Sunday

Two Sundays ago in pictures:

perfection

The kids have been adjusting to our new baby SO well. I am remembering how hard it can be to jump up the minute anyone needs me, because there is usually a hungry baby that needs me first, but other than that we are doing really well. The kids love holding Solace and running to his rescue if he needs his paci or a song sung to him.

They crowd around him and tell me how cute he is. They are so loving and sweet. How on earth did I luck out with these four perfect children?! Really. They're perfect.

typical Grandma

When Grandma arrived, so did the presents. In typical Grandma fashion, she brought a million and one little gifties and activities for the kids. They had so much fun.

The first day was Legos, and books, and baby doll accessories, and things for Solace.  Perfect.  Stacy spread out the gifts and activities for several days, so if there was a down moment, she could bring out something new to entertain them. So thoughtful. The kids appreciated it! Thanks Grandma!

extra time

Stacy has been here for a week now and we have all been loving it. Paul loves to see his mom (in between shifts) and chat and catch up and reminisce. Matix loves the snuggles, those extra long, extra sweet Grandma snuggles. Hawken loves the attention, look at me, did you see that, watch again! Lullaby loves the stories, one after another after another, and Grandma never says enough.  Solace loves the warm soft Grandma naps, in her arms all times of the day.  And I am loving all the extra time I am getting. My dishes get done, whether I do them or not.  I can pick up or drop off the boys to preschool just me and them. I can sing Lulli an extra song at night because there is that one extra person here. When it's bath time AND Solace wants to be fed... Doesn't matter. Grandma takes the crazy bath time and I get Solace time...

That extra precious time. I love it. Thank you Stacy for coming and visiting. It is so nice to have you here.

candy

Yesterday, I gave the kids some M&M's. Not a ton, in fact, I gave them 4 each. 4. That's it. Matix and Lulli ate them and went on playing as usual. Hawken, however, literally ran in circles.

He got so hyper on just 4 M&M's you wouldn't believe it. He was off the wall with energy. Hawken already has a ton of energy as it is. But this put him through the roof.

I should have filmed him. He was a crazy man. I totally understand the parents who keep refined sugars away from their kids... I may become one of those parents.

For now, I think I am done with the treats thing for a long time. I was emotionally and mentally drained from this little experience. Perhaps by Halloween I will be feeling better about it...

iPhone pics

I have my computer hooked up to my camera through photo stream, so all the pictures that I take (or the kids take) on my phone are automatically uploaded to my iPhoto on the computer. Love it! Here are all the forgotten pictures from August that didn't get onto the blog.  Snuggles in the morning with baby brother:

After a looong day of bad behavior I started counting number of time outs... It was a LOT.

Making faces with mommy. A favorite past time.

A surprise birthday package from our sweetest friends the Lopes family! Thanks!

Solace warming up after his first bath in the hospital.

Love. Pure love. Just a few hours old.

The beautiful flowers the kids (and Grandma Kim) picked out for me. Thanks!

First official milk coma. So sweet.

Rescue Bots. These boys LOVE Rescue Bots!

Best baby, will sleep anywhere.

Looking so cute and alert with his eyes wide open.

Having fun at Target. I love easy entertainment.

Solace being adorable.

This is the picture Matix wanted to send Paul to show him he was going to preschool that day. Classic silly Matix pose!

Typical Lulli. Cheeks full of food and grinning from ear to ear.

Hawken loving on his little brother. Sweetest thing to see.

poolside

Solace went to his first playgroup.  He slept the whole time, minus a few times he wanted to nurse. 

Grandma played in the pool with the three big kids.  The kids had so much fun.  I'm not quite sure how to do it with all four by myself, but I'm sure I'll figure it out. :)

lazy day

What do we do on a lazy rainy day? 

Build a tent in Hawken's room. Of course. 

Wrestle around a bit.

Show off a new toy.

Love these kids of mine.

2 weeks!

Sweet little Solace had his two week check up on Friday. Paul got off of work earlier than expected and was able to go with me. Grandma stayed home with the big kids and they all napped. It worked out well for all of us. :) Solace got a clean bill of health and now weighs 8 pounds 6 ounces... More than he did at birth, by 5 ounces. Good grief. He is trying to catch up FAST.

He is sleeping okay at night, and giving me a few good hours of sleep in between nursing and diapering and rewrapping him... He is addicted to being swaddled and scratches his face if his hands are free at all.  He is too long to fit in most blankets. His feet hang out no matter what we do, unless we wrap him with two blankets, one on top and one on bottom. Solace tolerates his big sister and likes his big brothers. The boys are a lot more gentle than Lulli is. He really doesn't cry, but he does grunt when he is getting upset. He is easy to soothe and loves to be held.  Such a good baby.

I tickle his feet when I am trying to keep him awake to nurse.  He sleeps on his back and side, never fully on his side and never fully on his back. He likes his tummy okay too, but not for too long.  His umbilical cord still hasn't come off yet.  And, the strangest comment I have ever received from a doctor, "His circumcision is a work of art!"  Um, okay...

happy

Watching Paul with Solace makes me fall in love with him all over again. Paul, usually, is loud, and silly and unpredictable. But holding a baby, he is calm and sweet and a perfect vision of what a father should be like with his child.

I love you Paul. I love that you love your children so much. I love that you let them know that. I love that you show them that. I love that you have high expectations for them. I love that you teach them. I love that you watch over them and protect them.  I love our family, and I love that you made me a mommy.

Grandma Stacy is here!

Grandma Stacy is here and the kids are having the best time.  We don't have a real guest room, so she stays in the playroom.  We hear her at night organizing and building little Lego creations to surprise the kids with in the mornings... Then the moment the kiddies wake up, they run to see her. Poor grandma hasn't been getting very much sleep. :) But I think she's okay with it.

We are so lucky to have so many visitors this last little while. The big kids are going to be completely bored when she leaves.  So, who's next? Anybody takers? :)