Just Parker

Parker is precious. He is silly, funny, sweet and happy. He's adorable and kind. He loves both of his brothers, chocolate candy, fruit, popscicles and pirates. Oh how he loves pirates. Did you know his eyes are blue? He will tell you, "my eyes are blue b/c the sky is blue". Never mind that Mommy and Grandma have blue eyes, it's from the sky.

Just Conner

This boy is growing up sooo fast! He rides a 2 wheel bike, is trying to tie his shoes, takes baths (successfully) alone and gets dressed every morning before coming down stairs. He loves worms, his bike, playing outside and helping his daddy.

the end...

Last week was the last week of school for the boys. It was such a great year and both boys grew physically, emotionally and most importantly, spiritually. They had wonderful, loving teachers. They looked forward to school (most days). To look back over the year is so bittersweet. Time is flying by. I know I'm home with them and see them every single day but I feel like I am missing it.

Each boy got these awesome end of the year books and the change in Parker is more than remarkable. Not only did I cry, so did Daddy.

I have big plans for this summer.
*Go to the gym...gotta get rid of this baby weight
*swimming lessons
*Vacation Bible School
*Hilton Head!!! yay for vacation!
...and that's just JUNE.

My goal for this summer is to blog more. I need to. I want to remember these days. 

Growing up...

Today, Conner got rid of his training wheels. Josh has tried with him twice before and he didn't have the balance down and was afraid. Today, he didn't want the training wheels. They are gone. We are beyond proud but it's very bittersweet.

So big.

Busted...

I'm not really sure who was busted...me or them.

Sometimes, it's OK for them to play in the sink... this is also my 52w photos for week 14.

4 weeks later.

I can not believe that our tiny baby is 4 weeks old already. He sleeps....like a baby and is up every 2ish hours at night. He stays up most of the morning and then starts sleeping in the afternoon. He sleeps all afternoon, with the exception of waking up to eat. He's up again in the evening. He's starting to try to smile. You know the one...that big open mouth half smile. Cutest thing ever....even the 3rd time. He still has all of that hair and I really hope it doesn't fall out. He can roll over but only when he wants to. He is still nursing and taking bottles; he's not  too picky yet.

How am I? I'm hanging in there. I'm tired and still sore. I'm really ready to start working out again but I don't want to hurt myself so I'm not pushing it. I definitely don't feel as overwhelmed as I did after Parker was born and for that I'm very thankful. My biggest complaint is that I'm tired. I am starting to get back into my regular clothes but I still have a ways to go before *those* jeans will fit. I'll get there. I've been trying to eat clean (when I actually have time to make myself food). I've lost 20lb and have 20 left to go. Something that I've been doing most days is getting dressed and putting some form of make up on daily.It really helps me to feel human. I've also been trying to drink a lot of water but it's hard some days since I'm so busy going from kid to kid to kid. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
Here's me 4w later (can't believe I'm posting this but it's all about accountability, right?!).  Clearly I didn't get dressed today but Parker has been sick and have I mentioned I'm tired?

Easter

Can you even believe that I forgot my camera...seriously. who does that?! I did get a few pictures of the big boys with their baskets before we left to go to my MIL's house. They were thrilled to see gumballs and chocolate.

My future (very lovely) sister in law snapped these with her phone.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter!

52 week project update

I'm still doing my 52 week project. here's proof


too cold outside?? sometimes I just say yes

leisurely reading

 always wants to lay with his little baby

 first nap in his crib

Egg Hunts

The (big) boys had egg hunts at school yesterday. I was invited to attend Parker's party but for Conner's class, you have to be a 'party mom' to attend the parties. Tyler and I got there a little early so I could feed him and he wouldn't be disruptive during the party (FAIL....I forgot I was on his time, not the other way around). As we got out of the car, Conner's class was coming out to do their egg hunt. Success! I got photos of both kids finding eggs at school. Happy Mama! Conner didn't even notice I was there until they were lined back up to go inside. Yes, I realize that my kids have plastic buckets and not their real baskets. They were not taking those to school to 'play' with.

Life with three...

So, our new baby is here. He's almost three weeks old and I can not believe that he's that 'old' already. It feels like we just got him and that we've had him forever. He's such a sweet baby. His brothers adore him...we all do. He's a perfect little peanut and we could not be more thankful to have him in our family.

I did have a c-section and the surgery itself wasn't bad; in fact, it was easy. The recovery, however, sucked. Keep in mind that I had 2 vaginal deliveries prior to this and that is all I knew. I was up and moving normally by the time we got home with both Conner and Parker. This time, I was 10 days post surgery before I felt normal again. Sucked....understatement of the year. I think it would have been much easier if it was just one baby instead of 3. Let's face it, even with Daddy being home, the boys still wanted mommy and Parker had a hard time with me not being able to put him to bed or pick him up and hold him. It was tough and I'm glad that's over. :)

Today is my first day alone with all three kids. The big ones are successfully at school and Tyler is sleeping (I should be sleeping too).

Tyler was born March 6 at 8:15am, weighing in at 6lbs 7oz and 19 in long. He was just 'baby' for 48 hours while we figured out what we were going to name this sweet baby. He had a very hard time latching on to nurse and I noticed he was tongue tied right away. By midnight, he had lost 5oz so I asked for some formula to start supplementing. 24 hours later, he was down 4 more oz. We had a weight check the following Monday and he was up to 6lbs 3oz; yay for growth! He's a great baby, except that he prefers to sleep more during the day. He had his 2 week well check on Thursday. He was a whopping 7lbs and 20 in long. I mentioned to the pedi that I wanted his tongue checked because he was having a hard time nursing (even though I'm fine with supplementing) and she referred me to an ENT. On Friday....we headed to the ENT. Let me just say that seeing your 2 week old baby with a mouth full of blood is not anything any mother wants to see. I had to hold him down for the procedure. No fun, but it was necessary. It was something that was severe enough that we would have had to do it before he turned 4. If we would have waited, he would have needed general anesthesia instead of just the local that he had. He's completely fine now and is nursing more/better. That's all about Tyler...

My turn. We got to the hospital at 5am and they started prepping for surgery. I won't lie, I wanted to pull the IV out and run like hell out the door...but I didn't. The surgery was super easy and as soon as my OB said that he was perfect, I needed a nap. By 9am, all 3 of us were back in my room and things were fine. my incision was good, the surgery was perfect, Tyler was perfect. As the epidural wore off, I got antsy. I don't like to sit still normally and by 5pm I was begging to get up. Let me say that the first time I got up was awful. I mean, cold sweats, holy hell awful. After that, I was in some pain but each time it was easier and by Thursday morning, I had taken a shower. The pain was somewhat manageable after I started getting up but I wanted more meds and the nurses wouldn't give them to me. Instead they gave me an abdominal binder. That thing is amazing! I didn't feel like gravity hated me anymore and I wore it for almost 2 weeks. I'd still be wearing it but it's too big now. By Friday morning, I was ready to go home. I didn't need much getting up and I could manage my meds on my own and Josh and I really missed the kids. Parker was having a harder time and it was just time for all of us to be home. Once we got home, I slept in the guest room with Tyler to avoid the stairs and climbing in and out of our big bed. I'm still sore but not bad enough for any medications. I think that a big part of my soreness is from having my tubes cut/tied.

I know you're waiting for photos...