CATHCHING UP ON PICTURES!!!

Hi everybody...thanks for stopping by to say hi and see our family!!
Enjoy the pictures that Mommy posted. It's been a while so some of them are old, but at least you can get caught up on how we're doing. Enjoy!!!

Connor and Daddy on his first day of pool therapy. Get ready Connor, you're gonna have a blast.

Daddy and Connor and our pool therapist, Erica. We're playing the kicking game. Erica is getting my "kickers" warmed up.

Erica says, "Ok Connor....1, 2, 3" and I jump into her arms in the pool. Soooooooooo Fun!!!

Daddy helps Erica with my kickboard exercises. They're fun because I get to splash!!

Splash, Splash, Splash!!!!!

Hey Alex, would you like a drink of my water???

"I do my own stunts" Such a cute gift for Alex from Uncle Gary and Auntie Lynette. Thanks guys!!

Playing in the dirt with Daddy!!! He lets me get a lot dirtier than Mama does. I love dirt!!

Uh-oh....someone's in the dog house!!!

Eating dirt is fun....really it is. Don't worry, I'm just getting a little extra iron in my diet. Mama is mortified, but Daddy loves a dirty girl!!!

Oh what fun. Let's do this again tomorrow Dad!!!

Alexander just 3 days old.....Where did the past 8 weeks go??

Hey, who's that in Kenzie's dolly buggy??? Oh, I guess that's Alex. What a fun toy he is in the family.

Connor standing up in his new big boy room that he shares with his brother. This was taken the first night we were home from the hospital with Alex.

Mackenzie loves putting her pop beads on her cheeks. What a silly girl. She's getting her first cheek hickies....they better be her last! Hee Hee

Saying goodbye to Daddy at the airport when he left for training.

Ok Daddy, we'll see you in a month. Have fun in Dallas and come home quick!!!

3 generations of the Robertson boys!!!

Alex was a little cow for Halloween. Got Milk is so appropriate.

Connor wearing his "Super Suit"! It helps his posture and balance. What a cutie!!!

Pumpkin patch pictures.....Soooooooooo Big!!!!!!!!

Hey Mom, I like this flower best!!!

I don't know what you people think is fun about this pumpkin patch....It's cold and these big orange things are cold and hard....I want my Mommy!!!

I've got the best smile of the bunch!!

Getting my zzzzz's before we leave for the pumpkin patch.

Starting to smile....Ahhhhhhhh

I'm getting bigger everyday.

Hi Daddy.....I miss you. Come home soon, OK!!!!

Our little peanut!!!

Our little fashionista!!!!

Mom, I thought we had the talk that I don't like to wear hats????

All right, I'll be a good girl and wear it....but only for 10 minutes...GOT IT!!!!

See you later....Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Come back and visit us again soon.
Lovebug Hugs,

Connor, Mackenzie and Alex

We found the Great Pumpkin!!!!

....and here we are all dresssed up at the pumpkin patch all ready to find the perfect pumpkin....



.....and Connor found it........



...and as you can see he's pretty happy with his find!

Alexander Scott Robertson....Our Newest Shining (or should I say Shooting) Star!!!!!

Yes, it's true...The tiniest Robertson has arrived...Alexander Scott!!!!

23 days early Alex decided to make his appearance on the morning of a full moon. Who says there isn't something to that whole gravitational pull thing...Hee Hee!!! September 15th @3:52am he was born to two very surprised parents.

Just hours before we had been watching the funny new video release Baby Mama!!! How ironic!!! I went to bed at 10:30 feeling heavy with contractions but figured it was just par for the course for these last 2 weeks before being induced. At 11:05pm my water broke and then it was off to the hospital. Let's just say, that was off to the hospital after we packed our bags because that wasn't even done. We arrived at Auburn Regional Medical Center at about 10 minutes to midnight with contractions coming about every 2 and 1/2 minutes!!! I felt much more in control and focused this time around so the breathing exercises really helped out. After arriving at the 3rd floor birthing center we were checked into our room and I immediately began asking for the epidural. They said it would take a little bit of time because they had to place an IV and make sure I got one bag of saline solution in me before the anesthesiologist would even come in. So the race began for the epidural. I think I was more excited for pain management than I was for the arrival of Alex.

