phoebe joy. 11 days old. (which was 11 days ago.)

hello out there (quiet echo) hello out there...(repeat echo even more quietly...)

My Mom called today, following up on letters she wrote to the boys, wondering how they liked them. A friend called and asked the other day, "Was the meal I brought okay?" Last night, my friend Allison called and stated quickly, "Just need a health report."

So, yeah. I have had major communication fail these days.

So, the last post was the day before the FLU--yes the FLU, and maybe THE Flu--hit our home. Wow. Phoebe wasn't even a week old, and we had fevers of 105, puking and lung-convulsing coughs in our home. lovely.

So, yeah. That's where I've been. So far, Brent, Phoebe and I have NOT gotten sick. Jillian still has sniffles and a nasty cough. She's heard everything from, "Cover your cough with your arm," to "Go cough in that room," to "Honey, if Phoebe gets your cough, she'll die." (I don't have a reputation for my tact, k?)

Here's some brain dumpage on one general topic: Changes

1. My hair. A.) What the heck has happened to it? Is it my age? A fourth pregnancy? It's fuzzy and stringy at the same time. It totally requires the use of a flat iron. B.) I'm actually willing to take time to do my hair. Up to this point, I've required THE lowest hair maintenance of ANYONE I know. Seriously. I DON'T OWN A BOTTLE OF HAIRSPRAY. I do have a spray that is used for flat-ironing. And it's getting used. Even with all the newborn/flu stuff going on, taking time for my hair (so that I don't scare the children) has become necessary.

2. Newborn fingernails. While we're on the subject of personal hygiene, I'd like to mention that I trimmed Phoebe's super long nails the day we came home from the hospital. None of this emery board silliness. I think that's just one difference between Jenna2000 and Jenna2009. I'm using nail clippers on my newborn dang it.

3. Before I had the baby, I thought I was nesting because of all that cleaning I was doing. No. I think I'm just a changed woman. I think that having SIX members of our family in a small home has made me a freak about keeping a clean home. There is simply no time, nay...there is NO ROOM for crumbs, mess, dirty dishes, GERMS and so on. In fact, that's another reason it's hard to sit down and write. I could be cleaning right now. so tempting...


4. How many times can I tell you how much I love the boys' new school??? Huge change. I LOVE IT! I NEVER, EVER, EVER, EVER thought I'd be satisfied with a school. So glad I was wrong.

5. Change. me not make sentences very good. That's how I feel when I talk to people these days. I left the most awkward voice mail yesterday. Make that (at least) two awkward voice mails. I actually got feedback from one friend that I sounded DRUGGED. nice. I'm not even on ibuprofen, people. I feel like a schmuck that I've dropped the ball and hardly called or facebooked or emailed anyone. But, me not make sentences very good. I'll get better soon. Perhaps when I get a four hour stretch of sleep, okay?

I'll write this quickly (because I'm delusional if I think I'll get it done any other way in the next 48 hours):

I have LOVED getting packages in the mail! Thank you, A & W, Mom and Dad, Carol, Mom #2, Priscilla & Dave and Joy & fam! (I probably missed someone!)

Also, we have LOVED every meal that has been dropped off! Ah-MAZE-ING, people. Delish.

This is not to replace official Thank Yous. I have actual thank you notes I want to send, but in the meantime, just know that we love our gifts and not only have the meals NOURISHED us, they've tasted delish-y-oso!

Ending post abruptly (it's "publish" now or never, friends!!)
pictures coming soon...

two good answers

So, while Brent was out at the grocery store with Jillian last night, I asked the boys,

"Does my belly look smaller yet?"

Avery: "Yeah! It looks a lot smaller."
Miles: "No...(long pause)...it wasn't that big to begin with."

and she has a name

We've been known to change our kids' names (even after coming home from the hospital!), but we're pretty certain that we can confidently introduce...

Phoebe Joy Scheetz

Phoebe means "radiant" or "bright". The meaning of Joy is obvious, but it means more to us because it's the name of one of the dearest souls you could ever meet.

Psalm 34:5 "Those who look to Him are radiant, and there faces shall never be ashamed."

That's our hope for Phoebe Joy, that she would look to God her whole life.

She has dark hair and blonde eyebrows. Is this normal?
She's very sweet. Seems calm. We'll see if that holds.

And she's totally punk rock.

Oh, and I can say with all confidence that I would have lost my mind without those three standing behind me. In fact, I DID lose my mind about 10 times and they brought me back to reality!!!

Oh...one note. I'm sorry if I'm not making calls. I've slept all of two hours since yesterday morning. It's easier to type than talk. For those of you who I'd normally call, please know we'll catch up soon.

fast and furious, the baby arrives!!!!

