Seven Friarys

Recent iPhone photos

Published on October 25, 2015November 1, 2015 by 7friarysLeave a comment

Our lives lately consist of lots of visitors and little sleep. I’m not complaining about either. I LOVE having people here to meet Beckett! I also love my quiet time with him when he wakes in the middle of the night. I like it more when it’s every 3-4 hours instead of every 45 minutes.

Life is starting to get back to normal and we’re definitely falling back into our busy daily routine. The photos on my phone have been piling up over the last couple of months.

Loved this little fall outfit on Lucy!!

Megan had homecoming a few weeks ago

We celebrated Jon’s 41st birthday

My sad attempt at catching the blood moon

Megan found my cheer jacket in the closet

Life has been busy and it’s been wonderful. We’re trying to soak up all of these fun fall and newborn moments.

All Five

Published on October 16, 2015October 16, 2015 by 7friarys2 Comments

We loved having Emma home all last weekend for Columbus Day. She seems to really be enjoying her sophomore year at school. She’s been working hard and figuring out what she wants to do when she graduates. She’s been busy with her sorority and even works part time. Fall is flying by and we’re already looking forward to having her home for Thanksgiving.

Megan has been keeping very busy with cheerleading 4 days a week, helping her dad with the attic project and keeping up with her studies. Her progress report was awesome this week!! She is such a hard worker and is constantly on the go.

Chloe has joined the 100 mile club again this fall but spends most of her time studying. Her progress report had all A’s and 3 A+’s. She has been such a huge help to me ever since I got home from the hospital.

Lucy started a cooking class last week after school. Her first assignment was sugar cookies and this week she made dinner rolls. They went great with the chicken parm we had for dinner that night. She also started Brownies this week. She’s been working really hard in second grade and as soon as she gets off the bus she runs up the driveway to see Beckett. I’ve been so proud of the way she’s been acting. No jealousy at all.

Beckett is already changing so much since we brought him home. He’s been doing great over night with only a couple of wake ups, which I don’t mind. I love that alone time with him when the rest of the house is asleep. The past couple of days he’s been giving me these big gummy smiles when I talk to him. He loves to be held and talked to constantly. He hates to be naked and only gets upset during diaper changes and when his belly is hungry. And boy, can this kid scream!

The best part about last weekend was having everyone under one roof. I couldn’t wait to get this following picture. I waited a very long time for it

Introducing Beckett James Friary

Published on October 12, 2015October 16, 2015 by 7friarysLeave a comment

Also known as, the seventh Friary.

This is going to be a long winded post about Beckett’s birth. I just don’t want to forget any of the details and since I keep everything else here I figured, why not?

I went to my 40 week appointment on Friday the 2nd. I had been having contractions all week and figured I’d be sent over to the hospital to deliver. After all, she told me that if I made it to 40 weeks then she would induce me. It was a pretty disappointing appointment. I hadn’t dialated anymore since the week before and I had gained over 40 pounds. She scheduled the induction for Monday the 5th. In the meantime, she told me to take some castor oil to see if that would help. Jon and I drove to Target to pick up some castor oil but they were out so we stopped at Walgreens. I came home and took the castor oil and almost immediately began to have contractions….. they died out later that afternoon.

I took a little more on Saturday afternoon but nothing happened. I woke up in the middle of the night with a few contractions but they didn’t amount to anything.

Here I am taking a belly shot at 3am Sunday.

I didn’t want to try anymore castor oil on Sunday. I knew that my induction would be here soon enough and decided to just wait it out. Jon and I dropped the girls off at CCD and quickly went apple picking. Our last official date for a while.

My parents got to our house early on Monday morning. After sending Chloe off to school we headed out to the hospital for my 9:00 induction. I was like a kid on Christmas morning. I couldn’t wait to get the IV’s in!! I couldn’t wait for them to start the pitocin! I couldn’t wait for the painful contractions to start! I couldn’t wait for my water to break! I couldn’t wait to start pushing! I’m so weird like that…..

At 9:15 they hooked up the heart monitors……

Then I sat and waited….. and stared at the walls…….

