Wyatt's First Day of PreSchool

I don't have a picture, but I do have to share.  Wyatt was so upset that I had to go to school WITH him today. 

"Can't I just go on the bus today mom?" 
"No Wyatt.  This is what your teacher's want us to do.  Some kids are a little nervous."
 "I'm not nervous mom." 
"Can't you just drop me off mom?" 
"No Wyatt.  Your teacher's want me to go with you today.  Tomorrow I will just drop you off." 
After school... "Tomorrow NO PARENTS MOM!  I'm going by myself!  I'm a big boy now!" 
"Trust me Wyatt, if they would let me you'd be going by yourself for a full day on the bus.  Not a problem." 

Dominick's

My first visit to the grocery store by myself with all 4 kids.  To sum it up in a phrase "We survived . . . barely".  There was a lot of tears from Collin, whining from Ben strapped into the car, arms flying out of the cart from Wyatt and Riley pushing the cart - into things.  All in all I would call it a success, since we got everything that we needed and are all home now. 

A Little Bit of History

• So here's the story of how each of you were named and also the song that we have dedicated to you:

RILEY XIMENA- You were going to be either Riley Ximena, Josephine Buella, or Maxwell Mergatroid (if you were a boy).  We liked both Riley and Josephine, but were really leaning more towards Josephine.  You can thank Uncle Alex for talking us into Riley because he always said you were so riley in my belly we just had to name you Riley. 

As far as your middle name, my parents didn't give me a middle name so I thought it would be fun to give you guys really horrible, hideous middle names so you never wanted to get us so mad as to use them in front of your friends.  Just my cruel sense of humor.  Hehe.  So I picked Josephine Buella.  I though Buella was a really good, bad middle name to stick you with. Maxwell Mergatroid was picked because when Uncle Alex was born I was 4 years old.  Your grandpa had me convinced that they were going to name him Mergatroid.  He called me from the hospital at my daycare center and said "You have a new baby brother.  Do you know what his name is?"  Of course I answered proudly, "Mergatroid".  The answer was, "No.  Alexander."  I can still feel the disappointment today because I was so sure I had the answer right.  Then Uncle Scott picked me up from daycare and let me steer the car on the highway on the way home.  I was so excited, but when we told Omi she was not!  So then we came to Riley Ximena.  Your lucky your grandpa came to your rescue and found such a beautiful middle name.  I was going to pick Riley Fern.  I came up with Fern while looking at the altar flowers in church one day.  Then grandpa went to Cozumel and met a man who lived there.  He had a daughter and her name was Ximena.  He thought it was so beautiful that he had the man write down the name so he could be sure to spell it right and that was your souvenir from his trip. 

Your song is Shakira: My Hips Don't Lie.  I had a really hard time sleeping when I was pregnant with you and would end up watching Animal Planet or MTV/VH1 in the wee hours of the morning.  (The only time they play music videos anymore.)  Shakira: My Hips Don't Lie was always playing and it had such a great little tune that I would belly dance to the song with my big ole belly every time it came on.  Your dad got quite a laugh out of this, but when the music moves you - you got to do your thing.  (Animal Planet probably explains your love of animals.)

WYATT WILLIAM- Yours is a quick story.  We went through the baby book one time, fell in love with the name Wyatt, and knew it was perfect for you from the very beginning.  William was my grandpa's name.  He was my most favorite, special person in the world and I wanted to share his name with you.  It's also grandpa's middle name.

Your song is Born To Be Wild.  There wasn't a song that struck me when I was pregnant with you, but once you started coming into your own we knew there was only one choice.

BENJAMIN ANDREW - Our surprise baby.  Our oops.  We always told everybody that 2 was enough for us.  If it's up to us were done and the only way we would have another is if God wanted us to.  Well buddy - here you are - and we didn't plan you.  (But because you were such a great baby we decided to have another one.  Collin has you to thank for that.)  I knew almost the moment that I became pregnant with you and I also knew you would be a boy.  I wanted something biblical for you so when we were looking at those names Benjamin is what stuck.  Andrew is your dad's middle name and I thought maybe it was time that he gets a place in the names.  Not that we didn't pick them out together for each one of you, but now it was time.  I tried to get him to use Andrew for Wyatt's middle name, but it wasn't meant to be I guess.  That name was being saved for you. 

Dad picked out your song.  When I was pregnant with you we were watching Dancing With The Stars and Michael Buble sang: I Just Haven't Met You Yet.  The song is about knowing that there is a special connection just waiting to happen with that special person, but he just hasn't met you yet.   After that every time I heard that song it made me cry.

