Eli and Lucy

Some new pictures of little Eli.






And a few of you asked about Lucy's ER experience.

The night before little Eli decided he wanted to stay up til 1am.... so in the morning I was a little groggy.... anyway I was downstairs and Lucy was upstairs by herself. She came down eventually and ran upstairs to change Eli and found a bottle of Tylenol 3's open and spread all over the floor.

I asked her how many she ate and she said none..... so I thought I'd just watch her and see what she did. Fast forward an hour and she pukes twice. But she still says she didn't eat any pills and that she feels great.
I really needed to go to the grocery store and she had stopped puking, so we went. Got things into my cart at the store and she pukes all over them. And some lady was absolutely disgusted with me. She rolled her eyes and was like "well okay then"

Lucy starts getting really sleepy in the van. Red eyes. Staring into space. Come home (quickly) call my FIL and he says I should call poison control just to be safe. They tell me to go the ER.

So Lucy, Eli and I spent 6 hours being "observed" and having her blood taken waiting for results. The amounts were so low that they sent us home.

The classic Lucy part of the day?? She sat perfectly still while they took her blood. The nurses commented on how she did better than some adults. But then had a great big freak out at the hospital cause she wanted to stay (since she got to lay on a warm bed and watch tv all day.) That is my girl.

Happy and thankful.

We're happy.
Happy and thankful.

For Heather, who took lovely pictures of Eli. Who brought a huge basket full of books, magazines, diapers, chocolate treats, outfits and a wonderful dinner.

For Andrea who hosted a baby pool and sent lovely gifts from the lovely kind ladies at Scraptivity who sent wonderful gifts both scrapbooking stuff and cute outfits for Eli.

For Crystal, who is as generous as her daughter Heather, sending baby gifts and books for both Alden and Lucy too.

For the Pilling family, mailing a Nova Scotia shirt for Eli and stickers for the other two.

For dinner every night for a week brought from Karen, Stephanie, Heather, Kim, Phil & Lisa.

For my neighbors who have been checking on me and letting my big kids play at their houses. (Especially on days when we have an 5 hour ER visit from Lucy finding the Tylenol 3 with Codine.)

For a weekend with most of my whole family in Radium. Where everyone else went to the pool and had fun and I slept, read and held Eli.

Many times I think people are way to kind to me. Way more than I deserve.
I am extremely grateful.
Grateful for Alden and Regan.
And grateful for these two.

8 things

1. Check out my generous, sweet, kind, friend Heather's cute picture of Eli. Good eh?? I'm excited to see the other ones she did. :)

2. Lucy has decided that she likes to sit on my lap while I breastfeed. Yes it is totally annoying. She has to poke at me parts and say "mom what is that, let me see it." She's a tiny bit emotional lately too.

3. Got a new calling at church. And I am TOTALLY excited about it. Enrichment Leader. (this explains what it is) I'm super excited to get classes and groups going. My dream calling.

4. Regan delivered his first baby all by himself (well the doctor was there). Which is pretty cool.

5. I'd love to be doing some scrapbooking. But my basement is waaaay to cold to take little Eli down too. So it's just gonna have to wait..... hopefully soon! Here are some creations from the July kit (I made just days before Eli was born)





6. Alden is still so delighted to have Eli around. It is sooooo cute. HE loves to hold him, sing to him, help me give him a bath.


7. This weekend we get to go with all my family to Radium Hot Springs for a reunion of sorts. Should be lots of fun. My kiddos ask each morning how many days are left until the cousin weekend.