And so the breathing race began and I was doing well managing each contraction knowing that if I could make it through the next hour, I would probably get some relief with the epidural. Whew...the bag of saline solution was complete and the anesthesiologist was on her way....Yippee!!! She walked in the door with all of her tools of the trade and she began the process. I couldn't believe all the things happening at once. Mind you the contractions don't stop so I was trying to breath through those at the same time the blood pressure cuff was going off every minute and the nurse was reading off the numbers to the doctor to make sure I was in a good place for the insertion of the needle. Then, it happened.....that big needle was entering my spine and I could feel the weirdest tickles in my lower back and it started to freak me out. I was calm and collected but freaked out on the inside. My left leg went immediately numb and I thought for sure something had gone terribly wrong because I could feel my right leg but not my left. I thought for sure they were going to have to do it again, but then then the doctor said, no it will eventually get numb....Don't Worry (yeah right......I'm a woman in labor and you're telling me not to worry!!!!!) It was about that time that the doctor said they were going to try a test dose of the medication....all seemed to go well, so they taped me up and laid me back down on the bed. No sooner was I laying down and the epidural drip had started that my blood pressure plummeted to a startling 52 over 40....I was in panic as they scuttered around to get me oxygen and epinephrine to get my blood pressure back up. It was a moment of reckoning as I literally felt my body rise above the bed and I could literally see Randy sitting off in the corner and I was pleading with God...Don't take me now!!! Then, they couldn't find the baby's heartbeat and I was sure they were going to wheel me off and do a C-Section. I was seeing spots, hearing bells and then it all settled down.....I could answer questions and the drama was over. I know it was probably only about 5-8 minutes of panic, but I was not prepared for the epidural to be the most hair-raising moment of the morning. Randy was finally able to come by my side and hold my hand and that brought me the greatest relief of the morning. As we talked, he admitted that he, too, had a moment of panic where he asked the Lord not to take me now. So we were both thinking the same thing at the same moment.


The nurses began monitoring my contractions a bit more closely as they were becoming increasingly intense. And then the moment arrived, I dilated from a 5 to a 10 within ten minutes and it was time to have Alex.....but the doctor wasn't there yet, so the nurses kept saying, "Oh, just breathe through those contractions and we'll have a baby as soon as the doctor gets here." "But, but, but I have to push NOW!!!!!" And thankfully, the doctor walked in and said, "OK Lori, show me that baby...." 1 push then 2 and he was delivered, 3:52 am. Alexander Scott Robertson....6 lbs 7.9 ounces and 18.5 inches long. Just a little peanut!!!! He has dark hair just like his sister did and a little button nose just like his big brother and big sister.

We were discharged on Tuesday morning and were home by noon!!! What a whirlwind for not even expecting to deliver until late next week. I must be honest, I am relieved and so happy that Alex is here safe and sound, but my body is going through a lot. I wasn't expecting to feel so incredibly sore, weak and in pain. Alex is nursing well, but the contractions that come when he does and the cramping that go along with it are, at times, unbearable. Continue to say your prayers for a quicker bounce back than I am currently experiencing and more rest. With the other two, I felt pretty good a few days in, but this is different for sure. The nurses, family and friends all tell me that after #3, recovery is much more difficult. So, we remain in prayer for strength and energy to enjoy our growing family.

Randy is doing great and enjoying the new little bundle of joy. The kids are both responding quite well to their new little brother. They have been gentle and loving (so far) and it's been a joy to watch them around baby Alexander. They are both still sick with colds, so that presents it's challenges and now Mackenzie is about to sprout 2 or 3 new teeth at the same time.

Grandma-Nanny, Lori's mom, is with us and is helping out with so much. She has been such a trooper with us and the kids, we couldn't be more grateful to her!!!

I am going to try to post a picture here so you can see little Alexander.





We will continue to post as we find strength and energy. Thanks again for all your prayers!!!

Lovebug Hugs,
Randy, Lori, Connor, Mackenzie and Alexander

The Latest!!!!!!!!!

Well, here's the latest...

The past 3 weeks we've been in a bit of upheaval!!! We had a leak in our hot water tank that caused damage to our main floor laundry room, bathroom, Randy's office and hard wood floor. We were removed from the house for 8 days while construction and repairs were done and we finally got to come home this past Monday evening. The repairs and the floor all look fabulous, but let me tell you, this was very poor timing for a home improvement project. We came home to piled up furniture in our kitchen and dining room, a layer of dust over the entire surface of the house and general chaos in the house!!!! Not really the picture of resting and nesting before baby #3 joins the family.

