Headed Home

It is so nice to get ready to leave the hospital and go home.  I cut out the major pain meds and finally feel more like myself.  It felt great to get out of the hospital gown and get ready to check out.  Feeling better gave me a chance to try and capture some pictures of our two-day old darling.  I love these that I got.

 

We are excited to welcome our sweet Akoni to our crazy home full of kids, messes, craziness, quarreling and lots of love.

Introducing Akoniho'opono Baahozho Reyes

There is so much to blog about with many more pictures to come, but for now, I thought you'd like to meet our new little prince, Akoni.

Kekoa's Kick

The other day I commented to Kyle that I needed to get Kekoa's valentine's cards done for school.  He was puzzled and said, "Don't you just buy a pack of those little cards and hand them out." I teasingly responded, "Not Michele Reyes' kids" and smiled.  Not that I am snobby or anything - it is just a fun project for me every year to create some kinda of card with a picture I take.  Since Kekoa loves soccer so much we went with that theme and this is what we came up with.  I bought some little chocolate soccer balls that we will glue to the card as well.  I think it turned out cute :)
I will also be doing another one of all the kids, but I have to wait until this darling boy decides to make an appearance before I can get that finished so it might end up being right before or even after Valentine's Day.  But it'll be cute regardless :)

Imi's Loves

Keeping up with this blogging thing :) Here is Ka'imi with two of her favorite things: mixed nuts and her baby doll.  Yeah kinda funny, but she loves nuts (I am so glad she isn't allergic to any of them so far).  So here she is just chilling, eating her snack.

 

And here is the baby Santa brought her for Christmas.  It has been a perfect size for her.  She gets a kick out of her being swaddled so I took some time one day (decided to get it done before I got busy with a new baby) to make her a swaddle blanket.  It has a little pouch to slide her in and then velcro pieces to keep the blanket together in a nice swaddle.  I also threw together a little headband so that she could be cute like Ka'imi :)  

She loves her baby doll.  It has been so fun for me to see those natural instincts come out.  It was one of the things I looked forward to the most even before she was born.  Sometimes I just sit and watch her play mommy and just enjoy how sweet it all is.

Out to Lunch

With baby #5 and boy #4, a baby shower would be a little silly.  But why not take it as a reason to still celebrate?  My dear friends Leatha, Amanda and Maren took me to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants, Mimi's as a Happy Baby celebration.  It was a great time and I left with a really happy belly (you have to try their sweet potato fries if you ever get a chance : ) Thank you to my sister, Celeste, who took the kids so I could just enjoy some time out.  I am so grateful for dear people who have helped me out with watching my kiddos so I can go on a date with Kyle, or go to my doctors appointment, or run some errands.  There are so many wonderful, sweet sisters that I am happy to call my friends.  What a great blessing are good friends?

#5 coming . . .

My whole motivation in blogging and taking pictures (including of myself from time to time) is knowing I'll look back at them when I'm 70 years old and be glad I took them.  And  I hope my children will appreciate them as well.  I know I love looking at pictures of my mother when her children were young.  So here are a few pics I had Kyle take of me - and you better believe I did some photoshop work on them :)  So here I am - prego with #5!

Getting Ready for Baby

This baby is coming any day now : )  It is so exciting for me, I love the anticipation of a new sweetheart joining our family.  I decided a while ago that boys could be fun to create for too, and decided to make him these little things.  Here's what I have been working on the past few weeks.

 His car seat canopy, with an elastic top (to keep the cold wind out), and a peek-a-boo- flap to check on him easily. 

After making a diaper holder and wipes case for my sister, I had to make one for my little one.  I also did a changing pad (still need to do the binding though) complete with a mini pillow (the blue minky thing) for his comfort.

 I decided against making a diaper bag and found this one I liked.  I was so excited to find it more than half off it's regular price on Amazon.  Not bad for $22 : )

And here was another task brought about by the effects of nesting.  I finally cleaned out and organized Ka'imi's closet.  We found this perfect dresser on KSL to keep baby's clothes in.  Now I can actually find things : )

And here is my belly at 37 weeks - getting there : )

I have only a couple things left to do, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if I didn't get to it.  With having gotten through Kyle's defense and officially full-term, this darling can make his appearance whenever he wants.  I can't wait to meet him and cuddle him and serve him.

Dr. Reyes

Today was a day we've been anticipating for 4 1/2 years - the day Kyle would pass and receive his PhD.  This morning at 11:00, he meet with his entire dissertation committee and endured a 2 hour oral defense.  He didn't hesitate to say he got grilled by his committee.  But with all his hard work and preparation, he was able to answer his questions and defend his research.  He still has a couple finishing touches to complete before it is published, but he can officially add the PhD to the end of his name.
I couldn't be more proud of him.  Sure it has been a hard sacrifice for the kids and I all these years, but Kyle has worked extremely hard to earn this degree.  He is amazingly talented and we look forward to the many doors of opportunity that will open with this great education investment.  We are so, so excited to have that much more daddy time back in our lives!

Wall Pics

We are two weeks away from having baby join our family. A weekend away from Kyle defending his dissertation and becoming Dr. Reyes.  I thought I better get a bit of blogging in.  Here are some pics I took of the kids.  I try to take some very year that I hang up on our walls.  It took me a bit to get these done, but here they are  :)   I love knowing that the background is wood from their great grandparents summer home.  Just seems nice and helps me remember them. I don't know if it is an extra dose of maternal instinct from being pregnant and getting ready to deliver or what but I sure love these kids with all my heart and soul and feel so deeply grateful to be their mother : )