For two hours before they came in and started my Iv’s with antibiotics (Group B positive).

About an hour later they started the pitocin. I got up to use the bathroom about 45 minutes later and my water broke. YAY! But, there was miconium…. there went my excitement. I was nervous about the baby at that point but they explained to me that it wouldn’t be a big deal and that they were going to have 2 NICU doctors and 2 NICU nurses come in while I was delivering to make sure he was fine. I was contracting every 3-5 minutes but they weren’t as painful as I remember with the girls so I figured I was progressing slowly.

Around 3:30 the nurse came in to check me and I was already 6cm dialated. I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to get my epidural in time and the nurse told me not to worry and that she would go out and order it. Turns out that the anesthesiologist was out in the hallway and he could do it right then. I wasn’t in any pain… I had maybe 5 contractions that were painful but I could deal with them. I didn’t want to miss my opportunity though so I faked the pain. HA! While he was putting the epi in he kept stopping and talking me through the contractions (that I couldn’t even feel). I felt like such a fraud. Within 10 minutes I couldn’t feel ANYTHING!! At about 5:15 the nurse came in to check me and I was ready to go. I did NOT believe her because I didn’t feel any pressure at all. I’ve done this many times and I just couldn’t be ready. She told me not to push and that she was going to get the doctor.

I was going to deliver a baby!! But first, let me take a selfie

OMG! In walks 2 NICU doctors, 2 NICU nurses, my doctor, a resident doctor and my nurse Lisa. My first thought was “these people are going to be pissed waiting for this baby to come out… it’s going to be a while” I pushed three 10 second pushes and about 3 or 4 3 second pushes and I felt him slide out. Easy as that.

Beckett James was born at 5:30pm. He weighed 8lbs 12oz and was 21 inches long. It was love at first sight

Daddy is in love too

The girls came with my parents right away. Emma was sick at school and wasn’t able to meet him until Thursday.

It’s a little blurry but look at Lucy’s face!

The sweetest little boy I ever did meet.

After two days in the hospital we were ready to take him home and start our new life together

It’s amazing how someone so little can complete a family so instantly.

Welcome to our family Beckett! You are already So loved!!

Our Weekend and a bump update….sort of

Published on September 14, 2015September 14, 2015 by 7friarys1 Comment

I complain about winter, too cold and too much snow! I complain about spring, darn allergies have me miserable 24/7 and I complain (sometimes) about summer TOO HOT!! Especially this summer. But you will NEVER hear me complain about fall. It’s the best time of the year!!!

We were all pretty excited to watch the Patriots game on Thursday

Now that I’m pregnant I will find any excuse to use frosting

YUM!

Megan had her first game on Friday night. I LOVE being able to go to these football games. I never went before she started cheering, wait that’s not true. I went once with a friend. But I never felt like it was “our” team until she started.

Lucy found this giant M&M and wanted to pretend that she was back at the M&M store in London

A doggie mugshot

Ha!

Saturday we went apple picking. Our usual spot was closed for the season so we tried some place new (Lucy’s idea)

Look at how old she’s looking lately. She’s gonna look like a grown up by the time the baby gets here

I wish this picture of Megan wasn’t so blurry but I still love it

Sweet Chloe

This picture cracks me up. Maybe it shouldn’t, maybe I should be embarrassed by how much weight I’ve gained and how big I am but I’m not. This is definitely the biggest I’ve ever been in my life but I have enjoyed food SO much this pregnancy and plan on taking off all the weight. I’m not too worried.

BAM! That’s one big lady!

We saw some sky divers while we were there

Of course Jon and I had to pose together

After a little while of apple picking my belly started to get heavy

Hahaha!

Jon worked in the attic most of the day yesterday and then made us a big pot of jambalaya.

As for the bump updates:

I didn’t feel like doing them this week or last. I have hit my 35 pound weight gain. I’m not craving anything new. I’ve been nesting or resting this week. Depends on my mood. Last night I had a few really strong contractions wake me from a deep sleep. I was crampy all morning and had tons of pressure. I thought that today could’ve been the day but it all fizzled out. I walked to my friend’s house up the road about an hour ago and contractions started again. Then fizzled out. Walking back up in a little while with Jon so we’ll see what happens. My due date is in 2 weeks but he’s measuring a little ahead so I know that it can happen at anytime. I’ve already made it further along then I did with Lucy.

