Avah's first day of Pre-K 3

 Ready or not here she comes :-)

 Because she ALWAYS has to pose.

 Almost 4 where has the time gone.

 This was her idea :-)

Avah never hesitates and jumped right into making something!

She was a little disappointed that Moira wasn't there though.

To say that Avah loves school would be an understatement.  She sings at the top of her little lungs in the morning when it is her turn to go to school.  All summer she asked "Mommy What do I have today" and I always had to tell her that school was out.  She would actually cry. So Avah was so ready to go to school.  She has a wonderful day and loves her new teachers Mrs. hughes and Mrs. Malloy.

Happy 6th Birthday

 Birthday batter pancakes! A new Welch tradition

 Loving on your brother! Because you just can't resist him!

 Christian and Keagan!

 A hiking we will go!

 Super cook campfire cake!

Hmm not so sure this was a good idea with all of the boys :-)

Happy 6th Birthday Christian.  You have turned into such a wonderful 6 year old.

The six things I love about you...
1. You are smart
2. You are so forgiving
3. Your love for building amazing things with your legos always impresses me.
4. You are so tenderhearted
5. How brave you are.  (at your 6 year apt. when you got shots you told me that everything was going to be okay and you were the one who was getting the shots :-)) Thank you for being brave for mommy.
6. How you have turned into such a wonderful BIG brother.  The love you have for your little brother melts my heart.

Kindergarten!!

I cannot believe that my youngest has started Kindergarten.  A week before school we received a letter that there was no teacher for the 5th Kindergarten class at Westridge.  I of course completely started to freak out instead of trusting in God.  I prayed and prayed the night before orientation that they would have something figured out for our kids.  Of course the big man always has a plan.  Christian ended up getting a teacher who had just left St. Matthew's. We are so thankful for Mrs. Newland.  Christian is thrilled. He told me that the lunch room stinks and that he loves going to the computer lab for special.  He is loving school but the days are long and by the time he gets home he just wants to rest.  Avah misses him a little but I think she is enjoying it just being her and Roman.  I on the other hand really do miss Christian.  He is such a big help weither it was playing with his little sister, helping with the dishes or making Roman smile. Also, with a newborn getting the kids to school the first week was a huge challenge.  I really struggled with getting everyone in the car and getting over the fact that I was spoiled with St. Matthew's drop off.  I was determined to tell everyone how bad it was but then I realized how silly that was and that I couldn't change it.  Colin was so sweet and got off of work the entire first week to be home when Christian got off and even picked him up for me.  It didn't help that I was really sick with mastitis but my hubby stepped up and took care of me and the kids. A mom from St. Matthew's and I have worked out a system that I think will work really well and I have been much better about getting Christian out this week.  Now that we have figured out a schedule I can handle this!

Roman Eli Welch

 Evil contractions

 Ready now

 Such a sweet moment

 Colin and Roman

Nothing like Daddy's love.

On July 20th of 2012 I gave birth to the most beautiful baby boy! So here is the birthing story before I forget because at the moment I am consumed by sleepless nights, crazy kiddos and poopy diapers. On July 19th there was a really bad storm and the lighting woke me up.  After I went up to bed something just did not feel right.  The contractions were coming on stronger and faster and for a moment I thought this was it.   I knew days before that I needed to have my bags packed and to be ready but for some reason that slipped my mind.  After trying for an hour to get the contractions to stop I finally woke Colin up and we called Mariah.  This was going to be it.  We frantically grabbed our bags and ran for the door(literally) with the exception of Colin running back to the door several times. Mariah was very gracious and spent the night with the kiddos and then took them back to her place in the morning.  Once we got the hospital Dr. Couret was on call.  She was one of the Dr.'s that I had wanted which was awesome.  The contractions were still going but were not as strong but she decided to move us to a room since I was already 2 cm dialated.  After we were admitted I felt much better about going in.  I could not believe that this was it.  I labored for the rest of the night and then in the morning I opted for the epidural and they started the pitocin.  Once I got the epidural it was smooth sailing from there or should I say quick sailing.  My Dr. had two surgery's that morning.  She went to one came back and nothing had happened so she broke my water thinking that she would have enough time to deliver him after and little did we know she DID NOT.  After they broke my water she left and then I felt the sensation of something moving down i.e. Roman.  I asked Colin to look down there and sure enough there was his HEAD already out with no Dr. in the room.  Thank the Lord that Dr. Emery the Dr. that I  had seen when I went into preterm labor was walking through the halls she literally walked in and the nurses were yelling at her to get ready that he was coming out.  1 push later and there he was my sweet little boy.  With my two previous children I didn't bond right away.  I was 21 with Christian and scared to death and he pooped on the Dr. so they took him right away.  With Avah it just didn't happen but with this sweet guy it did.  They left him on me for a good 10 or 15 minutes and it was the most amazing feeling.  I cry just thinking about it.  Finally I could have one of those moments.  The feeling of holding this child for the first time was always what I had dreamed of.  Roman weighed in at 7lbs even and was 20 and a half inches long.  He has been such a wonderful addition to our family and his brother and sister were so excited to hold him and love on him.  There was only one person that ever told me that everything would be okay with having 3 kids and that he would just fit right into the family.  She was so right and I am just so thankful that she said it. We are now at 3 weeks and we are enjoying our time with our sweet boy! Thank you to everyone one who has brought us a meal and helped out with the children we can not thank you enough ask Cory i've already sent her two thank you notes for the same meal :-)

27th Birthday!

I cannot believe I am 27 now with another child on the way.  This last past year has been awesome and has been filled with ups and downs.  We celebrated my birthday this year in Clifton at the general store and then went over to Peterson's for ice cream.  I highly recommend their praline shake! It was awesome! The best part about our diner was that the kids got to see the VRE pass through the town.  Christian was beyond excited when he got to see the train in action.  My birthday was awesome! I even got a new 50mm lens! I cannot wait to torture baby boy with it :-)

Swim Kids Swim Camp!

This week Christian started swim camp at Swim Kids.  He LOVES it. It has been almost two years since Christian has done swim so he has a lot of catching up to do.  With another child on the way we thought it was important for our kids to be able to swim alone with out us.  I really enjoyed watching him last night!

Baby Shower!

 The best shower food I have ever had!

 Doughnuts lanterns.

 The sweetest wreath! Thanks to Mariah.

 Me and my besties!

 Me and my MIL.

Thanks to all of my wonderful friends who showered doughnut and I.  The shower was gorgeous and I could have not asked for anything else.