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!

Happy Mother’s Day

 

Steve, MJ, and Ty turned Mother’s Day into Mommy Week – I was so spoiled!  I received surprise gifts the three days I was at work from each of my boys...

On Wednesday, I received these beautiful flowers from MJ:

 

On Thursday, Ty sent me these delicious chocolate-covered strawberries from Shari’s Berries:

 

On Friday, my loving husband sent this gorgeous bouquet of flowers (baby #3 hasn’t figured out how to use daddy’s credit card yet)!

Each gift had a sweet, precious note attached.  I couldn’t have felt more special and loved. 

On Saturday night, MJ woke up with a terrible earache – he was so miserable he couldn’t go back to sleep.  Steve took him to urgent care Sunday morning, and he was diagnosed with a double ear infection…I felt horrible for him.  My sweet husband stayed home with the kids so I could go to mass.  We spent the rest of our rainy Mother’s Day relaxing and enjoying quality time at home together…it was just perfect.

 

MJ’s preschool had Muffins for Moms last week as well- we had a wonderful time celebrating all of the mommies!

 

Three weeks left until I receive the precious gift of becoming a mother for the third time.  It’s hard to believe it is so close.  Steve and I ran in our neighborhood’s annual 5K this weekend.  I’m not sure which is harder- running a very hilly course pushing a double stroller with over 65 pounds of kids inside (which Steve did) or running it 9 months pregnant!  haha

37 weeks

 

And to our moms - thank you for being the extraordinary women that you are.  We are thankful every day that you continue to be such a big part of our lives and the lives of our children.  We are beyond blessed.

Baby Moon

Steve had a business trip to Barbados two weeks ago, and all of the wives were invited to go.  I was a little worried about international travel (I was 33 weeks at the time), but my OB gave me her blessing to tag along.  I know my life is going to be crazy in a few weeks with three little ones, so I figured I should just go and enjoy it.  I am soooo glad that I went- we had such a wonderful time! 



We went out to a few fabulous restaurants with the group, and spent the rest of the time relaxing on the beach (when Steve was out of his meetings).  I actually read a couple of books and allowed myself the luxury of taking a nap (or two).  



Steve even tried paddle boarding (I just watched - my center of gravity is completely off right now!)





Our WONDERFUL parents watched the kids while we were gone; Steve’s parent’s took the first half and my parent’s took the second.  MJ and Ty had a blast- I don’t think they even missed us!  haha









My office threw me a surprise baby shower last week – they had all of my favorite foods (Mellow mushroom pizza, Jimmy John subs and cake)!  They showered me with diapers, wipes, and a brand new video monitor!  I feel so blessed to be a part of this practice.



The decorations were pink and blue…girl or boy?!

Me with the hostesses- my wonderful medical assistants, Tammy and Tasha

I am now 35 weeks – time is flying ,and my belly is getting bigger by the minute!

This isn’t the greatest belly pic, so I promise to post another one soon!