Update 3 of 7 - School Started!

Only a few weeks late. Some were happy to go back others..

Weren't. First day preschool pic

E had be begging to go supply shopping since July 4th because she know me and my loathing of shopping in general let alone school supply shopping. We finally knocked it out (and shoe shopping - which we did with OUT Papa and will NEVER do that again). 

Picking out the best of wooden pencils from the stash at the house 

6th

4th

2nd

K - insert all the tissues 

half day preK - with her FAVORITE dress (that she wore on the bigs first day and hers)

First Day for the bigs

Here's to this school year and all the teachers and the friends and hopefully as few quarantines as possible!

Update 2 of 7 - The Beach 2021

We had a blast at the beach this year with my family. The big girls were really hoping that Papa would make it down but with the renovation coming to a fast and furious close and work being crazier than ever - it wasn't in the cards. 

My stick loving guy 

We got down to the beach not long after lunch on Sunday. J was excited but then terrified of the waves. He'd walk up to the wet sand and as soon as a wave would come he would start to scream and run away. A group of people we were close to was getting a kick out of watching him. Eventually he did warm up to the waves.

R was still in a sling after breaking her arm but I let her take it off on the beach - she had to wear it when boogey boarding. She did some good digging despite not having her dominant arm to use and once she got the hang of boarding with one arm - she couldn't be kept out of the water. 

Aunt Nicole is the best mermaid maker

Uncle Kev helped E get up on the board to surf 

There were raucous mornings, quiet moments, and late afternoons on the beach. 

Lots of sand time

C insisted on wearing the life jacket even when she wasn’t in the water 

The 2021 Crabby pic which will feature TWO babies next year. Uncle Kev and Aunt Nicole had the big girls silly string Uncle Kev with PINK announcing a girl McV cousin. Insert all the EXCITEMENT! Say a prayer for that cousin because she decided to come early.

We took Papa's bday pic - maybe next year I'll have my stuff together in time to get the frame here on time. 

The jammers are so easy for swim diapers for baby boys plus they are insanely cute!

I took this on the morning of the day we left. Oddly enough it didn't rain that much despite the sky. We left a day early because I didn't want to drive home in the rain - there was a tropical storm that rolled through. Overall there were lots of fun memories made. 

Updated 1 of 7 - Baby #7

Let's see if I can knock out these 7 updates in a semi-timely manner... 

So about six weeks ago I was very pregnant with baby number 7. Lee was still very much - and still is - in the throws of an insanely busy pool season. My doctor was on call on the 27th so that was the day I signed up to get induced. (I've been induce the last five times so I figured induction was inevitable - and I found out my doctor was on vacation the following week - so I would have rolled the dice with on call drs so whatever) 

We did the normal leave super early for the hospital - C and J both happened to wake up right before we left. C probably because she knew Jibbe was coming and J probably because he knew I was really sad to dethrone my sweet, cuddly baby boy. 

All the normal hospital things - questions, IV, pitocin. I was pretty on the fence about an epidural. I'd never had one but after C's birth I think there might be some PTSD from the whole thing. I talked to the nurse about it and she was really helpful and not pressuring either way. We got to walk the halls with the the IV and did so for about 2.5 hours. I made my final decision about the epidural and got it before lunch anticipating that this birth would be similar to Js - who was born before noon. 

Well that didn't happen. My doctor came in at lunch and I was still only 1-2 cm which meant all our walking/pacing/making circles in the halls was basically for nought. He asked why I got the epidural (so early) and I told him I was tired (and tired of being in L&D) and I just wanted this whole thing (labor) to be done. 

Insert all the laughs. 

Now for my thoughts on the epidural. I think everyone talks about the stick being terrible and then it being dreamy after. Well for me the stick was not terrible ( the antibiotics they gave me every four hours through my IV burned waaaaaaay more terribly than the epidural). Then the numbing sensation came but not complete. I kept on asking the nurses if I should feel this way or that way and I kept reminding them that despite this being #7 this was epidural #1. 

