Olivia Pearl Alkire

So Here she is...Olivia Pearl Alkire, born Tuesday August 4th at 3:15pm. 7lbs 9oz. 18in long.

My water broke at 5:45 am we got the kids ready and dropped them off and then headed off to the hospital. We arrived at the hospital around 7:30 am. On the way to the hospital I was having some contractions but not the strong ones, I called a few people and asked them to spread the word to pray for regular consistent contractions to start. I did not want to have pitocin this time to speed things along. Around 9:30 some friends showed up and we started walking and doing downward dogs against the wall( a yoga move). Everytime I would do one of those i would have a contraction. We walked outside and contractions were starting to pick up and get closer together. We picked some honeysuckle and during my contractions they would put it under my nose which helped me breathe deeper and longer which was really helping my contractions be effective. Some were strong and growing in intensity, I would have to stop and breathe through them. At 1:30 the nurse came in and checked me and i was at 5cm. Jim and i walked for awhile longer and i stopped at the nurses station to get some ice. While I was there she was watching me breathe through several contractions, which were pretty close together. She said since you want to get in the bath you might want to start that when you can't relax in between contractions anymore. I came back into the room and my friends started the bath for me. I got into the tub and had some time with just me and my sweet hubby listening to worship songs and breathing through some tough contractions. My friend Jan came back into the room to get something and when she saw how I was now starting to moan through my contractions she sent for the nurse. The nurse came in and said why don't we get you out of the bath and check you. As soon as I stood up I felt the pressure of her head and had one contraction after another coming soooo strong. I had a short rest between contractions long enough for my friend Jackie to dry me off and get my bottoms off of me . Another contraction my legs were buckling beneath me....Jan and Jim got me to the bed and laid me on my side. Contractions were right on top of each other her head was coming down now...I said she's coming out...the nurse said lets roll you on your back so I can check you....I said she's coming out...she checked me and told me I was at 9cm, A COMPLETE LIE(later she told me so)! She said okay I'm going to call the doctor to come. She left and while she was gone i was saying She's coming out, she's crowning...you don't understand she's coming out! All was quite in the room except for my freinds helping me breathe through the contractions. And offering words of encouragement...nurse is back says doctor is on her way. I said please she's coming out...everyone in the room could see her hair but since they didn't want her delivered without the doctor no one said anything. Finally the doctor, one big push and there was her head out, second push slow it down... shoulders...she's out! Beautiful and crying and laid on my chest for over an hour just looking around at everything. It was so amazing!! The whole day was just an complete answer to prayer, I really felt the Lord's presence throughout the whole day. It was like I felt Him go before me through each and every step of the process. What a perfect day! She is so beautiful and healthy and wonderful! Mady and Aslan are sooo in love with their baby sister.

Waiting...

i sit here in waiting for my little one to arrive. The doctor has had me on bed rest for the last five weeks so I have had plenty of time to think and wonder about a lot of things. What will she look like? What kind of person will she be? How will she blend and complement this family? Perfectly I have decided. Pretty soon there will come a time when i won't remember what our family looked like without her. There are many things we are working through as a family unit both individually and collectively. But I know with her arrival all the cares will all melt away as we look and gaze and wonder at the amazment of life. And dote upon her every noise and expression and take such pleasure in wiping her bottom and in every act in coming to know her. Daddy's heart will be taken once again by this new little girl who will hold on to his pinky and calm at the sound of his voice. And Mady will get to be the little mommy she has been desiring to be for so long. Ahh remembering the moment we told her that mommy had a baby in her tummy. To all the insightful questions that have followed...God truly will give her a desire of her heart with a baby sister. I have loved every minute of her anticipated arrival. I can't wait to meet and fall in love with our new little girl ( not that i already haven't) just in a new way. We shall see her soon i hope and pray for her safe arrival in our world.

My Boys

I love seeing these two together, my boys. I feel so blessed that God has given them to me. Aslan loved the fact that he and his daddy were dressed alike. And so I snapped this picture. It has been wonderful to watch their bond grow the bigger Aslan gets. May it continue to adulthood.
We are headed to beach camping this weekend so I should have some pictures to post from that I hope when I return. And I will post a belly picture soon too.

It's a....

GIRL!!




We had our ultrasound two days ago, after much modesty she finally showed us the goods. Mady and Jim went with me to my appointment. During the ultrasound the technician let Mady run the machine over my belly. She was talking to her and saying "Hi Sissy!" and everytime she would say "Hi Sissy" she would punch her little arm out. Mady was so excited, we all were actually, it was quite a moment being all together. I cried when it was over because I wanted a sister for my sweet little girl so much. I love my sister so much and couldn't imagine my life without her and really wanted Mady to have theat bond. Jim didn't cry but he was disappointed a little but was happy that I was so happy and said that that made up for any feelings he was having. There is a 5% chance it is a boy with girls they never like to say 100%. So he might still be holding out hope. Thanks to everyone who has been praying for me over the past few months. We are looking forward to August and meeting our new little girl!

ps this is not picture of her just a utero picture of baby at 22 weeks.

BIG BOY TURNS 3!!

Saturday my little guy turned three years old. We had a great day at the beach with friends. He really enjoys playing with these two older boys so that was sort of his present for the day to get to be with these two boys all day and play. It was such a beautiful day! When we were all leaving Aslan said in the parking lot to everyone, " Hey thanks for coming guys!" Everyone's heart melted.
It's hard for me to believe it's been three years since he came into this world. Aslan you are so full of LIFE! You love to snuggle with mommy in the mornings and love to give sweet kisses. You love playing with cars, in fact that is what I find you doing most days is making up stories in your head with your cars and trucks. Your two favorite words are ROCK n ROLL and BLASTOFF. You ususally yell one of these words and then take off running down the hall or out in the yard, or where ever you are. You like to help mommy with outside chores and love to crash into things with your plasma car, especially sissy when she is trying to ride her bike, which she doesn't think is funny, but you do, hehe. You love to be on the GO, you always ask mommy "Where we going today Mom?" I know you are going to grow up and be a great leader someday. You have so much personality and are not shy to talk to new people. I love how much you share everything you have, all the time!! In fact you have already minstered to sissy and mommy so much by your generous heart and willingness to give up what you want for others. You are always the first to say, "Here you go." Unless it's a favorite car and then it's a little tougher. Oh Bubba Duke, you bring our family so much joy, God has blessed us all so much with the gift of you. I can't wait for you to be a big brother and get to share how you see the world with the new little brother or sister. I love you so much my sweet boy!

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!

Sunday Laundry Shirt Dress GIVEAWAY!!!!
i love the details in this dress...i think i still might be able to pull it off with my little prego belly:)

There is Something Cooking in There.

Yes that's right everyone I am pregnant! About 10 weeks. I have been throwing up every couple of hours. And trying to stay hydrated but it all keeps coming up. Please pray for grace for me. And that I wouldn't have to go to the hospital with this one. Just trying to figure out how to still cook meals and do the laundry with barfing all over everything.