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....

Her new expression

She is constantly making this face lately... and it cracks us up.


And loved reading all your comments about siblings.

And Julia, I have 5 brothers.... so I understand completely the punch in the arm. I've had a few of those in my life (plus other things!)

Regan is on all for the next 24 hours... so we'll see how much we see him.

Alden is getting more and more into drawing. Most of the time it is "inventions" or vehicles. This is from this past week.


Pretty cute eh?

the kiddos

It has been interesting lately, watching these two. And their relationship. How it is growing and changing. Alden is quiet and Lucy never stops talking. Since there is a three year gap (almost to the day!) I wondered how they would get along.

Two days ago we were sitting out on our front step, snacking on blueberries and cherries (love summer fruit), riding tricycles. (I was sitting eating - they were riding and eating!) For some weird two year old reason, Lucy snapped and decided the freak out. She ran into the kitchen screaming her little head off (about who knows what) and was trying to wedge her way in between the fridge and the cupboards.

Alden looked at me and said "What's wrong with Lucy?" I said I have no idea. So he went in after her say "Lucy can I help you with something? What's wrong" Lucy jsut keep screaming (I ended up taking her upstairs so we wouldn't have to listen to the 45 minutes it carried on for) Alden was really trying to help. When she gets upset he is now the first person trying to figure out what is happening. Isn't that the sweetest thing. (I mean Alden NOT Lucy's tantrum!)

Then yesterday morning Lucy got up waaaay to early. And she was down stairs watching cartoons (so her pregnant mother could sleep in a bit). Alden got up and quickly took off his pjs and put on just shorts (no shirt). He came downstairs and found cartoons on so he sat on the floor to watch. Lucy started after him immediately. "Alden you're cold, go get a shirt." "Alden you can't sit there" "Alden you need to eat breakfast first." and on and on and on.

Today they wanted to have a picnic together. So together they brought down all the stuffed animals and laid out a blanket in the kitchen. Ate their lunch together. Played together.

I hope the older they get the more moments where they are looking out for each other. Helping each other. Playing together. Those moments are just wonderful. (And the other moments make me laugh!)

i think....

that Lucy enjoyed the donuts I made....
what do you think?

3 things

Alden has been playing with our old Camera.
It works on and off. But Alden has a lot of fun with it....(click on this photo collage and you'll be able to see it better!


and lunch was so good today I thought i'd share a little picture of it with you....
my favorite sandwich, a clubhouse on the homemade bread i made yesterday.
mmmmm. it was gooooooood.

a little something i made for Lucy's room..... totally using Ali's idea here

just a few shots

to share.... from Mother's day a few weeks ago.
Regan snapped some of me and the kiddos.



and i've got to say I'm getting sick of all this rain.
Sure hope the sun comes out soon!

getting ready

Isn't it so great that spring/summer is finally here?
The winter lasted forever. Every time we drive over the river close to our house, Lucy says "Mom look the snow is finally gone!" :)

I decided today that I should actually get ready in some manner for this child to come. I only have 6 weeks left today. So I bought a few diapers, some soothers and baby wash. Not really gonna buy any clothes, as I have sleepers from two kids before. I was thinking that it would be good that the kiddo gets his/her own clothes.... but then I thought why? They don't know the difference. And they will grow out of them very quickly anyway.

I even pulled out the baby car set. Mostly to see if it has an expiration date on it. It doesn't.... is it totally bad if I don't buy another one??? They say 5 years and it's been more than 5 years..... hmmmm

In the next few weeks we will re-arrange our bedroom so we can set up the crib in there. We even considered just using the play pen, but it's just too low for me.

We are excited about this baby.... but we are soooo this is our third kid mode. We've discussed names but not totally settled. And really our conversations have been very brief. Where as with the first two we talked about it a lot. And the whole getting ready thing, we were a bit more on it with the first two.

But I figure as long as we have what we need when the kiddo actually comes out, it's all good. And i've still got 6 weeks.

On a side note, here are a few pages from the weekend.