While we were away, we stayed with Lori's parents and they were a huge help with the kids. During that week my blood pressure went sky high and I ended up in the hospital for a good part of a day to do a non stress test on the baby. After a few hours on the monitor, it did come down nicely, but needless to say the doc put me on limited activity and lifting and mild bed rest. I'm now going weekly to the hospital for the non stress tests and blood pressure checks as well as my weekly apts. with my doctor. The blood pressure remains high, but it does mellow out when my activity level is low. So, with all said and done, my Mom decided to come home with us last Monday and she has been staying to help with everything...the kids, apts., cleaning...etc!!! She has been more than a God-send....she's been our lifesaver!!!

Randy is in his final weeks at the squadron before his military retirement ensues at the end of this month. He will then transfer his service to the inactive ready reserves (just in case he is able to find another flying job with another squadron...he's trying hard to leave his military options open!!) He will then be going back to American Airlines at the end of October and will be gone for training for about 5 weeks and then he's hoping to be placed on the 767 out of LA, CA. When he left AA 6 years ago he was flying the MD80 so he is really hoping to upgrade to the 767. We all have mixed emotions about his absence, but we have to at least give this option a try and see if it will work for our growing family. If it doesn't, then the Lord will have to give specific and quick direction as to which road we are to follow. These things are all heavy upon our hearts and minds as we prepare to welcome the new little guy!!!

The kids had been doing great until mid this week.......and then......BAD COLDS INVADED!!!!!!!! Connor came down with it first and is miserable, then Mackenzie woke up with it. They are both stricken with runny noses, cough, grumpiness, hoarse voices and an inability to sleep through the night!!!!! Aaaauuugggghhhhhh, not exactly the picture I was hoping for just days before the baby comes. I took Connor to the doc yesterday and I'm hoping that it is just a bad cold and it will be done within a week or so. Now the pressure is on for none of the adults to come down with it. Say your prayers dear blogger friends....say your prayers!!!!!

Friday was my doctor apt. and ultrasound and the baby looks good. At this point he is 6lbs 12 ounces and is developing right on track. The doc says if my water breaks we will obviously have the baby then, but if it doesn't we will plan to induce around the 23-25th. He couldn't do it on the 24th because he's taking his wife to the Neil Diamond concert.....isn't that hysterical. I'm glad I'm also a Diamond fan or I just might be irritated at this point in the game. The baby's pediatrician is going on vacation the 25th , so he's asking us to induce on the 23rd (which is my brother's birthday...nice present huh, Bryan??) and my doctor wants the 25th so we'll see who wins this battle. I'm certainly ready....with high blood pressure, puffy feet, legs and hands and overall just plain uncomfortable, I can't wait to have the baby. Currently I have dilated to about 2 1/2 for those of you who really like the details!!!

So, there it is in the proverbial nutshell. Say your prayers for us as we all feel like we're running on empty. Just about 10 days to go and then a different type of "busy" sets in. We'll keep you posted on the status of baby and we'll post more pictures of the kids soon. Thanks for all your prayers, encouragement and comments...they are always appreciated and welcomed with open arms.

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori and the whole gang

Call us Crazy....but we did it!!!!!!

Yep....that's right we did it....that is...we ALL went tubing on the Columbia River while camping at Confluence!!! I can hear it now....are they nuts!! Well, we probably are but life is too short to...as Grandma would say.."wait for better weather"...so we gave it a shot and climbed in the tube and said HIT IT !!! And as you can see Connor is saying, "Look..No hands...piece of cake...can't you go any faster". However Daddy put the cabosh on going to fast cause he was worried about Mommy going into LABOR!!! AUGH. Yeah I know what you're all thinking....YOU GUY'S DID THAT AND LORI IS 7 AND A HALF MONTHS PREGNANT...and you took the WHOLE family out, at the same time....you guy's really are nuts!!! But life goes on and like I always say...enjoy life while ya can! But just so you don't think we are totally irresponsible...Larry Lewis was our boat driver who was briefed throughly prior to the launch and the speed was held at a slow enough pace so as to avoid any danger whatsoever. There am I off the hook now?

Love Dad

ps...you'll all be happy to know that Lori did not go into labor! (Thank the Lord)

We Survived the Camping Trip !!!!!!!

.....And here are the Happy Camper's.....we survived but got a little "pooped"!!! We started out Sunday the 27th of July and made it to 3rd of August!!!....and towards the end of the week Connor got it all figured out.......
.....camping is for kicking back and takin life easy!!! That's my boy....he's got the right idea!!! The question is why can't Mommy and Daddy do this....AUGH!!!!

By the way if you can't tell this is Daddy doing the posting so if the grammer and spelling is way off you'll know why. If I can write a complete sentence I'm thrilled so "bear" with me Ok. I'll probably be writing more of these blog entries cause Lori is about ready to explode with our next family addition!!!! Alexander Scott Robertson is supposed to be due 8 Oct but I think he has other plans and wants out now!!!!!

