What I needed to hear...

"Your other children WILL live. They will live through a few months, or even a year, of too much TV. They will survive even without any sense of a routine or quality interaction with their mother. They will still love you even after witnessing your moments of sheer insanity. They will even be able to go to college despite the absolute lack of any educational experiences during the first year of the new baby. So, don't stress out about it."

I read the above on the blog of another mom of a newborn (her 4th) who read it on another blog of a mom of a newborn (her 5th child).

Guilt is my biggest beef with having a newborn. I constantly feel like Im neglecting the needs of my other children. Having to say too often, "no, we cant, baby is napping. No we cant, baby is eating. Shhh! and stop doing that." I know it's ridiculous but as Courtney said, finding the balance is hard! I want to hold them all so tight and ensure they are being loved and happy but I only have 2 arms and for most of the day - the baby is taking up both of them!
I keep telling myself that my mom brought home 3 babies after me and I never once felt left out or abused!

Thanks Courtney!

Missing Jesus

This morning out of the blue Avery told me:
"Mommy, I miss Jesus because I haven't seen him in a VERY long time. And I don't even remember what he looks like. I'd like to see him again soon. I bet he misses me too."

Oh I love that girl.

Another one of my dancing princesses...

In his defense, his sisters did this to him. Although he seemed to enjoy it, or at least think it was very funny.


These pictures will definetly be displayed at his graduation.

Four

The kids and I were running errands today and I looked in the rearview mirror and saw 4 kids. 4.
It kind of hit me that I actually have 4 children. Im responsible for them completely.

I know, you'd think I would have known I had 4 kids. But sometimes it hits me. Sometimes I feel like I should still be 21 years old at UNI with my friends. Now, fast forward 10 years and I'm responsible for the lives of 4 people. 4!

Its a little scary.

We have become that family that gets the look. You know the one, the one where people cringe when you walk into the house, restaurant, store, public area. We get a lot of, wow, you are busy, how do you do it? are you crazy? was this on purpose? you must be loony.

I've come to welcome that look. Because you know what? We did choose this. We felt led by God when we decided to have each of these children and they are the hugest blessings we will ever know. Are there days where we look at each other and say, What did we do? How did we get here? Yes. Are there nights I fall into bed with tears in my eyes because Im exhausted? Of course! But there are never days that I regret any moment with these children. I understand that God has choosen to bless us with a heritage that not everyone gets to have. As we grow older these children will continue to bring us joy and sorrow. God uses both to teach us what he needs to teach us. Along the way he commands that I teach them about him - what a wonderful task I have been given.

So yes, we might be a little crazy, we are definetly a little tired, but we are also deliriously happy with our quiver full. (delirious being a key there!)

We love you Lauren, Avery, Sullivan and Tess. With all our hearts. Thank you for letting us be your mommy and daddy.

Showers of Blessings

Last weekend Jordan's aunts threw a shower for Tess and her cousin Christian. Tess was more than spoiled...

The theme for the party should have been Polka Dots! She received many things with dots! All so cute. Thank you to all...







I LOVE my new diaper bag!!!


I cant wait to have our newest dancing princess have her pictures taken in this outfit and shoes!

Great Grandma Tope

Tess got to meet her Great Grandma Tope yesterday. We made the drive up and Tess slept the entire way and then slept pretty much the whole time we were at the nursing home too. But Grandma loved showing her off and telling everyone that her new great grandaughter came to see her on her 4 week birthday.

Two things I love

1. Watching my husband hold my kids - and when they hold onto his fingers.


2. The backs of babies' heads!

"I think I need to read her a story"

Another Avery bedtime prayer

"Dear Jesus,
I pray that Tess stays healthy, and ...she poops a lot."

A very sweet prayer, and a very truthful prayer.

Other faces of Tess

I love this one...its like she's asking Jordan, "are you done taking pictures yet?"

Smiles

Yes, those are real smiles...at her mommy! There could be nothing cuter, sweeter, more precious or more fun to watch!

Missing him

Just missing him tonight.

Way to go Sully!!!

Since we moved all the toys into the general living area of our home I have really been enforcing the rule, "Put that toy away before you get out the next one."
The girls follow it great.
After nap Sullivan got ALL his cars out, the tracks, the mat, the whole bit. Then he played with it for about 7 minutes and wanted to color. I got him a color book and crayons and said, Before you can play you must put your cars away.
I turned my back and came back a little bit later and it was ALL put away. Every bit.

I was so proud I could have cried. I had him give me five and a hug. He was pretty proud too!

Its the little things people!

