The Weekend

A rainy weekend in the desert is usually cause for celebration. But not when you have been cooped up in the house for 2+ weeks. Then a rainy weekend in the desert is almost enough to make you pull your hair out, should it not already be falling out by the handfuls (thank you, postpartum). Or maybe it's the sick and whiny 3-year-old that's enough to make you pull your hair out. 

Regardless, I spent the weekend inside, watching the rain flood the backyard, and listening to H whine about everything. J spent the weekend ferrying the 2 oldest every whichway, including their 2 basketball games, Sweetie's basketball pictures, and Mister's pinewood derby (first the ward race and then the stake race). Mister and his Silver Bullet truck placed first in our ward and fifth in the stake. Wooohooo!

Little Missy spent the weekend in the sling since she cries whenever I put her down. 

The oldest kids also each made a batch of cookies Saturday evening and the home teachers brought cinnamon rolls today, so I guess I spent the rest of the weekend eating way too much sugar. 

Two weeks ago today . . .

Images taken by the talented Kristen Self.

 

  

 

  

"You have the best mom." ~my friend Natalie

Dear Dad,

Remember when you called about booking Mom's ticket to come help after I had the baby and you asked if she should stay 7 days or 11 days? Remember how I said 7 days? Is it too late to change my mind?!

Love, 

C

I took my mom to the airport this afternoon and came home to 2 kids asking for snacks, 1 kid who needed a nap (but didn't get one because I couldn't take the time for the naptime routine), a still-hungry baby, and a baby who needed her diaper changed. I got snacks, turned on a show, changed the blowout, grabbed an orange for me, fed baby, and cried a little. Not because we won't be okay and we won't figure things out. I know we will. But there's something about feeling the weight of it settle firmly on my shoulders. It's a lonely feeling. Strange how every time I have become a mother again I seem to need my own mother even more. I'm glad families are eternal. 

I miss you, Mom! And I'm so so grateful for all you did for me and for us while you were here and all you keep doing for us. I hope you get a little rest and a little sleep now!

One Week

It's been an eventful week, even though most of it I've spent in my pajamas and without leaving the house.  Before we get to the baby pics, I'll update the rest of the goings on this week:

H has spent the week acting out in all possible ways. Poor kid. His nice, structured world has been rocked just a bit :) Unfortunately, one of those ways of acting out is refusing to take his nap. Booooooo!

Sweetie came home from school on Monday sick. This evening she was still sporting a fever, so after 4 days of fever, I guess I need to buck up and take her to the doctor tomorrow. 

The washing machine has become the drop zone for all of baby's blowouts:

Grandma got here Monday evening (and I can't believe I don't have a pic of Grandma and baby yet!).  She's been a lifesaver, as always, getting up in the night with baby H (don't know what I'll call her yet on this blog), making cookies and bran muffins and dinners, sewing a carseat cover, and keeping crazy H somewhat occupied. 

Someone got dressed to meet Grandma (Hint: It wasn't me. I spent the day in my pjs)

Baby's been doing a lot of this in her debut week. But we kind of expect that around here--gassy, fussy babies are our specialty!

Baby girl had her first bath, hated it at first, then warmed up to it when we added some warmer water. 

 One week old today! 

Oh how we love this little girl. It's amazing how your life can change in one week. One week of household and bodily mayhem, yet one week of so much love. 

This Guy

Postpartum is not for the faint of heart.  Good thing I have this guy in my corner.

The Newest Member of the Family

was born Thursday, January 10 at 8:17am after a long and painful night! She weighed 8 lbs, 2 oz and was 21 inches long. She is already loved beyond words. 

I've always freely admitted that I am not much of a baby person--drop them off on my porch at 6 months+, please, when they can sleep a bit, when their stomachs can handle food a bit better, and when I can better decipher what exactly that cry means. However, when my own kids have been born--especially this last one, it hasn't taken me long to relish having a baby around.  There's nothing like their softer-than-soft skin or their fuzzy heads, or their distinct smell, and especially snuggling their warm little bodies close. 

 Meeting the Fam

  

  

 

 Getting ready to join the hooligans at home--our hospital vacation was over :(