Baby Silas Updates // Belly Photo and Other Photos

Wow! It is so hard to believe that in just a few short weeks I will have ANOTHER sweet, little baby! I can hardly wait. Those of you who know me closely, know that I absolutely love babies, love the baby stage, just love everything about this upcoming time! I seriously see how my great grandmother had 12 kids! I mean, when they all come out so sweet and adorable, how do you ever stop? I don't know! People have been asking me if we are "done" after Silas. My answer is always the same: "I have no idea!" Zach tells people: "Nah, we'll probably have more!" LOL The looks we get are priceless! We don't care though. We love the family we have created thus far and fully believe the promise from our Lord that children are a heritage from Him! We know firsthand blessed is he whose quiver is full and our quiver is not even full yet! Truly, children are such a blessing and so amazing. I couldn't imagine my life without them.

I am now nearly 29 weeks and had an appointment today with my wonderful midwives. As always in every pregnancy, my baby is so low that I am measuring smaller than I really am. As stated, he is VERY low, head completely engaged in the birthing canal. He is a very active little boy and the whole family and I just love feeling him. We can feel him almost at any time because of his position, ideal placental placement, and just because of how active he is! I got my rhogam shot today as it is that time! The rhogam shot is easily the worst shot that I have ever gotten and today makes the ninth time I have gotten it- oh the joys of having an rH negative blood type! Actually, I don't mind; it's kind of neat having a more rare blood type! So far of my kids, Mason is the only one who has my blood type. Savannah and Gavin are both A+ like Zach. I am curious to see what Silas has!

My pregnancy is going very smoothly and Silas and I are both healthy and happy. My next appointment in 13 days, I will be getting steroids (2 shots given 24 hours apart from one another) just as I did with Gavin to help speed up the development of his lungs in the likely event that he does come early like his siblings. It's crazy to me to think about that in less than 7 weeks from this point in my last pregnancy, I was delivering Gavin and 8 weeks from this point two pregnancies ago, I was delivering Mason! It's feeling very surreal and again I just cannot wait!

I haven't updated my blog or Facebook with any baby bump photos in a while (since 13 weeks, I think) because we have been SO busy. Here we go though finally! This is from yesterday (28 weeks 3 days):

Notice he is completely below the belly button! All my babies like to hang out really low! It does make for a nice, easy, and swift delivery though! I cannot complain... even if it does mean that for the past 20 weeks or so, I have been getting up anywhere from 4-6 times a night to go to the bathroom! :)

Along the lines of Silas' impending arrival, I cannot believe that this sweet baby photographed next is NOT going to be the baby anymore!! Oh well, he'll still always be Mommy's baby! Papa told him when we first found out I was pregnant, "Gavin, you're not going to be the baby anymore... You can still be Papa's baby!" *heart melted*

Seriously, look at that face right there. He loves his Mommy and I am just ever so thankful for the blessing that he is. He is SO loving and sweet. He cheers me up when I am down with a flutter of those long, black eyelashes and a glance at those rosy, red cheeks. Don't even get me started about that cheesy toothy grin he can flash in a jiffy too! 

Because one photo of this angel baby is never enough. I mean look at this! He fills the baby role so well. He is just the sweetest. I know he is going to be an amazingly, sweet big brother though! He already fights with his siblings (and wins) over who gets to kiss my belly and feel Silas!

Last one, because I couldn't narrow it down. This was Gavin curled up on the clean bathroom rugs I had just laundered. I was folding the clothes on the couch and he just sweetly came in and laid down on the rug quietly while he waited for me to finish. I just love him!

A quick photo of the proud parents of soon to be another sweet baby...

This was the day after our anniversary. We went to see The Revenant (GREAT movie) while my amazing sister came over to watch the kids and hang out with Papa. 

A look at the rest of the family...

Savannah and Papa on Valentine's Day! Papa wearing the shirt the kids got him for Valentine's Day! :)

Mason and Gavin on President's Day about to go outside and enjoy the amazing 70+ degree weather!

Our tribe is increasing// The news many of you have been waiting for//We are blessed beyond measure!

Well, the Hayes' family is so incredibly elated to share the news that many of you, my Facebook followers, my blog followers, etc. have been waiting for.... some playfully and others seriously...

