And finally....

A BABY!!

Maxton Andrew Harris was born Nov. 1. 

7 lbs. 19 in.

We had scheduled Nov. 1st hoping to get through Halloween, for the sake of the boys and the fact that I didn't want to miss it. We made it to that day. We had to be there at 5:30 a.m. We got there, got prepped and found out that we had been bumped and my doctor couldn't get into the delivery room until 5:30 that evening. That bummed us out. But the anesthesiologist came in and told me that if I hurried I had 15 min. to eat before I couldn't. So we ran down to the cafeteria and I had a good breakfast. Than Matt and I went and took a much needed 3 hour nap. Than headed back to the hospital and finally they got us in. 

I wasn't scared this time. I was more anxious about leaving my other boys. Not that they weren't in good hands. (Thanks Nadia!!)  But because I am the mom and I do it all. But once I got on the operating table it all sank in and the memories of what all I would have to go through in a c-section. I started to freak out. Matt and the anesthesiologist were both right by my side and trying to be entertaining and distracting. It sort of worked.

This was my 4th c-section. I have never really got to see the details of what goes on. I've always worried that it's nasty and that we miss out on the "beauty" of delivering a baby. Matt and the anesthesiologist had a fun time taking some good pictures for me. I personally think they are beautiful. I left out quite a few though.

   

 It's amazing to see and be able to create something so beautiful and breath taking. 

I am in awe everytime I have a baby, of the sacredness that comes with having a baby. Nothing in this world compares to the feelings that come from knowing that me and my eternal best friend created this little guy together. He's ours. Heavenly Father has trusted us with this baby to teach him and help him reach his best potential. I am so thankful for each of my boys.

My doctor is so awesome. He remembered from last time my special request. To this day he still thinks it's funny that I want to see "my gooey baby" before he's all cleaned up. There's something about seeing that face for the first time. Goo and all. I love it!! It's my favorite.

 

And Halloween!

 We had a very fun and busy Halloween this year despite the fact that I was very pregnant and trying my best to make it past Halloween with a baby still inside me. (So I wouldn't miss Halloween of course)

Manning was his most favorite thing a Fire Fighter. Which for one party he decided to stay in his pajamas and be Superman. This is a blurry picture but the best one I got.

 Mason begged to be a skeleton pirate. He really wanted to be scary. I had a hard time with the whole scary part. He's in first grade. He's supposed to be cute not scary. But we compromised and instead of a scary mask we painted his face and he wasn't as scary as he probably wanted to be but he thought it was cool.

 Mattix was a vampire. He let me spray his hair black and paint his face. He looked awesome. He didn't even look like Mattix.

Everything was perfect this year for Halloween. The weather was perfect trick or treating weather. The moon was even perfect for trick or treating. After a long day of Halloween parades and class parties. I was exhausted and contracting like crazy. (But didn't have a Halloween baby!) We did some trick or treating not a ton but got a ton of candy. Which I would call that successful. It was a good day.

Pumpkins!!

 Matt and the boys decided to try again this year to grow our own pumpkins. We haven't had much luck in the past at our house or at Nana and Papa's house. But whatever they did different this year, it worked. Matt planted 4 small plants and we harvested 22 pumpkins! We were so excited. As they kept popping up the boys started reserving their spot for who they wanted to give which pumpkin to. Cousins and friends all had their own pumpkin growing. Even our not born yet baby brother. Well the night before we were going to give out some of our pumpkins we had over half of our pumpkins stolen and smashed all over the street in front of our neighborhood. The boys and Matt and I were very crushed. They even smashed the tiny pumpkin we picked out for Maxton. Well because we still had a bunch left we were able to give out enough for the cousins that came the next day. And a couple of our awesome neighbor's supplied us with some replacement pumpkins. Even a warty cool looking pumpkin.

 Each of the cousins got to pick a pumpkin. The boys were so excited to share.

 For family night right before Halloween we got creative and made our own pumpkin face pizzas and went to work carving out pumpkins.

 Matt had the boys draw the face they wanted to put on their pumpkin and tried his best to match it.

 I think they turned out awesome.

 And when we put candles in them the boys thought they were the best pumpkins ever.

The Amazing Amy Lee

 I've never had Maternity picture but my friend Amy talked me into letting her take them for me. She did an amazing job and I will cherish them forever. I didn't know that I looked like this. It gives me a whole new perspective on being pregnant. I see myself in a different light and the sacredness of this gift. I am not just a fat whale.

You are seriously very talented Amy. 

All pictures compliments of Amy Lee Photography. And they are copyrighted.

A reason to feel loved.

 

I've said this 100 times but seriously being the only girl in my house has it's benefits. Especially when days like my birthday come along. I tend to get a little spoiled. The boys got up and made me cards than hid them around the house for me to find. 

 Mattix drew me a picture of everything he would buy me if he had money. A balloon, baby Maxton a new pumpkin since his was stolen, a cupcake, and lotion. Oh yeah and fingernail polish because he thinks it's pretty when I have painted fingernails.

 Mason got super creative and made his look like it was a gift. He was so proud of himself. It was quite clever. He couldn't get it tied so he asked me to do it. The only catch was I had to keep my eyes closed while I tied it.

 The cool thing about my birthday being in the middle of October is UEA. Now that I have kids in school I love days off like that. It made my birthday so fun. Matt came home around noon and we took the boys to Wheeler farm and had lunch there. It was fabulous. I love the colors of the leaves. I love how excited the boys get to see the animals and just love watching them run and have fun.

 And of course there are so many opportunities to take the cutest pictures.

 And because she's pretty much part of the family Dani got to come along too. Her and Manning loved the chickens. They stood bawking at the chickens and thought it was hilarious.

 We took bread to feed to the ducks and other fowl that were hungry. My favorite part was watching Manning chase the pigeons. They were dumb enough to keep landing by him so he kept chasing them. He laughed so hard. It was awesome.

 The prettiest spot at the whole farm. I have always loved this gate for some reason. And Matt wanted a picture of the birthday girl. Don't you love the colors!?! Gorgeous!

And to top it off my honey brought me home the biggest bouquet of roses I have ever had in my life. Holy cow they are amazing. I had a wonderful birthday. Not only did we have fun, I had tons of phone calls, facebook messages and had a few friends and family stop by to wish me a Happy birthday. Thanks to everyone that made my day fabulous. I love you all. Here's to another year. 28 isn't old. I don't even feel old yet.

Smart like his daddy

Before end of the chapter tests Mason's teacher usually sends home a review of some sort for the kids to read over with their parents to practice the art of studying. This past week his class was learning about Mesopotamia and she sent home the review like she always does. Well after looking at it 1 time with him, I put it somewhere and more than likely that somewhere was somewhere close to the trash. Monday morning came and he woke up remembering that his test was that day. He wanted to study while we ate breakfast. I looked everywhere and couldn't find it. He was so worried and upset that he was going to fail. 

I am sure he had that study guide memorized but he was not that confident. 

After all that drama he came home with a perfect score. Let's just say he is so much like his dad when it comes to school work and his memory. It surprises me everyday. It helps that with all of those years of Matt, school and his own studying my boys have seen that studying helps. They want to be just like dad.

When Mommy's Not Around

Looking through my pictures on my phone, I came across these awesome pictures. I didn't take them. But here's what I think probably happened. While watching TV on mommy and daddy's bed, one of the Harris boys was probably playing with mommy's phone, the one that was charging on the night stand next to the bed. Another Harris boy probably picked up daddy's glasses and put them on. Followed by "my turn," "take my picture." 

They crack me up! Strikingly handsome wouldn't you say? Funny boys.