The Birkeland Family Blog

Today I am going to sit down and take the time to journal Lucy's birth story.  My feelings are still so fresh and I want to remember my experience forever.  When I found out I was pregnant with Lucy I had feelings of apprehension and fear.  I wasn't ready for another baby nor was Brian to say the least.  I actually kept the news to myself for weeks, till I could no longer keep it to myself.  I knew that I had to keep working to keep the family afloat and if there were any complications we could not survive without my income.  Lots of prayers were said to keep this baby inside me so I could take care of our family and house.  To say the least my prayers were answered and this was the most smooth sailing pregnancies yet.  I was able to work part-time and at the end go full-time, and actually Brian and I were able to travel to Europe for 2 weeks when I was 24 weeks pregnant. Sweet! Since the day I told Brian I w...

Brian and Lars were some brave souls to take 7 kids up in the Uintahs to the Cabin.  This by all means is no luxurious cabin.  No electricity, no water, no toilets.  Not my kind of fun in the dead of winter, but the kids had a complete blast.  Everyone arrived at the base of Manor Lands around 8 pm in the pitch dark and they had to snow mobile 7 kids and all their gear up to the cabin.  This includes all food and water for the next 24 hours.  BRUTAL.  The temperature of the cabin when they got there was 32 degrees.  They got the stove up and running and by the kids were in bed the temp was up into the 50's.  Every kid apparantly was asleep within 5 minutes of laying down.   The next day was a fun filled day of sledding and snowmobiling.  Brian ran out of food, but luckily Lars planned a bit better and had extra for our kids. 

Do you remember as a kid you could craft up a hide out in no time?  Well, Emmi and Jack have found their hide out in the house.  They cleared the basement closet out.  It is a super deep closet and rather big, so Emmi put her doll bed in there.  Hung pictures on the walls, and even brought a night light down so they could hang out there with the door shut.  Of course Jack brought the snacks down so they could enjoy their snacks all a lonesome.  It brought me back to my childhood when we made forts and hide outs and lived in them.  I remember bringing in the little black and white TV and eating our meals in there.  It was a memory and highlight of my childhood.  Thanks to my mom for letting us mess the house and keep the fort up for a good long time.  After playing in the hide out for days they asked if they could sleep in it.  We put sleeping bags down and put a night light in there and the...

Christmas 2011 We had Christmas Eve dinner at Uncle Billy's.  Cousin Anna made everyone an awesome gift and Uncle Billy made a wonderful pot roast.  We brought an awesome salad and Jeff and Jon brought pie for dessert.  Uncle Billy went to go buy creme and somehow he missed a surprise visit from Santa. (wink wink)  It was the highlight of the evening.  Jack kept telling Santa that he loved him and wouldn't get off his lap.  Emmi just wanted all the presents.  As usual. Mama with Lucy Lynne All the kids right before going to bed on Christmas Eve.  The kids got out their chairs for Santa to put their presents on, and we put out ginger cookies and a glass of milk for Santa.  We let the kids fall asleep in our bed and then transfered them to their beds after they were asleep.  Christmas morning and all of its Magic!!! Jack opening presents.  He would open a gift, try i...

 We Welcome Lucy Lynne Birkeland December 6th at 2:16 am 6 lbs 5 oz 19.5 inches   Right after delivery!  So happy and on cloud 9 even though it was 4:00 am  Lucy not really enjoying her first bath  Jack holding Lucy for the first time.  He seemed totally oblivious that Lucy was screaming bloody murder.  Emmi holding her new baby sister for the first time.  What a proud big sister! Such a proud big brother and sister Papa Ric holding the little Lucy for the first time Uncle Jonny loving on baby Lucy    Daddy and his new daughter!  Mommy's little Jack Bird.  Could he be any more of a mama's boy? That's a negative  Lucy being a little chineseman   Lucy going home!  I hope she knows what she is getting into!  

Holy Cow.......Brian and were just relaxing on the couch enjoying some Christmas music, our Christmas tree and lighted mantle with the stockings hanging.  We had a reality check when we saw 5 stockings hanging.  We are almost a family of 5.  Wow.......pinch me!  We are getting so excited to welcome our newest 5th member of the family. It's amazing what two people can accomplish in 10 years. 

Emmi and Jack being little friends in Jack's crib sharing a little moment together over some sippy cups and a little belly button action.  The belly button is Emmi's happy place! Jack once again getting into his sisters clothes and dress ups.  Jack chilling eating a bagel in the laundry basket.  I find this kid in the most random spots.  Jack trying to be like Daddy Emmi is love with drawing hearts and flowers. Emmi with her cousins coloring rocks at the cabin. 

 My first turkey that actually turned out.  I brined the turkey for 24hrs before I cooked it.  Wow it had awesome flavor.  It was fun preparing it besides that I underestimated the time so we ate like 1.5 hours behind schedule! What a beautiful table! It's always fun to get together as family and prepare a big meal.  It's fun to try new recipes and then also look forward to the traditional dishes we always have each year.  There is so much to be thankful for! Family Friends Health Abundance Blessings I never got any pictures of us all sitting down.  We had Ric, Mom, Jeff and Salenta and her mom, Jon, Me and Brian.  At the kids table we had Emmi and Jack and Salenta's kids, Haley and Calen.  It was an enjoyable evening.  The best was that I got to sit with my legs draining while everyone cleaned my kitchen and did the dishes.  What a treat!  Now I need to have this baby!

Featuring Julius Caesar and The Little Mermaid! You may ask where I got my inspiration for the Julius costume, because you know Jack didn't pick this costume.  It really was my cousins idea at a family party.  I thought it was perfect for our little guy, and boy did he pull it off.  He was the star at his preschool Halloween party.  The homemade costumes always seem to outshine the store bought ones! Emmi wanted to be a mermaid and when she has made up her mind on something, it is a done deal.  No negotiating at all.  I kept trying to sway her into being a Greek Princess, but that was a no go.  She adored her costume and thought she was the most beautiful mermaid ever! I will never forget this Halloween.  It was the most warm beautiful evening I can ever remember having. The kids left the house with no coats and had no need for them the entire night.  Jack was absolutley hilarious at each house.  He would strike conversatio...

Emmi 4 years old Linda and Loralee Class G Jack 2 years old Carolyn and Jessie Class A-1 Two Fun Emmi was so excited for her first day.  She was ready 1 hour before asking continually if it was time yet.  She washed her hands, put on her name tag and walked in and started on some puzzles.  Loralee was there to greet her.  Wow....my little girl is growing up so fast. Emmi had to jump into Jack's photo shoot! Jack immediately went to the marble run and was fighting off any intruders in his game!  He absolutely loved his first day.  He played, made his snack placemat, sang songs, played some games, and ate his snack.  He felt like such a big boy!