Invasion of the giant kidney stone

Okay y'all. I thought my health problems were over but...NO! I had a gigantic kidney stone lodged just below my kidney plus a moderate one in my kidney and 4 more in my left ureter. Let me tell you, I thought I was birthing Ava's late coming twin. After 5 days of no movement the Dr.'s decided to do a small surgical procedure and break up the stones. I go back next week to see if it was successful, if there's obstruction they'll have to go inside and remove it. Right now I have some minor pain while I pass the broken up pieces. This picture is the closest I could find to the length of my stone. Mine was a little thicker.

Great Grandma's visit

My grandma, aunt, and cousin came to visit today. It was great to see them. My grandmother just turned 89 and is still movin' strong. I think it's wonderful that my girls are able to have a relationship with her. My aunt Karen and her daughter Lisa came as well with Lisa's kids. Our family is a little weird. There are 10 boy cousins and 3 girl cousins. One girl for each family. We have each grown up in different parts of the country but remain close through letters and Grandpa's family reunions. Now I have all girls and Lisa has all boys. Who'da thought?

Another female anatomy joke...

Sorry to the men out there who are grossed out by these visuals, but I have another funny female anatomy joke.

Charlie came in to watch me nurse the baby and said "Mom, you know how I have a bum crack? Well, you have a boob crack."

New names for female anatomy

Isabelle came out to my mom after watching me nurse and exclaimed..."I just saw mama's big pimple. It sticks out when she feeds Ava."

If I say so myself...

She's adorable if I do say so myself.

Sickness has been prevalent in the Jex household. Everyone has had mild to severe head colds and ear infections. The girls have been excellent in wearing masks and washing their hands when asked. I know it's been really hard for them to stay away from their sister but so far she's still healthy. Chad has been sad not being able to hold his baby as much as he'd like...hopefully he feels well today.

Ava hates the Billibed!

Ava's billirubin count was rising a little in the hospital so I went in Thursday morning to have a blood check (I came home Wed night because I felt so good). The doctor called about 8:30 pm and said her levels were 14.75, pretty high. The doctor ordered a billibed (bed with fluorescent lights) for the baby to be delivered around 10:30 Thursday night. We had one of the most difficult nights. Let's just say...SHE HATES THE BILLIBED. Remember how I said she didn't cry in the hospital...well she DOES know how to cry.

This is what Ava's feet look like everyday. We've been to the hospital for blood draws for the last five days. Her levels rose to 16.8 and 16.5 on Friday and Saturday. Then they lowered to 13.8 and 13.5 on Sunday and Monday. The numbers are still high, but going down. I don't have to use the billibed tonight. Maybe we'll get some sleep. This has not been the relaxing postpartum recovery I had dreamed of.

Baby Ava has arrived

Ava Noel Jex arrived early Tuesday morning on February 24, 2009. I had an unexpected long and difficult labor and was very thankful for the whole thing to be over. Ava was my largest baby at 7 pounds 15 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long. She arrived very purple and didn't cry one little bit!
After about 10 minutes she pinked up, but still no crying.The nurse was an expert stamper. Look at those toogins.Ava loved her bath. Chad said she threw her head back and enjoyed her scalp massage. A girl after my own heart.Her sisters absolutely adore her. Isabelle is missing because of a bad head cold...which these two got soon after this picture was taken along with Dad. Good Times!

Swimming in January

I was on bed rest for the month of January, but received special permission from my doctor to take my bored kids to swimming lessons for two weeks. They had been off track since the third week in December and were just a LITTLE stir crazy.

Charlotte of course made friends with all the boys in her class. Each day she would tell me, "Mom, I told the boys in my class they were handsome." GREAT...just what I want to hear. My three year old is the queen of flirts already.

Isabelle was one of two students in her class. Her partner was two levels ahead of her so she was able to try many skills she wouldn't have if she were in her age level. She was very brave and impressed her teacher.

Hannah learned many different kinds of strokes and breathing techniques. She's becoming a strong swimmer!

I've traumatized your children...

So, my brother John called me yesterday to invite the girls on a 6 hour play date. Did I mention that I was in the midst of yelling..."I'll give you something to cry about" to my three little angels? Anyway... John and Emily had promised to take the girls to "Marley and Me" while they were out of school. Their impromptu phone call could not have come at a better time.

I got a phone call a few hours later and this is the first thing I hear "I think that I have seriously traumatized your children." Oh, no... thoughts were racing through my head. I guess that "Marley and Me" is much more of an adult film than was let on by it's family friendly Christmas movie advertising. My children fought throwing up and giggling through the kissing scenes, pretended not to know what the word a**hole means (since they've never heard it before...) and tried not to get up and leave while the dog was being put to sleep. Hannah and Belle cried while Charlie asked for more popcorn. So, maybe you should hold off taking your kids to see the show.

Next, the clan headed over to the ever popular Chuck-e-Cheese. They were shocked when they learned that the restaurant had run out of food at 5 p.m. on a Tuesday night. So, they played games and ran to Burger King. On a positive note, the games at the new Chuck-e-Cheese seem to be much more advanced than when I was a kid and they work. If you can handle a crowd it may be a place to try.

Emily and John brought the exhausted kids home around 8 pm. They went right to bed with no "I had a bad dream, can I sleep with you" exploits to our bedroom. It was fantastic. Thank you John and Em for your perfect timing and for loving our girls so much.

Christmas was a success

Isabelle asked Santa for ice skates. I think he thought roller blades were a better alternative.

Charlie asked for a skateboard. Where did that come from? She instead got the Rose Petal Cottage.

Christmas Eve and the Jex home. Grandma always gives the girls P.J.'s. Kara is our cousin and a favorite friend.

Charlie was a mermaid in her past life. Here she is in an Ariel wig from Grandma and Grandpa Brown. Grandpa even shows off his inner-Disney.

Aunt Emily and Uncle John spoiled the girls. They look forward to dinner and a movie out in the next week.

Isabelle is just a little excited about her own perfume, lip gloss, and body wash. She's such a girl!

A new sister to add to the Brown family.

Paul and Stephanie are engaged!! They plan for a May wedding. I'm excited to get another sister. We love her.