Margaret Madison Sawyer

On the morning of September 21st I found myself at Seton Hospital...just a little over a year ago...I was in this EXACT same delivery bed. Hard to believe.

I have a few things to say about my third time to deliver a baby girl. First of all, the "rule of thumb" that third births are easy and practically "walk out" was not my personal experience. At the time this picture was taken I had just arrived, been hooked up to the monitors and had my best game face on. At this point, I was dilated at a solid 5. I had yet to experience a true "gonna have this baby" labor contraction. However, for the past week, I swear a knife was jabbed in to my lower back. Come to find out, baby girl number three was sunny side up and I had been laboring all week long.

Let's get this thing going. I usually start asking for the epidural when I am right around 8 months pregnant. Since I was so dilated, the doctor broke my water at 8:30 and my 3rd daughter was born at 12:15 pm.

My mother stayed with Annalee and Caroline and my Dad was able to join Blake and I for the birth. He had not seen a baby being born since I was born. I loved that he was there with me. He helped take photographs and kept the situation "light".

Here she is. Beautiful. Every single one of my daughters has looked COMPLETELY different at birth. I really expected this third girl to at least favor Annalee or Caroline. But really, she looked like her own little sweet self.

All that back pain was worth it. There is nothing like getting to hold your child for the first time. I have been just as amazed with each daughter...how something so small can make my heart grow so big. I loved meeting her. There was one difference with the third baby. I remembered to cherish each and every "first" moment...because I knew how fast she was going to grow.
Holding hands for the first time.
I could not stop staring at her. It was like I knew her so well...but had excitement about getting to meet her for the very first time. Blake called my mom and the girls and they headed up to meet their new baby sister. At this time, she did not have a name. Third girl...the naming part was harder!
Annalee wanted to hold her immediately. She was beaming! I must say, watching my children love on each other is one of my greatest parenting joys.
I was only gone about 5 hours...but I missed Annalee. I gotta say, nice being able to hold my kids without navigating a large tummy!
She was born with a FULL set of hair. The first thing I heard the doctor say was "SHE JUST BIT ME!" She has been the only child I have had so far that did not cry at birth. It was almost nerve racking. After I first held her, they took her back to get her to cry a bit. She had the most beautiful olive skin and dark eyes.
I don't think Caroline knew what was going on. But she loved the free sandwiches and playing with Pop.
Here is the first look at what my life looks like. My youngest two daughters have two "mothers". Me and their big sister Annalee. For some reason, I think this will be the case for the rest of their lives. Here Annalee is explaining to Caroline that she must be gentle and sweet. Caroline gets "reprimanded" often by Annalee. She gives the best "I could care less what you say" look back.
All three girls with my parents.

The dreaded labor and delivery is over. I'm starting to feel really tired. Problem is...I have three kids 2 and under that will be living with me. No rest in my near future.
First time I sat with all three girls.
Blake's mom came that day to visit and keep Annalee and Caroline for a few days while I enjoyed my hospital vacation.
There is something magical about a newborn. I sat for three days staring at her. By the end of her first night on earth, after lots and lots of "flip flops" we named her Margaret Madison Sawyer.
My incredible vacation did come to an end. Margaret was loaded up and we took her home to join forces with her sisters.

Home sweet home.


I gotta be honest. It's a zoo at my house. I get out as much as I can. But most days, it is easier to stay put. Annalee and Caroline adjusted to the new baby over night and the new change became the new normal.

Margaret is an amazing baby. She slept right through the night from the very beginning and is so easily consoled when she does cry. It is almost as if God knew just what I could handle and before He sent Margaret to me, He must have whispered all sorts of sweet things to her that made her feel safe....and sleepy. I'm so thankful He sent her down to our house to love. Good luck Margaret Madison....hold your own sister!
Margaret Madison Sawyer

8.1 oz, 19 inches

September 21, 2011

I love you.

Last minute belly shots!

I am nearing the end...

