Monday, October 27, 2008

spiderman costume anyone?


i'm looking for a spiderman costume to borrow for john michael.... anyone have one?  size 2t-5t would work.


Friday, October 24, 2008

Fall part 1

Well, fall is officially here! Its really been here for a while... but since I'm posting fall pictures that sounded like I was on top of things. :)

Today we ventured out to the petting zoo at Scheeringa's. The kids LOVED it! The petting zoo is free for those of you who would like to stop in. I suggest bringing your own carrots to feed the animals or you can buy some there. They also have a giant inflatable pumpking that you can jump in so if your kids are jumpers be prepared to shell out $2/jumper. :)

Here are a few pictures from our outing together. I'd post more but I'm not up to sorting through them all right now!

This is one of my favorite ones!



I just got this outfit for Nicholas from a dear friend of mine. Its actually 3-6 months so its a bit big on him but since we were taking these pictures I couldn't resist putting him in it! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this outfit! My friend didn't even know that I had been admiring it at Baby Gap just a few weeks ago. :) I don't think she reads the blog but I"ll have to be sure to write her an extravagant thank you note!



This is how I look these days.... 10 pounds overweight, frizzy pulled back hair and no make up! So, as tempting as it is to not post this picture its really kind of silly... after all, I go out in public like this and rarely look much different! But, I thought a little family picture would be fun.



I also thought a family of my 3 kiddos would be fun.... doesn't this look fun??



I'm sure I got one thats btter but for now that one is definitely my favorite!

The kids liked the petting zoo but they weren't quite as into petting the animals as I thought they'd be. Here they are checking out the bunnies.



And checking out the scenery.









My sweet boy.





Can you tell they liked it?









We also have NEW NEIGHBORS! Johnny's brother DD and his wife Beth bought a house a street over from us and move in this weekend! We are SUPER excited.
We plan on seeing them a lot more often and dropping our kids off there frequently. :) hehe... just kidding.... we'll let them babysit over here. :)

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Peanut?

Well, the jury is out on this one... is Nicholas going to be my biggest newborn but my smallest baby? Right now he's growing at the rate of a snail compared to the other two! At two weeks he wasn't even up to his birth weight yet (weighing in at 9 pounds even - 3 oz. short). The little guy just doesn't like to stay awake to eat! He'd happily eat every 4-5 hours if I let him but I try to do my best to wake him up every 3 hours to eat... the problem isn't so much getting him to wake up as it is getting him to STAY awake! I'll take all his clothes off, flick his feet, get a cold washcloth and wipe his face and body and STILL the kid sleeps on... and if he does wake up he latches on and goes right back to sleep. He even sleeps through his baths!

I'm trying not to worry... but I do get a little concerned about my milk supply and his weight gain.... so its another opportunity for me to trust the Lord. Here are some recent pictures of the little man.





Sleeping through his bath today:





Addy & John Michael went to the doctor with us for Nicholas' check up. John Michael had his 2 year visit too ( a couple months late... ) and they both had their flu vaccinations (which oddly, are now inhaled through the nose!!)

Here's Addy's silly camera face... I wish she'd learn to smile nicely!



My kids LOVE LOVE LOVE going to the doctor!



And here are some more pictures from my first week home:









When all else fails just let the kids play ninetendo.





If you're a prayer... please pray that Nicholas would eat better! Thanks :)

Tuesday, October 07, 2008

nicholas 9 days old


Which "finish" do you like better

A - darker

B - lighter



Sunday, October 05, 2008

welcome home nicholas

well, nicholas has been home now for 4 days and he is doing SO WELL. Thank you all for praying for us and checking in on us!

Addy and John Michael are also adjusting quite well. Its been especially nice that Johnny has been home for a few days. He's been showering them with so much love and attention that they're gonna wish we had a baby every week! Not to mention all the attention they got while we were in the hospital. Johnny's parents, John & Ruth, took AWESOME care of them while we were gone that I'm not even sure they missed us! They went to Auntie Shannon's house once and the Barkers took them to the zoo too. Thanks so much everyone for all your help!

Leaving the hospital



Eager Addy running out to greet her newest baby brother!



If you don't laugh out loud at this picture you are being too nice. Her hair alone makes me cry.



My turn!



I was the most worried about John Michael's adjustment to Nicholas' arrival but he is handling it like a champ. He loves to "hold" him and kiss him all over.

But this face reminds me not to forget his mischevious streak!



First ride in the car seat.



First family picture.... and let me tell you how absolutely humbling it is to post this picture. Johnny & I both keep cracking up at how..... large I look! I keep telling myself that its just a bad angle... but then reality kicks in and I realize that I probably was just really big.




Holding the baby.





Proud Grandparents!




Tonight I took an herb bath, compliments of Elizabeth, and Nicholas took one too! This goes against a lot of medical advice since it includes submerging the umbilical "stump" in water... but I figured it was worth a try since Elizabeth has such excellent results. Other than smelling like garlic (which I'm sure Johnny's going to love sleeping next to me!) I can already tell a difference in the healing process - and Nicholas loved it! He was a little confused at first but was completely relaxed in the water and even fell asleep!

We went to church this morning too. I probably would've chosen to stay home and rest but Johnny really wanted us all to go and be part of our church family to share in our joy that Nicholas and I are both well and at home. I didn't regret going at all. It was so encouraging to see and hear from all the people who have been faithfully praying for us. Thank you all!

Now, off to bed. Sleep while the baby sleeps, right? And since he doesn't like sleeping from about 2 am - 5 am I'm going to get some sleep in while I can. :)

Newborn pictures soon, here's a sneak peak to whet your appetite!