Conversations had round the changing table...

I was going to sit down and write this later, but I just finished up the breakfast dishes and found myself with half a cup of coffee left and Mark Wills', I Do (Cherish You) on the radio.  And you just can't turn off that song once it starts.

Plus, I'm sure you want to hear about my first solo day as a mother of three...right?  

Humor me, here.

Mom left on Monday to head home to the peace and quiet of her empty nest and little dog.  I asked her how she could just leave me here with my little children, as she blew kisses and waved from her truck window.  I think she may have had enough of toddlers.  ;) 

Therefore, Tuesday found me kissing my husband out the door to work and turning to look into the eyes of my high-strung children who did not understand why we "weren't going anywhere Mama!!"  The following is a recap of the day...

*****

I have decided that this baby is a narcoleptic. Rachel was a little bit of a sleepy baby, Elizabeth (surprisingly) was not at all.  But Caleb takes the cake.  I have to wake him up to eat and show me the whites of his eyes.  He protests with his little squeal, lets me know he hates to have his diaper changed, eats and then conks out again.  Now, don't get me wrong - I AM NOT COMPLAINING.  Especially when I have been blessed with two nights in a row of complete sleep.  But as you picture this crazy household, it's important to realize that through all the hub, there is a week old baby asleep on the floor/in the pack and play/in the bouncy chair...

Elizabeth gets to hold Caleb during nap time and enjoys sitting on the couch and talking to him.  Yesterday, she asked me why he sleeps so much and I told her that babies grow when they sleep so he was just growing.

"Well, he needs to wake up," she said.  "Wait!  I will wake him up with my trusty fingers..."  She said this while making pinching motions with her fingers and putting an evil grin on her face.  For the rest of the day, I had to watch her like a hawk because she would kneel over him with her pinchers, ready to pry his eyes open.

I really can't get upset with my older girls though - it's as if they are on house arrest and the really didn't do anything to deserve it.  I'm hoping to venture out today to a local playground - but the swelling in my legs and feet are so atrocious that just walking around the house has me ballooning up to whale status.  It's gotten significantly better with the full nights sleep and staying off of them for hours at a time, but I'm not going to be running a marathon anytime soon...or getting a pedicure, for that matter!  In the meantime, we have been spending a lot of time in the backyard, as they make up games using the sticks in Scott's scrap pile and pick the leaves off my Irises for some sort of salad to feed rabbits (or so they tell me).  Mainly, I stay on the deck with sleepy head and attempt to work on my paleness.

In fact, most afternoons when Rachel takes her nap, Elizabeth comes up to me asking to "do something FUN??"  Normally, we get a game out or color with markers or do something that we can't really do while Rachel is up and in destructo mode.  However, yesterday I had a ton of chores and laundry staring at me, so I taught my oldest how to match and fold socks.

And she loved it.  

She paired them and then we practiced folding them together, which thrilled her.  Caleb laid on the floor for a while and watched, and then fell asleep amid all the excitement. 

*****

The fun part about introducing a boy and nursing into the house at the same time is that we have all kinds of opportunities for anatomy lessons.  The first time I sat down to feed Caleb, Elizabeth panicked, yelling, "Mama!  That baby is biting you!"  

She is so smart that I can't make up fake names or processes - so we have talks on mammals and how babies eat and she is especially concerned that he doesn't have teeth. 

I always have quite an audience when changing his diaper and at first, the attention was entirely on his cord - when it was going to fall off and what that would entail.  Yesterday, though, Elizabeth looked southward of the cord and wanted to know, "What is that on his bottom??"  I'm not sure if you remember the first time you used the correct male anatomy term to your toddler but that was mine. 

*****

I was originally openly worried about Rachel with a new baby to compete for my attention and lap, but she has really responded well and has jumped into the role as a big sister.  She wakes up from naps easier and happier and is attentive to Caleb's crying and cues.  In fact, she is always telling me how "tute" he is and loves bopping him on the head, little bunny Froo-Froo style. 

Poor little brother!

(And if you get that reference, you may truly be my soul mate.)

