Busy, busy

Busy is a understatement. Three kids is work, true to what I've heard it's an easy adjustment from two, and not as mind boggling as the transition from one to two, but I struggle to think how mom's who have more than three ever manage to get a meal in. I'm constantly finding myself having to force myself to take the time to get a meal in, and if it weren't for the knowledge that Dex is relying on my eating for him to eat, I doubt I'd get a meal in at all. It would just fall into the "not that necessary" box.
Dexter is such a fun baby, not that Jade and Hunter weren't fun, but knowing this is your last one, makes everything seem so much more relaxed and carefree, that is with the exception of the feeling like I can't sit down for a minute, even now, I find myself multi tasking and thinking that perhaps this might be posted by 2. That said, Dex seems to know that being the third means there is alot of waiting and he seems to have a relaxed disposition to deal with it better than I had anticipated. So, I'm not pulling my hair out, but I'm certainly feeling worn out, then again... being old doesn't help either, haha.
Enough babbling, you didn't come here to read my ramblings, you came to see the kiddos. Here's a random assortment of pix from the last month, enjoy!



Hunter LOVES his brother, and is eager to share just about anything with him.

The kids with Dexter

The kids before our hike, so eager to go.

Hunter and Phil on the trail

Phil and the kiddos... when Jade thought we were lost...at least she could still pull off a pose in the midst of her worrying.

Hunter down by the water looking for more sticks to toss in the lake.

Jade looking across the lake to where Phil and I used to fish

Dexter is the only one ready for gametime...

Jade all ready for a Charger game

Guess who's eyes went brown already!!!


What do you mean there's no room in the inn?!
Ok, so I couldn't help but wonder how cute he'd look if he actually fit in the basket with his lil pillow.... sooo adorable.

Play time with Daddy.

It's a first!
Dexter's first time playing Xbox with Daddy... awwww.....
ok, well... maybe it's only Dase and I awwwing over the moment... however the pic was too cute not to post.
For those of you curious as to what his first Xbox gaming experience was... Phil kept it clean with some Madden 10 :)

Our new baby!

This is a small update... consisting mostly of additional pictures, most of you got the email so you know all the fun details... these are just a handful of my most favorite pictures that I had to share. :)

At 3:03 on November 4th we welcomed our newest little guy. Weighing in at 7lbs 14oz and measuring 21.5 inches long, I was more than thrilled that he wasn't as big as his brother had been. Named upon delivery, Dexter officially joined our family.



Still on the operating table, I had the chance to take this picture of Phil holding Dexter for the first time, by far this is my favorite picture of the two of them.


Within an hour of delivery, I got to snuggle him which is shortest amount of time we've had to wait before being able to love on our babies.


Jade took to him, like the sweetest little mother and the proudest big sister.




It took Hunter a little bit longer to warm up to Dex, but once he did, all insecurities were gone and he was the most loving big brother.




3 days old at 3 in the morning I caught him smirking... this is one of my favorite pictures of him.

Finally home, I had just changed a dirty diaper to find that he hadn't quite finished yet.. which resulted in another diaper change and an outfit change. Before this was accomplished, Phil held Dexter and as I took out the camera to be certain to get a picture of how small he looked in his arms, I realized he was smirking again.

Walking

Lately we've found that no matter what the length of nap time, how much running and chasing we do in the yard, nothing tires out our little beans better than going for a walk... depending on how the day goes and what the weather is like, we have been managing a walk every day. A few weeks ago it was suprisingly warm and we couldn't manage to think of leaving the house to walk til' it was cooler, this resulted in a much later and darker walk than usual. At first, I had two very worried little hand holders, eventually Hunter forgot about the dark and was looking for the animals, and Jade gave up the concern once she saw how pretty the stars were. That was when Hunter pointed out a "bird", we stopped and looked, watched for awhile to determine that we weren't watching birds, we were watching bats, chirping and chasing bugs. The kids were fascinated, we got home and they ran around the yard in the increasing dark, flapping their arms, pretending to be bats eating bugs...it was alot of fun.

The kiddos hugging after being all worn out running around

Update....finally!

