What a month it's been!

 

The long summer is finally over and I can relax a bit. School is in session, which is wonderful for everyone.

Leo started first grade and for the first time ever, he is in school for a full day. I have never been away from my son for so long, but I trust he is in good hands with Mrs. Juttelstad, his new teacher. As always, he has a positive attitude and has adjusted well his first week to full time school.

We decided to switch Somerset to St. Matthew's for preschool because they offered a 3 day program for kids who are aged older 3s and 4s....perfect! Plus her friends Maya and Ellie are in class with her, so she feels right at home. Her teacher, Miss Tania, is already very well loved by Somerset. Somerset had no years or apprehension her first day and she was confident and happy about her first 2 days. I am very proud of my big girl!

Our sweet Rosalie has been a dream. She is not a perfect baby, but so sweet and mild mannered in comparison to her feisty siblings. Her sleep seems to be improving with 1-2 wake-ups a night, but that could change. I have even started taken her out on runs with me and she likes the time in the stroller.She has fussy behavior between 5-8 p.m., but it is manageable. She is getting more independent and I can set her down alone for chunks of time while I attend to the house or the big kids.

Joe has been selling my soap at the farmer's markets for me with Leo. They are quite the team and I am so grateful. It has been a great bonding experience for them and Leo has become quite popular at the market for his charismatic personality.

7 Weeks!

This post will be Rosalie-centric. This baby has just stolen my heart and I am completely in love, despite the lack of sleep.

Rosalie may have a mild case of acid reflux. Her disposition is only soured when she feeds and burps, which is causing her discomfort. Other than that, she rarely fusses. She does like to be held a lot, but I am trying to ease her into some sleeping time in the swing (she is sleeping in the swing now!). I love the Ergo and it has been a God send, but I am so tired from the hours of walking around with her in it.

Rosalie had baby acne a few weeks ago, but it seems to have mostly cleared up and she has the softest skin! Even though the kids say she smells cheesey, she it is impossible not to want to kiss her all the time.

The big kids are dong well. I have hired a couple of mother's helpers (Sami and Sydney), to come and occupy Somerset. Somerset loves it and it makes me feel so good to know she is playing instead of whining or watching tv. My biggest challenge with the 3 kids this summer has been trying to limiting the electronics. Leo is obsessed with a game he plays on the phone called Clash of the Clans and would play it all day long if I let him. Somerset still loves nothing more than watching Play-Doh demo videos on You Tube.

I am slowly getting back in to making soap. I am lucky if I make a batch a week. Joe and Leo have been going to the farmer's markets for me. Leo is a fabulous sales person and has done amazingly well. It has been a great bonding experience for Joe and Leo and I am so appreciative of the help.

I am getting excited for the kids to go to school. Somerset will start preschool and Leo will be in full-day 1st grade....Hoooray! I am almost excited for the end of Summer. 

We've got Smiles!!!

Tes Party with Sami, Somerset's friend and Mommy's helper!

Just a quick post to share that Rosalie smiled at 5 weeks! We love that big, goofy grin and it is the happiest moment we have had with her so far.

1 Month Old and 10 Year Anniversary

Anniversary gift from e to Joe

Is there a better way to celebrate a 10 year anniversary than with a new baby? Isn't she the ultimate expression of our love and commitment to one another? Joe and I were able to celebrate for an hour, sans kids, at a new restaurant in downtown Beaverton called Watson Hall. It was great. We then picked up Rosalie and continued our date at the mall. Maybe not the most romantic of anniversaries, but one of the most memorable.

Joe gave me the most beautiful black pearl earrings, which I have work every day. I made him the family sign seen above and bought him beer (in aluminum), and a 10-year aged bourbon. All in all, a very nice anniversary.

Rosalie is growing like a weed! Comparing her 1 week photo to her 1 month photo was startling. She is huge! She is still long and lean, but she is getting chubbier. She is also going through an awkward stage where she is losing her hair and getting baby acne. It's no wonder her skin is affected....she is always in a baby carrier with her face smacked u against me. We are both always sweating and smelling of sour milk.....yuck! She remains a sweet baby, but is a bit more fussy. She is a light sleeper and wakes up ealiy during the day. She seems to prefer sleeping in the carrier during the day. She usually gets up once a night to eat. It is not impossible for me to deal with this, but I do miss sleeping through the night.

Somerset and Leo have been doing well considering how much time we spend at home. Summy still loves play-doh, ponies and "watching kid's cooking shows," which are actually just play-dog demos on You Tube.

Leo loves Legos ans is obsessed with Star Wars Legos and Mini Figures. He also has taking quite the liking to American Ninja Warrior.

I have been lucky to have my mom take the older kids on adventures about once a week, which really helps. Theu have a great time with Grandma.

All in all, life is good. Looking forward to getting back into my normal routie, but trying to savor these newborn days.

3 Weeks Old

The good news is that I survived my first week with the three kids alone! Leo had a dinosaur camp with his friend Ryan last week and Amber took Leo to camp....yeah! That was a bog help. Also, we had three after camp play dates with Amber's 3 kids. We didn't get out much with the baby, but I am trying to take baby steps.