That's right! Our tribe is increasing and we couldn't be more ecstatic! After a huge scare shortly after we found out we were pregnant, and after many tears and cries out to my Lord later, we were assured that our baby was fine and that my HCG levels were going through the roof! I have thanked Him profusely day in and day out for His faithfulness and protection over our baby. The words, "You are a good, good Father. It's who You are, it's who You are. And I am loved by You. It's who I am, it's who I am, it's who I am. You are perfect in all of Your ways, You are perfect in all of Your ways, You are perfect in all of Your ways, to us." keeps playing over and over in my head. This truth was what I was proclaiming over myself and my baby not just after I found out things were indeed okay, but during the agonizing waiting period of 6 days as well. Faithful He has been, and faithful He will be.

"Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:12

"Children are a heritage from The Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hands of a mighty warrior, are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full."

Psalms 127:3-5

Zach and I can honestly say we are overwhelmed in the best of ways by our Lord's goodness. We have seen a shower of blessings as of late and are just so grateful. From finding out we were pregnant again, to finding out our baby was okay after a huge scare, finding out I had been elected and appointed to the City of Allen board of Parks & Recreation, Dallas Aeration getting sought out multiple times for business in just a few short days, the list just keeps going... Our God is so good.

What a wondrous thing, I can stand and sing! Because when I fall to me knees, You're the one who pulls me up again.

What a mystery, that You notice me! And in a crowd of ten thousand, You don't miss a thing!

Because You see everything!

I am seen and I am known, by the King of kings and Lord of lords.

When You sigh, the wind becomes a sonnet. When You laugh, the storm around me ceases. You whisper and all my enemies are scattered. You surround me with angels on assignment.

There's no place I could go that Your love wouldn't find me; no place I could hide that You won't see. Because You see it all.

You don't miss a thing- Bethel

Our baby is due May 7th and we have an appointment coming up in October with my midwives here in Allen. We should find out what we are having mid November and cannot wait! Savannah and Mason have already told me they know it is a baby sister and that Gavin told them he wants a baby sister too! LOL I told them that is great, but we will take whatever Jesus wants us to have!! We seriously are so excited and honestly do not care either way, one way or the other. We are just so happy we get the blessing of raising another baby and pointing him or her to Jesus.

My faithful and predictable morning sickness or actually, all day sickness, has crept in slightly earlier this time around and I can already tell it is here to stay for a while. For those of you who don't know, with all of my past pregnancies, I have wretched all day sickness that consists of throwing up multiple times a day (realistically, just all day in general) until well into my second trimester. With Savannah, I was sick from 6 weeks to 17 weeks; with Mason, I was sick from 8 weeks until 14 weeks; and with Gavin, I was sick from 9 weeks to 19 weeks. This time I started getting sick at 6 weeks (I am 7 weeks now) just like with Savannah and it is TBD how long it will last ;) It's okay though, I honestly cannot complain knowing far too well how worth it my babies are. I long to hold, nurse, kiss, and nurture this sweet little baby and I will gladly go through whatever I have to go through to get to that point! I'm grateful for the independence my kids have even more so during this time. It is such a breath of fresh air that they will go and play independently and let Mommy work in the office and take breaks to deal with nausea and everything that comes along with it. ;) Love my kiddos! They really do bring so much to the table and I am so thankful for each of them and that I get to be their Mommy.

For those of you that faithfully request baby bump pictures each pregnancy, here you go:

I just popped out, out of no where, this past week! These were taken at 6 weeks 3 days. 

I will update my blogs periodically with baby updates and if anyone would like to know more, just message me and I am always happy to share!

I find that "In over my head" by Bethel has been like my life song these days and it brings me such peace just singing it out to The Lord. I wanted to share it here:

I have come to this place in my life,

I’m full but I’ve not satisfied, 

This longing to have more of You.

I can feel it, my heart is convinced.

I’m thirsty, my soul can’t be quenched. 

You already know this but still,

Come and do whatever You want to.

I’m standing knee deep but I’m out where I've never been.

I feel You coming and I hear Your voice on the wind.

Would you come and tear down the boxes that I have tried to put You in?

Let love come teach me who You are again.

Take me back to the place where my heart was only about You,

And all I wanted was just to be with You.

Come and do whatever You want to.

Further and further my heart moves away from the shore.

Whatever it looks like, whatever may come I am Yours.

Then You crash over me and I’ve lost control but I’m free.

I’m going under, I’m in over my head.

Whether I sink, whether I swim,

It makes no difference when I’m beautifully in over my head.

UPDATES//mostly for family&friends out of state

It's hard keeping everyone updated on our life... Especially when we continue to be busier and busier by the day, it seems like. I wanted to post a blog with all of our updates that our family & friends out of state (and some of our instate who make not know all these things yet, because we have, in fact, been so busy) can read and be filled in. Enjoy!!

