First day of school 2012

Where does the time go. It seems like yesterday Thomas started preschool and we brought Noelle home from the hospital. Things have sure changed. Hope just came home from the hospital last week and now Noelle is starting Kindergarten and Thomas is starting second grade.

They are getting to be such big kids. 

 

Karly wanted her picture taken to.

This is the first picture of all four kids together.

 

 

Anut Paula and Scott came for a visit

 

Everyone loves a visit from Aunt Paula and Scott and this was no different. We had a great visit and it was a perfect opportunity to have a great dessert. It was also a perfect opportunity for them to meet Hope.

 

Noelle and Karly were thrilled that Aunt Paula brought them a huge box of books.

 

Baby Girl Mertz #3

 

 

The last few weeks have been quite stressful for everyone around here. Kelly's had three hospitalizations all ending up with her coming home and waiting a little longer. This time the fourth time is the charm. The kids we're dropped off twice during the middle of the night at my Mom's house in the last week and thought when they woke up in the morning they would have a new sister. With all their excitement and anticipation there has been very little sleep for any of us. The second time we headed to the hospital at 2:00am. We were all in a hurry thinking that this was the time and we didn't have much time to spare. The plan was for Kelly and Dave to head to St. Joseph's while I took the kids to my moms and then meet them at the hospital. One problem....my car keys were missing. Now, anyone that knows me knows that this happens pretty regularly. This time was different. I knew Kelly wasn't feeling well that night when I went to bed and made sure they were put in the basket by the front door. So, at 2:00 am looking for keys wasn't on anyone's agenda nor did it make anyone happy. After looking for what seemed an eternity we just decided to all get in one car, drop the kids off at Mom's and I would take her extra car to the hospital so I could leave and get the kids later that day. All that excitement for nothing. Five hours later she was sent home.  Exhaustion for everyone, especially Kelly, was an understatement. After we were able to get some sleep and my Mom dropped off the kids we continued to look for my keys. We looked everywhere. I just so happened to ask Karly where my keys were. She promptly said in my car. She went right to the playroom lifted up the seat of her toy and sure enough there they were. From now on when I loose something I will ask Karly where it is first. It was quite a day.

 

I was really looking forward to having a 4th of July baby but that was not in the cards. After having such a scary experience the last time with Karly we all just wanted this baby to be healthy and for the c-section to go smoothly. When Kelly went to the hospital with Karly she was positive it was time even though it was to early to deliver. Call it mother's intuition. She knew while she laid in that hospital bed waiting for her turn to deliver that something was wrong. She was bumped for three other women who also were in emergency situations before she was able to deliver. When Karly came out with the cord around her neck, blue and not breathing amongst other health complications  it was a very scary situation for both Kelly and Dave. One they had no desire to relive. Kelly being a nurse knows keeping the baby in as long as possible is the healthiest but by the third time being sent home without a baby she was very upset and stressed even more. She was so scared that something was wrong this time and they weren't seeing. She has a fantastic doctor that she trusts that assured her that nothing was wrong and she just needed to wait a little longer. He was right. This baby clearly has a good sense of humor and if this says anything about her personality I think we're all in for a little trouble.

 

So on July 23, 2012 Kelly and Dave welcomed baby number four to the family. The delivery this time went much smoother and baby and mom were happy and healthy.

I'm so excited to introduce my fourth niece

 

Hope LeAnne Mertz.

7lbs 15ozs and 19 1/2 inches

 

 

 

  

 

Salem… my love

How could you not love this face. He may love to tear up every paper product he can find including and not limited to newspaper, napkins, toilet paper, paper towels, wipes and any piece of paper he can find but how could no not fall in love with him?

Happy 4th of July

Have I ever said how much I love the 4th of July? I know I know I have said it a million times and I will say it again. I REALLY REALLY love the 4of of July. This year was no different. We had such a great day.

It started off at the 4th of July parade on the Miracle Mile. It has become a tradition and the kids have such a blast.

Then we went to Grandma and Pop’s house to play in the water and have a BBQ.

And after a fabulous dinner we went to Grandpa’s store to enjoy all the fireworks from Lodi Lake.

I love the 4th of July and my family and the traditions that we have made. These kids bring me so much happiness and I love that I get to spend the holidays with them. There is nowhere I would rather be than with them.