So, dear friends! Thanks so much for standing by! And THANKS FOR PRAYING!!!! Turns out those contractions were the real deal!

Can't upload pictures yet, but this is what I can tell you.

Contractions started while I was grilling chicken around 5:30 p.m.
They continued as I wrote emails and posted on the blog.
Around 10:00, it seemed necessary to get to the hospital.
Got to the hospital around 10:30.

Our baby was born 1:25 a.m. on October 19. I'm still in shock that it's real.

We have a baby girl.
9 lbs 12.6 oz
21 3/4 inches (or so, Brent thinks...I don't even know!)
Lots of hair.
Very sweet.

I had the best labor and delivery team, including our doula Karen and my stellar husband, Brent.

Oh, and the baby came too fast for an epidural. More later.

my little stumbling block

Okay, so, confession: I haven't been paying attention as much during dinner prayer times. I peek through my fingers and watch Jillian. But, how can I not???




Hope you're as entertained as I am as we wait...and wait...and wait! I think I'm feeling a few contractions...hope this means something!

friends don't let friends...

So, I never thought I'd let Jillian have a femullet (female mullet). But, sometimes, love is truly blind.

How could I not see it?? I mean, this isn't the best picture, but you can see, right? Actually, Jillian's hair was growing to a point like Joan Jett or something...maybe even--dare I admit it--it was rat tail-like...


Just replace this pacifier with a cigarette and the hair works. But, that's not the look we're going for....


I convinced myself that the once every two months I managed to keep her hair up like this made it all worth it. But, I was kidding myself. She pulls these things out quicker than you can say "sit still".


So, Molly, thanks for the little subtle hints, which lovingly told me I had fallen back on my NO-FEMULLET pledge. You'll be happy to know, I snipped off the rat tail and she is now sporting a bob.

I'd show a picture, but my camera is in the (still unnecessary) hospital bag in the car...argh!!!

this "due" date feels more like a "do" date

Well, folks. This is the first time that I've ever been pregnant ON my due date. It's kinda strange.

But, I must say that even though there is a measure of disappointment, I'm grateful, because I'm still pregnant with what I'm hoping is a healthy baby.

The boys are home from school today and tomorrow. I was dreading this, because they can be quite a burden with their arguing and constant nagging. I mean, they're kids. That's their natural bent. But, Brent gave them VERY clear instructions to help me out today. And,

Avery has...
dusted a bookcase
unloaded half the dishwasher
straightened up the basement
made his bed
changed his pillow case
straightened up his room
taken out the recycling
written a thank you note

Miles has...
unloaded the other half of the dishwasher
read countless books to Jillian
played games and entertained Jillian
vacuumed the family room
made his bed
changed his pillow case
and also written a thank you note

Jillian has...
skipped her nap
whined
nagged
put her hand in her poopy diaper for the first time
received a long, soapy bath
put glue stick on like chapstick

Unborn baby has...
squirmed around
REFUSED TO COME OUT!

I have...
had a resurgence of energy and cleaned maniacally most of the day. I don't think this means I'm going into labor since I've been like this most of the last month. Just saying it feels more like a "do" date than a "due" date.

I appreciate any prayers for a safe delivery.

being self-absorbed led to this belated birthday wish!

Okay. So, ALL day yesterday, I thought, "I want to have the baby today, because it's Aunt Carol's birthday!"

The day came and went with no labor or delivery.

The day came and went without even a BIRTHDAY CALL TO AUNT CAROL!!!

Oh. My. Goodness. Could I have been more self-absorbed????

Dearest Aunt Carol,

You are the coolest! You remember all of our birthdays AND faithfully remember our anniversary!!! You send care packages. We always feel so loved by you!!! The boys consistently mention how, even though you are their GREAT aunt, you are SO YOUNG! (It's true.) You are so tender and sweet and we love your constant smile.

I am SO SORRY that we didn't even CALL yesterday. Honestly, I promise, we were thinking of you all day!

Thanks for putting up with us!

We love you to pieces!!!

okay. i'm ready. c'mon baby!

So, the hospital bag is mostly packed.

The baby bed is set up.

The nursing cover is made.

The windows are washed, the floor is scrubbed, the laundry is caught up.

The wardrobe is truly dwindling.

The--I'm not kidding--shopping lists for double coupon Wednesday are set.

I've run out of things to keep me busy.

Wait...I see a smudge on the mirror and some lint on the wood floors--see ya! Gotta keep cleaning....

And, don't worry, Mom! I'll call you when I go into labor. And, you blogger buddies, you'll get an update as soon as I'm able. You ARE my BFFs (bloggie friends forever!).