week :: three

Here we are today three weeks since I gave birth.  I can't believe three weeks have already flown by because sometimes it feels like just yesterday.  I am absolutely smitten with my little girl.  Truthfully, we all are smitten with her.  Squish can't get enough of her and always wants to be involved in her care somehow.  Whether it's changing a diaper or moving her from one spot in the house to the next.  Bug adores her but this isn't his first time having someone new in the house so he is not as interested in her every move like Squish is.

 

We had a few close calls in our house this week with Squishy facing some potential major head injuries.  Fortunately, all was/is fine.    In the above photo, I don't know if you can see the scar on Bug's right eyebrow.  That is the 2nd of two major gashes he has taken to the head.  Both times we just used super glue to close them up.  Most people are in a bit of shock that we would use super glue and not take them to the hospital for stitches.  Our reason for this is because we know there will come a time where we will have to use the services of a Doctor at the hospital and we expect this event will be a bit traumatic for all of us so we are trying to prolong this trip/experience. 

 

We are not the "helicopter" style of parents.  We want our kids to be kids.  We want them to explore and learn and fail sometimes because we know that always telling them what to do doesn't stop that natural curiosity that kids have. 

 

Onto week :: 3

 

This week we went and explored the "pink" park.  The boys had fun while "Anna" slept through most of it.

 

"Anna" and I went grocery shopping again.

 

week :: 3 of the dress....

 

New this week for Princess Pea:

In the last few days it seems she is awake more.  Her oversized flower headband that I made for her now fits.

 

She has finally gained enough weight that she can now wear cloth diapers.

 

 

What hasn't changed....

We still love and cherish our cuddle time with her.

 

week :: two

week :: 2

 

Princess Pea is settling into life as the younger sister to two rambunctious brothers and her brothers have quickly learned that she is the princess because they also refer to her as "Pretty Princess."  Ha, I love it. 

 

Bug is doing amazing at being the oldest.  I think he very much understands that my plate just became a little fuller.  I feel like he doesn't ask much of me right now and when he does but I am unable to assist him he is okay with that and is willing to wait for me.  I appreciate this so much and have thanked him for this although I don't think he understands due to the crazy look I received and the quick change of subject.  Maybe he is like me and gets uncomfortable when praised. 

 

Squishy, now the middle child, is doing just as well.  He has had some moments but overall this dear little boy of mine is super compassionate and just absolutely adores his sister.  He loves her all the time and has even gone so far as to bring her to me.....twice!  I thank him for his help but try to tell me in a very kind and warm way that mommy doesn't want him to pick her up anymore.

 

It's never really easy having more then one kid.  I do feel stretched out emotionally.  I want to give my all to each child when they need me but when I have a nursing baby I can't always do that.  When two children are crying for me and I can't help both at the same time then I'll usually end up crying too.  Poor daddy.  He is never sure how or when to intervene or if he should just run for the hills and wait for the dust to settle. 

 

With all that though I absolutely love my life and my family.  I don't know that I would do anything different.  I am blessed.  We have a good life. 

 

Our week 2 looked something like this....

 

A few baths.... 

 

Trick-or-treating with a Power Ranger and Mickey Mouse... 

 

 

Enjoying seeing Princess Pea still fold up like she was in my belly...

 

We took a trip to the zoo....

We are finding a small rhythm to our mornings.  Sweet Pea likes to sleep for a few hours without me from 6am up until 9 or 10ish.

 

 

Here is week 2 of the dress fitting...

As you can see there isn't much of a change from last week to this week.  She had her two week check-up this morning and she is now at 6lbs 4oz.  Her birth weight was 5lbs 8oz.  At four days old she slipped to 5lbs 3oz so it's nice to see the weight gain but along with that I see some of her newborn features starting to fade. 



 

week :: one

Our "Pretty Princess" is a week old today.  One week!  It's been a fast, great week.  There have been some adjustments as we try and settle in as a family of five. 

