The Double Chin is Back

Audrey is already two months old. I have to try harder at keeping a journal because every day I think “ooh- I should write that down”… and do I? No.

I’m too busy --cleaning.cooking.laundry.puttingpuzzlestogether.makingsnacks.breastfeeding.changingdiapers.wipingbottoms.wipingnoses.makingappointments.makingplaydates.attendingplaydates.working.workingfromhome.talkingonthephone.tryingto planamenu.groceryshopping.takingnapreadykidsintoCostcoandhavingtobribethemwithfruitydrinks.washingclothdiapers…..

So here I am.

I read a quote once that said something like “if a Mom is really shining in one area, you can be sure that some other area of her life is a dark, dusty cobweb”. That makes me feel a little better on the really chaotic days, and certainly about taking the time to write down the little things. I like to think that time spent putting the same puzzle together with Jake for the fourteenth time in a day is better than mopping. If he catches me on the computer- he comes in and says “Mom. I want you to pay wit me.” I cannot resist him.

Having a fourth child has been a real adjustment. I think things change any time you add a new family member—and our family is no exception. The kids have been needy and more difficult to manage. Control? Reign in? How do I even say that? Bottom line- they need more attention and more interaction from us, and that doesn’t leave much time for anything extra.

So- getting back to Audrey- since clearly I am easily side-tracked. She is adorable. Absolutely perfect in every way. I joked with the nurse yesterday that “probably all the Mommies say that” and she said “Actually- no- they don’t.” We saw the doctor for Audrey’s 2 month check-up and his exact words were “whatever you are doing—keep doing the same exact thing. She looks great.” Her stats were:

Birth: 9 #, 9 oz. and 22 inches

3 days: 9#

1 week: 9#, 7 oz. (this is amusing to me… when you have a “bigger” baby… they watch the weight as closely as they do a tiny baby)

1 month: 10#, 7 oz. and 23 inches

2 months: 12#, 7 oz. and 24 inches

The doctor said that at this rate, she could make it to 5’10”… which is unbelievable to me. I told him that I am positive that Jason is her dad- but I’m not sure who her mom is- since we have some seriously short-genes on my side of the family. I’m sure eventually she’ll slow down, but for now- I am trying on 0-3 month clothes each morning and then pitching them over my shoulder into the box in the corner until I find one that doesn’t look like Capri-arms on her.

Audrey’s biggest issue… yeast. The doc gave me a prescription for Nystatin cream. I have some leftover from Ava but he said it was time for a new tube because any time you have someone in diapers, you might need it. However—not needed for the diaper area. Audrey is so deliciously round- she has the potential to get a yeast infection in her armpits (which are the most irritated), her groin (I almost have that healed because I am back to my cloth diapers and wipes and I use a blow drier at every diaper change to make sure she is bone-dry), and her neck folds. She can get stinky in a hurry- and with all her hair- requires almost daily bathing- if for nothing else but to get all the slimy hand-germs out of her hair. Everyone- I mean everyone- that sees her runs their fingers through it and comments on her hair. “Did you other kids have that much hair?” “Did you have heartburn when you were pregnant.” “You could put ponytails in that!” “Where are her bows?” “Who has the curly hair?”

Answers: No. The other 3 didn’t have that much combined. Heartburn like crazy, especially when I ate like a cow. Sure could. Bows… in a shoe rack behind her door. Jason might have wavy hair if it was ever allowed to be longer than a #4 on the clippers. Sam and Jake too. My dad had curly hair as a kid and wavy until it fell out in his 30s. But the rest of us… straight as an arrow. I’ve always wanted a curly-haired girl. Hope it sticks.

Back to the weight. She’s bringing the double chin back. Love it.

Even with the pudge, Aud isn’t sleeping through the night yet. That could be my fault- I just love being close to her at night since I get so little opportunity during the day since I am so bogged down with the responsibilities of mothering the others. I have slept better in the last 2 months than I did practically my entire pregnancy. Jason is sleeping well also. I require nothing of him at night (well, he did change a few diapers there right at the beginning) since he has to get up so early and Audrey hardly makes a noise at night. What noise she might make, he can just sleep right through. Which is nice- when you have to be completely functional the next day. I don’t mind getting up with her at all—I realize—of course—this being my fourth time around the block—that I won’t get this time back- this time of her being teeny tiny (can you call a 12 pound baby tiny?? I do. She can’t even roll over yet) and completely dependent on us will be over in another 2 seconds, and I want to soak it up while it lasts. In 2 years, she’ll be screaming for a turn playing Angry Birds. Whose idea was it to show the kids Angry Birds? Ugh.