By mid afternoon I was beginning to question if the epidural was really working because I was still feeling more of the contraction discomfort - not bad but still noticeable and I thought some women sleep after getting epidurals? So the kept asking the nurse if this was normal or not and finally she decided to page the nurse anesthetist who did the epidural and she put some thing thru the line and there was immediate comfort/relief for about 20-30 minutes. Then the contraction pain started again. 

At that point I was convinced I was never having the baby and I'd end up with a c-section - because this labor was going longer than any others and I JUST WANTED IT OVER. 

So the anesthesiologist came to check the epidural because I think my L&D nurse was getting the point that she thought it wasn't working. He said he thought the location and everything was fine but decided since I was already sitting up he'd do a second one. At that point I was worried about the needle and not being still enough if a contraction happened. So the timing of epidural #2 was great as was the actual epidural. I don't know if it was the placement of it - I assume it was - or if they also upped the flow of medicine - but it was fantastic. The anesthesiologist stayed more than a few minutes to make sure I was good to go. 

Then all was well. At some point in the late 4 pm hour I told my nurse I thought the baby was coming and my doctor was in for evening rounds and confirmed that yes I was ready and then everyone left - I swear everyone left for at least 5 minutes. It was so weird. So not like previous births when I tell them it's time, everyone jumps into action. I guess that's the difference between an epidural and non-epidural birth. 

Obviously everyone came back and after a few pushes 

Hannah Helen 

Hannah was born. We weren't surprised that it was a girl. A was really gunning for a boy but the big girls switched from team boy to team girl at the beach when they found out that there was a girl cousin on the way (baby cousin decided to make an early appearance so she could all the prayers) 

One of the more striking things about the whole hospital experience was the anesthesiologist came back - right as H was being weighed and evaluated - just to see if the epidural was working. It was so refreshing to know he cared enough to came back - and I bet if the epidural wasn't working he would have fixed it. 

Hello exhaustion

We FaceTimed all the siblings since the visitor policy at the hospital was different because of COVID and I will say we'd probably FaceTime again if there is a next time - it was so much easier, especially for the grandparent who did NOT have to load everyone up and drive and traipse through the hospital for a 10 minute visit. 

Lee went out and got dinner and we celebrated with chicken sandwiches and milkshakes. I got settled into the mother-baby room and my nurse said something about being here two nights and I said, no I'm leaving tomorrow and she said well you were strep positive so you'll have to stay two nights. All the eyerolls because I got more antibiotics than ever - I was getting out of dodge. The rest of the night pretty uneventful night expect at 2:30 when the nursery nurse came and told me H's glucose level were low and we might need to talk about supplemental feeding... Insert all the me trying to be as polite as possible with it being 2:30 AM and just having a baby. Then there was a discourse about since I had gestational diabetes... blah blah blah. Which I reminded the nurse I didn't but then she told me that since I refused the 3 hr glucose test then I was being treated as if I had gestation diabetes - me eating all my words because that's exactly what I told my doctor 2 months before - just treat me like I have it. But I did not know that baby's glucose levels would be monitored after birth. Guess who would be take the 3 hr glucose test because that'd be way easier than getting into with the nurse at 2:30 in the morning. 

The next day was a long day at the hospital because she was born so late in the day. We finally got the nod to leave right in time for a massive rain storm that Papa courageously ran through to get the truck. He was soaked for ride home. 

Everyone was excited to meet baby sister. J has been the most interested in her and looks for her when she cries and definitely pays the most attention to her. C kept asking if we were going to keep her / how long was H staying. 

7QTs - All the Updates

Linking up with Kelly ... Here's the seven things I would like to write about... 

---1---

We have a new family member! With a not so exciting birth story

---2---

We survived the beach and got the boot a day early because of some intense tropical depression and lots of rain. 

---3---

School started!

 

---4---

Summer ended 

---5---

Regularly scheduled afternoon activities are coming into full effect

---6---

Summer swim team successes
 

---7---

The addition (or the additional as Lady C calls it) is D-O-N-E!

