Merry Christmas

 I am busily trying to get everything together for Christmas and our trip out to California so I don't have much time to write. I do want to say merry Christmas to you all and hope you have a blessed Christmas spending time with friends and family. We are super excited to be able to visit both our families this next week and I am sure we will have lots of stories and pictures to share. 

Boaz sleeping in one morning.

Boys playing together. Davey loves getting Bo to smile.

Davey has been doing really well in learning to read. We have been going through the Hooked on Phonics and he has been loving it and doing really well with sounding out his words. Below is a video of him reading his first book. 

Fun Weekends

Boaz doing some tummy time

I want to start this post with our miracle. In my last post I shared how Boaz was scheduled for surgery on Dec. 12th. A little less than a week after meeting with the surgeon and him telling us we needed to do surgery since Boaz's belly button wouldn't heal on its own, Bo's belly button was completely healed. The hole is fully closed and it is no longer oozing. I waited a week before calling the surgeon figuring it might open up again, but it never did. When I called the doctor they said since it looks good we can canel the surgey. Thank you all for your prayers. Praise God for healing Boaz and keeping him from having to go through surgery.

Boaz helping mommy in the kitchen. This is also where he sits for dinner time:)

We all had a fun filled Thanksgiving weekend. We enjoyed spending Thanksgiving day at home enjoying our family. Friday I got to do a little black Friday shopping. Saturday we celebrated my birthday going out to breakfast, getting me a cover for my new ipad :) and getting our Christmas tree out at the tree farm. Sunday we went down to San Antonio to celebrate Davey's birthday at Rainforest Cafe. Davey loved seeing all the animals, but poor Abigail sure was scared of the thunder storms.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Picking our Christmas tree. Can you find Boaz?

There he is - nice and snug!

This past weekend was packed with fun too. Saturday I helped work at an event my MOPS church put on called Bethlehem Village. I tried to explain it to the kids as they dropped me off before naps. After naps they came back when my shift was over and we walked around the different booths. When the kids came they told Dave they were excited to where mommy works and if it has lots of windows like daddy's work. They still talk about Bethlehem Village as mommy's work.

The kids at Bethlehem Village - They really are stair-steps!

On Sunday Davey had his birthday party at our house where they made forts and had a war with nerf guns. All the kids (and Dads) had a blast, then we enjoyed some ice cream cake that Davey helped me make. That evening we finally got the chance to decorate our Christmas Tree. The kids loved looking at the different ornaments and putting them on the tree. This year Cassia got to put the angel on the top.

Cassia putting the angel on the top.

Welcoming Baby Boaz

Here are each of the kids birth pictures.  Can you guess who each one is? 

 As you all know our biggest news is little Boaz Jon Dunahm. He arrived at 2:32am on Wednesday Oct. 26. He was 7lbs 14oz and 21 inches long. It was a smooth delivery that got a little scary at the end. Boaz's heart beat started dropping with every contraction once I was about 9cm. Labor went quickly from there and once he was born we found out that the umbilical cord was wrapped around his neck, which was causing his heart rate to drop. Even though the cord was around his neck he was perfectly healthy and I was so thankful to finally get to hold my beautiful baby boy. It is hard to believe that was already 3 weeks ago. Boaz is a great nurser, which is a huge answer to prayer and has been gaining about 1 pound a week. Last Monday he was already up to 9lbs 3oz.

The Dunham Boys!

 Davey, Cassia, and Abigail all love Boaz so much. Our first night home from the hospital, when they had to go to bed, they asked worriedly if Boaz would still be here in the morning. Abigail seems to be the most interested in Boaz. When I am nursing him she brings me a blanket for him, whether it is cold or not. Whenever Abigail is near Boaz she always asks if she can give him a kiss. All three of the kids love holding Boaz. Throughout the day they will ask to hold him. One day I came out of my room to find Abigail on the couch with my boppy pillow around her and her arms up asking for Bo. 

Always giving kisses

 We were blessed to have my mom for the 1st week of Boaz's life and then my sister Janine came for 2 more weeks to help with the kids and around the house. This past Wednesday Janine went back home and we have survived 2 days on our own. We are slowly starting to figure out how to be a family of four kids as dinner has been pushed later some nights as I finish nursing Boaz, and sometimes Boaz has to wait a little to nurse as I get the kiddos down to nap. Like I said we are slowly figuring it out and I am excited to figure out and get into a routine again. 

Camo hat and booties Aunt Janine made. Too Cute!

 On Monday Boaz had an appointment for the Dr. to look at his belly button. Bo's umbilical stump fell off at about 6 days old and ever since his belly button has been wet and slightly oozy. At his 2 week check up the Dr. put silver nitrate on it to help it close up. That didn't seem to do anything for him, so on Monday the Dr. looked at it and scheduled us for an ultrasound to see what was going on inside his belly. Tuesday we had the ultrasound and things looked good, but there was some swelling. Our pediatrician then referred us to a pediatric surgeon to get another opinion on what could be wrong with Boaz's belly button and how to heal it. On Thursday we met with the pediatric surgeon and he found that there is a cyst just under Boaz's belly button that is attached to the tract that the umbilical cord was attached to. He said that it will not heal on its own so Bo will need to have it surgically removed. The Dr. wants to wait until Boaz is 6 weeks old so there is less risk involved with the anesthesia. It seems that it will be minor outpatient surgery, but Boaz will need to be put fully under with the anesthesia. We are scheduled for Dec. 12th to have the surgery. The cyst and surgery seem to be minor, but we would still appreciate your prayers for the surgery and his healing. 