Well that's it for now.....I'm not the best writer but I'll do my best to post while Lori is waddling around trying frantically to find any comfortable position to relieve the pain that Alex is foisting upon her....you'd think he has a punching bag in there the way her belly moves!!!! AUGH!!!

Love Dad

A Camping We Will Go.......

Well, we're off on our grand adventure of taking the kids on their first real camping trip. 8 days of hot sun, fresh air, and family time. Not to mention no sleep, complete overstimultion for the kids and bare bones survival for Dad & Mom. Hee Hee!!! Actually, we are really looking forward to this week with the kids and our family. We will be having lots of fun. Our prayer is that the kids will adapt well to sleeping in close quarters and that they will do well be outdoors all day long. They are both feeling happy and healthy, Praise the Lord, so we will trust that the coming week will be a real memory maker.

We will post lots of pictures of our trip after the 4th when we arrive home and recover for a couple of days. I hope you all have a wonderful week and that you enjoy your family as summer really is coming to a close in just a few weeks.

Lovebug Hugs,
Randy & Lori and the kids

Are you kidding me is right!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If any of you have looked at the comments on the previous post you will notice my dear friend Amy's comment...."Are you kidding me"....So, she was right......I need to sit down for a moment and post a new message. Amy, this one's for you!!!!!!!!!!!

It seems as of late, that I start out all of my posts with an apology of why it's been so long since I posted. It really is amazing to me how quickly the hours in the day fly by around here. Actually, the truth is, at the end of the day I feel like it just snapped on by and I can't believe it's over and it's time to recharge and do it all again the next day. But at times during the day it feels like we are in some kind of alternate reality where we spin, suspended in motion and time doesn't move. I must admit, I don't understand the clock of motherhood.

With that being said, things are moving right along here in Robertson land. Busy...YES! Hectic....Yes! Hot.....Yes! So there we are in a nutshell..Busy, Hectic and Hot!!! Hee Hee!! To be frank, this Spring and early Summer have been difficult with sickness. It seems that our Little Bug has just not been able to catch a break. It started before Easter with the "unidentified sickness" which turned out to be a horrible intestinal virus. We then started to work on gaining some of his weight back (he lost over 8 pounds!!! Yikes!!) and then he came down with a cold and ear infection. After the round of antibiotics his ears seemed better, but he just has not been able to kick the sniffles, runny nose, coughing and irritability. Poor little thing. He tries so hard to be his happy little self and then he coughs so hard he blows snot bubbles......Uuuugggghhhh!! What's a mom to do except wipe the nose, give snuggies and kisses and wait 10 minutes and do it again. He is still struggling through whatever this is. His doctor seems to think it's time for him to see his ENT doctor and be checked for Adenoiditis. So the appointment is set, but we can't get in until Sept. 8th. So until then, we will weather the storm best we can and hope for more good days than bad days.

On other notes, Connor has started a new NDT program, which stands for Neuro Developmental Training. It seems to be an excellent therapy for him, and they are specifically working on muscle strength for standing and walking. He is responding quite well to the new therapists that are working with him, but you can tell he is exhausted after these therapy sessions because of how much they work his little body. The course meets 4 days per week, once a month for an hour and it will continue until December. We are hoping for great results from this program as it certainly is a huge commitment to attend all of the sessions. Connor is also doing his physical and oral therapies once per week on Wednesdays and he is on a waiting list for a pool therapy program that we hope to start soon.

The first of July Connor had an appointment with his cardiologist in Tacoma and he was really pleased with what he saw. He had an Echo and the results were completely uneventful, which is great!!! His heart function is near normal, exactly where they expected it to be and we got another 12 month bill of heart health. Next year when we go back, if things are still the same, then we will get an 18 month break and then after that it will be every 5 years. Boy is that ever great news. I never thought it would be possible that it's actually his heart that is doing the best!! Praise the Lord for miracles and answered prayer.

Little Miss Mackenzie has had a few issues of her own, like teething and sniffles, but nothing that a little Tylenol can't handle. She is officially all over the place. She is walking, running, climbing and getting into everything. She babbles all the time and says a handful of words that we can recognize. She plays the "How big is Kenzie" game and "Peek-a-boo" and puts her hands on her head for Uh-Oh. She's teaching her brother a lot about the world...like stealing toys and pulling hair....All things typical for siblings!!! Mackenzie is such a joy to watch and she really is great with Connor.

