Eight years ago today...

 June 26, 2004

I married the man of my dreams.  To my "hubs"...

 2005

Thank you for supporting me in my hopes and dreams.

2006

Thank you for putting up with my quirks, flaws, and crazy life "phases" (especially my most recent pregnant "nesting" phase!)

 2007

Thank you for believing in me.

 2008

Thank you for knowing exactly what I need at exactly the right moment.

2009

Thank you for being the most honest, genuine, amazing man I know.

 2010

Thank you for making me laugh every single day.

2011

Thank you for being an incredible hands-on father to our three beautiful children.

 2012

Thank you for loving me unconditionally.  I am blessed to have you as my life partner, my soulmate, my angel here on earth.  

Happy 8 years, my love.

Father’s Day

The kids and I had a wonderful time celebrating Steve on Father’s Day.  I found a few cute ideas for father’s day gifts on Pinterest and decided to give them a try.  Let me just say that the crafty lady who did our first DIY project made it sound like it would take 2-3 hours…it took me (with the help of our wonderful nanny Lisa) a week to finish it!!   We had to stain the wood, paint it, and get the kids handprints on scrapbook paper before sealing it (I thought I was going to lose my mind in the process, but it turned out to be very cute).

DIY project #1:



The kids presented it to Steve and he loved it!



We had a “photo shoot” for a DAD frame – Ty and MJ actually smiled for the camera and held the letters up perfectly (after about 50 tries)!  Catelin snoozed in her chair for the picture.









MJ made daddy a special tie at summer camp and Steve wore it the whole morning (MJ was so proud).



The kids even made daddy a photo card:



We spent the rest of this special day hanging out by the pool and enjoying family time. 


We were able to celebrate our amazing fathers earlier in the week – we had dinner with John before he left for Colorado and spent all day Saturday with my family while Ann was in town.

Meet Baby Catelin!

Catherine Linda “Catelin” Economos

Here is how our baby girl came into this world… 

At my 37 week check up, I was 3 cm dilated and the baby was fully engaged, so my OB expected me to deliver any day.  Well, baby #3 apparently had different plans…for the next week and a half, I had contractions constantly.  One day while I was at work they were coming every 5-8 minutes, so when I was finished seeing patients I went to the OB office for a labor check.  I was still 3 cm, and after I went home, the contractions started spreading out into longer intervals.  That was my first hint that baby #3 might be a girl…she was being stubborn and couldn’t make up her mind whether to stay in or come out!!  haha :)

Around 12:45 AM on June 3rd, I started having very painful contractions- they were initially coming every 15 minutes then shortened to 8 minute intervals.  I wanted to wait until they were every 5 minutes before we went in, so I got up to take a shower  and finish packing my hospital bag.  During that time, the contractions shortened to 3-5 minute intervals and Nick came over to watch the boys so Steve and I could head to the hospital. 

It was just before 7:00 AM when we got to Northside.  The nurse checked me and I was 5 cm dilated and in full blown labor.  Shortly thereafter, I got my epidural (thank goodness for anesthesia)!  




Our families came a couple of hours later.  MJ and Ty did not like that mommy was stuck in a hospital bed hooked up to IVs, so we gave them lollipops and fruit snacks as a special treat.  Here is our last picture as a family of four! 




The labor progressed nicely.  My OB actually drove in after church to deliver the baby -- she was 20 minutes away when I was going to start pushing and asked if I was comfortable enough to wait for her.  Thankfully, the baby was not in any distress and I was able to hold off for Dr. M to arrive- she was even in her Sunday dress and heels!  After Dr. M threw on her scrubs, I pushed 3 times, and baby #3 was born!  I think Steve was in such shock that he paused a second before telling me it was a GIRL!  I couldn’t believe it – I asked them to move the umbilical cord so I could see for myself!  :)     

It’s a GIRL!

Here is a video of Steve announcing the sex of the baby to our families (Ty is running around in the background some where)!  

More pictures of our baby girl:

Right after the delivery with Dr. Middleton

Mommy and Catelin

Our first picture as a family of 5!

Sleeping beauty

MJ and his little sister

Big brothers!

We spent the standard 2 days in the hospital…by the end of our stay, I was more than ready to go home and get settled.  Here are a few more pictures of us leaving the hospital:

I still can’t believe we have a girl! The boys absolutely love their little sister- MJ wants to hold her all of the time, and Ty is constantly giving her kisses. I am surprised (and thrilled) at how quickly they have embraced her as part of our family.  We are truly blessed.

It's a...

GIRL!!!


Catherine Linda "Catelin" Economos was born at 11:56 AM. She weighed in at 7 lbs, 12 oz and is 21" long. MJ and Ty are thrilled to have a baby sister!! Pictures to follow soon!