*****

In other news, our fridge is dying a slow, loud, painful death.  Great timing, right?  I don't think I told you that I went on a slight appliance shopping spree before the baby was born.  Call it the most expensive nesting in the world, but we were blessed with a good tax refund and decided to treat ourselves to a new, monster sized washer.  We were able to keep our old dryer, and in place of buying a new one, I decided to purchase an upright freezer.  Yep, just one day decided.

Now, it wasn't like we hadn't talked about it, as I would never make a major purchase without my husband knowing.  But my mom was bringing a quarter of a cow's worth of meat with her when she came and my husband (perhaps jokingly) told me that I could spend whatever amount of money I wanted in order to store meat.  So I ordered a nice, pretty, upright freezer.

And yesterday, as I was carting everything out of my fast-defrosting kitchen freezer, I was ever so thankful for the extra space and the order of my nesting.  Anyway, I tell you all that to get to the point that I am trying to clean out the fridge as best as I can in case it completely kicks the bucket (right after I bought an extra gallon of milk and 3 dozen eggs, mind you).

Normally, the questioning regarding dinner begins right around lunch time.  No matter what I answer is met by some exacerbated sigh or gagging sound.  Where do they learn that??

(Chicken?!  Bleh!  I hate chicken!!)  

Today was no different, except for the fact that Scott bought a ton of lunch meat for lunches on Sunday and we had talked about just having soup and sandwiches for dinner in order to not let it spoil in my dying crisper.

"Mama, what's for dinner?"

"Sandwiches..."

*Cue dramatic pause...*    "Awesome."

Sigh.   At least I did something right today.

Official welcome, Caleb James!

I feel like I've lived the past couple months in a cloud.  I've been a tired, uncomfortable, impatient mess of a pregnant woman.  I had contractions since January, two toddlers to care for and incredibly swollen ankles.  

Oh, yes, I was a bundle of joy.

And then, it came time to have my baby boy and, in a matter of seconds (ok...HOURS!), the cloud lifted.  

What a miracle child birth is and how blessed I have been to have been able to experience it now three times with my wonderful husband.  Caleb James was born March 14 at 2:30 p.m. and was 7 lbs and 20 inches.  He was the smallest of any of our babies, with healthy lungs and the cutest face you've ever seen.  Instantly, he stole our hearts.

I just know he'll steal yours.  

While his birth was fairly easy, my recovery has not been as smooth as I had hoped, so I'm not quite ready yet to sit down and write again.  Therefore, please enjoy the pictures in the meantime.  He's a cutie!

One of the early pics - floopy and adjusting to this daylight thing.

Cuddling up to my new boyfriend.  He sleeps like me - head back and mouth wide open.

Daddy:  in love already.

Bright-eyed and alert - when he's not sleeping, he's really into everything...when he's not eating...

Burrito baby on the hospital bed.

Seriously, Aunt Allison, you have no idea what I've been through.

Precious...  and see?  Mouth open!

First day home.  "So they tell me that you are my sister..."

Homecoming complete with a birthday party!  Look at Allison and then at Elizabeth - the whole scene cracks me up.  Oh, and where might Rachel be?

Pinned tight to Mama...  ha!  Actually, my little needy girl has been adjusting much better than what I expected.  I've been very proud of her.

I just need ten minutes, people...TEN MINUTES!

NO!!!  I don't want your kisses!!!

Cheesing with grandma before church. 

Thanks for looking, my friends!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Rachel Lynn!

You know, this whole raising kids thing is funny...

Everyone told me to be prepared for my second to be completely different than my first, but that's such a hard concept to comprehend if all you have is one.  It's hard to think of them having a different personality than the child you've come to know and love and be able to deal with.  

And then, you wonder how you could possibly have enough room in your heart to love more than one and love them equally and as completely as they each need...

Funny, the worries of parents.

So to face the fact that my baby girl turned two today and take the time to reflect on her and her qualities is crazy.  I can't say that time has flown but it has gone quickly.  So quickly that I haven't even filled out her baby book yet - it's still in the drawer with all the scraps I've been meaning to put in there.  *sigh*  Poor second child!

I remember not feeling well for about a week when I took the pregnancy test.  We had just moved to TN and to say that I had been an emotional wreck is an understatement.  Coming to a place where I knew no one and becoming a stay at home mom to a not-quite-one-yet Elizabeth was daunting.  Our household budget had significantly decreased and my husband worked long hours, trying to claw his way as a new salesman.  

