Sunday, August 7, 2016

Four Weeks

 
One morning Katy got into my contacts. She broke one and drained the other down the sink before Jim saw what was happening. I've been meaning to get new glasses since the pair I had were beyond messed up and scratched up but hadn't been able to with the baby. So for a week and a half while waiting for my new contacts and glasses, I lived in foggy vision and got headaches from the strain of trying to see and drive. I was so happy to get my new contacts and glasses and join the world again!

 
Lunchtime with Katy while the older four were at gymnastics camp.

 
Peaceful slumber. Four weeks old!

 
Nighttime cuddle with our oldest and youngest.

 
Daddy trying to go to work and Diana trying to prevent it. She tells Jim "Don't put your work on" when he goes to get ready for the day.

 
A simple way for me to have a little fun while still handling all six kids is to bake a little something here and there. I've had fun trying some new British recipes. This Victorian Sandwich was delicious.

 
At the end of season swim party, Jacob was awarded the "Most Improved" swimmer award. He went from being worried he would sink to the bottom to being able to do the whole swim meet without help.
 
Mike and John. The love of family is such a blessing, and a little baby brings such a sweet spirit into the home.

 
Another tasty bake- Marble Cake.

 
Soccer season has begun! Michael has really improved and his coach (who was also Mike's coach during his entertaining first season of basketball) was impressed with his goalie skills. Mike isn't afraid to take hits and has a good defensive mindset. As Mike gets older, the league gets more competitive so it was awesome to see him do well!

 
They transformed the soccer field to an artificial turf field and it is so awesome! No more muddy spots in front of the goal for Mike to splash in :)

 
At practice, the humidity and heat made for quite a sweaty evening. Diana's hair felt like a Troll doll and was all over the place! A good reflection of her personality.

 
John is growing and staying awake a little more at a time. He gives me a few four hour stretches during the week at night, and has yet to settle into a nice sleep pattern. But he is healthy and strong, and eating a lot is certainly nothing new for the males in this house! :)

 
Diana loves to hold her baby, and I love how he looks slightly nervous. Diana doesn't have much of a volume switch, it's kind of stuck on high, so he always knows when she is around!

 
Chocolate Victoria Sandwich. British food is not usually as rich or sweet, and this was a classic example. The family agreed this was an almost nonexistent chocolate flavor and wouldn't make this one again.

 
So the next bake was a fudge chocolate cake and that was better! Still not an overly rich or overwhelming chocolate flavor, and with a nice glossy frosting.


John loves sitting in my lap staring at my face, lights and the action that goes by with his siblings. I'm sure he can't wait to join the fun! It's been a crazy four weeks but we're making it.

Sunday, July 24, 2016

2 Weeks


John had his two week dr visit this week. He weighs 7lb 13oz (23rd%) and is 21.25in tall (70th%). He's gained a pound since leaving the hospital which is great! He is definitely an eater! This is wonderful and also means that I haven't had more than 2 hrs of sleep at a time since he was born. Whew! I'm sure other things have happened in the last few weeks, but I don't remember. haha. Just glad for a happy, healthy baby and that all the other kids are alive and well.

Sunday, July 17, 2016

Welcome John!

 
The day after the 4th of July, we left our kids in the hands of friends and went to the hospital to get induced. Things moved pretty quickly. My ob told the nurses to call him when I was at a 7 since I tend to have babies fast. Well I got the epidural, then they checked me and I was at a 7. In less than 15 minutes (and not quick enough for the epidural to do it's complete magic!) they were calling in the on-call doc because our baby boy was not waiting around! My ob came in and within a minute we were welcoming our 6th baby! John Thomas Del Bianco was born July 5th at 1:15pm. He weighed 7lbs 5oz and is 20.5 inches tall. We are so glad he is finally HERE!

 
John's name is special to us. I have felt for four years that there was a boy waiting to join our family and that his name was John. To finally meet and hold this gift from heaven has been precious. His middle name Thomas is after our current prophet, Thomas S. Monson.

 
Thrilled to have him here!

 
Peace before the siblings visit

 
The kids came the next morning to visit and Diana could not wait to hold John!

 
Nicole loves being a caring and loving older sister.

 
The kids loved hearing about how John would be learning to use his hands and even how to see. They were so happy to see him and I had the feeling that our family was like a puzzle and John fit just right.

 
Jacob's little brother!

 
Michael couldn't wait to snuggle his little bro.

 
Round two with D.

 
Her excitement means there is a lot of fun in store for this guy.

 
"John" brought presents for the kids as a way to hopefully give daddy a little help for the next two days.

 
The older kids got some Pokémon figures and they've loved them.

 
Katy is so sweet.




 
Wide awake after visiting with his siblings!

 
Getting ready to leave the hospital.

 
Snuggle time before bed.

 
Michael was singing a song to John.




Michael and Diana taking turns holding John. They just can't get enough of him!

 
Diana with her "I didn't do it" expression.

 
Look at my baby :)




 
The morning after we brought John home- he was four days old- I started him on tummy time. He flipped onto his back. I was sure it was a fluke and tried again. A few minutes later he had SCOOTED off his blanket! I repositioned him and the next time I looked, he was flipped onto his back again. He is SO strong!

 
Looking around at the stripes on the blanket. It's fun to see his little wrinkly neck, like a turtle, as he checks out his world. Michael was a strong little guy too, and I remember we were amazed when he flipped onto his back at two weeks. Look out world for another active Del Bianco! :)