itty bitty baby.

We were able to get Simon's newborn pictures taken when he was just 8 days old. One of my very best friends happens to also be a very talented photographer and invited us over to her house for a newborn session. It was perfect! The big kids quickly took their turn and then went off to play with her kids and we had some quality girl time while she snapped away at a sleeping baby. Please check out Heather's work and give her a call if you are ever in need of a photographer!

Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from Simon's newborn shoot. (More to come on his official announcement!)

Read more...

another week.

This might go down as the single fastest month of my life. And I wish it just wasn't so. Simon is growing like a weed, right before our eyes and I just can't soak it all in fast enough. He has become a mellow, go with the flow baby who loves to sleep in the Solly wrap when we are out, cuddle in my arms when we are home (definitely a mama's boy) or eat, eat, eat. The kids continue to be obsessed by his every move and still give me constant updates on how he's breathing, blinking or moving. I am in awe at how well they've transitioned these past few weeks.

At 3 weeks old he weighs a little over 10 lbs, 21.5 inches long, wearing 0-3 months clothes and size 1 diapers. He is looking more and more identical to Carter with a little dimple on his left cheek to match Lucy. And he's just perfection.

 His favorite sleeping position is to put his arms way above his head and his legs in a frog position. Especially at night. Thank goodness he doesn't like to be swaddled because this has been the hottest summer and I can't imagine how I'd ever keep him cool at night with a swaddle blanket. Most days he just hangs out in a diaper.

 We are still crazy busy with the remodel at the new house and were lucky enough to take all 3 kids with us to Lowes the other day to pick out some bathroom fixtures. (fun, huh!?) With a little help from the iPhone and a promise to play on the lawn mowers when we were done, we all survived! Luckily, this great thing called the internet allowed us to finish our stuff at home and ordered a bunch of stuff online so the kids didn't have to be dragged around forever.

 Matt went back to work this week after taking a wonderful 3 weeks off. Usually that time is spent adjusting to a newborn and while part of that time was spent as family time, the majority of it was spent with him working at the house. It was a blessing and curse since that time was so needed to get some major work done and allowed me to quickly adjust to taking 3 kids out and about. I've lowered my expectations, expanded my patience and gotten over my fear of getting 3 kids out of the house and it's been great! Do we still have tantrums? Sure (me included!). But, knowing that it's not so scary to go to Costco or Target alone with the kids makes the days more fun when we don't have to run errands but instead go to a park or swimming or.....pick blueberries!
So, that's exactly what we did. We usually pick strawberries mid-June to save for winter but Simon's birth changed those plans a bit so we knew blueberries were an absolute must this year. We went back to our usual farm and the kids were so good at helping carry buckets and pick what they could while I had Simon strapped to me.

 I think we usually come home with about 15 lbs. for the year and this year it was only 3.5lbs (but somehow seemed like WAY more when I was out in the middle of the field in the 80 degree heat). But, with 3 small children I'd say we were successful. And, it was fun!

 Later that day I had another postpartum visit with my midwife. I just love this birth center so much and will be so sad when I can't visit the midwives anymore. It's like going to chat with an old friend each time I see them. Such a supportive, loving place. They have little birth announcements up on their front wall in the waiting room and Simon's card made it on the wall!

 And just another picture of our growing little man. He's just the cutest ever.

Read more...

the 4th.

We've had quite the heat wave in WA this summer. Probably the hottest I can ever remember it being in June or early July. Definitely not our typical 4th of July! But, it made for a great retreat to the beach house for some much needed air conditioning, playing in the sand on the beach and lots of time with family and friends. 

On the morning of the 4th one of our friends organized the 1st annual neighborhood kids parade. Sadly, I started to not feel well (which resulted in mastitis later in the weekend, ugh!) so I had to miss out on the fun but Matt took the kids down to participate. It was a great turnout for the first parade and the kids loved it!

Next year we've already promised to improve our bike decorations a bit more!

The kids in their festive attire!

And Simon's first 4th of July!!