There were so many reasons behind why I might have not been feeling well...

Yet, in the end, there was only one.  

I remember Scott had been working under the house to run a phone line to a room where there wasn't currently one.  He was filthy and it was a hot July day and I walked out to him with a young Elizabeth on my hip with the positive pregnancy test.  

He looked at it, and then at me.  

And I turned and walked back in the house.  

He caught up with me and put his arms around the two of us and said, "Aren't we going to talk about this?"  I said, "No..."  I was emotionally unprepared for this news - I hadn't even gotten a period yet since after Elizabeth was born and, while I knew that the possibility was there, between Scott traveling back and forth and just being home on weekends...  Well, I just thought the odds were in my favor. 

Little did I know that they were.  

Carrying Rachel was easy.  I gained way too much weight and she was an active and healthy little baby.  Aside from that beginning bit, I wasn't sick or hurting and I was thankful to eventually be induced so we could plan for my sister to come in town to watch Elizabeth.  

My doctor broke my water a little after 7 a.m. and she was born not too long after 10 a.m. and made her presence known to the world.  Right away, she showed a demanding personality.  She wanted to eat and be held and then eat some more.  She was opinionated and loud.

And boy, was she cute...

Fortunately for us, being only 19 months apart, Elizabeth didn't show any jealously and instead loved her little sister from the start.  Rachel found Elizabeth fascinating and the bond was tight between the two of them.  As they've grown, Rachel has been quick to follow Elizabeth's lead but be strong in forging her own path.  It's not unusual to find her playing or reading on her own, almost thankful for the solitude.

She's always been an easy sleeper - even today, letting me know when she needs a nap or to go to bed.  And there's no guessing her mood or what she wants - which isn't always a bad quality, I think.  

She loves Mickey Mouse and Elmo and prefers chocolate over vanilla (my child!).  She loves to swing and will let you push her for hours (no, I'm not exaggerating!).  She sings and dances and jumps and runs.  Rachel is an easier eater than Elizabeth and will try almost anything...except for oatmeal.  She still likes being rocked and demands a sippy of milk in the morning the same way her mama demands coffee.  She could care less about learning her letters or numbers, but she talks in full phrases and understands more complex subjects than Elizabeth did at this age.  

Oh, and she loves boots. 

Rachel has been such a blessing and joy to our family.  Please enjoy the pictures and the changes.  We love you so much, baby girl!

Our first day home.  "But Dad...she's wearing a Pooh hat!!"

Duuuuuuddddeeee...

So Mom, as I was saying...

With her sister, the mad streaker...

Happy girl

So back to this subject of breakfast, mother...

Playing at the children's museum

Never a dull moment - and we wouldn't have it any other way!

Sleep Parties

I'm not sure if I've told you that the girls' current favorite game is Sleep Party.  If I have, forgive my prego amnesia and consider the adorable pictures that follow as my apology.  

I have no idea the origin of this, but it's been going on for a little while and basically entails putting on pajamas, piling up pillows and blankets and pretend sleeping.  Sometimes they nest up in the closet, sometimes on our bed.  Although the best parties are, by far, on the days that I change sheets and they can wrangle up all the comforters and pillows at once.

Seriously, you would think we'd have zero issues getting them to go to bed, but so far the only rules I have gathered about sleep parties is that they don't count at night and certainly not in your own bed.

Here are a couple shots of parties around our house:

Back around Christmas time - this shin dig was held between the couch and footstool.

Sleep party among the laundry pile in mommy and daddy's room.

Rachel, reiterating that these boots were indeed made for walking.  This kid has a shoe fetish already - I fear her teenage years!

So, after experiencing these parties day in and day out, you can imagine our surprise when we went upstairs to check on them last night and found a real-life sleep party being held in their room.  Now, I have to let you know that this was directly behind their bedroom door and I couldn't squeeze my large belly in the room, so this picture was taken with my arm wrenched around, hoping I got both of them in the shot.  

Of course, I turned to mush watching my strong husband lift them individually and put them back in their beds - tucking them in with their individual dolls and blankets.  *sigh*

Best.sleep.party.ever. 

Sleeping Double in a Single Bed...

Wasn't that an old country song?

