Sammy's 6th Birthday Party!

Back row left to right: Gracie, Lexi, Courtney, McKinley, Kelsie

Front row left to right: Hannah, Ashley, Emma, Sammy, Sophia, Brooke
Sorry, a lot of the pictures were fuzzy. My camera is still acting funny so these were taken from a video camera. Thanks, Brigetta, for being the film director.
For Sammy's 6th birthday she had her very first party! She wanted a Hannah Montana Rock Star theme. It all started with a purple guitar cake she found on http://www.familyfun.com/ and fell in love with. The cake was much easier than I expected... however, I can't do a straight line to save my life so the strings look like there are a few broken or loose. I then made cardboard guitars for each of the girls. The bodies were shaped like stars and each had their name and then spray painted ocean blue. When the girls arrived they decorated them how they wanted using stickers, buttons, fuzzies, crayons, and whatever else was available. After they were done the girls "put on a show" to Hannah/Miley songs. It was quite the party and now the neighbors tease me that I taught the girls how to table dance. ;) So sorry I couldn't get them to download right here, but if you go to this link you can see one of my favorite "shows." I especially liked watching Hannah (far left, in yellow). She is the shyest kid you will ever meet, so it's so funny to see her rock out! As soon as her mom showed up she zipped her lips and wouldn't say a word to me. Funny girl! You can also see one of all the girls together here. It's pretty cute to see them all together. They really get into the chorus.

Sammy---6 years!

I wanted to post this yesterday on her real birthday... but I was feeling under the weather. Sorry, but today will have to do.

Six years ago I was feeling awfully big and uncomfortable. I went in for my last OB visit and was ready to discuss induction. Unfortunately, my doctor had to leave to deliver a baby and I was left with the NP. She stripped my membranes and sent me over to the hospital for a stress test. I was having regular contractions about 5-7 minutes apart. Andy and I went back to our schedules and by that evening we started timing the contractions. They were consistently 5 minutes apart. I packed my bag for the hospital and we headed out about midnight. Once we got to the hospital they monitored me for an hour and sent me home since I was not progressing. The nurse said, "Hopefully we'll see you in the morning." (This was Monday.) By Friday the contractions had not changed and I was getting very irritated. I had called my doctor's office numerous times and all the nurse told me was to try and go running. Running! I was so swollen I could only wear flip flops. I could have said some choice words, but I held my tongue. I felt helpless and called my mom in tears. She had 12 kids and I asked her what I could do. She gave me some tips and then said, "Or... you could just go to the hospital. Maybe they'll have pitty on you."

That night we went to visit my sister, Shiloam, who had her baby 10 days before and were waiting for my other sister, Brigetta, and her hubby, Brandon. They were coming down from Idaho to see the baby as well. After a few hours of chatting through contractions I said, "Andy, let's go to the hospital." He was not happy with me. He wanted to go home and get a good nights rest and then go in the morning. Ha! He would get some rest, while I toss and turn all night. I told him we were going no matter what.

We got to the hospital and the nurse called my doctor. She said, "You know... we're really not that busy... and you're up anyway." She is the only nurse I actually remember by name and maybe it's because I thought she was my saving grace. They started my IV and my epidural at the same time and Sammy was on her way. Very shortly after my water broke (on it's own) and then it was the waiting game. About 15 hours later I was fully dilated and the on call doctor came in. We pushed for about 45 minutes and the doctor said that she didn't think I was going to get the baby out on my own. (She was posterior, but the doctor didn't even try to turn her. She flat out told me she would rather be home with her dogs!) Since it was my first baby I really didn't know what to say or do. So we put trust in the doctor and she sent us in for a c-section. Samantha Hailey was born at 3:47 pm. She was 7 lbs. 11 oz. and 20 inches long. They rolled me out and we had quite the crowd. Brigetta and Brandon, Shiloam and John (+ their 2 boys), Andy's parents, and Nate Wyne all showed up! We missed our company Christmas party, but could care less. Everyone heard about our news and it was phone call after phone call congratulating us and asking when they could visit. Nate and Emily were among our first visitors. We always remember each other on December 20th since it's their anniversary as well.

Six years later, Sammy is happy and healthy and full of life! She loves school, her teachers, her friends, and I think most of all riding the bus! At times I don't know what to do with her and she and I butt heads most of the time, but we love her and are grateful she is in our lives. She is such a big help to her sisters and likes to be "in charge" when I take my daily shower. It amazes me how quickly time flies. I can't believe she is six years old! We love you Sammy and we're glad you were born!

Funny Card

Brigetta gave me one of the funniest cards for my birthday I just HAD to share! The front says, "I have just one question for you on your birthday... " And then it sings, "Do your boobs hang low? Do they wobble to and fro? Can you tie 'em in a knot? Can you tie 'em in a bow? Can you throw 'em o'er your shoulder like a continental soldier? Do your boobs hang low?" The writing on the inside says, "That song's not so funny anymore, is it?" I laughed right out loud!!! Thanks, Brigetta for being my sister and making me laugh... especially when I really need it.

"Left Ear" will definitely stick!

Something funny happened around here last week... In order to make the connection you have to read this story of my sledding accident, if you don't already know about it. Anyway, Ashley and Katie were chasing each other around the living room while I was making dinner. All of a sudden Ashley started screaming and she ran in to see Andy. Daddy came to the rescue and calmed her down. Apparently, Ashley fell and hit the coffee table. When the girls came to the dinner table Ashley said, "Mommy, my ear is really red." Sure enough it was, so I checked it out a little closer. I called Andy in and told him to look on the backside of her left ear. She had a minor cut in the same place as mine. The cut itself was definitely NOT funny, but the fact that it was in the same place as mine made me chuckle. We sure have bad luck around here with left ears.