Savannah:

Savannah had her first soccer practice this week! She should have already had several practices plus a game, but because of the weather, they were just now able to have one. She was a little shy, but loved it! She just so happened to know two of her teammates from her school too! Her team is an established team that has been together for a couple seasons. She and one other little girl are the newbies.

She is still loving school and amazing me with the things she is learning. Her school is very advanced and high tech and frankly, I'm very impressed with the things they are teaching even the kindergarteners. Savannah asked me 2 weeks ago at lunch, why there was a QR code on the Dickey's BBQ cup. I was so taken aback that she even knew what a QR code was. Those who know me, know that I rarely let my kids see my iPad and can almost safely say that I never let them see my phone. They have also never used our computers. I tell you this only to reiterate how shocked I was to hear the words QR code come out of her mouth! Nonetheless, after asking her how she knew what a QR code was, she nonchalantly told me because they use the iPads at school to scan the QR codes on their books.

We went to her open house at her school last night and got to see all her work, her journals, her book cubby, etc. Back to the topic of QR codes... We were given a handout with a list of all the things Savannah would show us. One of the things said, "scan the QR code on your book so your parents can hear you read your book." She went over to her table, grabbed the iPad, opened it, pulled open some app, scanned the QR code on her book and alas, a website came up with a recording of her reading this book that she illustrated and wrote all by herself! Can I just say, I was very impressed with the whole deal! She also showed us all around the school, where she goes for all her special classes, the library and computer lab, etc. In the computer lab, again, I was very impressed watching her control+alt+delete to log on, then enter her username and password, then navigate the computer. I just kept saying, "Zach, can you believe she knows all of this??" LOL
Savannah is currently getting over a double ear infection! Her allergies got the best of her and after a high fever and complaints of both ears hurting, I took her up to the urgent care and it was confirmed. She is on antibiotics now and feeling much better, thankfully!
She is in Awana's and doing very well! In addition to memorizing quite a few verses, she has also memorized the books of the New Testament. She has gotten four jewels so far on her vest. I am so proud of her!

Mason:

Mason is still just as hilarious as ever. He is seriously getting funnier by the day. His new thing is calling everyone, "sugar". He tells me, "Mother, you will always be my sugar!" daily and makes me melt. It sounds more like, "Mudder. You. Weel. Always. Be. My. Sugger." I tell you, I can't get enough of him!
He is still loving school and still complaining that he cannot go every day. (That's a good sign that he is going to be studious like his Mommy, right? ;) ) He is in Awana's and loving it also. He has memorized a ton of verses already and has gotten 6 patches so far! I am SO pleased that he loves Awana's!
He, for the past several months, has been on a monster kick... As in, he thinks there is monsters everywhere!! I am ready for this to pass, but it is kind of cute!
Oh, this is a big one! Beginning about two weeks after we moved here, Mason asked me if he could sleep in his underwear, not pull ups. He has been potty trained for over a year now (since a month after he turned 2), but has still been sleeping in pull ups. He had been waking up dry in the mornings, out of no where, for about two weeks before he asked me this. He was so cute; he said, "Mommy, I no need pull ups anymore! I no pee pee anymore!" I sat there taken off guard, running it over in my head, and said, "well, you really don't pee pee your pull ups anymore, so I guess you can sleep in your underwear now!" He immediately started clapping and saying, "yay!!" The rest is history! I was pleasantly surprised about this as I had assumed with him being a boy, that he would be a little bit older before mastering nighttime. Nonetheless, I'll take it and am thankful! Now I have all the pull-ups that I had stocked up on stashed away for when Gavin gets day potty trained and needs them to sleep in! 



Gavin:

Gavin started walking at exactly 13.5 months, a few days before Zach got here. The rest is history! He now runs and does a pretty good job keeping up with his siblings, loves playing outside, and so much more. He is still the sweetest baby ever! He points to things and says, "this!", gives lots of big open mouth kisses (the best kinds), and is overall very sweet, affectionate, and sensitive. He is irresistible to his Momma and has his Daddy wrapped around his finger too. And let us not forget about Papa... He has Papa wrapped around his finger!! Gavin is getting increasingly more independent and just started feeding himself with a spoon/fork last week.
His little curls are getting more curly, yet frizzy when he first awakens or has been in the car seat.
He is also getting great at following directions like, "take this to Daddy" or "throw this away" or "go get your ball". I just love it!



