Introducing Elliott Nicholas Bingham

On Friday, April 24 we finally got to welcome the latest addition to the family. At 5:30 am Chris & I headed to Trinity Hospital so that I could be induced. It seemed that little Elliott really liked his current home. Chris and I waited all morning watching movies while the nurses gradually increased the pitocin to get labor going. The nurses were busy that morning and it wasn't until after lunch when an additional nurse was brought in to help that things started to happen.

I then spent the afternoon, with Chris's help, relaxing through each contraction using hypnobirthing techniques. Elliott finally arrived at 5:32pm. It was a really great experience for us. I had epidurals with our first 3 and went without any pain relief this time. The recovery is going great and I feel really good. Ready to head back to the gym already!


While I was in the hopital on Saturday, Sam., Ella and Owen went strawberry picking with Dad and Grandma...



Sunday we took Grandma to the airport so that she could fly back to Calgary. We were all very sad to see her go!

Grandma comes to visit

Before this blog entry there should have been an entry about the arrival of the newest addition to the family. It seems that the new baby is quite happy where it is and so instead we've enjoyed spending time this week with Grandma who was coming to help with the new baby.

We haven't seen Grandma Bingham since we left Calgary last June and Sam and Ella were sooooo... excited to see Grandma when she arrived Monday. Owen was a little cautious, but quickly warmed up to Grandma the next day.

The good news is that the baby will be here before Grandma leaves on Sunday. I am scheduled to be induced tomorrow (Friday).



These shots were taken last week when Ella and Owen got to eat the first strawberries from the garden. Unfortunately we haven't had any more, the bugs or birds have been getting to them first!

A fun filled week with Dad

Last week was spring break for Chris. School has been really busy since the start of the year for Chris and so we'd all been looking forward to having him home for a whole week. We made the most of it, packing the week with trips to the swimming pool, the zoo and the playground. We got lots done in the garden and around the house too.

The highlight for Sam was learning to ride his bike without his training wheels. Chris pushed him along a bit at the start and then he just took off! He is so proud that he's a big kid now and can ride a 2-wheeler. And we're proud of him too!
Ella also upgraded from a trike to her big girl bike with training wheels.

And now Owen is in desparate need of something with pedals. He's so small though that we're having trouble finding something that works! Would you believe that he can ride this push bike for a km (under a mile) or more!
Ella is really into dressing herself at the moment. This was one of the more special outfits she put on last week. I really love the socks and sandals combo!

Chris playing "trains" with the kids.


At the zoo last Thursday. The zoo is just over an hour away in Columbia, SC. We had a great time until the crowds got too much for us. It was so busy, that as we were leaving, the police had blocked the entrance so no one else could come in!

Sam and Owen heading to the playground..
Owen, Ella and Sam ready for the neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday.
Owen lost interest in the Easter Egg Hunt pretty quickly. I had to show him that there was candy inside each egg and then he was racing to find more!


Sam waiting for his turn. Each age group went separately and so Sam had to wait for Owen and Ella to go before it was his turn.

Ella with her girlfriends drinking juice after the Easter Egg Hunt.
Ella sleeping with her bunny ears on Saturday night, all ready to get more Easter Eggs on Sunday morning!
The kids with their stash of eggs Sunday morning.
In Australia you can always buy Hot Cross Buns at Easter. Since we can't buy them here, I made some at home. Here they are ready to go in the oven. Unfortunately I didn't get a shot when they were all done.

Chris also treated me last week. Here he is cooking up an Indian Feast on Friday night. I love Indian food, especially when I'm pregnant. The baby started kicking like crazy afterwards, I think the spicy food woke it up! My other treat was spending one afternoon at the spa for a massage and pedicure - so nice, but the time went way too quickly!

Square Foot Garden

Back in early March we started a Square Foot Garden. This has been a great project for the whole family. The boys have loved getting their hands in the dirt, Ella is getting excited about eating her first strawberry in the next week or so and Chris and I are really enjoying just watching our garden grow. So far we've planted strawberries, carrots, beets, basil, oregano, carrots, several types of tomatoes (one even has a flower already!), lettuce, red and yellow peppers, and onions. We're amazed and how many different plants we've been able to squeeze into such a small space and with very little effort, everything is thriving.

So, are you having more???

I have no idea why, but it seems that almost on a daily basis I get asked this question.... "So, are you having more?" I'm not sure when it became the first thing you'd think to ask a woman who is 8 1/2 months pregnant, but people just can't help themselves. Friends, the front desk ladies at the gym, checkout operators, complete strangers - anyone and everyone!

So to answer the question for all those who are curious. Yes we are planning to have more! With one big fat pregnant belly and 3 kids trailing behind me all day, yes I'm crazy enough to be already thinking about the next one. We'll keep you posted!!