7 QTs - More camp, A first, and Hangtime

Linking up with Kelly ... Well we survived another summer week but not without some fun and some not so fun

---1---

E went to swim camp at State for the week. Grammy and Grandpa Joe taxied her daily which is great because I’m still not 100% sold on overnight camps with unbridled internet access - aka other campers with phone. She says she had a fun time and she’d go back again. 

---2---

M had soccer camp this week and has been soaking that up since she missed the spring season courtesy of yours truly. She’s had a few late nights with her friends who’s going and pretty much having a fantastic summer week.

---3---

It was Rs turn at Willow Springs this week - E went last week. Dropped her off Sunday with her 3 friends and she was set for the week. 

Until Monday night happened and we get a call that she fell off the inflatable jumping pillow - it sounds like a buried 20x20 trampoline. She wanted to stay the night so I was hopeful Tuesday wouldn’t bring another call from the camp nurse - but it did. While I was driving - in the opposite direction to my OB - she said she thought it needed to be looked at. 

So 3 hours after that call and some pulled strings by a family friend to get us into the orthopedist we had a radial fracture and 2-3 weeks in a sling. I didn’t think it was bad until her arm was rotated up for the X-ray and then I knew she was done for. I pled with her to go back to camp to hang out with friends and enjoy what was left of the week but she wasn’t having it because she didn’t want to see everyone else having fun. Which I get so home she stayed. We can now check the broken bone box of bucket list items for the family. 

---4---

Thursday brought the swim meet. C again wouldn’t jump off the block. A had some fantastic air time on his dive in. M killed it in butterfly. E missed several partners in competition but swam despite having qualms about being at swim camp all week.

---5---

The weather this week has been beautiful for the most part. We have kept the windows open for three nights and I’m so proud of Lee for letting us. He’s big on then AC but 50 degree mornings do help the window cause.

---6---

The addition seems to be finally coming to a close. The floors will be finished starting Tuesday which means only one more week without my cubbies! The pantry is pretty epic and the laundry is great. It’s all great but there’s a few things that I am super excited about. 
 

---7---

June is coming to a close but we'll get some dirt and worms in for John the Baptist's bday - which my be the kids favorite saint day to celebrate - it is right up there with Transfiguration. Then it will be nearly time to go to the beach!

Lady C is no Longer Three

E was not home to make the usual birthday cake so we went for a cookie ice cream cake - because someone wouldn't tell me what kind of cake she wanted. She also wouldn't tell me what she wanted for her bday gathering dinner and on her birthday during chocolate chip pancakes - she said she didn't want to have a birthday at all. 

Lady C is now four! 

I try and pause for a brief reflection on the last year or years. I really think C's birth exemplifies everything about C and her personality. She came into the world fast and furious without a doctor to catch her and hasn't stopped since. C is loud and proud and sneaky and sweet and an excellent excuse maker and if she were the first kid and we didn't have any practice - we'd be toast. Good thing she is number five. Preschool was fun times this year and she memorized songs and bible verses with a South African accent thanks to her ever-patient teacher. She played soccer in the fall and cannot wait to get back this fall. She loves purple - most of the time - and looks for purple cars that could be hers one day. She is a boss leader to her big and little brothers. I don't think we have had a girl love to be outside as much as C though I think it affords her more mischief time. She's the one I'm screaming at to PUT ON YOUR HELMET because she rides her bike and scooter like a dare devil. C is not quick to try new things - like swimming - and puts up an excellent tantrum because she thinks that will divert our attention and change gears. She is super smart and if we can channel some of her energy for non-naughty things - then she will go far. She's definitely been the more challenging little kid to parent but it's character building for both parents and kid. 

Lady C, girl, you are going places with your energy and determination. Hopefully we can steer you in the right direction because you won't look back. 

C asked for clips for her birthday - not hair clips - OXO clips so she can make tents and she got two packs - amongst other fun things. 

7QTs - Camp, Swim, B-DAY

Linking up with Kelly ... SUMMER!

