October

 

After bringing Andrew home from the hospital, we had a few days before my parents Paul and Debbie arrived to help. Joel took off work and we made it through those first few days home! But, we were very excited to have some help! And the kids had so much fun playing with Grandma and Grandpa. My dad went home after a few days, but my Mom stayed until the end of the month. She was amazing! I spent most of my time nursing and napping so she took over most of the other things around the house. She took Emery to school, helped with housework and meals, and entertained the kids all day every day. I was so lucky to have her help!!

 

 

Emery had his first parent teacher conference with his Kindergarten teacher Mrs. Mayfield. He is doing great and loves learning, his teacher, and making new friends. She seems like a very good teacher and I'm glad Emery likes her! Emery also turned 6 this month. We went out to dinner to Burger King and opened presents at home.

 

 

One morning I was able to leave Andrew home with my mom and take Lucy to the zoo. She'd been asking for a while to go and since there was a new baby giraffe to see, we made the trip! We had to wait, and there was quite a crowd, but it was worth it! The baby was so cute and Lucy just loved seeing him. His name is Kiko. Emery's school also had a fall festival. The kids played lots of games, won candy, jumped on bouncies, and had a blast!

 

 

Near the end of the month, Joel took Emery to a football game in Atlanta where BYU was playing Georgia Tech. My sister and her family also went to the game. Emery was so excited to see his cousins! It's not everyday we get to a BYU game anymore, so it was pretty special. Emery really got into it, holding up his football and cheering. The next day my sister and her family dropped by for a visit to see us and baby Andrew. They were able to attend sacrament meeting with us before heading back home to Florida.

 

 

 

Joel took the kids trick-or-treating on Halloween. I stayed home with Andrew since it was a little cold. Emery was a racecar driver, Lucy was a lamb, and Andrew was peas in a pod! They went to a neighborhood near our church building that has sidewalks. Our neighborhood doesn't, and most of the houses don't hand out candy either. After about an hour Emery and Lucy both had filled up their buckets! There is always a bit of haggling with the candy when they get home. Emery takes out all the chocolate pieces and gives them to Joel.  After the kids go to bed, Joel and I poke through and take out a few pieces for ourselves :) Parent tax.

 

 

Emery: six years

6 years old

Height: 4' (90th %)

Weight: 52 lbs

 (82nd %)

Hobbies: Building with Legos

Skills: Learning to read, running fast, writing and spelling, and peeling potatoes

What I'm in to: Playing with Lucy, watching movies, riding my bike, jumping on the trampoline, and being in charge

What I'm not in to: going to bed, eating new things, being told what to do, and waiting

Foods I like: Quesedillas, mac & cheese, pomegranates, lunchables, caramel, and sausage & egg croissants 

Foods I don't like: Roast and potatoes, turkey, ham, peanut butter, nuts, chocolate, and jam

Favorite Songs: (Loves almost all music!) I am a child of God, A child's prayer, I love to see the temple

What I'm saying: Very curious about how things work, where things are, and why why why!

Other things: Loves being a big brother again!

Likes to help out, but would rather be in charge

Needs to be kept busy; Kindergarten is so good for Emery!

Still won't try taking his training wheels off his bike

Likes to go to the gym to watch Dad

Can be very kind and helpful

Excited to start riding the bus home from school starting in January 

Newborn photos

Introducing...Andrew Paul Neff

39 Weeks

Tuesday October 2nd, 2012

5AM Ready to head to the hospital to be induced 

I think anyone could tell from looking at my belly that this was going to be a big baby! My doctor was concerned he was getting too big and scheduled to have me induced a little before my due date. We were up bright an early Oct 2nd to get ready to go to the hospital. We were so blessed that our dear friend came over to take care of the kids while I was in the hospital. My parents wouldn't be arriving for another week. Things started out smoothly with the Pitocin, breaking my water, and waiting for things to progress. I decided to get an epidural and was pretty comfortable while waiting. After only a few hours I was at a 10 and ready to push! My other 2 kids came easily after about a half hour of pushing, so I was surprised that after 30 min he was still a ways up. My doctor said he was face up and had stopped moving down. I kept pushing for 30 more minutes hoping he'd come down. But he didn't. They weren't sure if he was stuck because of his size or his position. If it was his size, they'd need to do a c-section. If it was his position, a vacuum could help him make it the rest of the way. So they started with the vacuum to see if he'd budge, and he slipped right out! I'm very glad that we didn't have to go for the surgery! Andrew was a whopping 9lbs  8oz and 21" long. No one was more surprised than me at how big he was! He has a full head of dark brown hair and we just love him!!

Lucy and Emery were so excited to come see him in the hospital. They were fighting over who got to hold him.

Our family

Ready to go home

First bath at home

My little angel