Strawberry School has a new student!

Jason Taylor was born at 3am on June 16th after an emergency induction. He is healthy and happy, and mom, dad and brothers are doing well.

At my appointment on Monday, we found that the placenta was failing and there was almost no amniotic fluid. We rushed to the hospital where I was given very small doses of Cytotec to start my labor. Jason tolerated labor surprisingly well, and was born without complications.

Before getting started. I hadn't eaten since the night before. I had planned to go out for breakfast after my appointment, but there was no time. I was already very hungry when I got there. I never want to see another ice chip.

Derek was very impressed with the birthing suites.

Things are getting going.

It was a long, slow labor. 13 hours.

After one push, there he was. Pink and healthy. We heard him cry. He was the first of our babies to cry.

Derek has never held one at birth before. Doesn't he look so happy?

I was pretty happy too.

SLEMCO sent a plant arrangement and this cute bear. The bear is almost bigger than Jason.

All snuggled up in the bassinette. This is the same blanket that Jeffrey wore when he was born.

First carrier ride.

In the carseat. I had just gotten the cushions all set up the night before.

Check out my pinning job. He's too small for a snappi.

This is how we get things done.

First bath

    A couple of weeks ago, we stopped by an antique shop in Sunset that I like to frequent. I've had my eye out for a scooter for Ben for a long time. I finally found one that is PERFECT! It has bike tires, so it works well on our lack of pavement.

Ben loves it.

We've also thought about getting a push car for Jefffrey. They had this one. So I got it.

I've been doing a little knitting for the baby. Here's some of the stuff I've made.

Closeups of this and more.

Sleep sacks. These go on over the lower half of the baby for sleeping-like a topless nightie.

Bibs

Sweaters

This bonnet is so cute. I want to make a few more.

Preemie Booties

Preemie gowns

These are so tiny.

Soakers. These are wool pants that go on over cloth diapers. Once they are lanolized, they will be waterproof.

These soakers are sewn from a wool sweater. I made these for Jeffrey, but he was too big for most of them.

Ben and Jeff LOVE this mulberry bush in our yard. Actually, all the neighborhood boys do. Ben spends a good portion of everyday in there.

This weekend we went to Lake Fausse. They just opened a waterpark last summer. This was our first time there.

Derek's cousin Brandon and his wife were there for a company picnic. We had a nice visit with them.

We brought Ben's scooter. I think he spends more time walking with it than riding it.

Checking out the boat dock.

This little guy was basking right under the dock.

And here's me at 28 weeks (that's 7 months, for the math impaired).

Did I call it or what? The day after my last post, the temperature plummeted and it rained for a week. Ick. But now springtime is back, and it's beautiful.

Ben and jeff have been enjoying the Lincoln Logs of late. Ben built this house and asked me to photograph and blog it. My pleasure.

I finally feel well enough to start cooking again. Oh, how I've missed you, food.

I had puffed wheat and rice in the cabinet. The kids were not impressed with it, so I lightly candied it. Now we have lots of vanilla cinnamon crunchies.

Becasue I'm a really cool mom, I mixed in a box of cocoa puffs and a box of honey nut Os. Then because I'm a SUPER cool mom, I added some yogurt covered blueberries, chocolate chips and a couple of chocolate nonpareills.

And I packaged them up for easy snacking.

The weather is so nice, I thought the kids would enjoy a back yard picnic. They love a picnic. Even in the backyard.

I bought this table when I moved into my first apartment. I love this table. It was in sad, sad shape. While we were away, Derek resurrected it for me. I don't know how he did it, but he did. And for that I will be eternally grateful. He left the legs a little wobbly (I didn't ask why). He and the boys tightened them up. Now the table is perfect. I love this table. And this man.

Ben discovered that his plastic tools really do remove bolts. Derek put them back in before the table collapsed crushing them both.

Jeffrey helped paint the chairs (with imaginary paint). The clown hat offered suitable protection.

My dear friend Tory gave a fabulous veggie grilling book. I've been cooking from it. The food is so beautiful, I had to document it. I picked up this stovetop grill for Derek at Goodwill for $5. A year later, we are still using the heck out of it. I only wish this blog had smellovision. this stuff was MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmm.

Marinated mushrooms and shrimp.

Corn basted in soy sauce, sesame oil and sherry. This is super duper good ( I have some in the fridge for tomorrow's lunch...and maybe breakfast. It's that good.)

Marinated fresh broccoli, cauliflower, yellow peppers, carrots and onions. We like our veggies almost raw. Grilling is PERFECT for us. Everyone loved these.

the finished product. All layered up on a bed of baby greens. There were also green beans in the mix, but I didn't get a picture of those.