Oliver William Kline, our third born son

Oliver William took his time. January 2, 2016 was his due date and I fully expected, rather hoped, he would come in 2015. We celebrated Christmas at Lance's house in Kansas City around the new year. We stayed active, cooked, played with the cousins, took lots of walks (even in the cold!), family took bets on the day that were then subsequently re-done as all those days passed. After the holiday celebrations my mom stayed with us and we continued to wait.

I went to my weekly check-up on January 11, 2016 and my blood pressure was high. My doctor said let's get baby out. No objections here.

I was having contractions on and off, not strong, but I felt them. We checked into to Shawnee Mission Medical center that night and I had progressed to 4cm. We decided to wait through the night to see if active labor would kick in. It didn't.

The night nurse said that I was having contractions about 10 minutes apart all night but no progression.

The 7am nurse came on duty and we waited for the doctor. It was a Tuesday and my doctor didn't work on Tuesdays, so we had Dr. Magee. He was working with a resident (I think). The resident was very quiet, probably like they are supposed to be. She primarily just observed.

The Dr. was busy in the morning and didn't make it to our room until around 10am. But, boy did things get going when he got there. He broke my water at 10am, got Pitocin around 10:30am and then suffered through some INTENSE contractions until the epidural at noon.

This was my least favorite epidural. The other two were great, but this one didn't work in what felt like one critical spot, my lower right side.

The anesthesiologist came back after I continued to complain. I remember having the sweetest nurse step in while my nurse was at lunch. He tried to help manage the pain, but didn't quite get it.

I still felt sharp contraction pains and then immense pressure that continued to get stronger and stronger, there was nothing that could stop this baby from coming.

Nic went to get the nurse and she checked me, sure enough I was +1.

Everyone was then called in. The doctor, the delivery team, the baby team.

While the doctor was on his way, the pressure continued to build and I pushed a few times before the nurse said, "ok, ok, ok, hang tight". The doctor arrived and epidural seemed to be not working at all.

I remember people trying to get my attention to explain what was going on, but all I could do was focus on getting through the pain.

I  remember them wanting me to wait until the next contraction to push. Not a chance. I was pushing this baby out, contraction or not.

I remember the doctor saying what sounded to me like, "he's here!!" and then I asked, "why isn't he crying??" And the doctor proceeded to tell me that he wasn't all the way out yet. Ugh.

Another push or two and he wiggled his way out, I held him, I heard the crying, I was exhausted, relieved, full of joy.

Oliver William Kline was born January 12, 2016 at 2:56pm, weighing 7lbs, 11oz, and 20.5.

The resident re-appeared in my eye's view when Nic wanted no part in cutting the cord. She cut it.

Time was moving in slow motion.

We had loving visitors of family and friends. Generous gifts of food and adorable little baby clothes/accessories.

Also, I had the best mommy and baby team in recovery. I hit the jackpot with this dream team. The daytime nurse was a mom of 3 boys that were in middle school and elementary school. She graciously welcome me to the three boy club. I really liked her and saw a glimpse of my future as we discussed sports, laundry, and all things boy. She was gifted as a nurse, professional, excellent bedside manner, and I thought that if I were a nurse, I would hope to be just like her. Her partner in crime (my night-time nurse) was a nurse who was a few months from retiring, experienced and just a joy to be around.

We are settled into our new routine. I've been constantly reminded this week that I am not the center of this life. My ways are not the best and only ways. Even to the thought of, why wouldn't everyone in Kansas City want to live in Roeland Park, have 3 boys, and serve the body of believers at Redeemer? Sounds ridiculous, but I thought it. The boys are memorizing this verse, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding ". This verse has resurfaced a lot this past year.

Life with this crew of mine is wonderful. Even during the hard days, I am filled with joy that they are mine. That God chose me to love them, teach them, play with them, be lazy with them, hold them, change them, feed them, kiss them, pray with them, These kids are a blessing, they are God's best for me, they are a reminder that this earth has a future without me, which draws me to the Lord knowing that all this shall pass and one day the curtain will be drawn and I will know Perfect Love in its entirety. Until then, I will wait.

Welcome, Walter Lewis

It's hard for me to believe this is my reality, 2 sons. :) Walter joined us at 2:11pm on Friday, July 18, 2014 (6 days late). He weighed 7lbs 3 oz and was 20 inches long.

With it being my second time around, I expected labor to be "quick" and while painful, manageable. I was wrong.  

Contractions started at 7pm while we were over at Nic's dad's house. We made it the hospital and the following morning at 9:30am I was told Walter was sunny side up and labor was not progressing.

I got an epidural around 10:30am and then with a little more patience on our part, Walter Lewis Kline was born.

It's been over 5 months now and all be it exhausting, it is a blast hanging out and living life with these two little boys. I'm trying to take photos each month, but man life is full and it is hard.

more of newborn wlk...

so helpful when lincoln would try to pick him up, aka push him.

 1 month wlk

wlk at 2 months, limited photos of this age. I think exhaustion was the primary factor in September. 