I’m off now. Off to soak in sweet babyness*.

*My computer says that isn’t a word. Whatever. I know what I mean.

Time Flies...

Clearly- I have found other things to do besides blog... but in a massive effort to attempt to not let days go by undocumented- again, I will try.

Obviously- the most profound change we have had is the addition of a new family member. My pregnancy felt like it only lasted a short time... time flies.

April in New York City

July in Oregon

August with Jakey

Early September... keeping cool

September 13

Bus

This kidlet is causing his mom fits...  well, not really, because I am mostly capable of controlling myself-- but anyway.  He gets up early- before 7.  Plays HARD all morning.  Crashes into sleep at 1 pm and would love to be allowed to sleep for 2-3 hours... but then is a bear to get to bed.  If he naps too long- then it is guaranteed that someone is going to have to put him back in his bed up to 8 times in a row.  Which is a total drag, and usually ends in tears for at least one of the parties involved.  So- the "new rule"... no nap longer than an hour and half-- and I'll cut it from there to get the nighttime results I desire.  If he goes down by one-- up by 2:30-- then he gets to see the bus with the big kids on it pull up.  And that is his favorite thing- especially if he is being held by his favorite E. 

The Helmet

 

For about 2 weeks straight, Jake would wear Sam's helmet everywhere we went.  Carseat, church, Walmart... you name it.  It is too big, burdensome, and makes him top-heavy...but at least he wouldn't hurt his face if he tripped and fell.  I loved the "knowing smiles" I got from moms everywhere I went... the one that said "you are picking battles... and you ain't gonna win that one.  So don't even try."  No biggie.  I liked the helmet.  Now he only wears it outside.

Speck

All babes at our house get a name before they are born.
Meet Speck.
Obviously, he/she doesn't have a picture to post. Yet.
After Jake turned 1, we started talking about another babe. We decided to wait a year and see how his vision turned out-- if it looked like he was going to need some extra help/attention, he would be our youngest. He turned 2 in August, and his eyes were doing great. Baby four a go.
One problem... our summer travel schedule. We are really, really active in the summer- so we decided to wait a few months and try to plan for a fall baby. We gave ourselves a tiny window-- from December until my 35th birthday in May. As luck would have it, December was *our* month.
I woke up early (well, early by my standards, Jason was already up). Took the test. And waited. And waited.
When does 3 minutes feel like 3 hours? When you are waiting on a digital pregnancy test. Sheesh.
So- I stuck it under my pillow, flipped on my light, and started reading my book from the night before. J heard my light pop on and came padding back into the bedroom (keep in mind, it is 4:22am). He opens the door the instant the digital test pops up "Pregnant". I burst out laughing and he said "what is it?" I said "I have an anniversary present for you" (it was our actual 10th anniversary). He says "I thought we weren't doing gifts?" I handed him the test.
He stares.
And stares.
And crosses his eyes.
And laughs.
And hugs me.
Speck is here.
Welcome.

Avaism

Princess points to her left chest.  Says "My heart is in here??" 

Yes, dear.

"Mom!  God is in my nipple!!" 

I love little girl logic.

Christmas Traditions, Take 7

I bake. Really, this is my first true voyage into the land of 'real measurements', rolling dough, and involving children in all of the above. I prefer Rachael Ray-style cooking- a pinch of this, a palm full of that. Baking is much more... intense. I have a *touch* of self-diagnosed OCD, so letting the children into the kitchen when I am doing anything that involves precision is a real exercise in patience for me. Good thing Christmas is once a year. By the time the dough was mixed and had chilled for the required time, I called in the reinforcements. Aunt Caitlin came over to help me roll the dough and supervise the shape cutting, sitting on the oven to make sure cookies didn't burn, and clean up (that was Tator's job). By the time they had cooled enough to frost, we enlisted Mimi's help as well so we could do the one-on-one adult:child ratio for the sake of Momma's sanity.

Of course we stuck Mimi with Jake. He was mostly interested in eating.

He made sure that every cookie had 2000 sprinkles because naturally, they taste better that way.

There were a lot of cookies. We sent a bunch to work with Daddy this morning.

Frosting is hard work.
And I hope Tator didn't throw up sprinkle-puke all night.