A Mommy's Payday

The other night I was making cookies with Ryan .  We make them a lot around here( my diet starts... tomorrow).  I told Ryan that when he is 16 and starts to date, he can impress girls by making them cookies. Then, I said, he needs to come home and tell me all about it.
Ryan responded, " Mom, I am just going to marry you! Dad is going to be a grandpa some day and then I can marry you."
Those moments are worth more than a million dollars to me!

Little Bruiser

Our little Luke is an injury magnet.  He is so energetic and likes to do what his big brother does. That equals some hard knocks.  He is 2 years old and has had 2 concussions, 3 split lips, 2 holes in his tongue and a chipped tooth.  I need to build a padded room for him!  Poor guy!

At the park last week, Luke tried to do " superman-style" swinging and  jumped a little too far.  He landed face first. When I picked him up he had a bloody nose and lip.

Showing off his hurt lip.  He walked around the park showing everyone that day.

   

Just this morning, Luke stuck a bean up his nose.  Luckily, I got it our with tweezers.  

Showing off his sweet smile with his chipped front tooth!

General Conference

Oh General Conference.  It always comes at the right time.  The message that hit me loud and clear was to STOP FOCUSING ON THE NEGATIVE.

I needed that.  It made me realize that I am wasting away this precious newborn time focusing on how crazy it is to have three kids.  It is crazy, but it is good crazy.  And there is a lot of good that happens in our day.  Jace smiles and snuggles me.  Luke is so stinking cute and makes us laugh all the time. Ryan is sweet and thoughtful and is my little buddy.  I love being able to spend my days with them.  Days are different now - a little slower, but that will change.  

I know that by focusing all the good in my day won't take away the hard or the crazy. But it will help me realize that life, in all it's stages is just that - good.

This came from one of my favorite talks which you can watch here:

Elder Ucthdorf

Ryan rubbing my feet.. by choice!  What a kid!

Our funny Luke!

Cutest buns around.  

Smiley on first day of church.

Mother of Three: Days Three and Four

I don’t know if I should post this... I don’t want to jinx myself…. But days three and four were not so bad! Maybe I am just getting used to the craziness.  We spent a little more time at home, but we were also able to have some fun, low key play dates with good friends.  One thing that having three little guys is teaching me is that I need to “let go”.  I love to make plans and do lots of activities with the boys and it is hard for me to just hang at home.  But, I am learning that it is OK if I don’t have something planned for my boys each hour of the day.  It has been so good for me to see them entertain each other and themselves while we are at home.  I am looking forward to being able do more outings like we used to.  Apple picking with the boys is just calling my name.  But, that can wait until next year. And apparently, having a clean house will have to wait until next year, too.  For now, I am going to try to slow down and enjoy my newborn.  He is one month already! 

Snapshots of my house from today...

Mother of Three:Day Two

Day Two started out crazy, got a little better and then ended crazy.  The morning consisted of lots of crying. Mostly from a very very two year old ( can that be an adjective?) and of course the newborn.  Jace was pretty fussy this morning, which quickly put all things on hold as I nursed him and rocked him.  I had plans to go to the library with the kids to get new books, but after yesterday’s Target episode, I decided that would not be happening.  I was sitting on the bed helping Jace, watching Luke throw every book from our book basket out on the floor and listening to the sounds of Ryan entertaining himself by coloring and I started feeling guilty.  I was felt like I just was only doing a mediocre job of taking care of the kids… each of them were slightly neglected as I tried to take care of all three.  I started praying for help and strength to be able to do a better job. Just then, Ryan walked in with a drawing for me.  “It’s a gold medal”, he said. “ Because you are such a good mom.” Talk about an answered prayer.  Then it was my turn to start crying.  It is always funny to try to tell a 4 year old how happy they just made you as you are balling your eyes out.  I told him how grateful I was for that medal because I wasn’t feeling like such a great mom and he made me feel like I was doing OK.  It really will be one of my most cherished treasures and special memories. 

My Gold Medal

Things went better for the next few hours.  We all enjoyed just taking it easy at home and I tried to not let myself feel discouraged and just keep going.  I know it will get better and I just have to “muscle through” these next few weeks.  Jace woke up from his nap happy and smiling and content.  The best he has been so far.  It was really a treat.

After naps, we went to grammy and grandpas to swim and Jace slept the whole time.  I was able to play with the boys outside a bit while my mom stayed in with Jace.  It was refreshing to spend some outside time with them. And mom made us dinner, which I am so grateful for. Although, the afternoon was not without it’s episodes.  Luke had quite a few tantrums of course.  Ryan bit his tongue really hard.  It started bleeding… he doesn't do well with blood.  He freaked out, started crying and spitting and then threw up.  I gave him a Popsicle and that cured it.  Then, after dinner, I told Ry to wash his face off.  He did just that… with soap.  Then he licked the soap off and threw up again.  He had a rough evening.