Simon was extra fussy over the weekend, not like his typical self. After a chat with my midwife we determined this was probably because I wasn't feeling well either and he just wasn't happy with my impending infection. Poor kiddo. Luckily, Grandpa Tom seemed to have the magic touch for him. Thank goodness for the extra help since I was much more tired than normal.

The kids got to do a box of pop-its later in the day after a trip to the beach. One of their highlights, for sure.

And they loved, loved, loved spending time with Uncle Adam. Even doing simple things like sitting in his truck (thanks for the free entertainment for 30+ minutes!) they just love when he's around.

It was a simple weekend but so welcomed after a long stressful few weeks of having a baby and continuing to work on the new house remodel (pics to come very soon!) Happy 4th of July!

Read more...

family of 5.

We are all adjusting pretty well to this sweet new addition. The kids especially. There is SO much change in their little worlds but they have been troopers through it all. Helping with diaper changes, burping, grabbing blankets, wipes and clothes and basically just keeping tabs on every.little.move Simon makes. It's pretty normal for me to hear Lucy say, "Mom, his eyes are open. Mom, he's almost crying. Mom, he spit up." Love how willing they are to help right now!

Just a few lot more pictures of our family loving Simon. This is really the best time ever.

1 day old and eyes wide open! 

2 days old and out for his first neighborhood walk. He has since grown pretty comfortable in the Solly baby wrap, falling asleep every time he cuddles in it.

 Lucy watching over him.  And a little more awake time on the boppy pillow.

 Me "managing" 3 kids on my lap (with very tired eyes). Somehow there is always just enough room!

 Simon and Daddy's favorite activity.

 Just a few days after Simon was born we celebrated Lucy's 1/2 birthday. We don't do a huge celebration but feel like it's worth celebrating these little milestones. So, cinnamon rolls for breakfast and a new princess purse and necklace for the 1/2 birthday girl!

 A very special Father's Day for Matt this year. And it fell on Simon's 1 week birthday.

 For Father's Day Carter gave Matt his choice of going out to eat. Instead of lunch Matt chose a special family ice cream date (can you tell we are a sweets-loving family?!).

 Lucy still feeling a little unsure about this whole newborn thing. Haha...her face is priceless.

Simon had his 1 week check up (actually at 9 days old) with my midwife. He weighed in at 9 lbs! His birth weight was 8 lb, 1 oz and he dipped down to 7 lbs 9 oz at 1 day old but obviously gained that back quickly in his first week. He's definitely long and lean though because newborn clothes are still fitting him just fine. 

 We pulled out the play mat yesterday and all the kids loved it! It's nice to have another place for Simon to hang out when I need 2 hands free to make lunch.

This was Simon's first Sunday going to church, at 1 week old. He wore the same outfit that Carter wore home from the hospital. I can't find the picture (well, I'm too tired to keep searching the computer right now) to compare the 2 boys but at 1 week old he fits into it much better than Carter did at 1 day old. And, he was a dream baby at church, slept the entire time!

 He also had his first bath at 1 week old. I guess he technically had his first bath when he was born in the water but this was his first bath at home. I think Matt and I have finally gotten the hang of this whole newborn bath thing down with baby #3. No tears from Simon, no stress from us.

 Such a different reaction than when we first gave Carter and Lucy a bath. Ha!

This was Carter's first bath. Anxious parents, crying baby.

 And this was Lucy's. Not as nervous but still not completely confident.

But lucky baby #3....no stress at all!

 A little multi-tasking with Daddy. And a little relaxing with me.  I must say, having a summer baby is pretty great. I was finished with pregnancy before it got too hot and now get to relax with a sweet newborn, in the sunny weather, while the big kids run around the backyard. Pretty amazing maternity leave!

 After a few explosive poos yesterday morning I decided it was time for bath #2. This time with a few special helpers.

 They loved it!!

And so...we are doing this family of 5 thing as best we can. Am I still tired? Oh yes, most definitely. But I've never felt more complete with our family.

Read more...