'Our County Fair is a Great County Fair'

Well I've lived here since I was 13. I went to our County Fair for the first time last night.
We saw:
bunnies


cows


and Sullivan's favorite, TRACTORS!

Little Porker

We had to take Sully to the dr. this am for some issues his been having in the diarhea department. He's hopefully on the mend now. No one in our house has been sick in months - then I bring a new baby home and we all get sick!??! Seriously!

While we were there I had Tess weighed. She is exactly 8 lbs.!!!!! If the goal is to be back at birth weight by 2 weeks - then Tess might need to cut back on her feedings a bit - almost a full pound in 3 weeks! (just kidding on the cutting back part...)

My Sully-Man

I was kind of dreading today. Lauren is with my mom and Avery is with Cindy. Its just me, Sully and Tess. I thought it was going to be a long stressful day. But Sully has been so GREAT! I forget how fun he is one-on-one.
We've played and gone outside, gone to the library and had a special lunch of waffles together. He's talked and talked to me and I've just enjoyed it all.
And sweet little Tess has been good enough to nap through most of it! :)

Now its almost nap time for both of them, the laundry is caught up, beds have fresh bedding, dishes are loaded and I'm thinking it might be a chance for me to get a little nap too!

Where did Bo Bo go?

Reason to cry #1.
One of our kids favorite things to do is to watch videos of themselves from when they were younger. I love to do it too but it always makes me a little sad.

Recently we watched some from when Lauren was just about 4 and Avery was about 16 months. Where did those babies go?!?! I dont even recognize them, and it happened fast, really fast. Its scary.

Reason to cry #2
Yesterday morning when I got Sully up he first asked, "Where's the baby?" next, "Where's Lauren?"
I didn't understand what he said when asking for Lauren. He has ALWAYS called Lauren 'Bo Bo'. I don't know how you get Bo Bo out of Lauren but he does or did. But since yesterday he calls her something that sounds much more like Lauren and I don't like it! It was adorable when he called her Bo Bo. We even made her Mii on Wii named Bo Bo! And now that might be gone!

Its like when Avery stopped saying "Aye" for Yes. It was so unbelieveably cute. We called her the Pirate...she sounded just like a baby pirate.

I'm really missing these little things about them. I guess its always a good reminder that while these days are so very long at times, the years are so very very short!

Just what I needed

I've been feeling rather wiped out tonight. Totally ready for bed.

Then Avery came up and said, "Mommy, you are my favorite mommy." And gave me a kiss and a hug and walked away.

I have a little more energy now. She always seems to know just what to say or do to lift my spirits. I really do believe it is a special gift she has.

Thank you Avery!

Little Peanut

A boy and his cars

Sully doing what Sully loves best...

Before bed

I love it when I turn on the camera and find pictures that I didnt know anyone had taken. Jordan took these the other night before bed I guess!

Not the best

This isn't the best day I've ever had. Lauren has been battling a virus of some kind for 4 days. At 2 this morning I woke up with it. Fever, shakes, aches, pains, headache - all of it. Thankfully Jordan stayed home from work today because I havent been able to do much more than feed Tess.
Lets just hope that it stops with me.

Its still pretty rough around here...

I cannot explain the sweetness of this baby girl.

New Aquatic Center

We visited the new pool for the second time tonight. The kids love it so much. Its a little hard to keep track of 3 kids with so much to do there - it definetly requires both Jordan and I to be there. Lauren starts swim lessons next week so we'll be there everyday for 2 weeks - the kids are thrilled!!!

The kids slide. There are also 2 BIG slides, 2 diving board and 'lily pads'.


The splash pad area.

I'm supposed to be good with words...

Why is it that when we need to be understood the most, we have the most trouble coming up with the right things to say?

Bedtime prayers...

Tonight the girls prayers included:
Lauren: asking Jesus to keep her baby sister healthy and that she would smile and laugh at her someday soon.

Avery: thanking Jesus for her birthday presents and that her 'friends' played with her at her party - well just for a little bit anyway. prayer #2 was for Lauren's back to stop hurting (Lauren has had a back ache all day - I seriously blame the Wii!)

Prayer time is my favorite time of day. I love getting to see what is on their hearts as they talk to Jesus. Lauren NEVER forgets to mention my dad and to tell Jesus that she is anxious to see him and Jesus someday in heaven. It brings tears to my eyes every night. Avery's prayers are often comical but always sweet and heart felt. Tonight when she was finished she said, Oh mommy! I forgot to ask Jesus to make Lauren's back better!" So she got to pray again.