8. Little Eli in his Sunday outfit.

In His first ten days

In His first ten days, Eli:
• slept for 8 hours on his first night and hasn't done longer than 3.5 since then
• rode in the car and/or van for over 920 km
• met every aunt, uncle and cousin in the Steed family
• attended a wedding for his Uncle Pete and Aunt Gabrielle
• was held by various people at a wedding reception
• was babysat for the first time by some cousins
• was changed at least 60 times (probably more)
• got a brand new outfit for the wedding
• slept in a crib and two laundry baskets
• had his first bath at grandma steed's house
• was sang to multiple times by Alden (including one prompt to performance around midnight in the dark)
• was given multiple baby gifts
• was held by his big brother many, many times (and a few times by his big sister)
• snuggled and snuggled and snuggled with many people
• threw up three times
• had an exploding poop all over his mom, the couch, and a coloring book (good thing we have leather couches!)
• was offered cheerios (to go with his milk) by his older sister multiple times
• used a borrowed car seat for his first ride home
• got seen by two different health nurses - one in Lethbridge and one in Calgary
• started out at 8 pounds 14 ounces, dropped to 8 pounds 3 ounces and back up to 8 pounds 10.5 ounces
• went to church and was ooohhh and aaahhed about by multiple older ladies
• celebrated grandma steed's birthday
• was seen by two different doctors
• was videoed by grandpa the first time his brother and sister met him
• listened to books read by his mom with his big brother and sister
• was completely surrounded by love







Thanks for all the well wishes!
If I'm looking for comments on here, looks like I should have a baby more often. :)

Introducing.....

Eli Davis Steed.
June 28, 2008
8:59pm
8 pounds 14 ounces


The kids now out number us. :)
And we couldn't be happier.


Friday night we decided to drive down to Raymond so that Regan could run the yearly Harlan 10km Race in Raymond. (Part of the July 1st celebrations) We hummed and hawed about going, and decided the worst thing that could happen is that we'd go into labour down there. So we grabbed two sleepers and two diapers to take with us, kind of just in case.
Saturday morning Regan got up and ran the race (got second in his category). And me and the kiddos watched him come in.

Alden loved cheering for the racers. :) Visited with people, played at the playground, etc. Went home to the inlaws for lunch and stuff.

Contractions had been here and there. But nothing substantial. I decided we should go for a walk to see if things would get going. So we walked over to visit SIL and walked back to the inlaws.
Contractions here and there. While sitting on the couch in the living room (Regan was up studying for his exam tomorrow) I was trying to listen to my FIL as he was talking to me about pictures for the wedding... but was feeling contractions again. But closer and stronger. He stops talking, looks at me "Rhonda, are you in labour?"
me: "Um maybe"
So we started timing them. And they were close. Around 3-4 minutes. So FIL says, "You need to decide now, are you having this baby in Raymond or Lethbridge."

Now there are only two drs in Raymond who deliver babies. One is my FIL. I picked Lethbridge (they have epidurals there!) FIL goes upstairs and says to Regan "Do you know your wife is in labour?" FIL calls in to see which OB GYN is on call in Lethbridge, finds out, knows him, so he calls him and tells him his daugther in law is down from Calgary and in labour, could he deliver the baby.

So we get moving along fairly quickly. As contractions are close together. Probably our quickest trip to Lethbridge from Raymond! We get into the hospital and get settled. Give all the info and they check me and I'm at 4.5 - 5. They ask if I want an epidural (yes, yes, yes). So then things start slowing down. Get the magic needle, things slow down more. To about 7 minutes apart.
Dr comes in and says "So you don't want grandpa to deliver the baby?"
At 7:45pm the dr comes back and breaks my water.
At 8:59 he was born after about 10 minutes of pushing.

And I am still surprised that they said boy. I was expecting a girl. No real reason. Just was. But we are super happy to have little Eli here. And yes. I felt a million times better as soon as he was out. No more heart burn. I was hungry and didn't feel sick. Just hungry.

Some pictures of him freshly out.

10 things

I've been meaning to make a post for oh, about a week. But you see the thing is I didn't want to be all complaining and such. And that's what it would have been. So really you should be thanking me.

Instead of mentioning that I am sick of throwing up still (seriously at 39 weeks you shouldn't be having morning sickness anymore!), annoyed that I have yet another cold with bad chest cough, can't sleep anymore.... those are things you don't need to read and if I am focusing on them, it kind makes me cranky.

So instead, here is a list of 10 things I am thankful for.

1. Thankful for a sweet sister in law who dropped by for a visit yesterday with rolo icream and skor bars since she thought I might be craving them. And even did the dishes twice while she was here.

