Lyla Rose Bechthold

Our eventful week ended with the birth of my beautiful niece Lyla Rose Bechthold, Missy and Ed's daughter. Lyla was breach so Missy had a c-section, after having Lyla and seeing that she was 9.04 lbs Missy was very glad she had the c-section :)

Missy did so well and Lyla is just like her cousin Evey, a great eater, a good sleeper and just the sweetest little girl :)

Our Marine

It is official, Zach is in San Diego at Marine boot camp. I still can't believe he is gone, his car is in our driveway, his room is still a mess and smells like Zach (I mean that in a good way :)).

We had his going away party at my hall on the 13th, it was great to see his friends and family that came to say their good byes and wish him luck. It was a tough day for me, lots to do and not enough time for it all.

Sunday we headed to Des Moines, thanks to some easy pressure from my brother in law Ed we ended up going to Jethro's for Zach's last big dinner before boot camp. It was wonderful!!! They were pretty busy and the manager came to check on us while we waited, my mom told him we were there celebrating Zach and his new journey, the manager bought us two appetizers, it was so nice of them! A lot happened in the last week Zach was home, relationships changed that made Zach thankful and ready for this new adventure.

Monday morning we headed to MEPS, we arrived promptly at 8:00am. When we were buzzed in the guy signing us in looked at me and said, "Koch?". I smiled and said yes, then asked how the heck he knew, he said it is because he is government and knows everything, still not sure how he knew :) We waited, and waited, and waited, they had a nice family area for us to wait in and eventually we got to play cards in the lunch room. Bella saw Oreos in the vending machine and wanted them, of course the vending machine was broken and I had a five year old girl having a meltdown. My dad went to ask the guy who let us in if he knew how to fix it. He comes in, and this is a really big military man, he asks who needs the snack and sees Bella and her red eyes. He was so sweet and said, ok I will get our little Marine a snack. He grabbed the machine and shook the crap out of it until some Starburst fell out, the meltdown was saved :)

Zach was finally sworn in a little after 11:00am, it was very emotional for all of us, I could not have felt more proud. They let us stand up next to the podium so we got video and photos, afterwards they even took family pictures for us.

It was a great experience and I think about Zach daily, wondering what he is doing, how early is he having to get up, are they feeding him enough, is he happy, when the heck will we get our first letter???? So proud of him and can't wait to see him again in February for his graduation :)

Bella's 5 Year Check Up

Yesterday was a big day for Bella as well. Kyle took her to her five year check up so that I could be at the hospital with Mindy. I had told him she would be getting her flu shot, I did not realize she would be getting FOUR shots and the nasal spray :(

This was Kyle's first time at Bella's yearly check up, so it was a memorable one for him! Bella did pretty well, she told me she just had to cry though because it hurt too badly :(

Our five year old peanut is "officially" on the chart for weight, woo hoo!!!! She is 32.2 lbs and is in the 4th percentile for weight, just over 40 inches tall, in the 9th percentile for height. Our doctor is very pleased with Bella's development and told Kyle we have one very smart little lady on our hands :)

I still truly can't believe she is five. A positive to her petite size would be that her size 3T snow pants from last year still fit, we had a bit of snow this morning so she had to try them out. Looks like we just need to get new boots for her this year as her 3T coat still fits too :)

Evey Belle Oberreuter

FINALLY, finally Mindy had her sweet little daughter!!!!! She went five days past her due date and labor began at 7:30 p.m. on Monday night. I would get continual texts from her husband Casey throughout the night, it was hard for me to sleep that night!

I worked half a day yesterday and then headed to the hospital. Little Evey (pronounced with a long E) was finally born at 3:52 p.m. on Tuesday afternoon. Mindy did AMAZING, she said the last two hours were the worst. She went through hell having her little girl. I believe most people who read my blog have had children so I shouldn't scare anyone off birthing a baby ;) It came down to the doctor wanting to use forceps, my mom was totally against it and wanted them to use the vacuum, but of course it is the doctor's call.

Mindy's doctor didn't realize how big Evey's head was, she basically slaughtered Mindy, I'm not kidding. On an entirely different rant, I understand your doctor may not be on call when you go into labor but I strongly believe your birth plan wishes should be fulfilled. This doctor had a horrid bedside manner, my mom was just appalled by the entire experience.

So in the end the doctor used forceps because she wasn't comfortable with the vacuum. Mindy did not get an episiotomy because the doctor felt she wouldn't need one. Well she did and Mindy tore badly, inside as well. Two hours after having Evey Mindy had to go to the hospital (the birthing center is separate) because they thought she may have broken a rib in the birthing process, thankfully she didn't.

After all of that beautiful Evey arrived weighing 8 lbs., 11.2 oz. and was 21 inches long. She has a nice big round head and is a true little beauty.

Isn't she just soooooo precious???? Not sure why the first two photos are turned like that but I can't fix them.

Next Tuesday I will become an Aunt again as Missy will be having a c-section in Des Moines, I'm a lucky girl with all these sweet babies in my life :)

Our Little Star Song

That's right, Bella was Star Song the My Little Pony for Halloween. She also got to wear some makeup, I'm going to have a little "diva" on my hands, just when it comes to makeup and hair, diva attitude hasn't hit quite yet ;) She seriously LOVES having just a little bit of makeup put on her for special occasions, she sits so well for me!

She of course looked ADORABLE!!! We went to Newhall, that has been our tradition since Bella was born. Her first Halloween she was just two weeks old and got snuggled the entire time, we also have a yummy chili dinner that my mom makes.

This year Kyle's dad was with us and he walked the route we always take Bella trick or treating. He really had a wonderful time and said it one of the most fun Halloween's to get to see Bella go trick or treating in her cute costume :)