COLLIN GENE - I was listening to a Children's Memorial radiothon on US99 one day and they told the story of a little boy named Collin.  He was about 3 years old or so and had cancer.  The cancer had spread to his lungs so he couldn't talk anymore.  There was a teenage girl in the bed next to him crying and having a terrible time.  Collin wanted to help the little girl and make her feel better.  He had his favorite stuffed animal, a duck, with him in bed.  He kept trying to motion to his dad to give the duck to the girl, but his dad wasn't understanding what he wanted.  Finally Collin threw the duck in the girl's direction and his dad understood.  I thought what a wonderful spirit and soul this little boy had and  I wanted to share that with you.  I told your dad the story and asked him what he thought of the name and he liked it right away.  Gene is actually part of your Grandpa Red's name.  Grandpa Red was your dad's grandpa.  I never got a chance to meet him.  He passed away right after we first started dating.  A lot of your dad's great childhood memories are with him, like fishing and golfing.  The funny thing about this is when I asked him what Grandpa Red's real name was he didn't know and had to text Nannie to find out her dad's name.  Turns out is was Howard Eugene Long.  Well we weren't going to give you Howard as a middle name and one of my ex-boyfriend's was named Eugene so I wasn't sure how we could use his name.  Then your dad said, " How about Gene?"  And there it was.

I picked your song - Everybody Was Kung Fu Fighting - because I was sure you were a ninja inside my belly and that you were going to come out of me with your Samurai sword in hand.  Turns out you were not a ninja, just a REALLY big baby. 

Welcome Collin Gene Cappert

Born 7-7-11

3:12 PM

9lbs 11ozs

22in

So we arrived at the hospital at 7am and by 8:30 I was officially hooked up to the IV with my "make this baby come out" meds running through me.  Dr. Frank wasn't messing around this time around.  He wasn't going to let this go past Thursday.  He's got places to go and people to see. 

To my beautiful baby boy Collin:  You arrived at 3:12pm on a Thursday.  Your perfect in every way.  You look EXACTLY like your brother Benjamin.  (I have a feeling people are going to think your twins as you grow up.)  Your peacefully and calm and a true gift from God.  Your my biggest baby, but my easiest delivery. - Go figure.  You already smile.  Some people will say that's just gas, but I don't believe that.  Today you are 5 days old and I am writing this as you are sleeping in your bassinet.  I just took the picture above.



Your first picture.  I knew you were going to be big.  I called you my Ninja when you were in my belly.  I talked the doctor into inducing me a week early because I just knew you were ginormous!  It was either that or there was more than one of you in there.  Thankful it wasn't that.



Your first picture with your big sister and brother.  Would have loved to have the picture include Ben too, but he was being a butt.  He was a bit tired from everything going on.

Our first official family picture.  What a motley crew?!?!

I tried to take your and Ben's nuk out of your mouth's, but your brother Benjamin is a bit protective of you already.  He wouldn't stop crying until we put your nuk back in your mouth, even though you didn't want it.  I have a feeling you two will be best friends for life.  I hope I'm right. 

The Calm Before The Storm

• The house is clean.  Check
• My house never looks so spotless as when I am about to go and give birth.  There's just something about bringing a new baby home to a dirty house that does not appeal to me.  I have made myself, and all those around me, crazy with this task over the last 3 days.  I even may have broken one of my little toes in the process.  But now I can sit in peace - and pain - while I wait for the clock to strike 6am. The bewitching hour.  The hour that we get in the car and start our journey towards baby #4 coming home.
• The kids are at my moms. Check
• One last night of peace, quiet, and tranquility.  The original plan was to go to my 1:30 appointment and go straight from the doctor's office to the hospital.  This was my plan of course.  The doc knew nothing of it.  Then the doc's office called and wanted to change my appointment until tomorrow.  I begged (not really - but did have a nice conversation with the nurse about how this is my 39th week and Dr. Frank said he would induce me in the 39th week) and still got in today, but had to wait until 3:15. 
• Dr. Frank didn't send me today - BUT he is sending me tomorrow!
• Bags are packed. Check
• I went to the doctor's office with my packed suitcase in the back seat of the car.  I think I have everything.  We'll find out tomorrow. 
• Date night with my husband. Check
• Due to the set back of not going to the hospital today, but being completely prepared to do so, the kids are already at my mom's ready for a sleep over AND as previously stated - house is clean and bags are packed.  What's left but to have a date night with Jason??? 
• We had dinner at Friday's - Yum.  Then went to see Larry Crowne at the Fox Lake Theatre.  Great Movie!  I really wanted to see that at the theatre, but figured there was no way.  Funny how everything happens for a reason - Big and Small.  (Speaking of big - you should see the size of my legs from sitting in those theatre chairs for 2 hours.  I have tree trunks where my ankles used to be.) 
• At home relaxing. Check
• Just about to try and get one more nights sleep in my own bed.  I'm starting to feel a little nervous now.  I know this is my 4th go around, but it's still a little nerve racking when your just waiting for the time to come.
• Tomorrow - 7am - It's Baby Time!
• I am staying syked though.  Keeping my eye on the prize.  I got a little teared up before the movie started tonight just thinking about tomorrow when the kids come to the hospital and get to meet their new baby brother for the first time.  They've been praying for this and talking to my belly for quite some time and are super excited that it's finally time for Mommy to go to the hospital and get the baby out of my belly.

 

Let's do this! 