2. Thankful for a really good friend, Sarah, who came over and spent the day with me, even bringing me and the kids lunch so I didn't have to make it. And cleaned up all the mess the kids made inside and out.

3. Thankful my other sister in law and mom could come up and sew these cool bags with me. And teach me to make these soft soled baby shoes.

4. Thankful for a SWEET deal I found on a year old barely used treadmill this week. And thankful that I convinced Regan that my next wedding shoot could cover the cost and justify buying it. We got it in the basement last night and I already used it.

5. Thankful that I have a few pairs of shorts that still fit me. And that I've only gained around 27 pounds this pregnancy.

6. Thankful for prayer. When I am sick and tired of the struggle this pregnancy has been. That I can pray to a loving Heavenly Father. And that He hears me, and sends comfort.

7. Thankful for a sweet five year old who slept in until 10 this morning.

8. Thankful the two year old daily 40 minute temper tantrums have slowed down in both frequency and length.

9. Thankful for all the people who are calling and checking up on me cause they care.

10. Thankful for a very patient husband who just hugs me when I cry from being so tired from lack of good sleep.

Pregnancy Tag

My lovely SIL Whitney tagged me... so here goes...

5 Things that make my stomach turn.....
1. blood in raw meat...the smell and the look
2. boogies
3. mold
4. deep fried food
5. breakfast :(

5 Things I Absolutely Love/Crave.....
1. chocolate, chocolate, and chocolate
2. angle's drive thru bugers
3. a good night's sleep
4. milk
5. when my kids feel the baby move

5 Things I worry about....
1. when I am going to go into labour. the timing of it all.
2. tearing
3. if Alden will be totally disappointed if it's a girl
4. Lucy throwing massive fits when I'm out with all the kids
5. going to a wedding two days after my due date.... being either engorged with milk and left over baby fat or huge from not being in labor yet

5 Things I Am Excited About....
1. being DONE being pregnant
2. being DONE being pregnant
3. to not have the baby inside anymore
4. to have the baby out
5. and to being DONE being pregnant

5 Names that I love...
1. Eli
2. Nora
3. Ruth
4. Lacey
5.

If You Don't Know What You Are Having What Do You Hope It Is....
A healthy baby.

Pregnant People I tag....
So lets say:
1. Amanda
2. Julia
3. Tanya

Happy Father's Day

Wanted to make a post about this great dad in my life.

I took some photos of him with the kiddos today, but I haven't uploaded them yet. Tomorrow!

5 things that make Regan a great dad:
1. He (luckily) has strengths where I have weaknesses. He is more patient that me. He plays more with the kids. Lots of areas where I lack as a mom, he is strong. And that is a big blessing.
2. Regan is just fun. Blanket rides, and forts, playgrounds, pillow fights. He plays with the kids so good.
3. He is always appreciative to me as a momma. That means a lot to me.
4. He is willing to read and read and read to our kids. They like that a lot.
5. He is very strong in his testimony and relationship with God. And is constantly teaching that to our kids. It is always forefront in his mind. To teach them and share with them about the Gospel and Jesus. I love that about him.


I'm also very lucky to have a wonderful dad and a wonderful father in law. Both are such good men. Who love their families and work hard to provide all they can for their kids and grandkids. I'm very very lucky that way.

And I have 5 brothers who are all dads now. (Strange that that is the case since it seems like we were just kids ourselves.) And 2 brother in laws that are daddies too. It's so neat to see how very different they are as fathers. But they all love their kids a lot. Lots of good men in my life!

Photo Talk: Photos, photos and more photos

1. A hooter hider is like a cape that you wear while you breast feed. And they are expensive. Which is silly cause it's a like a blanket with a strap on it to go around your neck. (You can see one here) One girl told me she paid $85 for hers. My fabric cost me $20 and I can make two out of it. I got white eyelet so it will still be light and breathable but cover me up still too.

2. It's been a while since I did a little photo shoot with my kiddos. So I did one yesterday afternoon. But only Lucy was into it....