I wear Rosalie is the Ergo a lot, which allows me to do everything else I need to with chores and the big kids. She naps in the Ergo and I wear her about 6 hours a day. It has been a life save. We also bought an amazing swing called the Mamaroo that allows me about 30 minutes a day to get stuff done.

Also, the cloth diapering has gone really well. The washing doesn't bother me a bit and I LOVE the $ we are saving....I just wish I had a few more newborn diapers.

Rosalie is a dream. She is easy and doesn't fuss much. She has a pattern of sleeping, eating and staying alert for a bit before the cycle starts again. Joe captures the beginnings of smiles from her by singing lovingly to her. He has his special Rosalie song that he has composed for her and also sings Let it Go as well.

Rosalie has been waking up 1-2 times a night. Usually, I will feed her late, around 11 p.m., and then she will wake from about 3-4 a.m. and then again around 6:30-7 a.m. Is this really my daughter.

Rosalie is still very long and lean, but I think she is getting bigger, maybe around 7 pounds at 3 weeks. She is long and lean like a model. She has very little chunk to her, but I am sure that will change soon. She is very beautiful and we are so in love with her.

Leo and Somerset are adjusting well. Luckily for me, they enjoy time at home. They do fight, but they have been pretty manageable consider all the life changes.

We are taking time out, especially with Somerset, to make the big kids feel special. If I get out at all, I usually take 1 or both of the the big kids.

Somerset has been doing a lot of imaginary play. She loves to play with her ponies and spends hours upon hours fixing their hair. She loves her baby sister and always wants to take photos with her.

Somerset remains breathtakingly beautiful. I still can't handle how big her eyes are and how perfect her sweet face is. The splattering of freckles across her nose takes her cuteness to a whole new level.

Leo has really been well behaved and seems to be taking his role as the oldest child to heart. He is very helpful and is making us very proud parents.

We are so blessed. Being a mother of three has been a dream come true.

The 4th of July!

My only photo with Rosalie. Leaving the hospital.

1 week old with her very own bear.

Our sweet Rosalie is now 2 weeks old. She is a good baby and doesn't fuss much. We do struggle a bit with trying to get her to stay asleep, a problem that is aggravated by overly attentive siblings who always want to hug an kiss her. The sound control is a major problem in our house.

Leo has coined her active alert state as "wonder eyes," which has become a bit of a nick name.

Somerset loves to brush Rosalie's hair, which is very sweet.

Rosalie is a great eater  At her 12 day mark, she weighed 6 pounds, 7.5 ounces )7%) and was 22 inches long (60%). She is long and lanky and is not at all chubby.

Joe thinks she will keep her light eyes. I think she looks a lot like him and I see both her brother and sister in her. She really is her own unique little person and is very beautiful. We really adore her.

I started using the Baby Ergo to carry her and this might just save me. If I can have her nap in the Ergo, then I can attend to the other kids......amen!

The big test will be Monday, when Joe goes back to work. I am terrified!!! Wish me luck!

Rosalie Makes Five!

Right Before the c-section

Oh my goodness! What a relief! I always worried that loving the 3rd as much as my first boy and girl would be tough. But Rosalie came into our world and we were all in love right from the start. What a perfect angel she is and although her birth has come with challenges, I feel so blessed to have her in our lives.

Our sweet Rosalie Jane was born at 8:05 a.m., weighing 6 pounds, 3 ounces and was a lanky 20 inches. My c-section went smoothly, but I as nervous as heck. The anesthesiologist was so sweet and talked with me and Joe the whole procedure. I felt very cold and shaky, which ws a new experience for me, but I was just so excited to meet Rosalie. Dr. Krishna and Dr. Davis were very comforting as well. They spoke to me through the procedure and assured me that all was well.

When Rosalie was born, she cried for a few minutes and then quieted down...was this really my kid!!! Joe said she was so beautiful and I cried. He also said she looked just like Somerset, which made me so happy too. Rosalie was able to hang with me for a few minutes before Joe and her went to recovery, and I was so thrilled for that.

Rosalie breast fed like a champ. She was so calm and sweet and I already sensed her temperament was unique from her brother and sister....calmer and more easy going, a sweet soul. I loved her instantly!

My time at the hospital was rough. The care I received was amazing. The nurses were the best and loved the basket of handmade soap I brought as gifts. Nurse Emily said that Rosalie was the type of baby that made her want more babies and a few of the nurses admitted that she was especially cute.

Unfortunately, I had a 2 day headache and quite a bit of pain this time. It makes me happy that I will not miss the chance to do this again. A sour taste in my mouth about this recovery is probably the best thing for me. I got mastitis on day 6 as well and the nipple soreness is off the charts painful when she latches.

The kids adore her, but Somerset is having sibling rivalry issues. She has also been acting out, where as Leo has been  stepping it up. Summy is so sweet to Rosalie, always wanting to brush her hair, kiss her and pick out her clothes, but to us, she has been very disagreeable. We are working on it though. The kids also overstimulate the baby. They always want to touch her, kiss her, wave toys at her. It is crazy how in her face they are, but it's because they love her.

All in all, I feel so blessed. To have this beautiful, perfect child at 40 is amazing.I think everyday will get a bit easier as we all adjust to being a family of five. I like how that sounds!