It's definitely been quite awhile since I've done any updating... needless to say I've been busy. I was so anxious and excited for Phil's second surgery that in my selfishness of thinking we'd get "out" more, I completely forgot about this little thing called "recovery". DUH!!!
That being said, the surgery went fantastically well, however the day did run MUCH longer than had been anticipated, due to surgeries scheduled before Phil's. The following days were exhausting for all of us, to say the least. The doctor had arranged for Phil to get this awesome aircast cryo cuff, which really seemed to help not only with the swelling but with the pain as well. However, the ice chest that the aircast connects too is pretty heavy... if it weren't for my brother being so available to help us, I don't know how we would have made it through those first few days. Phil recovering from surgery, while I waddled around trying to keep the kids happy, quiet and out of Phil's hair.. though everyone wanted to play with his new toys (the doctor had also ordered a therapy chair for Phil to help reduce scar tissue). On top of all this, neither of us could drive... which made filling prescriptions and maintaining enough ice for the cryo machine quite an adventure, thankfully our families helped us as they could and it was a HUGE help.
Shortly, thereafter we all became sick... though we each endured the sickness differently and several days apart, which in hindsight is a blessing that we weren't all completely miserable at the same time, yet it wasn't until Hunter being the third person to get sick, did we come to the realization that perhaps it wasn't all odd coincidence but perhaps we had all encountered the same thing. Recovering from the vomitous pains, we were happy to all be healthy again, especially since my biweekly NST visits were becoming more and more stressful. Phil was finally able to drive again, when the last US I had left the doctor worried that the baby wasn't measuring big enough...cue another stressful three days and a long wait for what would hopefully be our last US. We got to the Perinatal center to have every concern relieved, not only is our little man, perfectly on track for size and weight but in checking everything from the placenta, fluid levels and the umbilical cord and blood flow to the baby, they said that there was no reason to be concerned and that he looked perfect... and from the pictures we saw, I'd have to agree. The US technician was fantastic, she even gave us a 3D view of the baby's face and sent us home with some pictures as well. It was so strange to see him and yet so exciting all at the same time.... the general consensus is that he looks squished...haha and very much like Hunter.
After seeing my doctor yesterday, they've determined that I pry won't make it to the due date, so we're expected to be holding our Lil' baby within the next two weeks... two weeks!!! At the very latest on the 4th.... I suppose I'll have two kiddos with birthdays nearly on top of the other, not something I'd have preferred, but they sure are worth it. :)
So the next post will certainly be within a smaller time frame than this past one, and more than likely there will be typos and incomplete sentences as I anticipate this transpiring between the hours of midnight and three, this seems to be his most aggressive awake time in utero... oh the joy! haha
Here's to hoping I can get most of my baking done before the baby comes and that we find a vehicle... soon. Yes, we still have yet to find a vehicle to accommodate our growing size and budget. Phil is working like a mad man to make it happen before I go into labor...so the next two weeks promise to be fun filled and exciting!

And today is....

When did I last blog?? I couldn't tell you.. it doesn't seem that long ago... however, it pry has been quite some time. The week wouldn't have been complete without some kind of craziness, yet all we can manage to think about is how exciting it will be to have Phil home again for a lil while. With his upcoming surgery, we are all very excited knowing he will be home for awhile, which means more boy time for Phil and Hunter, more time out of the house (since he's the driver right now), and more rest *yawn* for me ..hooray!!
Until next week arrives.. we're anxiously awaiting the weekend. All of us, with the exception of Hunter... we got Hunter a pair of pajamas that look like a Buzz Lightyear outfit... which means that he refuses to wear anything but his "Lightyear" outfit. This past weekend going out it took alot of convincing to get him out of it...as cute as he is in it... I need to wash it.