(Cause I was bribing her!!)

3. And Regan came home while I was shooting Lucy and decided to take a few of me...






4. And I've started editing the wedding shoot I had last week.


5. Thanks for all the encouragement about Lucy. I have no idea why she has such testiness.... neither me or Regan are really like that. At all. But it's there. In her. Last night while I was out with a friend (getting a massage and yes that rocked) she had a big fit with dad. Screaming for 40 minutes. Maybe she is sensing the baby coming. Or maybe she is just two. The thing that drives me crazy about it all, is that a girl who uses words like actually, etc in sentences properly, really has the ability to use words. And not screaming. But nonetheless here we are. Here's hoping it's just a stage!

i'm feeling ansy

I bought some fabric today for my *ahem* hooter hider (not a fan of that name).
So I think I'll try and make it tonight.

I finished Lucy's dress that I started a couple weeks ago.
She won't try it on though. Silly girl.

Speaking of Lucy....
yesterday she was playing a computer game and I told her it was time to be done.
Which she didn't agree with.
So she hit the keyboard.
I pulled her off the chair, pushed in the chair and leaned against it so she couldn't hit it again.

So she started pulling her own piggy tales and screaming, "I don't want piggy tales." (I may have been holding in a chuckle at this point....)
That wasn't getting a reaction from me,
so instead she took of her pants, threw them.
Took off her diaper. Threw it.
Starting taking off her shirt (but it got stuck on her ears)
so it took a few minutes longer. Finally gets it off and throws it.
The whole time screaming, "I don't want my mommy. I don't want daddy. I don't want Alden. I don't want anything."

When that has gotten no reaction from me, she looks straight at me and pees on the floor. (So I guess that answers the question if she has control with her bladder eh?)

I put her in her room after wiping off her legs and the floor.
And she kicks and screams in her room while I hold the door closed.
Now she is screaming "I don't like my door"

She then throws every book off her bookshelf and every blanket, pillow and stuffed animal off her bed.

I came back downstairs and let her have it out herself.

20 minutes later, I go back upstairs (when the crying has stopped) and she is playing happily with her little people in the playroom.

When I come back upstairs she says "Hi mommy" in a sweet voice.

She told me she was sorry later. And that she wouldn't do it again. Can't say as I totally believe her. (Although I'd love too.)

It is amazing to me how a little girl this sweet can do that.

But believe me. She can.
And she does.

No baby yet....

were you wondering since I didn't post for about a week??

yeah, no baby yet. :)
I was just busy.

But only 3 weeks tomorrow.
Which is good news.

Shot a wedding on Friday morning. (which I noticed my own lacking ability of moving freely.... with this big belly)

I've been trying to get everything done before the baby that I want/need to.
Finished editing a family photo shoot. I'll share just this one....

since they are a little internet wary.... I figured this one was okay...

Got 2 GB more memory on my computer... and it is a humming along now.
So I've been editing pictures. Since it's so FAST now.
Found this one today from a couple months ago....


Cut out some diaper bags that I want to sew before baby comes along.
It's this one. Two for me (since I couldn't decide what color I wanted. And one for a gift for a friend.

I also want to make one of these in white eyelet material. We'll see if I get one done.

And I'm making up my baby announcements tonight. Then I can just get them printed when baby comes along. One boy and one girl. Then I've covered myself. :)

What are you up to??

and for the month of june...

Since it's a new month, the newest Scraptivity kit is out.
This is a picture of the kit....

And here are some things I made with this month's kit...





For all three of these pages I used blog posts as my journaling. It made them really quick pages.

Today I was the parent helper at Alden's school. And Alden asked me to make cinnamon buns for the class.... so I got up early and got them made. And quite a few of the kids just licked off the cream cheese icing.... and threw away the rest. But I guess at least Alden enjoyed it. It was really for him anyways.


We (supposed to be Alden helping but really was only Lucy "helping") made a thank you gift for Alden's teacher. This is it.



It's an altered bucket of pens. All the pens have little school themed brads in them.


And just cause she's a cutie....