Prayers for my Daddy

10 days after Tessa was born my Daddy, Bill Thielhorn, suffered several small strokes following some complications during a routine surgical procedure. He has been in a coma since Sunday, May 23rd. Doctors say his brain needs time to heal the damage that was caused and are unsure when he will "wake up." Please pray for him to heal fully, his medical team to have the knowledge and compassion to work with my father and stregth, hope, and peace for me and my family. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and I know that God hears us!

Welcome Baby Tessa!

On May 13th, 2010 at 5:29 pm I delivered my third baby girl! Tessa Rae Surratt weighed 8 Lbs. 12 Oz. and was 20 1/2 inches long! By far the largest baby I have ever had (as predicted.) The delivery was difficult. I had to push for over an hour! Whoever told me the more kids you have the easier it gets LIED to me. :) However, all of that work was worth it! Here are some photos from the hospital!

In the elevator on the way to L&D

Our first family photo post delivery. (Nothing like birthing a baby to make you look terrible.)

I love Lucie's expression in this photo. She was smitten from the beginning.

Eloise and Aunt Michelle watching Tessa get her first bath!

Tessa calmed right down when she felt the water!

The girls and Coco visiting our new addition!

Me and my girls!

Eloise holding her new sister! Daddy is watching with great pride!

Tick Tock... Tick Tock

38 weeks and counting... This is BY FAR the longest I have ever been pregnant. Eloise graced us with her presence 5 weeks early and Lucie made her arrival 3 weeks early. So, to me, this pregnancy seems to have lasted FOREVER! I have been going to the doctor weekly now for 3 weeks. I have been at a 3 and 50% for 2 weeks and today I had another doctors appointment and I am dilated to a 4, and 80%! So now, we wait...

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Reasons this pregnancy has been different:

1. Unplanned- so everything has been a surprise this far!

2. Baby is bigger, much bigger. Last week the doctor estimated 7Lbs, 5 oz. None of my kids have ever broken the 7 Lb. mark.

4. Don't know the gender and not telling names (it's made the preparation process VERY different.)

3. Carrying baby higher (or baby is longer)- I can feel Peanut moving behind my ribs. Sometimes Peanut literally takes my breath away after a sharp jab to the lungs.

4. I actually look pregnant. Previously my children would spread out (making me look wider.) This baby is all out front. It's new for strangers to come up to me and ask me "When are you due?" I am used to telling people I am pregnant, and having them act surprised after finding out!

4. I am uncomfortable... and when I used to hear this from others I would think that the mom's meant they felt big and bloated and miserable. NO- for me it means lots of PRESSURE... and the sensation that the baby is coming... NOW. Exerting any effort hurts (literally.)

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Things I am Most Looking Forward to:

1. I am looking forward to knowing the Peanuts gender the MOST.

2. I can't wait to see my Lucie be a big sister.

3. Eloise is going to be able to help me more this time around. She is already so independent!

I look forward to my next post about the baby's arrival! Pray for us!

Date Night With Eloise

I recently had the pleasure of going on a date with Eloise. I think she senses a change is on the way. She has been dying for attention lately and has been a little on the emotional side. So, I decided to treat her to a night out- just the two of us! We headed out to Stonebriar Mall in Frisco for some mommy and me fun!

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Our first stop was Build a Bear! Eloise picked out a brown puppy.

Here she is making a wish and placing the heart inside her new buddy. This is the "stuffing machine" where you add the cotton filling!
After her puppy was stuffed we headed to the "washing station" where you bathe the animals in high pressured air to fluff them up and brush the fur for a beautiful shiny coat! Lastly, Eloise dressed her new puppy, and received a birth certificate for her new dog named "Kitty."

Eloise insisted on carrying that big box all by her self!

After Build a Bear we went upstairs to have Chick-fil-a for dinner. Eloise wanted Kitty to have her own seat right next to her!

You can't take a kid to Stonebriar and NOT ride the carousel! So, finally, we ended the night with a spin on this beautiful pony!

Our night out is just what the doctor ordered! Eloise (and I) LOVED every minute of it!! I think we might just have to make a tradition of it!

Muffins with Mom

The girls preschool held their "Muffins with Mom" this week in honor of Mothers Day! I had a fun time attending both parties and watching my sweet babies in their "element!" I got spoiled with lots of fun gifts, songs and hugs!

Lucie LOVED the blueberry muffin!

I loved getting hugs from my little muffin!

My Sweet gift from Lucie- a flower frame and poem

The poem reads:
"The hearts are for you
the hands from me
to show we are friends
the best there can be.
I hope you will save it
and look back some day
at the flower we shared
on your special day!"
~~~


Wednesday was Eloise's turn. She had been telling me about some of the things ahead of time! The muffins were, again, delish. But my favorite part was getting to spend some special time with my girl!


Me and my sweet Eloise.
Pay no attention to pregnancy nose....ugh!
Eloise and her classmates singing the Mom's a song "Mommy takes good care of me"
Getting ready for a muffin with mom!
My gift from Eloise: A photo box of chocolate kisses and hugs!

Inside the box is the following poem:
"This is a very special box,
that only you can see.
The reason it's so special is,
it's just for you from me.
It's filled with hugs and kisses,
as sweet as sweet can be.
Just hold the box close to your heart,
and you'll always think of me!"

Tierra's Baby Shower

This weekend the ladies from the YMCA celebrated one of our own with a baby shower! Tierra and I actually started at the Y on the same day and our due dates are just 8 weeks apart! I was honored to be able to hostess a baby shower for her. We all had a great evening hanging out with the ladies!

The Mommy to be with Marissa and Jessica.

All of the party guests sipped drinks out of baby bottles!

The whole group went in on Tierra's Pack-n-play!

Some of the delectable treats! We had delicious tapas!

The baby's quilt I made. The nursery decor is purple, black and white!

My favorite part of the quilt isn't pictured... the purple and white damask MINKY material!

SOOOOO SOFT!

The whole YMCA Childwatch gang!

One of several GORGEOUS flower arrangements!

And, finally for desert we had chocolate fondue and cake! MMM MMM GOOD!

Congratulations to the Mommy-To-Be, Tierra!

Melanie Comes to Visit

My cousin, Melanie, came to visit us from Jackson Hole, WY. She is getting married this summer and came to do some wedding planning. We don't see her too often, so it was a treat!We grilled burgers on the barbie, had pedicures and hung out. Eloise and Melanie had so much fun playing El's favorite new game (Hide and Seek!)
We can't wait to fly up to Jackson Hole this summer to go to Melanie's wedding!