I told them that I would be praying for Lauren's back when I went to bed too. Lauren said, you pray for me when I'm not with you?! Adorable. I love how they care for each other and how they are learning to talk to Jesus about their wants, needs and joys.

Update on Tess

She has added a new trick to her list...she can roll from her belly to her back - at will.

Avery did this at 2 weeks old too...and then proceeded to crawl at 3.5 months.

Its not looking good for me!

Its not the same

Avery is spending the night at Grandma Barb's house tonight. We went to the park without her and it is just not the same! I miss her. She's been gone 4 hours and I miss her!

Some of her quotes from today:
1. We were at my mom's earlier today and my mom told her she was excited for her to come back and spend the night. Avery looked at her and said, "Well Grandma, are you going to change your shirt?"
We didnt know what she was talking about...
Avery said, "Well I want you to wear that pink shirt with the pretty things on it."
We laughed and laughed. She is so particular about what people wear and she always wants me and the grandma's to be dressed pretty. So funny.

2. A woman ran past our house when we were outside today and Avery asked what she was doing. I told her that she was running so she could exercise. Avery thought about this and then said, "Well is she late for something?"

So funny! I guess she knows her mother would only run if she were late!

Have fun tonight Avery!!!!

Two Weeks Old

Tess was two weeks old yesterday. Lauren had a birthday party for her. It was VERY sweet!

This one...

needs to stop growing up.

Maximus

I'm changing Sullivan's name to Maximus.

I'm doing this because he has only one volume level and it is MAXIMUM.

Is this a boy thing or what? He is so LOUD!

Heaven help us...

Tonight Avery walked past a full legnth mirror, stopped in her tracks and gasped, "Mommy! I didn't know I looked so beautiful!!!"

I'm torn between wanting her to always find herself beautiful and wanting to find a remote that will somehow allow me to skip the teen years with this child!

Its been pretty rough around here...

Tess doesn't seem to be sick of being held yet. And we really aren't ever going to be sick of holding her!

Felix pics

Tess was all decked out for fun, but she spent the entire time in her carseat - poor thing! :)


Sully in the jump pit. He loved it! They all did. I didn't get a chance for too many pictures - it turns out that trying to keep track of 4 kids at the courthouse square is a lot of work!



Parade pictures...

Just ick...for no reason

I have trouble on Sunday nights. I hate knowing that Jordan is going back to work on Monday. Part of it is selfishness, not wanting to handle all this on my own - its overwhelming, the other part is just that I'd rather be with him than not. I always feel a little bummed on Sundays.

It is pretty unwarranted; we had a great weekend. It was Felix Days so that meant parades, carnival games and rides, tons of time outside and happy, tired kids. We got to see Aunt Trina inducted into our town's sports hall of fame and spend time with cousins. Fun for all! :)

I'm going to try and get pictures posted soon from the weekend.

We are also excited because our town's new aquatic center is set to open this week! It looks beautiful and fun and very refreshing for a hot summer day. The kids can hardly stand it now that the water is in - they want to jump in!
Now if only I had a swimming suit that fit! Not quite sure what to do about that at this point.

Anyway, good night!

So sleepy

This is Tess tonight after her bath. There is nothing sweeter than a baby after a bath. She couldnt keep her eyes open but was really trying!

Things are going well around here. Tess seems to be adjusting to us well. She's started having one bottle a day and she's getting the hang of it. I like knowing that if I need to be away from her sometime, I can be. She continues to nap well during the day which really helps me spend time with the 'big' kids. And she does fairly well at night too...I dont feel exhausted so I'd say she's doing well.

Jordan came home tonight about 8:30 and told me to get out of the house for awhile. Well given we live in a town of 2,500 I didnt have many options, I ended up at the grocery store! Exciting!
I came home to Jordan feeding Tess a bottle and giving Lauren and Avery a geography/history lesson with our big light up globe and his book on famous landmarks of the world. The girls absolutelly LOVED it.

Jordan just told Avery that Benjamin Franklin was one of his favorite people in history and Avery wanted to know when he met him. Well Avery, Daddy's not that old!

Off to bed.

So little

She seems so very tiny. Seriously, she is too small for this car seat!

(Yes, I know I need to get one of those neck support things - I have one but cant locate it. Until then I just use a blanket)

Big Brother Sullivan

He really loves his little sister. He has been very sweet with her and not shown any jealousy - yet anyway.
He likes to hold her but only as long as she is quiet...if she cries, he's done.

I took her to meet the kids at our babysitter's house yesterday and Sullivan would not allow anyone to touch her. He yelled at them and said, MY BABY! It was VERY sweet.