Ringing in a New Year

Baby Charlie, starting to smile and play.

Sibling sleepovers are super!

Celebrating another snow day with snowman pancakes.

Ice Storm

It all looked so pretty until the tree over our garage came crashing down.

The kids and I were sitting at the dining room table when we heard a loud crack and then crash.  We are just so grateful that everyone is safe and that a roof can always be replaced.

Cuddles

And more cuddles

Happy Birthday Claire!

A "Tremendous 10" Birthday Party with friends

Officially 10!

I don't know why I got a kick out this, but it struck me as funny to see George all bundled up, waiting for his school bus.  He just loves going to pre-school and can't wait for his bus to come each day.

All four kids napping on the sofa.

* Pokagon 2019 *

Charlie's loving his first visit.

Buddies

Painting their treasures in the Craft Shop.

Laser focused on their perfect painting.

Wrapping up 2018

Mike, Laura and family came over to meet Charlie

 and help us get in the holiday spirit.

Lots of little elves make for festive fun!

  

School Winter Concert

Throwback photo of our three kids in 2014

Church Christmas play

George was Joseph, Henry was a Wise Man, & Claire was a shepherd

As per our tradition, the kids each receive four gifts from us: 

a gift they want, a gift they need, a gift to wear and a gift to read

May not have been a silent night, 

but I'll settle for a quick snooze in the swing.

Welcome Charlie Theodore

Charlie Theodore Puplis

November 26, 2018

Early Monday morning, I could sense that baby was on his way.  Also arriving...a flurry of winter snow and ice.  Joe left for work, and I hunkered down with the kids, who had a snow day.  As I played monopoly with them at the kitchen table, I remember telling myself that I just had to make it through the day.  Contractions didn't seem very regular, so as evening arrived, I really wanted to get the kids in bed before Joe and I left for the hospital.  After I tucked them in, leaving them with Joe's mom for the night, Joe and I left for the hospital.  Contractions still didn't seem very regular, so I wasn't expecting to be very far along.  But I was in for a surprise.  

After the nurse checked me, she took a step back and remarked that she had just felt something she wasn't supposed to feel.  She then left the room.  Joe and I weren't really sure what that meant, so we were relieved when a mid-wife returned with an ultrasound machine and explained that the nurse had felt a hand.  Baby was breech, and on top of that, I was 8 cm dilated.  They didn't have time to try to turn the baby; I was prepped for a c-section.    

After what turned out to be a rather difficult delivery, we were grateful for the safe arrival of our healthy baby boy.  He was beautiful.

11/26/2018  9:19 pm

8lbs. 6 oz., 20 inches long

Our new and improved family of six

Grandma Rosen

Grandpa and Grandma Sternberg

Aunt Melissa

Joe would take the kids to visit Charlie and me in the evenings. 

After four days in the hospital, we were all ready to go home!

A wonderful welcome!

Grandpa and Grandma Puplis

Our first full day at home.
Big brother, George, dressed him in style.

I love life with a newborn.  It's full of quiet, slow beauty.
Of course, it's incredibly difficult.  But oh so magical.