I'm certainly not sure if this was what the song writer had in mind (ha!) but it did go through my mind last night I checked in on my small children before we went to bed.  

Happy Monday!

33 Weeks - And Counting!

It's been a while since I've updated you on our pregnancy progress.  These last couple weeks, to me, is the hardest part because there is so much waiting.  And so much to do.  And you're so tired.  And large as a barge...

Using her little brother as a snack tray...

But the good thing is that the end is in sight and soon, we'll get to meet this little guy and that's all that really matters.

I feel good but am noticeably more tired and moving slower sooner than with the other two.  My doctor says that this isn't all that unusual with three pregnancies this close together, although it's not ideal with the two rugrats at my heels.

So if you have wondered where I am and why my posts have decreased, it's because I can't keep my eyes open.  Most afternoons, I make Elizabeth lay down with me to watch a movie during Rachel's nap so I can get 30 minutes in.  And that was the previous 30 minutes that I would spend writing to you, my dear friends. 

Working out has changed considerably in the past 3 weeks or so.  My hips hurt more to work at any kind of an incline, so the stairstepper is officially out.  Most of the time, I'll walk (about a 3.5-3.7 pace) or do the elliptical at a 1 intensity and incline.  I'm still trying to lift about three days a week, although my workouts are very basic - mainly trying to hit each muscle group once. 

I keep my reps high (3x20 on most exercises) because my weights are so light.  And I always feel better after I lift, although I have to make myself get started.  Today, this was my routine:

30 minutes walk on treadmill-zero incline.  3.7 pace

3x20 squats with large ball on the wall

3x20 lateral raises (5 lbs)

3x15 cable flies (10 lbs)

3x15 lat pull downs (35 lbs)

3x20 kettlebell swings (10 lbs)

3x 20 bodyweight tricep dips

Every other day, I do cardio for an hour and then mix it up with light routines like this.  

As I was walking out today, a guy commented that I was his hero and I laughed and said that it was all about survival for me at this point and that I certainly didn't feel inspirational.  I think it would be easy to put my workouts on the backburner at this point, and probably no one would blame me, but I really think it would make things so much harder.  

When I was pregnant with Elizabeth, I stopped working out about now and my recovery was a lot worse.  Now granted, it was my first baby and I'm sure there are not many first-time moms who are in top shape coming out of the hospital, but I really had a hard time for about a week.  With Rachel, I never stopped going to the Y and never stopped walking or lifting (mostly because I had a wild Elizabeth who needed the play time in the nursery!) and I felt noticeably better through my delivery and recovery.

My weight gain has been pretty steady - I am officially at the 30 lbs mark, which exceeds my goal, but is about 10 lbs less than my pace of gain with the other two.  About the middle of my pregnancy, it really got to me - simply because I had hoped to only gain 15-20 lbs. and when it was clear that wasn't going to happen, I got pretty down.  Luckily, my husband hasn't reminded me of that goal (another sign of a happy marriage maybe?!) and I'm almost over the fact that I didn't reach it.  Plus, I know that he'll be in my corner to get back in shape.  

Cravings-wise, I've stayed pretty consistent with my diet.  Early on, I wanted sandwiches and chips and now have ventured back into my steady need for chocolate.  Consistent in all three pregnancies though is my craving for ice.

I need it.  

I know, weirdo.

And normally, I will fix the biggest cup I can find of ice water and crunch on it so I'm sure it annoys the heck out of everyone around me.  Just thank goodness, it's calorie free!  

Other than that, I am simply trying to keep a handle on this house while nesting and getting ready for him to get here.  I've done a lot of cooking and stocking the freezer - in fact, last night we had a power outage and I tried to go to bed early, but just laid there thinking about all the food in my freezer and praying the lights would come back on.  And they did.  And everything was fine.  But seriously, this is where my mind goes!

That is my 33 week update...thank you for coming along for the ride and I appreciate you being patient through my lapses in writing!

The Double-Room Project

This weekend was officially the beginning of get-the-house-ready-for-our-third-child.  I know that I shared with you all our adventures in getting Rachel into her big girl bed and I really appreciate all the comments and advice you provided on doubling them up in the same room so we can have the third bedroom for Junior.