My very first pregnancy I got professional pregnancy photographs. My second pregnancy we got some family shots taken at the beach in Florida. Here we are, for the third girl and we are fortunate that Blake grabbed the camera after bath time, just before we all headed to bed to capture me with my two daughters and one on the way. Turns out, these just might be my favorite. Not due to my blossoming condition, but due to the sweet candid moment captured. It has come and gone. I can't believe we are about to be a family of 5, in just 3 short years. Here we go....

 We do not have a name yet...but have a little list going.  Caroline, of course, being just over one, is totally oblivious. She is about to become a big sister, and is still so little herself. Annalee has caught on to this pregnancy and asks me often if and when that doctor is going to get the baby out of my belly. She cuddles with my tummy every night and loves to feel the baby move, and has even started singing to her before bedtime. Blake is entering labor and delivery with a whole new confidence. He has been spending the summer, mentally, physically and spiritually preparing himself to share a house with 4 girls. 

Get ready new Sawyer! We can't wait to meet you! See you next week, but don't hesitate to come before then!!

 Photos taken on September 16, 2011

Happy Birthday Caroline!

Caroline turned 1 today!! I think Annalee was more excited about her birthday than she was. I have to say...by far her favorite presents were the boxes that the presents arrived in...I love watching these two play together.

She has had MANY accomplishments during her first year of life. But...one of my favorites has been her ability to learn (finally after lots of injuries) how to go down stairs backwards, safely. This skill has prevented heart failure...which is where I thought I was headed.
Caroline's first birthday was a family celebration with some Hello Kitty flair. I made her a Hummingbird layer cake and we ate pizza...

I think she loved all the special attention...especially the random, frequent singing, all for her...all day long!

Annalee said a sweet prayer for Caroline before dinner.

Happy First Birthday Caroline!! You have been a joy...so much fun to love...

Catching Up

I have no excuses for the lack of posts during the past 6 months...other than taking care of my 2 year old, 1 year old, and spending my 3rd trimester of my 3rd pregnancy during the hottest summer of Austin, Texas history. Needless to say...I'm just happy to still be here.

So...catching up is going to take me a little while. I'll start with my favorite holiday and maybe back track a little after that! We spent the 4th of July with my family in Round Top, Texas. Honestly, I don't remember much...I remember it was fun, hot, nostalgic, hot, and hot. Round Top in my opinion is one of the best places in Texas to celebrate the nation's birthday. Clint, Heather and Betsy came in from Arizona and spent the week celebrating with us.

Annalee has 3 favorite things to do at Round Top...in no particular order: (1) Getting a ride on the buckboard (reflected above), (2) getting a ride on Pop's tractor and (3) jumping on the trampoline in the upstairs playroom. Since the buckboard was all gussied up, I figured out of the three...it had the most picture framable potential!

Betsy jumped on with her to complete the perfect photo op!


At the very beginning of the week we all headed to Schulenburg, Texas to visit Great-Grandmother Jean. It was a very special visit for many reasons. It was the last time most of us got to see her. She passed away shortly after the visit. Grandmother Jean was an incredible example of independence, work ethic, passion for learning, and style. We will all miss her very much.

Betsy is such a good little caretaker. Her little cousins have so much fun learning from her.
Here is a quick shot of Caroline....

All the grandgirls with their Pop!
Loving on Grandmother Jean.
Betsy and Annalee spent lots of time in the costume chest putting on beautiful dresses...
Possibly one of the biggest events in Round Top is the 4th of July parade. Despite the heat, the parade was a huge success.


Heather and Annalee watching the parade go by....

One of my college friends Beth came with her family to the parade...she's darling and is an Anesthesiologist...I'm banking on her being available at the birth of this third little girl!
Heather, Betsy and Clint "baking" at the parade.
Caroline was so hot...random people kept dousing her head with water.

You can come to this parade every year...and watch people ride Texas Longhorns. Every year...I am just as amazed as the first....

Grandmother Norma (Gigi) worked with Betsy on Dominoes.


Annalee, Betsy and Caroline tried to stay cool in the pool...but Caroline is not a huge fan of swimming...I think the spontaneous splashing annoys her.
4th of July 2011 was a HUGE success. We love making memories at The Farm on Round Top.

The best part was being together...