 

I've said this a million times but I am going to put it in writing so it is forever persevered within the Internet world, oh and in the NSA world (hello guys).  I am beyond blessed!  My original request to the man above was for two boys, two years apart, and BAM!  I have Bug and Squish 25 months apart.  Then I had a second request at the end of last year/early this year.... A girl.  I wanted a baby girl not only for myself but one for the Daddy-O.  What a right-of-passage for a man to walk his daughter down the aisle.  Well all my prayers and/or requests have been answered.  I am blessed!

 

So what did Pretty Princesses first week of life look like....

 

It all started with the cut of her cord....

 

A photo with our delivering Mid-Wife

 

Visitors at the hospital

 

 

 

 

An examination from her brothers...

A sleepover at the hospital with Squish....

A car ride home....

 

Visitors at home...

 

Her first lesson with Daddy in elk butchering...

 

More cuddle time....

And her first project at the house....

 

This next photo was an idea that I am borrowing from a friend.  She purchased a 12m dress for her newborn daughter and takes weekly pictures of her daughter in this dress to watch her grow into it.  I really liked the idea so I stole it!

 

Week 1

 

I asked the Daddy-O what his favorite part of Pretty Princess was and he said "all of her."  I don't disagree but my one favorite part are these....

Her long, old lady feet!  I just love these and I will be sad when the day comes that the images of these wrinkly tiny feet will fade from my memory.



we are blessed

 

Our little "Anna" now completes our family. 

 

She came into our lives on

October 22 at 12:42pm

5lbs 7oz 17.5" long

Autumn, are you here yet?

If anyone else is up before six A.M. have you noticed the few hints of autumn in the air?  I am and I have and it makes M.I.S.S. Idaho big time!!  If we could sell everything and pack up our parents we would move there in a heartbeat!  

 

To help us deal with the misery of this southern Arizona heat we've been attempting to be at the lake as often as possible.  To end the "lake season" we spent a long weekend there over Labor Day with my sister and her family and friends.

 

 

I am a bit sad that the lake season has come to an end for us but given I am barely able to get on the boat these days at 32 weeks pregnant it is probably good thing we are calling it now before I get stuck in the water.

 

In other news we are starting the preparations for this little lady to join our lives.  The biggest preparation for me has been celebrating Squishy's transition into a Big Boy.  We started by transforming his room from a play room to his room complete with a twin bed.  The next step was having a "party" to celebrate his end of nursing.

 

It's been a little tough for us (Squish and myself) but after a few bumps, or really close snuggle time when no one was paying attention, but I think we are finally there.  I have nursed a child for four and a half years straight so it is a bit strange to have this brief pause.

 

saying goodbye

 

We lost a doggie companion recently.  This old gal had been with us for many, many years and her age really started to show over the last and recently she was giving us that look that told us she was ready to go home. 

 

It's never easy saying goodbye.

pouring lemonade

We all have heard these two expressions....when it rains it pours and when life hands you lemons...!  Well for the past few weeks we have been struggling to keep up with the overflow of lemons while standing in the pouring rain. 

Okay, so life for us isn't that bad.  Events, out of our control and that completely blindsided us, have caused us to look and take a new direction in life.  We have always been given the means to pick up pieces and move on and this latest snafu won't be any different.  We just need some time and money.  That's all :-)

On the bright side... just before the poop hit the fan we bought a boat.  Being at the lake on a boat has always brought a lot of joy to us and since we will soon be a family of five it was time for us to take the plunge and buy one. 

 

It's a very comfortable deck boat with full bimins which was a major plus for us.

 

But....wanna know what's better then having a boat....

A sister who buys one too.  Hee, hee, hee!

 

Wanna know what's better then that?

The pure happiness our kids have when we are at lake. 

The only frown to be found is when it's time to leave.

 

We truly love and enjoy our time at the lakes.  Two weeks ago it was Roosevelt and this past weekend it was Apache. 

 

For us it's a great way to cool off and reconnect as a family again with few to no distractions.

 

Here's a little bump action on the boat too.

 

I promise, one day soon, I'll do a baby update.