A day in the life....

This morning I woke to Hugh screaming.  Eli was standing in the doorway.  He wanted to let us know that Hughie had one more animal in his bed than Eli did.  I calmly asked Hughie over the monitor why he was screaming.  He thought Eli was tattling on him.
I don't drink coffee....but it was that feeling.  MUCH too early to be dealing with that stuff.

Today I listened to a kiddo throw 2 monster tantrums before 8 am....mostly surrounding the fact that he didn't get to watch a movie.  

The mornings are proving to be super chaotic with three.  I even prep the night before.  I'm a firm believer in routine routine routine.  But so far, the morning is winning.

Today I got to spend the day with just this lil man.  It was not planned and I was thrilled.  You can't not look at this kid and fall in love.  All day I spent falling in love, again and again and again.  He is 3 months old. Blowing bubbles and smiling are his biggest tasks of the day.  He tries to talk with no teeth and no tongue control.  He oooooozes cuddle.

Today Eli's teacher emailed about his half birthday in December.  This is when he gets to celebrate his birthday at school. Add it to the calendar.   I'm excited that this year they can choose an extra recess instead of sending in a snack.  He will love that-but it will be in the middle of winter. Hmmm.

Today I got him to sleep in his crib for his nap.  This is a task you see.  It can really test my patience.  But it happened.  Thank you Crosby P.

Today I finally let myself listen to the news.  The top stories were the Paris/France attacks and Charlie Sheen.  I can't watch the news with the kids around.  And I don't like to think about these kinds of things.

Today I met Eli for lunch at his school.  I send him with cold lunch every day.  He asks for hot lunch weekly.  Every time I have lunch with him I see the other kids with hot lunch and I'm always disgusted.  The quality looks SO poor and icky.  But today...one little girl had the chef salad.  And I would have eaten that.  It looked really nice and quality for a salad.  And I loved watching this little blondie with pig tails eating her cucumber and tomato.  Am I a dietitian or what?  There were 4 little girls who sat across from us.  They talked NON-STOP.  I mean...you guys FOR REAL.  I kept giving Eli a little shoulder squeeze.  He didn't talk the whole time.  These girls----they could truly give Hugh a run for his money with their non-stop chatter.  

-this is from a few days ago-not today at school

Today I was thankful that I washed all of THIS the night before. You'd think for someone who is breastfeeding there would be less dishes to wash.  Think again.  If you work at all and pump-you're nights are filled with bowls of soapy water and lots of little parts.  Sigh

Today I made two returns at two different stores.  I could do it because I only had one kiddo.  

Today I thought about my goddaughter and godson and picked out their Christmas ornaments!

Today I checked out at target with a new phone charger and a container of cottage cheese.  I wonder what the checkers think about what people purchase.

Today I carried Crosby in his car seat in the rain at least 4 times.  

Today I made stuffed shells for my family for dinner.  I used gluten free pasta shells for myself.  It was a yummy meal-but labor intense for a Tuesday night.  I hope they go to bed with happy bellies.

Today I checked our bank account.  I worried about Christmas and Thanksgiving-finances, expectations, spirit, family, health, travel, gluten free food, what to wear...and then I took a deep breath and put on a few Christmas songs to start the season.  I don't care how early it is.  Andy didn't complain.  How did I get so lucky?

Today I took a little time to count my blessings. I need reminders to do this.   I don't do that too often.  But hey-there are so many.  Too many to count.  See those blue eyes below and those bright blonde curls?  Life changes too fast-and only being a mother has let me feel this.

My last in last-- Part 1

It's taking me a long time to sit down and write about my last.  Well...will he be my last? For now he is.  My littlest. I'm most emotional about him and need a few posts to get it all out.

Just about 3 months ago you came into my life.  Look at those gorgeous pictures of you in your first 24 hours.  Who looks THAT good when they are fresh out of the womb?  How confusing it must be in that situation--just trying to figure anything out.  I love your every expression.  But you already look so different.  In just 3 months.   But I know you in those pictures.  And I know you in these pictures too.

Someone just told me that you are "ridiculously photogenic".  Well Mr. Crosby, I couldn't disagree.  But!  I think in general---you are JUST THAT CUTE.  Keep it up. 

