Updates!

I need to post on vacation...but I really want to get in a few updates before I forget!  Parker is a giggling machine!  It is the best noise.  Probably since 12 weeks...his giggles get more and more fun.  He will be 16 weeks this week!  Parker is also becoming a DROOLER!  Funny...Noah was a drooler and Ryder hardly ever...and now back full circle to drooling:)  He started his first week in daycare...did really well.  Only taking two bottles a day this week...about 5 ounces at a time.  Which is an increase from my parents where it was only 4 and not a big fan of the bottle.  I have been trying to pump 3 times a day (sorry if it is TMI...but this is also my record keeping!!...6 ounces each time or close to that).  So...hopefully I can keep up with him.  I think he will eventually move to three times a day of a bottle at daycare.  I try to nurse him as soon as we get home.  Getting into a good pattern of 5:30, 8:30, again between midnight at 2 (which is too late...) and 5-6am.  Still staying swaddled to sleep...but here and there trying to get him used to stretching out.  Parker really only cries when he is tired or hungry or wet!  A champ!  LOVES to wiggle...and is getting really good on his tummy.  He is also getting really really close to rolling over from back to front.  He did today (August 23rd) because he was pretty angry).  He has found his fingers and is begining to grab his feet.  SUPER CUTE!!!  He needs to be strapped into the swing unless you are right there because if he is upset and awake he will wiggle right out.  Parker is also starting to grab onto toys...loves the crunchy ones and is becoming fascinated with patterns!  Quite the little lovebug! 

Noah started preschool...and it is an adjustment.  3 days in a row is different...he is exhausted.  He got used to going with Daddy and really loved his other teacher.  I think he will like this one...just will take time.  I think having Mommy drop off is harder for him (speaking of that...3 mornings a week I have 2 drop offs...I feel like I have run a marathon by the time I am done!!).  His first day...wore his Ironman shirt and jean shorts.  In the morning he said the shorts were tight...I was busy dressing the other two and told him I could adjust his shorts...he said he would be fine.  Took the ritual first day of school pictures and we were off.  At the end of the day...I asked him if he wore his shorts like that all day...he replied yes...hmm.  Well...he wore them backwards...ALL DAY LONG!!!!!!!!!!!  Whoops...MOM FAIL :)  Day 3 was the hardest...had to pry him off and he was crying as I left:(  But he adjusted this way last time.  The teachers told us he learned a new song, met a friend...he just won't tell us that.  We go to a FANTASTIC daycare...and after I called to let them know, they also checked in on him.  I feel better...kindergarten will be a a whole new ballgame next year.

Ryder is his own personality.  Everyday is different.  Somedays...total trooper and a cuddle bug.  The next day...HUGE fits.  Beginning to understand more and more words, which is great.  But I think he gets frustrated when we don't understand him.  Bedtimes have been very rough.  He is getting better with Parker when he isn't so tired.  Loves to read Pete the Cat and Hungry Caterpillar and short books.  LOVES airplanes, cars and is into a John Deere tractor that makes noise.  Loves to give wet kisses...I especially love those!!

Daddy started back in school...Mommy is back to fulltime and advising a student group is very busy the first few weeks of school.  We are EXHAUSTED.  By the time Scott gets home from football which can be close to 7...we are ready for bed by 8:30.  Makes for very very short nights.  We live for the weekends to catch up and slow down.  Next post will be vacation and more recent pictures.

Baptism!

We had Parker baptized on July 14th.  We had 5 sponsors (similar to Godparents)...Erika Halley, Ben Cross, Jordan Cusick, Chris and Steve Morine.  Erika is the closest person I will have to a sister...since we were 9 we have been friends...one of my best friends!  Ben has been one of our close friends since college...10 years!  Our kids LOVE him.  Jordan is Scott's cousin...he has lived with us and he is very special to our family.  Chris and Steve are my aunt and uncle...again...the kids LOVE them and I'm pretty close with my Aunt Chris.  Parker slept through most of it...I nursed him as church started (which turns out in a maxi dress is HARD...had to hike it up in a different room).  Noah and Ryder did well...Ryder did not want to stay put for the baptism...he eventually wandered up to my brother (who was the elder for the baptism and has been for all 3 boys!).  That was great...he came back to me as Pastor Brad poured the water on.  A great day!  We had lunch upstairs in our church (thanks to our mom's!!!).  Very blessed to have such great people in our lives.  Evelyn Boice has made baptism quilts for all of our boys (I need to take pictures!!!) so we know have a cute sock monkey one for Parker.  We wrapped up the busy day with Noah's last tball game (it had been postponed because of the weather). 

I'm back to work...it has been an interesting adjustment.  First 2 weeks were part time...I am wrapping up my first full week back.  Of course my first full week back is 4 back to back visit days on top of Scott's 2 a day football practice.  Ahhhhhh!!!!!!!!  Luckily...it went pretty well.  We are trying to be organized...meal plans, doing laundry on a regular basis.  Dishes and toys are hit or miss.  Trying to pick up on a weekend (Saturday) instead of Sunday night.  Keep you posted.  Thank goodness for friends to vent and play with and family to help!  I do not know how people do it without family help. 

