Carmen Merida Traina joins the clan!

On Wednesday, May 21, Dave and I were scheduled to check-in at the hospital at 6:30am to be induced. The whole experience was quite a bit different than I anticipated--knowing my history of super-fast labors, I figured the whole thing would be done by 8 or 8:30...but they hadn't even ordered the drugs by then! Around 9, they started the pitocin, the epidural man (love him!) came around 10:30, they broke my water about 11:15, and Carmen was born at 12:00 exactly. After she was born, the nurses were making bets on how much she weighed...apparently she looked extra swollen or something, because all of their guesses were in the 9 pound range. Everyone was surprised when she weighed in at 8 pounds, 5 ounces. (The nurses because they thought she was bigger; Dave and I because our heavyweight child thus far was 7 pounds.) The pictures with a bit of a bluish hue were taken under the big lights in labor and delivery. 

We found the name 'Carmen' under Italian names on a baby names website. It is Latin, and means "poem".  'Merida' is a city in Mexico where Dave served his mission. We've been there on vacation a few times, and I've wanted to name every one of my girls Merida. Dave was right, though-- it is tricky for some people to pronounce (as I've found out since) and am SO glad that we chose it for a middle name rather than first. Dave calls her "Carmencita bonita". 

My parents brought the kids to the hospital while we were still in the labor and delivery room so that the kiddos could meet Carmen while she was still very new. Hayden and Ana loved Carmen from the beginning, and still fight over who gets to hold her first, for how long, etc. Alex could care less, for the most part. He's quick with hugs or a kiss to her head, but up until now would rather play with his cars than fight over her. (Phew!) 

Carmen has been a complete sweetheart from the beginning. Just super calm and peaceful. Don't worry- we're not kidding ourselves--we know the newborn stage is just a few more days and then we're in for it! But, the past 5 days have been very calm and sleepy and good for everyone. :) Welcome, Carmen!

Beach day!

We've had a pretty spontaneous weekend- planning nothing because we assumed the baby would be here by now, we've just taken off and gone on field trips with the kids at the spur of the moment (heading to the beach, riding the trolley to Old Town, etc.) with the kids. Here are some pictures of our incredibly fun afternoon with the kids at the beach yesterday. Hayden and Ana "booty boarded" for awhile before they got brave enough in the cold water to actually go boogie boarding--which they did completely unassisted and like native San Diegans (so proud!).  Alex skipped through the waves, while pulling his boogie board around like a dog on a leash--he tumbled in the deep water and got knocked over by some big teenagers but for the most part was super brave and SUCH a big boy in the water. Dave went surfing for awhile and took a few tumbles of his own in the "medium-high waves" (he's really excited to go beach camping with Tyler this summer and get some more extensive practice...). I loved hanging out on my beach chair and hanging out in the water with Alex while most likely giving the lifeguards a heart attack that they'd be delivering a baby any minute (I really look like I'm going to pop)!! Then, home for take-out pizza and ice cream popsicles in the back yard. What a fun day.

Little Miss Anamarie

Okay, Ana actually said that she has "only ONE picture on the computer and Hayden and Alex have like 100" (can you say middle child?) ... so this one's for her. Ana got to bring home her preschool mascot, Polka-Dot, this week. We had to do lots of fun things with Polka-Dot and take him/her (?) a million places so that we could journal Polka-Dot's experiences and she could have a lot to share the next day at school. Ana is VERY excited for 1) her hop-a-thon at school this week and 2) her baby brother or sister who should be coming any day. We're just waiting now. Luckily, we skipped having the baby on Mother's Day, so we're in the clear for a few days before Hayden's open house and art show at school and the definite not-to-be-missed double-header baseball game (Dave's, of course) on Saturday!! (This will be a big test for Dave if my water breaks in the middle of one of the games... will he conveniently leave his cell phone in the car?!?)

Hayden's last game

Hayden's softball season is over! She loved every minute of it (especially practicing with Daddy). At her final game, she made an out at first base, hit two doubles, practiced pitching, and (my favorite) slid into home. Way to go, Hayden!