Don't Try This At Home

I actually cropped this photo so it didn't look as scary.  Carrying my almost-3-year-old and my now-1-month-old at the same time is a challenge! 

One Month

Tomorrow is Nathan's 1 month birthday and I changed my mind from this post and now think it's gone so incredibly fast.  I can't believe my baby is 1 month old.  I still forget I am not pregnant at times--that pregnancy lasted forever!  It feels good to be 1 month into it--there's more assurance that we will make it.  :) 

Last night, the little guy went 6 hours between feedings.  Wow!  Unfortunately, Brian and I weren't sleeping that whole time because we were planning on trying to feed him one more time before we went to bed.  Well, that's why I was up--Brian was doing his usual facebook obsession thing.  Anyway, Nathan wouldn't wake up enough to eat so we stayed up for naught.  I went to bed expecting to be woken up in 30 minutes but he actually did really well.  It gives me hope.  :)  It could be his age, a fluke, his weight... OR it could be because yesterday I started giving him more formula in his bottles.  I also started working on his sleep yesterday.  Yes, I let him cry a bit.  I hate to admit that when I know the Grandparents will read this.  :)  He did really, really well and napped great with very minimal fussing--and I felt like I could actually acknowledge that I do have other children! 

Nathan is starting to recognize me and gives me a smile now and then.  He was in such a good mood this morning--very alert and smiled a few times.  It's so sweet to see the kids get excited about that.  He has also made the little cooing noise a few times.  It's fun to see him get bigger but it's a little sad, too. It's already going fast! 

I actually had Hunter and Lily take pictures of me and Nathan trying out the baby wrap.  They did a really good job--I have multiple pictures since they each wanted many turns.  I like the wrap--I tried a sling with Samuel and didn't like it at all.  I got a carrier with him and wore it a good amount but it wasn't the most comfortable.  I love my wrap so far--only wore it once but it was nice.

Quick, Random Thoughts

Here's what's on my mind tonight:


1. Why is it that when Brian takes all 4 kids out people can barely believe it and act all amazed?  Then there's me...I keep getting comments about how I am not getting out enough...like my ability to leave the house with 4 kids is somehow way above Brian's??!!  It's weird.

2. I walked in the house tonight and Brian met me at the door with this look on his face that said "you are not going to believe this...".  He then said, "Our kids are behaved."  Ha!  He had picked up Hunter and Lily from Awanas and that was what their teacher had commented to him.  Is it sad that we, the parents, were amazed?  :)

And here's just a quick photo of Nichole/Aunt Nikki.  She came to see the kids (and let's record that Samuel actually hugged and kissed her!) and take me out for my birthday.  It actually was good to get out and while I am not amazed that Brian could handle running kids around, I am thankful!

HaPpY bIrThDaY (x6)!!

Today we celebrated the 6 birthdays we have in January (see picture below).  This was Nathan's 2nd recent outing and we are getting kind of used to being away from home with him.  This week I will be picking up the twins from school so we will be getting back into that routine.  And it's Nathan's 1 month birthday!  Wow!  January was definitely a blur--hard to believe it's almost over. 

The January Birthdays:  Jaden (21st), Cali (20th), My Mom (27th), Andrea (13th), Lainey (25th) and Me (also the 25th).  Believe it or not, this is the 1st year we had 1 big party for all of us--can you imagine trying to do 6 individuals get togethers in 1 month??  This was so much easier!

Another party pic.  Papa's fan club: Samuel and Kathryn.

Just a picture I took of the 3 boys.  Brian had taken Lily to her dance class and I was home w/my 3 sons.  :)  It was fun to see the 3 of them together on the floor.  I feel for Hunter having 2 younger brothers that will want to be with him and copy him all the time (Samuel is already this way!).  But Hunter loves being the biggest!

3 Weeks

Well, things have just seemed to be a bit more manageable in this 3rd week.  I am sure part of it is my hormones have calmed down some.  Otherwise, I have realized that I can't actually accomplish everything and that's okay!  We are falling into a routine of normal life and that's a good thing.  We aren't getting out much but the weather doesn't motivate me to leave!  Nathan is still such a good baby--not that there is a "bad" baby but I don't know what else to call him.  He is not much of a crier at all, which is nice.  :)  He loves to eat, enjoys his paci and is sleeping pretty good.  Brian and I have been splitting up the feedings at night--I take the late night and early morning feedings and he takes the middle of the night feeding.  Last night I got to sleep a full 7 hours without getting out of bed--I did wake up a few times but I can't complain!  It was so nice.  Brian did have to get up at 2am but that was it for the night!  On the weekends Brian and I sometimes switch things around but it seems like Nathan still does better on my turn.  Ha!  What a sweet baby!  :)  And naps have been going pretty well--during the day, he actually seems to prefer being laid down to nap instead of me trying to hold him (which is hard to do w/all these other kids!).  He's awake a lot more and I don't know how he can stand it since being awake means getting lots of attention from his siblings.  I do enjoy watching him take it all in.  He definitely knows me and I love that.  :)

Happy Birthday to Andrea

Today begins the never ending January birthdays.  It all starts with my sister, Andrea.  Happy Birthday!