Zach:

Zach is working his tail off and making lots of great contacts and connections. He is getting involved with the band at our church. I am sure there is more to update on Zach, but I am drawing a blank right now :) Oh, he loves all the food choices here in Texas and particularly loves Bahama Bucks (shaved ice). His cravings may or may not be a little out of control :)

Britt:

The most exciting thing I have to share as of right now is that last week, I got the amazing privilege of being able to assist my dear cousin, Katy, in labor with her sweet baby, Jack. I served as her doula and I was truly honored to do so! It was by far a very special time for me watching her bring precious life into this world. Baby Jack is just adorable and loved by Auntie Britt so much!! **Side note, this was the longest that Gavin had ever been away from me and he was a champ! He and Daddy had so much fun! I didn't get home that night until 1:15am, so technically the next day, and they were both sound asleep! That was the first time Gavin had ever gone to sleep without nursing. Needless to say, Mommy woke him up immediately to nurse!! (That was the longest I had ever gone without nursing him, ha!) The big kids spent two nights with their Aunt Heather and Grandpa Chuck and had a blast!! Seriously, they were on cloud 9 when they came home! I am so thankful for them taking care of them for those two days and providing them with some fun on their Spring Break!

I am officially all TX now! Yesterday, I went and got my car inspected, registered in Texas, got Texas license plates, and got my Texas driver's license. This was a relief to get this all knocked out in a day and I must say, my sweet little Gavin was a trooper! I was so thankful to get it all done in time to pick up Mason by 2pm too!
I took Savannah to see Cinderella the night it came out for some Mommy/Daughter time. It was truly an excellent movie and we had a fabulous time! She said her favorite part of the movie was when they got married! (Awwww, Mommy's too!!) 
My Papa and I made a trip with the boys (Savannah was in school) to Kaufman, TX two days ago to see my cousin and Papa's oldest brother (he is one of 12) who is also my great uncle, and pick up the shirts that my sweet cousin embroidered for Zach with his business logo on them. They look fantastic and I have to again, tell any of my local readers, if you ever need embroidery... check out her Facebook page! GoBoothe Embroidery, LLC https://www.facebook.com/goboothembroidery



Bella:

Bella, our dog, is having puppies! This was unplanned of course and she will be getting fixed after she delivers!! However, nonetheless, next week, we will have puppies!! ***Local friends, contact me if interested in a puppy!! Stay tuned to Facebook for photos!!

Baby k'tan wrap

I recently got a baby k'tan wrap and absolutely love it! It seriously is amazing! I have tried several different types of carriers during the infancy and early toddler stage with all three of my children and this is by far the very best that I have come across yet.

Here's a couple pics of me wearing my youngest, my 4 1/2 month old son, in it.

These are just two of the many holds you can do. It really is so comfortable and I love that there is no twisting or tying. It makes it so much more practical and easy to use. I am going to list a few comparisons between the baby k'tan and some other wraps.

Baby k'tan vs moby wrap:
Softer fabric, comparable to Egyptian cotton.... Coarser fabric, comparable to a tablecloth
No tying or wrapping, just "looping".... Extensive wrapping and tying
Buy fitted for your size, xs,s,m,l,xl..... One size, so you have to wrap tighter or looser accordingly
Stays fitted and very secure since you buy according to size... Loosens gradually as you move and feels less and less secure
Lighter, more breathable fabric.... Heavier fabric
Great for any body type or size, again because you buy according to size.... Not good for slender body types
Easy to use.... More involved getting it on
Stores in its bag that is also the "sash" for extra support... Big and bulky and not as easy to bring with you on the go.
Both are comfortable as there is just fabric, no buttons, clips, hardware of any kind. I would say the k'tan is overall MORE comfortable though.
Both retail for about $50.

Baby k'tan vs sling
Doesn't hurt back over time from isolated pressure/weight evenly distributed.... Does begin to hurt back over time on shoulder sling is on/weight all primarily weighing on that one shoulder.
Very versatile in available positions baby can be in...... Really only two practical positions.
Baby is very secure and you can truly be hands free.... Still have to have one hand on baby as they could easily fall out.
Both are easy to bring with you on the go.
Retails for $49... Can be purchased for less than $20.

My husband uses the baby b'jorn backpack to wear our babies in when he is outside doing yard work and wants to take the baby with him and likes it. However, I have not ever tried it, so I cannot really compare it to the baby k'tan other than a few obvious differences:
Baby k'tan has no hardware, all fabric.... Baby b'jorn has quite a bit of hardware.
Like the baby k'tan, the baby b'jorn has several positions.
Baby k'tan can be worn while nursing... Baby b'jorn could not.
Both could be worn by any size person.
Retails for $49... Retails for about $80.