Being the happy little bean that he is... when he heard I would wash it for him.. his response was a great big hug..... such a lil love bug he is.
Thanks to Dase we made it to my Dr's appointment this week, not only did I get a little peek at our little man, but everything is going superb! He's measuring a week ahead of schedule, is a whopping 4lbs 2oz and everything is perfect in there. Aside from his nap being interrupted, he was a happy baby. However, they did manage to figure out why I'm so exhausted lately... here I thought it was just an occupational hazard of chasing 2 kids, trying to keep a clean house, prepare for a new baby, keep the hubby happy and carry this heavy little bundle. Apparently that's not all that's exhausting me... I happen to be anemic too... yeah!!! Bring on the iron pills....oh the joy of mid afternoon indigestion and the burping of vitamins hours later!
That said... ignore the rambling of self pity and look at the adorable pics of Jade and Hunter loving on the ginormous belly that harbors their little brother.



Enough with the rambling... it's time for lunch and a nap....hooray!!!!!

Our first lost tooth

I don't know where the time has escaped to...but here we are, a few months away from my baby being six and a new baby joining us.
Yesterday Jade lost her first tooth and was as excited as any youngster eager to get her adult teeth. However, her biggest concern wasn't any money she might get for her tooth, but that her tooth would now disappear, after a little chat, she seemed reassured to know that her tooth would still be in the little box I had put it in for her.
When she woke up this morning, she ran to the drawer she had put it in, opened the box and started jumping up and down shouting, " The tooth fairy isn't real! My tooth is still here, my tooth is still here!"
I smiled, until I saw the time on the clock... shrugged and thought...well I'll have all the time to sleep when their grown... and then I'll pry be looking for reasons to get up early to remember moments like these....sleep is clearly overrated.

The force is strong with this one.....

If the words of Luke Skywalker are true.... " Jedi Masters don't go crazy- they just get eccentric." Then I suppose we have a Jedi in training.

Here he sleeps, in his Star Wars shirt, on his Star Wars blanket holding the lightsaber we made for him..... that eventually made him as blue as a Nautolan (note to self... Sharpie on duct tape does indeed come off).
Ah well... at least we got a nap in :)

Famous fighting words....

It's those famous fighting words... I had no idea... I can't recall the war that ensued whenever my parents said them... but I'm quite certain my brother has a very detailed account... it's amazing the things little brothers remember....
That being said... the moment I uttered them, " Time for bed", Hunter disappeared. For a moment I actually thought I had made progress with someone, only to find myself greatly mistaken. Hunter had left in a diaper and returned in this.....


moments later... Jade emerges from her shower all ready for bed clearly she heard that the camera was out and she pops a new pose.....

Of course once there is a picture of each.. we have to do the
sibling shot.... this also got us closer to story time... I was getting closer to that
sweet mumbling of them actually going to bed...

Oh wait.. how can we stall.... Mom has her camera out...
get a picture of us with Dad reading to us...
Of course just before the lights were out, Hunter jumped on me and said, "cheese" here I thought it would be a cute picture, but definitely not one I'd post anywhere, pregnant and all I want is sleep ...that was until I got to the computer. I caught a glimpse of the picture of Hunter and I, and I laughed so hard, I missed hearing him climb over the gate to stand behind me and say, " Me, Momma.. me!!!" There we were, I clearly more tired than he, looking at a picture of ourselves, where it appeared that he was so happy he could strangle me... famous fighting words indeed.

and here I thought I was soo close... freedom was calling... well, that late night stillness that settles over the house when two children are laughing, shouting, fighting and complaining about being in bed, arguing over exactly how dark it is, what book they should have chosen for the story, when they are getting their ice packs, why the fan can't be turned up higher and why exactly they aren't tired. Yes.. that peace that settles when you know.. your children are safely tucked away in their room, to complain, holler, whine, get goofy and whatever they deem necessary prior to their sleeping.. just so you can sit in the quiet of one room and contemplate doing absolutely nothing. Sure, you're getting up every five minutes to make sure they aren't fighting, swinging from the bunk beds like little monkeys, emptying their drawers because they decided they wanted to change their pajamas.... but the sigh that comes with the hope of being able to sit and do absolutely nothing is something I've waited for since that first tantrum of the morning. What....you have NO clue what I'm talking about? Seriously?! Well don't leave me a comment about how perfect your nights go, it will only make my already over processing mind question and contemplate exactly how many days I will have to change it until we bring in the disruption of a baby into our schedules... so for now.. I'll meander through the thoughts of that peace and wade in the waters of the some day, to climb the gate, get up and referee some more until everyone is sweetly passed out... including me. :)