2 Weeks

I told Brian that I don't feel like "Wow--Nathan is 2 weeks old already!".  I feel more like, "Wow--only 2 weeks have passed?!".  Ha!  It's been challenging and exhausting.  Not so much the baby as everything else on top of having a baby.  Here are my thoughts on these 2 weeks:
*We've suffered through pink eye and the stomach flu in these short 2 weeks--that doesn't help the stress!  
*I am very, very grateful that I am married to someone who willingly gets right up and helps me--and even tries to let me sleep more. 
 *I think this is the 1st time that I have had a baby and then felt like I was thrown right back into life without a break or extra time to heal up or anything like that.  It's felt a little much at times, for sure!  Trying to keep up with housework, homework, paying attention to other kids, getting Nathan to sleep without being held, catching up with friends (I actually have emails in my inbox that I haven't answered--that never happens with me!)..whew!  Lots to do on a daily basis!
*I have not had to cook, thankfully--we are set for at least this whole month, if not longer.  And I've had help with school drop off/pick up.   
*Nathan is up 2x a night for the most part.  If he goes right back down after eating, it's a wonderful, joyous thing.  There have been nights where he's stayed awake and wanting to be held for most the nighttime and those are rough moments--worse in the morning!  He's only 2 weeks old so I am not expecting much.
*The kids have somewhat "gotten over" the newness and leave him alone quite a bit more than they had.  Samuel still insists on calling him "baby" instead of Nathan.  Diaper changing time is still a big hit--and I can see why.  Just today, Nathan started pooping right when I removed the diaper and in my attempt to clean that up, he peed all over the bassinet.  And this isn't a rare event for this child--I don't know what our problem is--this isn't our first baby or first boy!?  But it's no wonder changing time draws a crowd.\
*The lack of sleep has manifested itself in forgetfulness.  Brian couldn't remember a coworker's name yesterday and today I could not remember the password for our computer.  I had to call Brian at work and ask for help.  It's sad.
*I do realize that this little baby is growing already and it's going to go fast.  This stage is just a short season of my life and I will barely be able to remember it when it's all done, I am sure!  :)  I try to hold him as much as I can and appreciate his little baby self and all his baby ways--including the day/night mix up.  He is a lot of fun!

Baby Pictures

Hunter and Lily (my pictures of them aren't very good w/the digital camera I used at the time--so sad!)

Samuel

Nathan (he looked like this through his whole bath tonight--no crying, though!)

Ready for Snow

Today is my 1st day of being on my own and it's actually going really well.  It was a bumpy start because I did not want to get out of bed but I have to shower before Brian leaves for work so I had no choice.  It's also a school day for Hunter and Lily so I have to be awake for that!  Thankfully, my Dad is taking the twins to school for me and my Mom is picking them up this week so I have a break from leaving the house with all these kids!  Anyway, I actually dressed Nathan in an outfit today so I am feeling proud and he looks so cute in his snow-themed shirt.  Samuel has been playing with play-doh for over an hour now and it's a huge mess but he's having a good time.  I have started laundry, the dishwasher and talked to a friend for 30 minutes about my labor/delivery experience so it's been a fun and productive morning!  :)

1 week appt: back to birth weight!  8lbs, 7oz exactly.  It's funny because we aren't doing a 1 month appointment because apparently Brian and I are parenting pros.  It's amazing how much we've heard the phrase "you've done this before" since we've had Nathan.  The nurses and doctors in the hospital and now our family doctor seem to think we have this stuff down.  Hilarious.  Our last nurse at the hospital had had 4 kids in about 4 years and she was a lot of fun to talk to.  She said people used to think she was crazy, too...so I guess that means people think we are crazy?!  It is really funny to look back in the van and see every seat filled with a car seat and a child.  I look at Brian and we have to laugh.  4 kids! 

Today

Today my baby is 1 week old.  Today is also my due date.  I am so thankful I did not have to go all the way to the end (or beyond it--I shudder to think of that!).  This was actually the longest pregnancy for me--the other ones were born 2 weeks before my due date. 

Anyway, I can hardly believe that Nathan has been with us 1 whole week.  I was even up at 2:15 in the morning this morning--when it all started last week.  :)  Today I am taking Nathan to the doctor for his 1 week check and I can't wait to see how much he weighs and how he is growing!!  So far, Nathan is an easy baby.  He doesn't cry loud, often or long!  Most the time, he goes back down after eating in the middle of the night.  Every now and then he needs extra cuddle time, though.  Overall, he is just tons of fun to have around.  I enjoy him as much as I can knowing that he's my last little newborn and it goes too fast!!

You can see that Nathan has quite the following...

The kids have actually calmed down and stopped hovering so much but they still really enjoy talking to Nathan and watching him sleep and eat and be changed...

Some tummy time.  Brian and I may be a bit more paranoid about head issues since we've experienced the problems with Hunter's head/neck.  Obviously, his issues were more severe but still...never too early to watch the head shape and work on that neck!

This picture shows clearly that Nathan's hair appears to be following after Hunter's style.  The front of his hair "grows backwards"--a clear cowlick!  Samuel has one to a smaller degree but Lily was blessed to not be stuck with one right in front.  It's no big deal for the boys--instant style!--but I know from experience what a pain it can be for girl styles!

And here's what Brian and I are reduced to: (and, yes, these were really taken while we were sleeping...)

I think I may just be too old for this.  I have been nodding off all the time!  Tomorrow Brian goes back to work and I am worried.  I will stock up on caffeine and hope for the best.  :)

Nathan sleeps...

...through this noise of 3 big siblings playing not far from his bassinet.

 

That's a good thing unless he's only sleeping because of his intense exhaustion caused by being up all night long.  This was the 1st night like that so hopefully it's not a sign of things to come.  Yawn.

Proud Siblings