Randy has been gone a lot with military trips so that is always hard. I am so grateful for his hard work but also always anxious to see him come home. He is due back from another trip late this weekend and then we will be packing up to head east of the mountains for our annual Robertson Family camping trip to Wenatchee,WA. This will be our first time back there since 2 years ago when Connor was life-flighted back to Children's Hospital (Oh, that's a day I will never forget). We are hoping for a good and uneventful trip as this will really be the kids first camping trip.

I am officially in my 3rd trimester of pregnancy and feeling all of the normal woes.....tired, hot, huge, and ready to have this baby. Doctor seems to think that baby will come end of September so that is what we are planning for. So, just about 9-10 weeks to go and our new little bundle will officially join the family. As many of you already know, the baby is a boy, so I have been busy with moving Connor out of his room and transitioning our guest bedroom into the "boys" room. I have the painting done and all of the moving and creative touches will come once we come home from camping. Once the boys room is done, then Mackenzie will be moving into her brother's old room and I'll be giving it a girly makeover. I'm trying to be done with everything by the end of August so I'll have a few weeks to just prepare for baby and keep up with the family.

Whew...that was a lot of info, but I realized I haven't done that in a while. Forgive my lack of posts, but I'm just hoping that those of you who are parents understand the busyness of family life and the lack of time for personal moments to do things like posting on the blog. I guess I value sleep more than anything these days, so when the kids go down, I really try to go to bed as well.

We all hope that everyone is doing well and having a great summer. We have had such beautiful weather the past couple of weeks it truly does feel like summertime. After all the rain we had, I was beginning to wonder if we'd ever get a summer, I guess I was wrong. If we wait patiently, all things really do turn around.

At the moment we are specifically praying for a few things if you would like to join and agree with us. First of all that Randy would get another set of active duty orders, even if it's just for 31 days so that we can reset our medical insurance. As of now, we will be out of medical coverage at the end of September....right when baby comes. If he can get reset on his orders, we will at least get another 6 months of medical which will be perfect for Connor's needs and the new baby. Secondly, we are praying that Connor would experience good health and we could figure out what is making him not feel good or what is preventing him from feeling better. Thirdly, we are still praying these 3 things for Connor...Steps, Words and Bites!!!! Simple to some, but HUGE for Connor. Mobility, Communication and Nutrition by mouth are critical to his development, so we want to see him succeed in all of these areas and we are doing everything humanly possible to help him, but it really is time for the Lord to intervene and give Connor yet another miracle. Fourthly, we are praying that Mackenzie would transition nicely with the new baby. She has become accustomed to having a lot of attention and playtime and we want to see her accept the baby. Lastly, we are praying for a healthy delivery of the new baby and an easy transition from 2 kiddo's to 3!!!! I know that's a lot to pray for, but if the Lord were to impress even one of our requests onto your heart, we would greatly appreciate your support in prayer. We know we serve a big huge God and nothing is too difficult for him. We've seen that in the past and we trust it for the future as well.

Well dear friends I hear the munchkins in the background so I must attend to them now. I trust this update finds all of your families in good health and we would love to hear comments from you again. I know it's been my fault for not posting, but I'm back on the blog now and hope to be more consistent.

Lovebug Hugs,
Lori


PS ~ I know you've all been waiting for pictures.....so here are a few photos from Father's Day you'll enjoy!!!!!


Swing time with Daddy and Mama after lunch on Father's Day. This is the park that is right down the walking path from our house. The kids love to go swinging!!!!



There's nothing sweeter than contimplating life with Daddy!!!



Hey Daddy, I love you....Happy Father' Day!!! Little Bug



Daddy and his two little bundles of love. (Miss Mackenzie is quite the stoic in this picture....not the normal expression for her, but she does have a mind of her own!!!)



Believe it or not, this is Connor opening up his mouth to the first strawberry from our little garden patch in the back yard.....Way to go Connor...Now you just have to learn to eat them.



Mackenzie showing off her stair climbing abilities....She is so fast up those stairs......



This was a gift that the kids gave Randy for Father's Day!!!



Another gift for Randy from the kids.....Below is a close up so you can read the words....and yes, those are Daddy's hands. It was unavoidable....I had to pose it!!!!!




How cute it is to see my boys being silly!!!!



Daddy, you're tickling me!!!! I like it though, please don't stop!!!!



Oh so serious....


But not for long......Here's a little bug smile to make your day......
Bye, Bye everybody. Thanks for stopping by to watch me grow!!!

Lovebug Hugs from all of us!!!!!!!!