Today after doing some nesting I rested with a cup of red raspberry leaf tea, i bounced on my birthing ball and watched some pretty graphic youtube videos on childbirth.

I can’t wait to meet this little guy and fill up this stroller with all that baby goodness

Getting Ready

Published on September 4, 2015September 14, 2015 by 7friarys1 Comment

Bag is packed

The car seat is installed

And now we wait

Bump Update 35 Weeks!!

Published on September 2, 2015September 14, 2015 by 7friarysLeave a comment

How Far Along? 35 weeks 5 days

Baby is the size of: a coconut (according to The Bump) Really?? Must be one of the coconuts dangling from the trees in St. Marten and not the kind they sell at the grocery store. This baby feels huge!!

Total Weight Gain: 31 pounds.

The Bump: Starting to drop

Food Cravings: still can’t get enough fruit and popsicles. I’m obsessed with Out Shine bars especially the coconut kind!

Symptoms: no new symptoms right now

Sleep: It seems like my insomnia has gone away the last few nights. I only get up to use the bathroom and fall right back to sleep. Every time I do wake up he’s in there wiggling around.

What I miss: Nothing

Names: Yes!

Gender: Boy!

Movement: He has dropped!! Over the last couple of days he’s been so low it feels like he’s ready to make his baby debut to the world 🙂 He is pretty quiet during the day but once 4pm hits he is up all afternoon and night!!

Maternity Clothes: Starting to outgrow some of my maternity clothes. ha! how is that even possible??

Labor Signs: No real labor signs but I feel like I’m being punched in the cervix about 100 times a day….. TMI??

Best moment of the week: Our Back to School Dinner on Sunday, even though we were missing Emma.

What I’m excited about and looking forward to: My doctor’s appointment on Friday!!

Purchases: My Belly Bandit. I’m excited to wear it after he comes and praying it works 🙂

Baby’s room: Ugh! I don’t want to talk about it……

Back to School

Published on August 31, 2015September 14, 2015 by 7friarysLeave a comment

Last night we had our annual back to school dinner with the girls. I always have a lot of fun planning and setting up the table for this.

We talk about the year ahead and what their plans and goals for the year are.

The girls were up before I was this morning, eager to start their new year.

My sophomore:

My eighth grader:

My second grader:

I swear if someone doesn’t get this kid back to London ASAP she’s going to burst!!

And a few from the bus stop:

Lucy and Esme are in the same class this year 🙂

And they’re off!!

Hoping and praying for a great year for all of these great kids.

Dinner For Six and a College Sophmore

Published on August 30, 2015September 14, 2015 by 7friarysLeave a comment

Everyone knows how much family dinners mean to me so while typing out an email to Tracey on Thursday morning it hit me that dinner that night would be our last family dinner as a family of 6. Give me a break here, I’m pregnant and emotional about every little thing. I quickly finished my email and thought about what we were going to eat. I thought about putting “6” on everything but let’s be honest, by 6pm I was ready to throw some tacos on the table and call it a night. This pregnancy has wiped me out.

Dinner that night was typical. There were a few tired and grumpy kids who had slept out the night before. There were a few (me included) who weren’t really in the mood for tacos. There were a few arguments over stolen socks, bras and clothes. There was some laughing, some teasing and some reminiscing. In the middle of it all I heard Lucy giggle and mumble under her breath “I love this family”….. me too Lu, me too. By the time Emma comes home for a long weekend we’ll be joined by a new little member of the family. The only thing better than a dinner for 6 will be a dinner for 7.

After dinner we loaded up my SUV and Jon’s truck full of Emma’s school things. By Friday morning she was SO excited to get going. I remember dropping her off last year and how nervous we both were. This year was completely different!

