Life as Usual

The jump from two to three hasn't been as big of a shock as the jump from one child to two.... it's amazing how Emmy seems to just fit right in to our household. Unless I'm totally missing it, the boys seem to have zero adjustment issues with her here, which is great. We have so many changes going on right now anyways, that a new baby hardly even seems noticeable! The hardest parts are not sleeping through the night, and spending half the day nursing her. I love nursing her, so it's not that I don't want to do it- it's just that you forget how much time it actually takes and any to-do list that I make hardly even gets one item checked off. And as for sleeping, it's probably about as good as it can get for a three 1/2 week old given they still can't go that long without eating. She still doesn't cry much- seems to really only be because of gas pains, which she gets with every feeding. I've noticed heightened fussiness in the "witching hour" and she's a little harder to console then, but still not so bad. I'm working to establish the eat-awake-sleep cycle as much as I can so that as she gets a little older, we can work towards sleeping through the night. Probably the biggest difference for me between the first and the third baby is that in my heart, I am loving every moment with her. I now understand how fast this stage goes by, how precious it is and how totally blessed I am to get to experience it again. While I do look forward to sleeping through the night again,  I love having her fall asleep on my chest, and feeling her snuggly warmth in the middle of the night. I love all her little noises and her tiny fingers and toes, her bald head and her soft, perfect skin. I'm less anxious for her to reach "the next stage" and enjoying the moments more.

Highlights from this past week include a visit from Uncle Stewart and him meeting Emmy for the first time, being showered with four dinners from four great friends this week and visits with all, Jack having a blast at "Pete the Cat" Camp week, and preparing for Davis's 6th birthday party at our house tomorrow. Um..... are we really have 14 kids over to our house TOMORROW? I better get to work- there's a lot to do and not a lot of time to do it! Lucky me though, I have Barron who is super dad and super husband, so it will all be ok :) 

3 weeks and 2 days- Emmy needs a headband

Uncle Stewart meets Emmy!! So sweet! 

Sweet Baby Emmy Frances

Family of Five

Back to the blog!! It's Saturday and Baby Emmy is 2 1/2 weeks old! We made it through a few weeks of big life changes and this hormonal mom has done more than her fair share of shedding some pretty big bittersweet tears. Rather than trying to sum everything up from the past, I'll jump right in to the now. Davis survived, or rather thrived, during his first week of kindergarten. My heart is so proud of him and his attitude, and his cheerfulness about school, riding the bus and making new friends. The morning wake-ups are EARLY, but he was more than ready to take the full days on with eagerness and excitement. Barron has been great about taking care of getting him ready for school so I can nurse Emmy and shower. He is out the door for the day at 7:20 a.m., and then Jack, Emmy and I are left to a very quiet, and sometimes lonely, house. I have been able to spend a lot more time with Jack, and am learning that he is a totally different kids without Davis around. They are so close as brothers, but Davis often dominates the situation and Jack is happy to let Davis run the show. With Davis at school, I can focus on everything about Jack-- he is sweet and focused, very easy going and whines less when on his own. He is a good listener and likes to just hang out- he doesn't need constant entertainment and enjoys even mundane tasks as long as he is getting to spend time with me. He's been a very big helper for me with Emmy, and he is especially sweet with her. I miss Davis terribly, but am grateful for the chance to get to know Jack in a different way. He will now forever be my "middle child" and I want to do what I can to not let him get lost is the shuffle!!  He melts my heart every day and has a way of connecting with me without speaking.
Emmy is just as sweet as she can be, and is definitely our most relaxed baby. She's doing well at night, all things considered for an almost three week old. She typically seems to know that night time is for sleeping, especially when we are able to master the Eat-Awake-Sleep routine during the day. She only cries when she's hungry or has tummy issues. But, once those things are taken care of, she's fine. She's easy to soothe and she's becoming more and more alert when she's awake. She's very aware of her brothers and her dad's voices- riveting her head to find any of them.
So, almost three weeks in, we are doing pretty well. We are so fortunate to have the support and love and hands on help from our family and friends, and the only way I am functioning as a half-way sane person right now is because of the help and the love we've received.... especially from my mom, my MIL and my husband. That and all the meals that have been generously brought to our home... I am not sure how I'm going to work cooking dinner back into the routine!
Off to shower and nurse Emmy (my 7 hour a day job). XOXO

First Day of Kindergarten- with Mrs. Campbell

August 4, 2014

Brothers and Best Friends

Big Helper Jack

Saturday Morning in bed- room for one more?

And then there were three....