Parker updates--3 months old!  He is laughing...smiling and just a cuddily baby:)  I love getting to snuggle with him.  Still nursing well...not taking a bottle well...but that will come with time.  I am nervous about my supply...so pumping after I feed him when I can.  This is tricky after work...trying to match when he has eaten last or trying to pump with the other 2 causing all sorts of chaos!

Noah updates--Going to start a new preschool.  We will go to the open house next week.  I am nervous...I think he is as well.  I LOVED his first teacher...and he was with Scott...made me very comfortable.  This is a whole new ballgame.  Keep you posted.  He is still LOVING to play catch, be outside.  Loves to read...still loving Little Critter and Pete the Cat.  Trying to get him to like writing his letters...not to that point yet, but does love to read (after we convince him playtime is done).

Ryder updates--a total terror somedays and a total lovebug the next.  He is going to keep us busy!  His speech is getting better every day...I still worry, but Scott and daycare assure me he is fine.  He is LOVING Pete the Cat books and will crawl into your lap to hear every word.  When I am sooo tired at the end of the day and I just want to go to bed.  They ask to read...how do you say no.  You DON'T SAY no...that is the attitude I am trying to have.  So...we read...even if it means staying up a bit later.  Ryder is LOVING outside and tends to pitch GIANT fits when we have to come inside.  And...he loves Despicable Me...the Minions are his fave:)

Well...now it's late...I'm going to bed!

Birthday!!!!

It was hot, sticky...but so fun:)  The kids had a riot!  Lots of fun with family and friends.  On Noah's actual birthday, we went to Chuck E Cheese...his FAVORITE:)  We had a good time and it was much calmer to go during the day!  The boys had a super hero birthday theme party.  I'm not super crafty or creative...but we incorporated the idea where we could! 

I will post later about baptism day...and next week when I go back to work!

8 weeks old!

Parker is 8 weeks old!  July 2nd:) He is a smiling machine...cooing and getting really close to a giggle!  The big boys are having more fun with him as well.  Parker is content in the swing or on the floor under the playmat...wiggling around.  We like to make sure he isn't held the whole time and gets his wiggles out...otherwise he doesn't get worn out.  Carseat is not his fave...so we are trying to stay out of it as much as possible.  Sorry if this is too much info...but this is how I keep track of things.  Parker went from pooping every day to every other day in the last week.  Not sure why...he seems fine, but the poops are HUGE...I luckily have caught them all (knock on wood) before a huge mess.  He is still eating every 3-4 hours and sometimes even every 2 1/2 hours.  I am trying to build my supply so I am feeding him whenever he wants and pumping after every other feeding.  Makes for some long nights but so far so good.  I have 2 weeks left of maternity leave :(  I can't believe how fast it went.  Seems like the first month was SUPER SLOW...and then it just blew by.  We have a busy few weeks ahead as well...swimming lessons, doctor appointments and baptism.  So instead of getting a lot done...I am napping with Parker anytime I can...laundry and dishes can wait.  Pictures and snuggles are more important.  We had the boys pictures taken by a new photographer and I think they turned out great.  Both boys are at a stage where taking pictures is a GIANT pain:)  I think we might use this photographer for our whole family pictures in the fall.  Softball is wrapping up...first round of districts is on Tuesday...cross your fingers for a win!  DNH won against Union 6-5 last night...and beat Wapsie the night before...wahoo!  Ryder is really into Pete the Cat (the author came to the Cedar Falls library and we had a RIOT watching him).  One of his favorite sayings (book and Ryder), "Goodness No"...which comes out a bit funny...more like "oodness no" and he does a cute head shrug:)  Noah still has one more tball game left (postponed because of weather)...and is quite the helper when he wants to be.  Attitude is something we are working on...and he is getting there.  I still need to post pictures from the birthday...next time!

Another picture update!!

Parker is a growing machine!  He is 6 weeks old and starting to smile...we will say June 20th was the day for the first documented smile for the book!  He continues to be a very calm and content baby:)  He has a bad case of baby acne, some cradle cap and a diaper rash...poor kid...but he is healthy and that is all that matters.  He is a good nurser and I have started pumping after feedings to build a supply (ugh...I HATE pumping).  I have 4 weeks left of leave and I know it will fly...so I am trying to soak up every minute and ignore the constant mess in my house.  The big boys are doing well.  Noah is wrapping up tball and loves it...will do bible school soon as well.  Ryder continues to be our trouble maker and makes us laugh A...LOT!!!  The boys do fight and it DRIVES me nuts...usually about something really silly...they are always better when Scott is around.  Almost done with softball...he has a great group of girls...just a crappy schedule with double headers.  Another story for another time.  We had the boys birthday party this past weekend and it went great!  Lots of good people and fun!  Here are a few pictures:

 Last day of preschool!!

 Content baby:)

 First walk as a family of 5!!

 Tummy time!!

 Gotta get the wiggles out!

 3 kids and a tub :)

 Tball...running man!!

 Catching the ball!

 Dr. Girardi and Parker!!

 Daddy and his boys!

 Great grandma and Parker

 Pool in LaCrosse...we survived our first road trip!

 Snoozing while the big boys swim!