The school is over!

I am not sure if I am thrilled about school being over. I told Clint that I would have to establish a some kind of routine to retain my sanity. My kids are fairly high maintenance sometimes and I sometimes can't just get a moment alone. Today, it was insane!! I finally am getting a quiet and peace this evening because my three kids are gone off to Sandra's and my other two are napping. Ha.

Few weeks ago, we had a teacher appreciation week. I had so much fun preparing things to send off. Here's the letter I sent to each teacher.

To all Special People in kids' life
You probably are wondering why you have been getting some peculiar items from Stimpson's household for Teacher's Appreciation. Let me explain what each of those items given represents what teachers meant to us:

Monday

Water bottle/snack bar which usually are used in Marathons- Teaching is like a marathon- it gets exciting in beginning, tiring in middle, and deciding that it is all worthwhile in the end.

Tuesday

Magnetized writing pad- There are so much details to remember all day long everyday . . . A ability to focus on good priorities is a main trait in good teachers . . . They work so hard to make sure that lessons, classroom experience, and disciplining goes off working like clock.

Wednesday

Pin cushion- represent how many hearts you have mended, uplifted, and much more. Sometimes, teachers are like parents- they comfort, help, and bring happiness in the little hearts of children they are entrusted the care of.

Thursday

Hot pads- Sometimes, teachers have to deal with sensitive situation with delicate handling. They sometimes are in precarious situation and took courage in doing what they know to be right. Hot pads are gumption, wisdom, and discretion - all important traits in good teachers.

Friday

Candy and bag- Represent the return of rewarding experience in teaching. All of those time given in teaching and sacrificing . . . Here's a sweet return of our appreciation in making the difference in our children's lives.

Candy bag is the most fun item I ever made! I also made hot pads, pin cushions as gift from my sewing machine and from ideas list I gained from my friend, Cathy.

Here's the pic of candy bag I made but with candy kisses themed Moda product.
If any of you guys are interested in learning how to make- just ask me for the direct link. I found all varied form of fabulous ideas on www.modabakeshop.com . . . They all are so wonderful!

As for the summer, I have no big plans ahead other than soccer and swimming lessons. I am thinking of setting up some kind of rules. Like no friends on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Going to library in morning and getting kids in with story times. Visiting fun places like zoo, museums, etc each other Friday. I hope the kids still will find it to be a memorable summer though that we aren't going to far off places or going camping in cool places. I don't want to do anything with a new baby.

A fun comparison

I got Clint to scan a couple of pictures. The ultrasound specialist was kind enough to take 3-D scans for us for free. I couldn't believe it and was deeply touched by her kind gesture.

Here's the fun comparison you can make from ultrasound pictures to "I am out" pictures.

Julianna Trudy is HERE!

It has been a week and half ever since Julianna was born. I thought I could do a lot of things immediately after when she was born but I found out that it is even harder to do some things with four kids and a newborn. So I have been sticking to basics- keeping the house clean, take meals out (even though they aren't "home cooked" as I wished to), and caring for newborn. Clint has been nothing but wonderful in helping around the house. He even cooked the dinner for three days in row!!!
Here's the hard core details you guys want to know!!
Julianna is born on April 24- on the day of her great, great, great and great grandma's birthday. She weighed in being 7 lbs, 7 oz and 18.5 inches. She has brown hair - a trait that will make her to stand out among her blond haired sisters. All the same, she is a beautiful little girl.
Clint and I were at Kimberly's house when the labor started. Earlier in the day, I went to midwife and had my membranes stripped (very uncomfortable and a bit painful).
Labor with her was very interesting- I didn't dilate very rapidly with her as I did with some other kids. Contractions were coming in ten minutes apart and were very painful. Midwife decided to keep me at the hospital even though that I was ten minutes apart because of my risk factor in rapid labor in the end. I endured the evening in hospital for three hours before I finally got to seven cm and asked my midwife to break the bag. When bag was broken, the contractions intensified and I decided that I wasn't going to dilate any further unless I start pushing softly. I don't highly recommend it to all ladies because of its pain factor. Well, I pushed anyways and succeeded. In 1/2 hour, Julianna came into the world and Clint got the fun of delivering her.
Our kids were at Kim's house- having sleepover with their cousins. Clint's parents were town for John and Brittany's graduation. So it all worked out very well. Our kids had their grandparents caring for them while we were at the hospital.
Hospital's 2nd floor WAS PACKED that weekend. Clint and I were stuck in delivery/labor room overnight till some women left in the morning. Bed definitely wasn't made for sleeping on. Ha. The nursery that night was filled with 38 babies. I felt amazed when I went into the nursery to watch Julianna being cleaned up and receiving her treatments.
I signed out of the hospital on Sunday and am glad to be home. I never was overly fond of hospital- the food, the sterileness, no privacy . . . I am glad to be over with the labor and hospital.
Julianna is struggling with jaundice still. She had bilibed which lasted her for about four days. Today, I took her to hospital lab after a day and half of having no bilibed and her bilirubin count went back up to 13.4 after being 11.4 for a day. It was a bit depressing to know that we have been working so hard to keep her in the bilibed and trying to make the difference. Not to mention the constant and painful visitations to the hospital with heels being prickled and collected. Well, pediatrician we have is wonderful. We can see how caring and geninue he is about his patients. He gave me some guidelines to follow- if yellowness goes past her knees- I can send him emails about it. He always respond so quickly which I really appreciate.
Our kids adore Julianna so much. Suzy and Ian keep on asking to hold Julianna about two to five times a day. I became a bit afraid that Julianna will start to expect to be held 24/7 after being held so much! Ha. In between those times when kids aren't holding her, Clint grabs his chance up and hold her too.