The BIG Day FINALLY arrived!!!

The big countdown finale ended on August 15th around 3:20 pm.  The anticipation at our house was busting with joy as we prepared our home for Elder Ditto (and all the family and friends visiting over the following three days).

The day we received the letter from Alex's mission president with his official travel plans was such a happy one.  I think our whole family was bursting with Godly pride at a mission well done.

 What a long flight from Budapest, Hungary to Yakima, WA!

When we arrived to the airport it was filled with family and friends.  I was already weeping seeing all the support from loved ones.  In the corner of the airport I saw a mom of one of Alex's good high school friends that he loved to speak religion with prior to leaving on his mission.  I soon learned that her son just "happened" to be on the same flight from Seattle to Yakima on his way home from visiting the Holy Lands.  This was such a tender mercy and reminded me that God is in the details of our lives.

It felt like we had to wait forever for the plane to land.

And then even longer for Alex to come through those airport security doors.  Pure joy!!!!  No other words!

Pretty sure Birch and Alex had thought about this hug for the past two years!

Lots of cousins!  Caroline and kids made it just in time to the airport driving all the way from Corvallis.

Teary-eyed and oh so happy!

Crazy kids!

Mila and Elder Ditto

Truman and Elder Ditto

Hazelnut and Elder Ditto

Good high school buddies - Matthew and Elder Ditto

First family pictures!!

We have the best neighbors and they had been waiting to come to the fence for their hug too.  It was so fun to see Alex fling himself over the fence and give them both big hugs.

This A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. video was made by Tyler's high school friend.  He shot the footage (and took the pictures) and them put them altogether in this video.  We can't thank Jack enough for capturing the emotions of everyone! I will treasure this forever!! And in case you are wondering why all the disco lights, my grandma had a vision of Alex coming home from his mission with lights shining on him representing the light of Christ that he shared throughout Romania and Moldova. She sent is the disco ball and you know you can’t let down Grandma!

https://youtu.be/8N0kCcqtzW8

After we collected his luggage we were off to President Hendricks' office for Elder Ditto to be officially released.  President Hendricks gave us each an opportunity to share how we had individually been blessed by Alex's service.  It was a tender time.  President Hendricks also presented Alex with his certificates of being honorably released from his mission - it was fun to get them in several languages.

The night ended with a family dinner with the Watts, Andersens, and Sherry Jrs.  Alex had requested Crockpot Thai Chicken soup.  It felt like we were in a dream -- altogether eating dinner with Alex sharing mission highlights.

Now we compulsively watch the video over and over again so we can relive all those emotions of joy, longing, and happiness.

Baby Mine

Birch did a wonderful job sharing the joy we have for our new little girl. Chloe and I slipped home from the hospital after the kids were all in bed last night. We both enjoyed the comfort of our own bed and slept much better than the previous night at the hospital.

I can't really add more to the birth story of Chloe Ruth. It turned out just the way I wanted...peaceful, quick, spiritual, joyful, and practically painfree (shh...don't tell the pioneer women). Her umbilical cord was so short that we could barely pull Chloe up on my tummy before Birch cut her cord. The nurse was wonderful and caring and allowed Birch and me all the time we wanted to snuggle with Chloe before she was all cleaned up. At our hospital the baby never leaves your room so we have been able to enjoy each moment of Chloe's first days here on earth.

The kids ALL love Chloe to pieces and we have had to referee several arguments over who gets to hold her next. Birch printed them each pictures to take to church on Sunday and share with their friends. From what I hear they were all very proudly sharing their new sister with whoever would listen to them.

We continue to be so blessed with so many friends that have cared for our children, fed our tummies, and lent a hand wherever it's been needed. We are ever so grateful!

The whole gang - Sunday morning - Chloe (one day old)

Chloe Ruth - 2 days old

Best if used by...

This family photo is just about to expire...

June 15, 2008
(front row: mom, Tyler (7.5), dad, Cooper (2); back row: Alysee (almost 6), Nate (4), Alex (almost 10)

I know I have a big ol' smile on my face in this picture but my family can attest that I have actually been a grump for several days now. Generally, my sleeping schedule has not been desirable for quite some time. In fact, last night I was excited when I woke up at 2:15 am as opposed to 4:00 am because I thought that it would be easier for me to fall back asleep. Nope, I am now beginning the day thoroughly exhausted and grouchy. What a nice combo!

My doctor's appointment was pretty uneventful yesterday afternoon. I'm ready to go and again my midwife says that she doesn't think I'll make it to my Saturday morning induction. I had some big time contractions in the evening but the night was fairly calm. I'm sure once I am up and moving today they will start again. The kids are all SO anxious and keep asking me if I think the baby will come today.

I've been asked by several friends if I am "ready." Each time I clean the bathroom or buy another gallon of milk I say to myself "if we could just stop eating, or wearing clothes, or letting the boys use the bathroom I could be ready." We did go to bed with clean toilets, the laundry all caught up, and I plan on buying some more milk today.

I remember several years ago my doctor telling me that they can usually tell when a woman is in "false" labor because she comes to the hospital with freshly painted toenails, shaved legs, sweet smelling lotions, and a smile on her face. All week I've considered skipping my showers and letting my chipped toe nails speak for themselves. I just couldn't do it, though. I've even been wearing deodorant all week.

Birch took Alex and Tyler rock climbing this morning at 6:00 am. He assures me the cell phone will work where they are going or he will turn around and come home. He knows his absence is a sensitive subject with me right now. We don't really have any other big plans for the day. Birch is off of work since we had hoped today would be the day. Guess it still could...