Scott and I hashed out a plan, which was simply:

1)  Paint the bedroom (walls and baseboards).

2)  Move furniture into room.

3)  Pray that the girls sleep in said room.

Friday morning, the girls and I ventured to Lowes and, thanks to the distraction of fruit snacks and goldfish, I was able to pick out the paint I wanted, along with the needed supplies.  Saturday, I had lessons in the morning while he moved furniture and prepped the room and Scott was finally able to get started putting actual paint on the walls when I got home in the early afternoon.

Here were shots of the room before...and I have to apologize up front for my picture quality.  Our camera has died and until we get a new one, you're going to be stuck with cell phone shots!

From the door of the room

Closet and two dressers.  Why yes, that is a naked Dora doll.  Don't you have naked dolls all through your house?

Bed and second window

We wrapped up the painting on Sunday evening and Scott was able to move the girls' furniture in just before bedtime.  

Paint and furniture in place

Just on a side note, if I thought I loved my husband before, I cannot tell you how much I love him even more now after watching him paint and decorate in shades of purple and pink, solely for the joy of his little girls.  I know I've said it before, but there is nothing sexier than watching your husband be a good daddy. 

Here are the curtains and curtain rods he hung for me.  Aren't they adorable?!

These are all the pictures we're going to do for now, as this weekend, we plan to touch up the paint and decorate the walls...but this should at least give you an idea.

Now, I hadn't anticipated the excitement of the new room, but after being banished from the upstairs most of the weekend and seeing the purple walls and their beds in the same room, we had two little banshees on our hands.  

There was no slowing them down Sunday night.  In the tub, they splashed and screamed like crazy.  They bounced on the bed through story time.  They giggled through their bedtime prayers.  So Scott and I looked at each other, shrugged, kissed them goodnight and closed the door.  

I remember one time growing up, I had a bag full of those bouncy balls you used to get in the little machines walking out of the grocery store.  One day, my neighbors and I thought it would be fun to bounce them all as hard as we could (all at the same time) in a little enclosed area at the bottom of their stairs.  I can still remember them ricocheting in all different directions as we covered our heads and squealed with delight.

That is the best comparison I have to the sounds coming from the room above Scott and me as we attempted to watch TV for the next couple hours.  They laughed.  They cried.  They sang.  

But they did not come out of the room.

Around 9:30 p.m., Scott looked at me and whispered, "I haven't heard them in a couple minutes."  And we both sat there, listening. 

We gave them about 15 minutes and then checked on them.  Elizabeth was tucked in under her covers and Rachel was completely sprawled on top of hers, but they were in their own beds.  Asleep.  

And it was heavenly.

Until 3 a.m.  

Rachel started the wake-up call by crying for me, and because I was sleeping with one ear open, I jumped up and ran in the room.  I took her downstairs to rock and, as we ventured back up the stairs to get back in bed, I heard the second cry from Elizabeth.

That she had thrown up.  In her bed.  

Thus began the next two hour frenzy of changing sheets and drying tears from both girls and finding the puke bucket and trying to get them settled down again.  At one point, I found myself on the couch, laying on the opposite end as Elizabeth, with Rachel on top of me and my son kicking me with all his might on the inside.  

It was a bonding experience with my children, that's for sure.

Last night went much smoother, without the excitement of the first night and they both settled down quickly.  Closing the door, we heard big sister tell little sister goodnight and the she loved her and needed to stay in her bed.  

And honestly, our hearts broke just a little.  You see, in all my worrying and planning on rooming them together, I totally underestimated the powerful bond of sisters.  I roomed with my sisters and can still remember talking and laughing and enjoying the time together without mom and dad, in the dark. 

And now they'll have the experience of sharing secrets and fun and stories after the lights go out.

Well, and we will too...since we moved the baby monitor in their room.  ha!  Scott said, "Do you think we can just hide it and keep it in there until they're 16?"

They slept all night and woke up happy and healthy this morning.  I am so proud of them for adjusting quickly and am thankful to have a husband who works full time to provide for us and then does weekend projects like these during his off time with no complaints.  

This week, I'm hoping to start on the baby's room and at least get the edging and cutting in done while it's warm enough for me to open up the house.  

But we shall see...I'll keep you updated!  Thanks!