't know about the adults.

Actually now I think about it, the best part is when Edward looks like he is going to visibly throw up when he first sees Bella walk into his science class. I think I actually laughed out loud, it wasn't supposed to be funny. I know he was supposed to really dislike her, but he wants to eat her. Edward looked more like he wanted to run away because she smelled like vomit and last nights tequila.

Well, I didn't mean to go on, but it was a little disappointing. I actually did have low expectations going into the movie, because I knew it wouldn't be the same, I just didn't expect such bad acting. oh well, I guess that's why reading books are great, you make them your own. Maybe I'll just have to read them again.

I purposely didn't look at the reviews because I didn't want to know anything about the movie, but now I'm curious.
I hope I didn't ruin it for anyone. I hope the next movie is better. I'm sure New Moon will be made into a movie too.

The best thing about this night is atleast I got to see a movie I've been excited about seeing, and then come home to a quiet house and eat chocolate by myself in peace and blog. My husband actually put the kids to bed before I got home! Thanks Aric.

Halloween

I took the kids to a fun halloween party at Brecklen's preschool where they had a trunk-r-treat, crafts, and fun games.

Hannah liked posing for the camera. My favorite is the one of her crashed out on the couch after a night of fun of trick-or-treating, eating a ton of candy, and NO nap!

Jango Fett, Belle, and a Kitty

Brecklen's 5th birthday

I should have posted this months ago, but better late than never. Brecklen turned five in August. It was a big day for him. I decorated his room while he slept with streamers and balloons, so when he woke up on his birthday Wall-E was everywhere! He just thought that was so much fun and wouldn't let me take anything down for literally a month. I finally had to do it because we were having family visit because I was going to have a baby. I know I was still prego then. It was awhile ago!

We let him choose where he wanted to go eat. He choose Hu Hot. It's a fun Mongolian BBQ place where you get to choose your own uncooked meat, pasta, and veggies and they cook it on a big grill in front of you. It's Breck's favorite place to eat, and our's too, so we all had a fun time. He just loved being special for the day. Who doesn't on their birthday?

Brecklen at Hu Hot

Aric and the kids having a whipped cream fight.

A few days later Brecklen had his birthday party at Quarry Hill Nature Center with his friends. The kids got to learn about snakes and turtles. They did get to watch the turtle walk around and get to touch it. Then they got to feed Minos to the fish. They all liked watching the fish eat the Minos. I'm sure the Minos didn't like swimming for their life. We played some games and ate cake and ice cream. Then the kids just ran around to burn off all their energy. The room echoed, so it sounded like there were 40 kids in there, that's probably why they kept screaming! All the kids had alot of fun, and even got to learn something. Thanks kids for coming to Brecklen's party! Brecklen, I hope you had a great birthday.

The kids feeding the fish

Brecklen blowing out the candles on his lovely Walle cake.

Madelyn's first month

Madelyn's first bath at 2 weeks old. You can tell she had a fun time.

Our three kids! I can't believe I have 3 kids. I am still getting used to it.

Hannah didn't like taking pictures so we all put on our sad face.

Finally able to get a decent picture. Thanks to bribbery of chocolate.

It has been a great month, well technically 5 weeks. Madelyn is 5 weeks today. It has gone by so fast. Madelyn slept most of the time. For about 3 weeks she slept so much we were worried about her. I had to wake her up every two hours to eat during the day. It wasn't a bad problem to have. Then she started to have more awake time this past week and isn't quite sure yet what to do with herself, i.e. she cries more! She is so sweet though and loves the attention from Brecklen and Hannah. I think she likes the chaos and noise. She sleeps through it and when they stop, she wakes up. She is gaining weight, but is still a little peanut. I just love to hold her. She isn't thrilled with the Baby Bjorn, I think because she's still so little. She prefers to just be held. Sh's holding up her head pretty good. But she has such a cute little head it probably doesn't take much.

Brecklen and Hannah just love Madelyn to pieces. Hannah has picked her up a couple of times. When Madelyn was 8 days old Hannah carried her off the bed and I caught Hannah walking down the hall with Madelyn in her arms. That was a little scary, but Hannah had such a big smile on her face and was holding her so carefully I couldn't get mad at her, but we did have a little chat. Two days later Hannah picked up Madelyn out of the co-sleeper(a mini-crib by our bed) and I found Hannah trying to pick up Madelyn off the bed again, only this time Madelyn was face down squirming to get her face off the sheets so she could breathe. That was even scarier. Thank goodness for that motherly instinct, and monitors, to go and check up on Madelyn. Time to put up the crib to protect her from her siblings who are trying to be helpful. Hannah has progressed. She knows not to pick her up anymore. She loves to hold Madelyn though. Everytime Madelyn wakes up Hannah asks so cute with a big smile "can I hold him?" We are still working on the concept of boys and girls.