Just a lil soap box of personal style

Jade posing with her favorite gloves

It really is all about personal style... communicating your attitude, your likes and dislikes, your status, who you think you are and what you think you're about... all without saying a word. I used to try to help direct the kids as to what "matches" when we would go out in public... at home I wouldn't care... however, I took a step back and instead of dismissing them into " the kids dressed themselves " I've recalled the joy of being a kid. When you could wear gloves when it was 100 degrees outside, just because you liked them so much. When your shoes didn't really match your outfit.. but you HAD to wear them because that little monkey makes you laugh. It's funny how as you grow you think you're obtaining more freedom as an adult.. the choices of what you can eat, watch, do.... but the more I watch these precious little beings, the more I see how much freedom we've lost in what we think we've gained in adulthood. Heaven forbid we come across as kooky without having a valid reason or joke for it. For all the people we dress to impress, the time we take away from what could be just plain fun in order to keep up with everyone else... it doesn't seem worth what we've given up. I for one have decided that I want my kids to be comfortable in their own skin, to enjoy each precious day they have, being a child seems to last forever when in the blink of an eye you've lost it all to the pressures of people you don't even know, dictating what is " cool" or " in". I want them to play in their youth and enjoy the freedom in just being kids.... why rush them into the stress we all encounter, why steal their joy.. when they are sooo happy to just be?
Sure, I babbled on... but in case you started wondering why the kids never really match or why Hunter has on a ski cap in the middle of a heat wave.... you'll recall the lil soap box I stood on and babbled on about personal style and my desires for my kids to linger in the joy we've all so easily forgotten. ;)

Just before we left the house... to go shopping...


Hunter was satisfied with his Ugg boots, shorts and shirt.. until he saw Jade accessorize so he had to put a hat on...


Of course then he wanted to pose as well with his blaster....

Weekend?? What weekend?

This weekend went by too quickly... fortunately I thought ahead enough to have my camera ready as Corban and Ruthie were coming over to play. It was a fun filled day and the four of them were happy as could be. Unfortunately Hunter only made it to a few photos... he was having more fun playing then standing around to take a picture or two...lol

Playing in the water, they wanted to take a "silly face" picture.. which turned out to be more of a silly pose picture...Hunter said no thank you, and was enjoying playing in the water without the competition.

Once they deemed the silly pose picture to be a good one, they gave me a cute pose...

All dry they went for another silly picture... I love how Ruth and Corban are being gangster and Jade can't help but vogue.. (that's my girl!) hahaha

After all the goofiness, we went for another picture.. however by this time, no one wanted to take a picture with someone they were related to...

Ruth wouldn't even get close to Corban...

And Jade was clearly thrilled with the idea of posing with Hunter...


So Ruth and Hunter posed together...

And Corban and Jade posed together...
Yes.... this made me worry... but just for a second because 2 minutes later the boys were irritating the girls and the girls ran off to the tent to play and the boys came inside to search for the Star Wars toys.

Sweet lil beans

These two are adorable.. and I definitely don't think I'm biased. Whenever they get together to play, it's nonstop giggles, fun and jewelry swapping. It cracks me up, every time.. Ruthie comes out wearing something of Jade's and Jade comes out in Ruthie's shoes... they certainly seem to have their vices already.
What I love the most is how they are unabashedly goofy together...such sweet little beans

Worms!!!

Playing outside, Hunter came running in all excited... shouting, jumping and shaking his fists around, saying " waa...waa...momma..waa!!!" I asked him what a " waa" was and then he showed me the worm flailing about in his hands. He asked me if he could squish the worm.. to which I replied.. let me take a picture of you and your worm... then maybe you could play nicely with him outside.. so he posed....
and then took the "waa" outside to play "nicely" with... his idea of nicely was to put the worm in a plastic jar, ride around in the hot sun with it in the back of their tricycle and then shake the jar til the worm fell out..nudge it to make sure it was still alive only to repeat the process. By the end of the day there wasn't a squished worm to be seen.. however there was a dried up worm carcass lying on the porch....poor worm..