---1---

E was dropped off at the happiest place on earth on Sunday - and no it was not Disney. Week long sleep away camp that she’s been talking about since last year when it was broken into half week covid friendly sessions. I think she would stay all summer if we could afford it. I’m sure we’ll get tons of details when she gets back because it has been device free and contact free week - not that she has a device of her own to bring anyways…

This will be her last summer at CWS and will be able to go to CWR next summer 

She'll be back in July for another session because she eeked into two weeks of camp that fills of almost instantaneously upon registration opening - I literally told everyone in my office to not expect me to do anything from 9:58 to about 10:05 the day the camp opened.  

---2---

R and M got to go to horse camp for a few mornings this week. M wasn’t thrilled with her group because she wanted to be with her a friend but she did like her horse and I kept telling her she didn’t have to go back if it was THAT bad.

I had to dig out jeans from the fall/winter clothes that I still have not completely sorted from the clothes switch!

---3---

We celebrated family Fathers Day a whole week early this year because yours truly doesn’t cook for sport or attempt to out cook the man of the house so we always go out for brunch. On the actual day, my parents and brother will be here and we have two campers jet setting next week so early it was. Lobster Benedict. Check. Loads of chocolate chip pancakes and tea and one tummy ache later - we did quite well. Mostly because Papa tolerated holding J the entire time. J is a frequent visitor to Papas lap when he is eating. It is a terrible habit but J is so stinking cute so he tolerates it.

The girls wanted to wear shorts and their new shirts but I reminded them we rarely go out and this was for Father's Day and they change into more dressy clothes WITHOUT a whine or complaint - insert all the shocked faces. 

---4---

Last weekend we finally got R a new bike. Hers may have gotten run over by construction traffic so she’s been without a bike for a few months plus she legit needed a new one. Have you bike shopped recently? I don’t think it is as Hunger Games ish as a year ago but bikes and good deals are few and far between. R and M have stayed out riding bikes until dark this week and one night they caught quite a few fireflies. 

The evening weather was amazing this week and Lee and I sat on the porch several nights enjoying the non-humidity. I can't say this week will provide similar opportunities. I think the humidity is coming. Plus he's got 5 evening pool appointments in 3 nights and 2 more to schedule so M and I will be wallowing in evening loneliness next week - E and R won't be home so it could be an epically fun week for M or the worst week of the summer for her. 

---5---

The first summer swim meet of the year was this week. A and C swam pup squad though after night I’m hopeful A will get bumped to 6 and under in the next week or so - he can do it he just isn't confident that he can actually swim. Lady C was happily whisked down the lane and content with copious amounts of snacks. R swam with the usual suspects and finished in her usual suspect type manner. M rocked out her events and nearly got outtouched in back. I’m hoping they’ll throw her in IM next meet. With only 4 meets and an action packed summer schedule I don’t think all five Kibbes will be at one meet together : (

A little nervous

The reluctant cap wearer 

Ready to roll 

Miss Pink 

C refused to jump off the blocks even though I'm pretty sure she would have absolutely love it

She is such a fun swimmer to watch and smoked everyone in fly. She is missing her BFF competitor in crime this year. 

I didn't even notice M in the background! Cheering on her big sister. R has got great competition just in her age group on our team. I hope for her sake she can snag a blue ribbon but it will be tough. 

---6---

Lady C had a bday this week. Actually the night of the swim meet which was hilarious because she waffled on wanting to swim all week. E was still at camp and Papa was out of town for work - insert all the laughs - so we settled for post meet popsicles and a party the next day.

 

Everyone say Happy Birthday C!
 

---7---

Addition construction seems to have an end in sight. I’ve been able to hold it together a lot in regards to the stress of the disruption and disarray and everything but last weekend it really got to me. I think I just want my house back. I don’t keep the tidiest or cleanest house - I like to think we go for the more lived in style - but I do like order and when stuff has a spot even if it doesn’t always get there - there’s at least a place for it. I was hopeful the painters might finish this week but that’s not in the cards. We did get a firm date of 6/29 for floor finishing so I’m thrilled.