Tomorrow is a new day.  Although I've been back to work for 1 week now, I haven't physically been away from you for more than 3 or 4 hours.  You were lucky to have your grandparents care for you during my first week back to work so I could come upstairs and see you and feed you.

This week you will be gently handed to Miss Brenda. You will get your milk from a bottle instead of your mama.  She will pick you up (hopefully) when you cry.  And she will make sure your bum is dry all day long. 

I know it will be good.  You'll be good.  I'll be good.  And all day I'll tell myself what I tell other mom's who go through this whole back-to-work experience: you are gonna sleep for most of the day. I do tell other moms this because you know what---you WILL sleep for most of the day.  Right?
And! You will have Hugh in the background.  He'll be there to make you feel right at home-safe and sound-with his humming and singing and reminding Miss Brenda "Crosy needs you.  Crosy cros cros cros".   He will say that to her.  And that makes my heart slow down a little.  You two will get this time together and I'm trusting him to help you out just as Eli helped him.

So have fun on this adventure Crosby P.  Make sure to be patient with Miss Brenda, but also let her know who is boss (if it's not you, then it's Hughie).  Drink your milk slow and steady and give your best burps.  Don't do anything new or for the first time when you are with her.  Don't let mama's tears confuse you----I love you and will be counting down the minutes until I get to smell your baby smell. Oh--and if you could, just sleep the whole time.  

more on my last in last to come....

Giggle

Crosby giggled tonight!  He did it more than once, but I only heard it one time and didn't capture it on film.  Shoot.  It's cute.  Cute-cute-cute.  Can't wait to share it all with you.

Sorry for the blurry picture-this is Crosby and I on our evening walk a few days back.

Meeting Uncle Greg and Aunt Liz

We spent the weekend at my parents house because Aunt Liz and Uncle Greg came to visit and meet Crosby.  Cros was a dream this weekend.  I can't even think of a frustrating fussy time.  He slept pretty good and even made friends with Fox (the dog!). Holding a baby is so good for the soul.   Liz and Greg both got to hold Crosby but a lot of the weekend was spent with spending time with Crosby's older brothers.   Which was also good for the soul (mine anyways!).  We did lots of fun fall-ish things.

Greg and Liz made homemade noodles!  Both boys got to crank and both boys (and all the adults) enjoyed eating that yummy meal!

I don't think Uncle Greg is as stressed as he may look.  This may be his first "moment" looking at Crosby who is in the bouncy seat on the floor.

Eli showed off his reading skills!  

Onesie made by Aunt Liz---so special

Eli has been counting down the days until he could carve pumpkins.  What a fun activity to do with a group of carvers!! Hugh even dug in!  Hugh designed his own pumpkin "face" and Eli chose a Minecraft design.  

Grandpa Bob took us on an amazing hike.  Hugh was home napping but Eli trotted along with us-running ahead and behind and collecting acorns.  This picture doesn't do it justice but across the lake the fall colors were great and the houses as we went got bigger and bigger and bigger!!  One of Eli's favorite moments from the weekend was this hike-midway through Grandpa Bob opened his backpack for a water break and a bag of small snickers bars.  This was something that was the norm when our family hiked when we were little.  There was some exciting treat for those who went through with the hike.  Grandpa even gave Eli two and he spent about 10 minutes of the hike debating if he should eat both or bring one back to share with his napping brother.  I'll let you decide what a 6 year old would finally decide.

Grandpa Bob, Aunt Liz and Daddy (andy) brought the boys to an enchanted walk.  It was raining---what troopers!!!  There was a walk through the woods and the boys collected candy, saw folks in costumes and played some games.  What troopers.......annnnd I'm in love with Hugh's face.

The big boys got so much attention this weekend.  And got a lot of their wiggles out.  When we got home today we all rested and Eli napped in bed with me.  He SNORED.  After we went for another hike which they both loved and then LIT THE PUMPKINS.  

What a weekend.  I'll take at least 20 more of these.  I'd like to bottle up the ages of these boys and press the HOLD button and just do this weekend over a few more times.  Too many special moments and it always goes too fast.

Eli's favorite moments of the weekend:  The hike around the lake where he got 2 Snickers bars from Grandpa Bob

Hugh's favorite moments: The hike today and carving pumpkins

Raina's favorite moments: Hearts and games at night, all the good food and the hike around the lake 

Andy's favorite moments: Hike around the lake, playing games and the pulled pork sandwiches