Bed time was just a crazy, but I was able to do it without Brett’s help this time (he would have helped but was still at work).  The hardest part about bedtime with a newborn is figuring out who gets your attention.  As I was putting Luke to bed, Jace was crying his little head off.  Luke wanted to “nuggle”, but it was so hard to relax while listening to your newborn scream.  I quickly put Luke in his crib and he began to cry “ I want momma”.  Man, just rip my heart out. I ended up holding Jace while holding Luke’s hand.  It seemed to work for everyone.  Luckly the  i-phone kept Ryan happy during all of this.  I will get the hang of this… eventually

Mother of Three Day One

I have decided to document my transition from two to three children. Someday I am sure I will look back on these days with fondness.  As for now I am just telling myself that it will get better.  And hopefully, it will!


It is not really day one... more like day 20, but Brett started traveling for work again today so I was really on my own. Luckily, this day Brett just had to go to Irvine, but wasn't going to be home until after 8pm.  I was nervous.  I did not know how I was going to do it.  The day started well.  The kids got up and followed out new "morning routine".  We got Ry off to preschool and then Luke, Jace and I spent the morning with some friends at the park.  I accomplished my two house goals for the day - vacuuming and folding the laundry.  The rest of the house isn't doing so hot, but I was proud of myself for accomplishing those two things.  I even got a nap during Luke's nap!


Then we went to Target.  I could probably just stop right there and most of you mothers of 3+ could fill in the blanks. It started out well.  I bribed the boys with Slurpee and they lasted most of the time we were shopping.  We grabbed the last item on the list and the high-tailed it over to the checkout so we could make it out of there before Jace woke up and needed to be fed.  But, as luck would have it, he started wailing in line and it took forever to check out.  I was distracted by crying Jace and trying to pay for my goods so I didn't notice my two  older kids making a 10 foot ( literally) trail of cereal boxes and candy bars through the clothing section.  It wasn't until I say a Target employee looking around for the irresponsible mother of the two crazies, did I notice.  I then had to confess that they were mine and clean up their mess while holding a screaming Jace.  Thank goodness for kind strangers who watched over my cart and helped us clean up and get out to the car.  I almost started crying as they loaded my van up with our bags. " Been there, done that" they said.  They understood.


We came home, ate dinner and then I made cookies with the two older boys.  We all love cookie dough adndI thought it would be a nice treat... until Luke dumped a cup of salt in the nearly finished batter.  I got just a little frustrated... enough that I made Luke cry.  Poor kid.  I felt so bad.  I then remembered that it was just cookie dough - dumped that salt out and saved the bottom half and scooped Luke up into a big "I'm sorry hug".    I ate most of the cookie dough after the boys were in bed.  I needed it.
Then was bed time.  Or chaos time.  Between 7-8 is when Jace cries the most and that is right when my boys need to get to bed. And that is also when I took something outside and broke my pinky toe.  There was blood and everything, but I didn't have time to stop. 8:00 was creeping up... the boys should have been in bed, but I had to nurse Jace.  So, the two older boys were running around like crazy... Luke had just spilled water everywhere and was crying .. and then Brett came home.  Relief! I was so grateful he could take over and get those boys to bed! It was quite a day.

Looking a little hammered at the end of the day, but still so grateful for my sweet boys.

Big Boys

Amid all the the baby stuff, our two big boys keep up busy and laughing.  They both have such fun personalities and have a sweet relationship with each other.  I am so grateful for them.  They will be such great examples for Jace.

Baby Holding

We have been doing a lot of baby holding and snuggling these days.  Especially me and I love it.  Brett had three weeks off of work, so I was able to really enjoy my little newborn while he took care of the big boys.  We love this new little guy!

Baby Day Part 2

The c-section went very well.  The doctors and nurses were all kind and comforting.  Baby Jace was out within 15 minutes of walking into the OR.  He was born on 9-4-2012 at 7:25pm.  The first thing they said was " he has strawberry blond hair!"  Then I heard " He is 9 lbs 14oz!" I was shocked at both!  Because he was so big, they had to suction him out... so he had a little bump on his head for the first few weeks.  Poor guy.  We were so grateful everything else was health and strong.

It is always pure magic the first time you see your baby.  I never want to forget this first moment with Jace.  He was crying his little lungs out when Brett brought him over to me.  I kissed his sweet face and started talking to him... and he stopped crying.  He recognized my voice.  It was such a special moment.  

The boys were beyond excited to meet their baby brother.  Ryan especially.  After he left the hospital he called me and said, " I can't stop thinking about baby Jace."  So sweet.

nn

The hospital where I delivered was only about 10 minutes from my parent's house.  It was so nice to be that close.  They were so helpful and took turns helping Brett take care of me and take care of the boys.  So grateful for them.