My mother-in-law was here for the first week and Aric's brother and his family came to visit during that time. It was great to have my mother-in-law here to help. She kept the kids totally entertained so that I could take care of Madelyn. Plus the fact that I didn't have to do laundry, cook, or do dishes! It was great for Brecklen and Hannah to play with their cousins that they don't see often. My mom came to help out when my mother-in-law left and she stayed for two weeks. I think my mom was tired by the time she left. Two weeks with my kids will apparently do that. I'm grateful to these women for everything they did.

Brecklen is so sweet with Madelyn. He loves to snuggle and cuddle with her. It's cute to see all three of my kids snuggled together smiling and laughing. That's what life is all about.

This week Hannah had a mild cold. Actually so mild I wouldn't have even called her sick except for the fact she had a little cough. Hannah had a difficult time staying away from Madelyn. She loves to kiss the baby. So Madelyn now has her first cold.

The past five weeks has been great. It's been wonderful getting to know our sweet little Madelyn, and seeing that my kids love her too. Aric is a great dad and just loves Madelyn so much. It's cute to see him with our kids. I think we're both on a "newborn high."

My mom was impressed with how much Aric helps out. She said he "would make a great mom." Which then I replied "or he can just be a good dad." I don't think my mom is used to seeing a man help around the house. After all, times have changed. The other day he got out our hand-vac and vaccumed up enough rice to be dinner for the next night while holding Madelyn in the other arm. I told him he would make a great mom. But you do make an excellent dad :)

Our newest edition!

Madelyn Jude Murphy was born at 1:32pm on September 12th, 2008. She is a healthy baby girl weighing 5lbs. 11 oz. and 19 1/2 inches long.

The induction went well. We arrived at the hospital at 7:30 am on Friday Sept. 12th. They didn't actually start the pitocin until 9:30am. I was pretty much in labor when we got to the hospital. My contractions were about 5 minutes apart and starting to hurt, so I am sure that I would have gone on my own in the next couple days, but it was a relief to be at the hospital knowing that I was going to have enough time to get an epidural this time around. All I wanted was an epidural. It probably slowed down my labor, but I didn't care, I just wanted to be comfortable. They broke my water at 12:30pm. My epidural started to wear off not long after. And of course things were progressing quickly and I kept asking where anesthesia was. As I'm trying to work through the contractions Aric picks up the Mayo scale of pain to show me. It has little faces on it from 0 (smiley face) to a 10 (very mad face that looks like it's swearing). So Aric says "Looks like you're an 8." Well I wasn't really in the mood, but I just couldn't help but laugh and so did my nurse who was holding my other hand. The nurse asked me if he was always like this and of course yes, he is. Always the comic relief. Finally anesthesia came in the room to bump up my epidural, but they were too late, I was already getting ready to deliver baby. They increased the dosage anyway, but it didn't hit my system fast enough. Oh well, it was nice not to have to feel the full affect, it was more of a "10" instead of a "100" like with Hannah, but the pain was brief, so I can't complain too much! I think it took about 5 to 10 minutes to deliver Madelyn, about 5 pushes. The delivery was by far my longest, but this was the nicest and smoothest delivery. Everything went really well, and she was delivered without any problems.

She's been a quiet baby so far. We'll see if it lasts. She is starting to take a pacifier. My other kids absolutely refused them, so it will be interesting to see if she likes it. Maybe I won't have to be the human pacifier this time around. My recovery seems so much better this time I think because my delivery went so smoothly, so I feel great. I am glad because I still have my two other kids to entertain.

Aric's parents were here to watch the kids while we were at the hospital and they have been so distracted and having a good time they weren't too sad that we were gone. They came to see us in the hospital a few hours after I delivered. The kids were adorable and were so sweet with their little sister.

We only stayed one night in the hospital because we did not get a private room. We stayed in the same room, in the same bed, and had the same nurse as the last time when I delivered Hannah. I whispered to Aric that this is a bad omen when we saw where we were going. They couldn't even wheel me in the room there were people standing in the doorway annoyed that I was being wheeled in. No one made any effort to quiet down when we got there. We always get the nicest, most considerate roomates. Even when the guests left the gal in the other bed would talk so loud on the phone. She did not keep her baby in the room with her, so she had no reason to be quiet.

We stayed the minimum 24 hours and left as soon as we could. So much for a relaxing hospital stay. It was nice to be home. My father in law welcomed us home by grilling us steaks and twice baked potatoes. I ate like a pig and it was sooo good.

We are doing great now. My mother in law is going to be staying for the week and then my mom comes after she leaves. So I get to take it easy while I transition to taking care of three kids!

Thank you everyone for your thoughts and prayers during this pregnancy. It was not the funnest pregnancy, but it all ended up being okay, and so far we're doing great.

Aric and I before the delivery and my epidural. I was actually having a contraction as I took the picture while trying to look happy.

Me after I got my epidural. I am relieved!

Me, Aric, and Madelyn right after delivery

Brecklen and Madelyn. Breck has been so awesome with his little sister. He is so protective of her.

All three of our kids in the hospital. Hannah was actually petting her head, not knocking on it.

Hannah getting to be the big sister