I'm so grateful for our friends here that have offered to care for the other kids at any hour. It is so nice to feel other's support and excitement during this time. Let's hope that by midmorning tomorrow Chloe is here in my arms!

The guessing game

I've never been much for games which is kind of a bummer since I married into a game-lovin' family. There is one game that I have always quite enjoyed. Birch thinks it is kind of a dumb pointless game..."the guessing game" but I am really quite good at it and find it quite enjoyable.

Wanna play?? If you want to make your GUESS on when Chloe Ruth Ditto will be born, her weight and length you can leave it in your comment. If you say she will be born after this Saturday I will be dropping you from our Christmas Card list.

Just to give you a little help here are the stats of the other kids:




Alex
7 lb. 15 oz
21 inches
Two days overdue














Sara Elizabeth Ditto
September 4, 1999
4 oz
12.4 cm.
Born at 19.5 weeks gestation















Buried in Missoula, MT













Tyler
7 lbs. 2 oz
18 3/4 inches
2 weeks early








Alysee
5 lbs. 8 oz.
18 1/2 inches
2 weeks early










Nathan
6 lb.
19.5 inches
1 week early
















Cooper
5 lbs. 14 oz.
18 inches
1 week early














Chloe Ruth Ditto
Weight?
Length?
Born?





I had my doctor's appointment this morning and nothing much has changed since last week. This is an ultrasound picture from today (though not a great one--it is a side profile of her face and her hand in front of her face). Though my fundal measurement is small, the ultrasound measurements seem right on track. My midwife "gently" stripped me today and I have had little action since. She doesn't think I will "last" until this Friday but then again that is what she said last week. There are currently no promises about a Friday induction...it all depends on their being room at the hospital. I have another appointment on Thursday afternoon for a second more vigorous stripping. Come on Chloe!!!

33 weeks down...5 more to go

The days are ticking by quickly for the arrival of baby girl#6 Ditto to enter the house of noise and love. I told the kids on Saturday that we only had six more Sundays to go until their new sister will be born. Their enthusiasm is SO fun to watch! Alysee quickly went and made a chart to record each Sunday until the new baby's arrival.

Last Saturday I was having a little too much uterine action so on Monday's appointment my midwife "checked" me out. I was dilated to a one but after doing a quick ultrasound we were relieved to see that my cervix is still in a normal range. This is the usual time for me to have pre-term labor action so I wasn't surprised.

This past week has been fairly calm (contraction wise). At my appointment yesterday my midwife did another ultrasound to check out our baby's growth. Like Alysee, she seems to be on the small side but she sure is one wiggly girl. She currently weighs about 3 pounds, ten ounces. I always love getting to "see" her with the 3D ultrasound.

Profile shot of faceMy midwife assured me that she doesn't really have a double chin. How could she at 3lb 10oz? She does have a Ditto nose and my big lips, though.I was hard up for a picture of myself to post today. Nate was the photographer for the above picture. It was his first time being allowed to use the camera and he couldn't quite figure out how to get my head AND feet in the same picture. While the quality is not great, neither is my posture so it is a good match.

We came up with a new name idea this past week. I'm not sure if we will finalize on naming her prior to her birth or wait to see her in person. The car search continues. We are thinking that we might go with the same guy that bought our current van through a car auction. Hopefully this week we can sell our current van for near our asking price and then finalize on a new car that will fit us all.

Lastly, I wanted to share a quote that Birch and I have posted on our mirror right now. It is a great motivation for me to try hard to be a better person.

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.

I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.

I want to be there with grass stains on my shoes from mowing Sister Schenk's lawn.

I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children.

I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.

I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.

I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
-Author Unknown

The Cherry On Top

Yes, today was the BIG day!!! Okay, Birch is reminding me that it isn't really THE BIG day (which is around June 28th)--but it was a special day. Ever since the kids found out they were going to have a new sibling they have been voting for a sister. Nate was so sure it would be a girl "because we already have a little brother." Tyler dreamed several weeks ago that we would be having a girl. Alex on a grumpy day blurted out, "I hope we have a girl so Alysee can bug her instead of me." Alysee would love to dote on a sister as well. As far as mom and dad, it is no secret that we (especially me) have been hoping to add one more girl to the Ditto clan.

So...the sun was shining a bit brighter today--WE'VE GOT OURSELVES A LITTLE GIRL!!!

Birch and I have been laughing a bit at this cool 3-D shot. Doesn't it look like she is already a bit on the grumpy side? We've got quite a bit of drama at our house with just Alysee so I think I will be eating lots of sweet candies to sweeten her up a bit before her birth.

This is a really neat shot looking down at her head showing the right ear (which we were intentionally looking for any abnormalities) and her right arm and hand.

When the doctor first started the ultrasound machine we were greeted with our little baby waving her hand at us--well, at least that is what we like to think she was doing. Even more important than her gender was the great news that all of her vital organs look perfect. What a blessed day!!!

Our little jelly bean-9 weeks gestation

I just got back from my first "real" appointment at the doctor's office. Thankfully everything looks great! Our little baby is the size of a jelly bean but even in this 3D ultrasound picture you can make out the little arms and legs. This is a face on picture.
The nausea and throwing up comes and goes. I have had several hours of feeling good in the past few days; possibly it could be the amount of food that was consumed at our house while we entertained. The official due date is June 28th! We'll have our more thorough ultrasound done at 16 weeks gestation. Hearing that heartbeat is always so comforting!!!