Mommy and Boaz

I know it is random, but thought you would like to see our Halloween costumes - Peter Pan with his fairies!

Answers for baby pics - 1-Abigail 2-Cassia 3-Davey 4-Boaz

Quick Update

I feel I have been appologizing every time I write, but I am truly sorry it has been so long since my last post. My computer got fixed and it worked for about a week, but unfortunately it is down again. I haven't had much time to write, but wanted to give you all a quick update on Boaz and Me. I am sure most of you heard I was in the hospital last Wednesday all day in active labor. I was at 3 cm in the morning and never progressed further so they discharged me, and that evening the contractions slowed. Yesterday I had my weekly appointment and I am now to 4 cm. My Dr. feels I will go into labor soon on my own. If not, next Tuesday he will do a procedure to try to get things moving. Boaz is doing great. We had an ultrasound on Monday and the Dr. said he looked perfect. At that appointment they also monitored Boaz's heart and my contractions. He is doing great with the contractions and has a strong active heartbeat through even the hard contractions. So, now it is just a waiting game. Every day I wonder if this is the day that Boaz is going to come into the world. Not yet, but I am anxious to see my little boy's face and hear his first cry. We hope you are all doing well and will be sure to update you once Boaz decides to come. Below I put a few pictures of the kids for you all to enjoy. They are all doing great and are also anxious for Boaz's arrival.

Enjoying breakfast with Mommy when Daddy and Abigail were in CA.

Davey and Cassia on the slide at McDonalds.

Abigail testing out Boaz's carseat and the new carseat cover a friend and I made. Can you see the shose? They are her favorite, little hot pink ballet slipper type shoes.

The girls enjoying our reading corner. Abby likes to sit in the books.

Davey up to bat at T-Ball game.

Cassia up to bat at T-Ball game. She is so small and the helmet is so big it reminds me  so much of the movie "Spaceballs".

We Have A Name!

Well, I am sure you can guess that my computer is still out of commission. I am sorry this summer the posts have been so sporadic. I have enjoyed not having a computer during the day so that I don't get so distracted with Facebook or surfing on the internet, but on the down side I feel it is an easy excuse to become lazy with staying in touch with people.
 Our biggest news right now is that we have come up with a name for the baby, Boaz Jon Dunham. We have had a little roller coaster of emotions lately with Boaz, but he is doing great and looking really healthy. About 2 weeks ago I had a routine ultra sound with the high-risk doctor. I go regularly due to the medicine I am on. At that visit the Dr. found that I have too much amniotic fluid. She went through all the measurements again and told me a whole list of things that can be wrong with baby or me due to having too much fluid. She ruled out most of the major issues since Boaz's heart, stomach, and kidney's all look strong and healthy. At the end she told me it could be due to gestational diabetes (which I don't have) or a birth defect that they can't see on the ultra sound like a cleft pallet. I left knowing Boaz is in God's hands and He is forming Boaz into who he is to become "fearfully and wonderfully made", but still had that worry of what if. When I went to my regular OB doctor he told me my fluid levels were a little high, but not by much. Everything else is normal including the size of my belly right now, he is willing to bet there is nothing wrong at all. I went this last Tuesday back to the high-risk doctor for another ultra-sound to check the fluid levels and Boaz. My fluid levels are at the same level, even though they are high, it is a good sign they haven't increased. Again Boaz and all the measurements look really good and he is a strong healthy boy measuring at 4lbs 1oz right now. I will go again in 3 weeks for another ultra-sound to keep an eye on everything.

The Herron kids and Dunham kids after a fun weekend together.

 Last weekend we had the joy of going out to visit our friends the Herrons in New Mexico. It was a long drive, but so worth it. The kids did so much better than I was expecting on the car ride and we made it there and back with relatively little headaches. We haven't had a chance to visit the Herrons since we moved from Fernley a little less than 2 years ago. It was so nice to escape the hot humid weather here and enjoy the crisp mornings and afternoon rain at their house. The kids had so much fun playing with their old friends. Cassia really enjoyed playing with their 2 girls. There aren't too many girls here for Cassia to play with so it was neat for her to have girl friends, even though they are older, to play with and look up to. Davey enjoyed playing trains and cars with Colin who is about a year older than him. He also really liked getting to watch the different tv shows that they have. One of the evenings after the afternoon rain Dave enjoyed going out 4 wheeling with Robert and a few of the kids. Davey came back with all sorts of stories from their time including telling me that "Daddy got your car REALLY dirty".

Davey and Colin during the 4 wheeling trip.

While 4 wheeling they found a cave to explore.

 Abigail is doing well, but sure is a handful. I think I have done more praying for her and how to parent her than I have for the other two combined. Abigail is a sweet girl, but demands everything her way. When she doesn't get the toy or attention she wants she screams, hits, and head-butts anyone within range. We have done many timeouts and lots of talks. Slowly she is starting to learn to say please when she wants something not just start screaming. Having Abby look up at you with those big eyes and say "peezz" is so adorable! It is a daily battle of being consistent with discipline and being aware of my reactions to her. Even though her tantrums can get trying I do love how strong her personality is and how passionate she is about things. I pray that Dave and I can train her effectively so that her strength in personality can be something that drives her to do great things rather than a hindrance to her and those around her.