Collin Gene Cappert -

Here We Come!

Riley's 5th Birthday Extravaganza!

Jason and I took Riley downtown on the train to Navy Pier today. 

 Here was how our trip unfolded:

• (For big pregnant me - bathroom break)
• Took the train from Libertyville to Union Station
• Riley thought this was so cool.  She couldn't wait for the train to roll in the station.  "Is it here yet?" "How many more minutes?" are the only 2 questions we heard until we were rolling out of the station. 

• (Bathroom - If  your looking for some really cool hand dryer's Union Station is the place.)
• Hopped in a cab to Navy Pier
• Riley thought this was so cool.  Her first cab ride.  This meant she got to sit in a car WITHOUT a car seat.  How exciting!
• (Bathroom)
• Went on the Ferris Wheel in the rain.
• This was definitely NOT the highlight of the day.  Went slow, couldn't move around, and was over to quickly.  Riley really wanted to go on the big swings, but she was to short, I was to pregnant, and they closed the ride because of the rain.  Guess it wasn't meant to be.

• (Visit yet another public restroom)
• Watch Variety Act inside Navy Pier
• (Stand in a super long line and let a little girl who was about to pee her pants go ahead of me.)
• Go inside the Children's Museum
• This was Riley's favorite part at Navy Pier, although she was a bit lost without Wyatt.  She couldn't stop and play at any station, just kept running from room to room.  I couldn't keep up with her, that was Jason's job.

• (Are we sensing a theme?? - Bathroom)
• Children's Museum Store
• Riley got to pick out her own present here.  She picked a dress up outfit - Hairdresser of course.  And to accessorise her outfit she picked princess slippers and a crown.  That's what I always wear to cut all my client's hair too. 
• Candy Store
• $34 frickin' dollars at the candy store.  What is wrong with us! 
• Margaritaville
• Food was ok.  Not as good as New Orleans or Las Vegas.  Would not recommend going there, but it was nice to sit for a bit.

• (Bathroom - Switched  it up a bit.  Made it 3 stops before: Gotta Go. Gotta Go. Gotta Go Right Now.)
• Take a taxi back to Union Station
• Riley tried to get a window seat by telling me she was going to get car sick.
• (I bet you'll never guess - Oh you got me - Bathroom)
• Get on the train.
• This was the highlight of the day!!  We found another little girl on the train named Riley.  She was sitting across from us on the train.  She was 6.  She had a little brother.  They were both wearing pink, both had bows on their shirts, both were getting off at the Libertyville stop, etc. etc. etc.  The similarities never ended - literally. 
• Make it all the way to my mom's house to pick up the boys.
• (Bathroom)
• Go home AND.....
• (Bathroom)

Strawberry Nesquik In The Face

Time for bed.  Lets get pj's on.  Ben walks over to me with the tub of Strawberry Nesquik that he pulled out of the cabinet.  Ok.  Lay Down.  Let's change your diaper and get your pj's on.  Shorts off - working on changing his diaper - Ben opens the container of Nesquik ALL over his face.  3/4 of the container is all over him.  I start FREAKING out.  I'm stuck on the floor, can't get up, trying to get the powder out of his eyes, and there appears to be blood coming from his mouth.  Thankfully my friend Sarah was here.  She comes over, assures me it's not blood, but strawberry powder that's getting wet.  She grabs Ben and takes him to the bath.  Ben is deathly afraid of the bathtub all the sudden so he is screaming not only because he is in the bathtub, but also covered in Nesquik.  I finally get off the floor, run into the bathroom, get down to my bra and underwear (because I am covered head to toe in strawberry powder as well) and jump in the tub with Ben.  Poor Sarah is doing the best she can with a screaming baby and bad back.  Now Riley and Wyatt are there.  Riley grabbed the vacuum to clean up the living room and also grabbed me a bowl to rinse Ben with.  Of course we have no clean towels in the bathroom so Wyatt ran downstairs and grabbed two clean towels from the basement.  Sarah grabbed the baby wash for me to soap him up while having Ben cling to me.  After Ben was clean Sarah took him out of the tub to dry him off.  Riley finished vacuuming and Wyatt came upstairs with the towels. 

Both Riley and Wyatt were so scarred because they were so worried about Ben.  As he was crying the strawberry powder turned red all over his face and it looked to them like he was bleeding out of every orifice of his face.  We finally were able to reassure them that Ben was fine and it just looked scary.  As we were all in the bathroom we just looked at each other and started laughing at the total and complete chaos we just went through. 

Oh Benjamin - What are we going to do with you?  Big thanks to Aunt Sarah, Riley and Wyatt for all working as a team to get Ben (and the living room floor) cleaned up as quickly as possible. 

The funniest part of all of this is that while kneeling in the bathtub - having Benjamin cling to me - pouring water all over him and in turn all over the front of myself - because my BIG OLE pregnant belly is so big - my underpants never got wet.  As Jason puts it, "Now that's talent."

P.S. I'm still rubbing powder out of my hair and ears.