Lincoln at almost 2 and wlk 3 months 

4 months and almost 2 was busy. Below is the best shot I got of these two. Lincoln is saying "cheeeeeeese". He's getting the hang of smiling for the camera...

Still need to do 5 month photos. :)

Lincoln is speaking in 4 word phrases and tonight I was the victim of his manipulation: "I poopy" he told me during bed time. So I got him back up, took him to the nursery to change him... And, of course, there was nothing! He did not need changing, that little trickster. But really, he is a happy kid who loves learning, music, chasing Neosho and especially motorcycles and trains.

Walter still primarily eats, sleeps, and cries. He is rolling around and finding his hands tasty.

Nic has been an incredible father to these two boys. I love hearing him read, pray, and sing to them. So grateful for life with these 3 boys.

Merry Christmas!
-Nicolas, Julie, Lincoln (2), and Walter (5 months)

I have a toddler.

I's official. My little tiny is now a toddler. He is a little man that loves to pull everything out of any drawer or cabinet he can open. His words consist of "dadada", "mumumum", "dawwwww" (dog), "crk cr" (cracker), and "woof". He reaches and says "eh, eh, eh, eh" when we wants something or someone.

He absolutely loves the book, "Brown, bear, brown, bear". He will find that book out of a stack and hand it to us to read to him.

He has this silly, high pitched laugh that is reserved only for when he sees a dog. 

He can point to his nose, ears, and mouth (sometimes) and understands way more than I give him credit for. 

6 month appointment

waiting to meet cousin Wyatt

9 month appointment

first time at an indoor pool was scary.

He took a couple of steps around Christmas, but started walking to people around 13 months and now at nearly 15 months has it mastered.

I was/am not prepared for life with child. There are so many unexpected things that pop up. Some obvious, some silly, and some emotional. Amongst all the normal day to day routines, here are some things that have occurred recently that I didn't I expect:

1. Losing a household item such as keys, makeup remover, makeup brush, etc. and finding myself thinking, "hm, I wonder if Lincoln got a hold of this and if so, where would he put it..." I search the bathtub, all bottom drawers in our house, and small unknown pockets of space in the bottom of the highchair. I find the lost item. It's a new one for me.

2. A Saturday where Grandpa and Grandma Kline took Lincoln for the afternoon and evening. Nic's dad voiced to us that he had no idea what they would do with a toddler that can't yet ride on motorcycles, tractors, hit a ball, or climb a tree. While grandpa wasn't sure what to do, Lincoln knew just what to do, what to play with, how to eat, and run around outside. However, for us, the day left Nic and I paralyzed. A whole day without our little and we, surprisingly, were lost. We missed him. Of course, whenever I am away at work or run an errand while Nic stays home with him, I miss him. But, but this was different, it was a sadness and an emptiness that was uncomfortable. Nic and I were together without him. We talked about doing this and that and kept repeating the phrase, "but we could just do that with Lincoln, he would like that." Lincoln showed grandpa and grandma what to do and left us high and dry.

3. I boarded a plane with just Lincoln a few weeks ago. As a family we had a rough morning, getting 2 of 3 ready for a flight and a 10 day trip. Lincoln was not in the best mood and neither was I. I about lost it on the way to the airport. This is crazy, I thought, no way is this going to be good. The 3 of us waited together at the airport for my delayed flight and then came the moment of separation. Unexpectedly hard for me. I fought back tears the whole trip, the friendly and patience security guard noticing my juggling act, the kindness of fellow passengers, the nervous and rude passengers that were irritated getting stuck sitting in the back with the kids. All of it made me fight back these unknown tears. Lincoln did amazing for the most part, I was mess. Seeing Nic's text to my family letting them know I was on my way and "the bigger my family gets, the more I have to miss when they leave" made me lose it. That trip I physically felt the prayers, I felt earthly and heavenly love. I knew I was not alone. A flood of unexpected emotion.  

I know there are many more stories to come, probably most of which I won't have the words to describe them.

We are beyond blessed to have this toddler around.

here we go again

We found out last November that we are expecting our 2nd child. This is how we feel. :)

Due date is July 12th, and we can't wait to meet this new member of our family. On Feb. 13th, we had our sonogram to find out if baby #2 is a boy or girl. Nic told me in the waiting room that he wanted to wait to find out over a home cooked dinner the following day, Valentines Day.

Our unborn child is a...

We can't wait to meet you and introduce you to your older brother, Lincoln. We pray you two grow to have an amazing relationship, centered on your Creator.

lincoln turns one!

we celebrated lincoln turning one last december!

we are thankful for so much. this little soul is a sponge and it is a blessing to watch him grow up. motherhood is anything but easy, but it is a joy to have a front row seat to meeting, knowing, and loving this little boy. 

this little just gets more and more active. he is an explorer. here are shots of 10 month old lincoln.

and, 11 month old lincoln. loves loves loves to clap.  

and finally, our 1 year old. 

lincoln working on his balance, thinking about walking...

One wobbly step left.

one twisted step right.

and, boom, hits the ground.

life with lincoln keeps getting better and better.