She couldn’t wait to start her sophomore year. I could barely keep up with her! Not that I can walk quickly right now anyway………

We had quite the moving crew that day! I knew that I wouldn’t be able to lift or carry anything and the extra help was greatly appreciated!!

Emma is rooming with 3 close friends this year. Two of them were there when we got there so that added to the excitement!

Like I said, dropping her off was different this year. She said she felt like she was home when her and I were walking in. That made it so much easier on me!! Especially knowing that she has a great big support system there with a lot of good friends.

It was a long and tiring day!! This one needed a lift back downstairs 🙂

She sent me a few pictures of her room all set up a couple of hours after I left. She settled right in. Right before I fell asleep that night my phone rang and it was Emma. It was great to hear how relaxed and happy she was. Makes it so much easier for me to relax this time around.

Bump Update 34 Weeks!!

Published on August 24, 2015August 25, 2015 by 7friarysLeave a comment

How Far Along? 34 weeks 3 days

Baby is the size of: a butternut squash (according to The Bump)

Total Weight Gain: 31 pounds. Yikes!! I was hoping for 25-30 pounds this pregnancy but I guess when you eat ice cream twice a day it’s hard to keep within that range. The good news is that once my body hits that extra 35 pounds I deliver. I wonder if this boy will be the same.

The Bump: Sticking straight out

Food Cravings: fruit and popsicles. I’m not “into” dinner time at all lately. My poor family. I try to throw something together for them or sometimes I just wait for Jon to come home and cook.

Symptoms: just lots of back pain and some waddling. Lucy pointed out how much I was waddling the other day.

Sleep: I sleep when I can get comfortable. Sometimes that takes a while. I still get up super early in the morning and then end up taking little catnaps on the couch (or chair) during the day. Which is crazy because I am 100% against adults napping during the day. Ha!

What I miss: Nothing

Names: Yes! It’s been so hard not letting it slip lately because I use it all the time when it’s just the 6 of us.

Gender: Boy!

Movement: His little feet have been kicking right under my ribs. It feels like he’s moving up instead of down. Either that or he’s just really stretching out now.

Maternity Clothes: Still loving the summer maternity clothes. The less the better, it’s too hot!

Labor Signs: Not yet.

Best moment of the week: Quiet week full of everyday moments that I try to capture and bottle up. Realizing that Emma is starting her second year of college this week has me thinking about how fast time goes by and eventually all of these crazy kids will be out on their own.

What I’m excited about and looking forward to: Hearing Aislinn’s baby news in exactly one week!!! Just found out his name this morning and I love it!!

Purchases: I bought 8 packs of diapers this week because Target had them on clearance and they’re my favorite brand and because clearly I have a diaper buying obsession. I also ordered his Lullaby Earth mattress this morning. Not that he has a room to put it in yet………. See below…

Baby’s room: I can’t wait to start on his room!!! The attic project is wrapping up, everything but the floors should be done by the end of the week. I meant to buy his bear rug that matches his bedding set yesterday but I forgot and my coupon expired…. Sigh…. too much going on.

Just took this one a few minutes ago. SO glamourous! Look how much it’s sticking straight out. And look how big my hand looks in this picture. Hahaha!!

Red Sox Game

Published on August 18, 2015August 25, 2015 by 7friarysLeave a comment

Jon and I took Chloe and Lucy to their first Red Sox game on Sunday. It was a HOT HOT HOT day!!

We were a little late to the game due to the unexpected Sunday traffic so we had Yawkey Way pretty much to ourselves

Oh how I miss living in a city!! It brought me back to last year in London and all the time Jon and I spent in Boston BK (before kids). I like my small town and the sense of community I get here but there is nothing like walking out your door to a fun and busy city! Someday…..

But to get back to Sunday:

Jon wants to know how many other kids go their first Red Sox game and orders a kale chicken caesar wrap instead of a Fenway Frank

Our kid…. and it was SO good!!

Luckily we were sitting in the shade because it was 90 degrees that day. Makes it VERY hard for a pregnant woman to sit for a few hours but we were having so much fun it didn’t seem too bad. These two didn’t complain once!

They got to see Big Papi ( the only Sox player they knew)