Lucy's Newborn Session

Yes, this my newest love.  And these are her newborn pictures...

Is she divine or what?  In case I haven't mentioned it...I LOVE Lucy.  God certainly knew what he was doing when he made this little one.  And she really is as sweet as she looks in these pictures.

It just so happened that she didn't want Landria {our photographer} to know that though.  Maybe Lu was worried if Landria found out how irresistible she was, she might take her home.  I'm assuming that is why Lucy chose not to cooperate for our session.

And though it may be hard to tell in these few shots, Lucy was definitely a bit challenging for our Saturday morning session at just a wee 10 days old.  No, she wasn't really fussy.  She just didn't want to sleep.  I think it was the whole naked thing.  She really prefers a swaddle {a good tight one} to doze off.  So I rocked her, nursed her, and shushed her to sleep about 42 times.  And each time, we got a picture or two and then she was awake again.  Awake with the whole one eye open thing that newborns do.  Not pretty for pictures.  I finally gave up.

And between all of this, I was wrangling two other kids and fighting those fabulous hot flashes.  Yes, I love Lucy but, I don't love newborn photo sessions {and never really have}.

The good news is...we got a few pictures that I adore.  Not as many as I hoped for, but there is always her sitting session {which I do love}.

And because, many of you will be seeing these pictures again soon...like on a birth announcement and Christmas cards, I'm going to spare you my favorite pictures.  {Especially the family one.}  This is just a tease or a sneak peek of my second favorites with a few first faves thrown in.

And I think you might like to know that after a hectic initial 2 hours, we did the family pictures last.  I don't recommend this. We made it outside half dressed.

Jack was missing his red shoes and I missing my red necklace that I searched several stores for just so I could tie in with the family.  {You see, I took it off to lull Lucy to sleep in those pictures above and left it in her nursery...so bummed!}  By the time I realized it, we were already half finished.  Now  I can't decide if my fave family shot is before the missing articles of clothing or after.

To be continued...on  the Christmas card.  I bet you can't wait to see what I decide.

{And if you are wondering, "Hmmm...I recall Paula mentioning another photographers name for the newborn session"...you are right.  Due to unforeseen circumstances with Andrea, we reverted back to our trusted photographer Landria Voigt.  It was very bittersweet.  Both ladies are fabulous!}

"Pizza"nista

In this crazy season of adjustment that our family is in the midst of, Maggie still needs her Mommy time {possibly more than ever}.  And I in turn still crave my Maggie moments.  

This has been my most recent challenge or as I like to call it now, my "new goal"...quality time with each child.  It's not always easy and I certainly haven't mastered it, but the goal has at least been set in place.  Another one of those hurdles we are all figuring out how to jump here lately.  

With that being said, there is certainly nothing like a little Maggie love to make me appreciate my life and all those crazy hurdles that have come with it lately.  That girl is so yummy!

And speaking of yummy, I have found that the kitchen is the best place to bond with my budding chef.  Dinner time is our time.  She is my partner in the kitchen, my table setter, my plate maker, and sometimes even the cook.  Most recent on the menu...Pizza.  

After naps {hence her hair do or lack of} Maggie and I hit the kitchen with all the necessary ingredients to claim her title of "Pizza"nista. And although none of the ingredients looked appetizing to her, it didn't stop her from jumping right in to the task at hand.

Maggie chose to roll out her dough into a heart.  Still debating if it was intentional or if it was luck of the rolling pin.  But, it was super cute.  Jack renamed it a dino footprint {because you know hearts are way too girly...yuck!}

And how cute is that mouth? I just love how she sticks her tongue out in deep concentration {I'm pretty sure thats her Daddy's genes at work}.

Every step of the process required full concentration on her part.  And if you know Maggie, that is saying a lot.  This little gal is infamous for fluttering from one activity to the next.

And wouldn't you know, my picky eater would only pose with the pizza.  She wouldn't even take one measly little bite.  I thought I read somewhere that the more you involve kids in the kitchen with you, the better eaters they are.  Not the case tonight, but still holding out hope.

I love you little "Pizza"nista!  There is no one I'd rather spend my evenings in the kitchen with!

Better

After coming off my last post, I can say things are better.  Much better.

I am learning Lucy and in turn she is learning me.  It's only been two weeks and little lady is picking right up on the sleep training.  We have a lot of work to do, but we have made some progress.  She is exactly where I would expect a two week old to be {which isn't very far}.

Nights, well we aren't even close.  Still every three hours {sometimes four}, but she eats and naps beautifully during the day and falls asleep on her own in her crib.

She actually gained 4ozs in two days.  The doctor was overly thrilled.  {they supposedly hope for at least 1/2 oz a day}  I love my big babies.

And I still wrestle with this fear that she may have reflux {you would too if you had lived with Jack as a newborn}.  I watch her like a hawk.  She is definitely a spitter, but if she is in pain, she is excellent at hiding it.  So far she's a pretty content baby {knock on wood!!}.  And really easy going.  Hardly a complaint out of her.  We are no where out of the clear for that though.  I always give them until 4 weeks old to show their true colors.

Her umbilical cord fell off this week too.  I always find that disgustingly bittersweet.  She's really her own little being now.

And it's also a sign to add baths to the bedtime ritual.  She loved her first one.  Especially the sound of the water running.  It's such a challenge to keep these little beings warm.  But, how sweet does she look naked and wet followed by a bundle in her Lucy towel {thanks Cristina}?

And the big kids? Well, Jack went three days straight with no after school nap.  May sound disappointing, but actually just the opposite.  His evening grump level was much lower than usual.  I had a nice solid hour to spend with him before the girls were up from naps, where we did homework, snacked and rested with well deserved screen time.  I'm hoping he keeps it up.

Jack also read me his first book {with very few stumbles} while I nursed Lucy one afternoon.  I was in absolute awe.  I knew he was getting there, but wow!  I was so impressed.  I looked down at my helpless little newborn and then up to my big boy and couldn't believe in that one moment how much God loves our family.  Three healthy children and one crazy {in love} Mommy, it couldn't get any better.

And Maggie...can I just let out a giant *sigh* right here?  So much better!  I actually took  her{caught a ride with Kristen--thanks so much friend!} to gym class and music class this week {enormous for Maggie, exhausting for me}.

I even rode with Abby to pick her up from school one day.  This is what I found outside her door.  She was one proud big sister to show it off to me.  And I, one proud Mommy to see my girls posted on a bulletin board for all.

In addition, I have snuggled extra hard with Mags at bedtime.  She is happy again.  A little Mommy time and everything in her world was fixed.

Clay traveled overnight this week and {drum roll please}...I fed, bathed, read books to, and got two kids to bed {on time} and still managed to nurse Lucy in the midst of it all.  And it actually went pretty seamless.  I went to bed feeling like Supermom!  {But I don't want to do that again anytime soon}

If I'm being perfectly honest, I can say things are better.  Do we still have lots of bumps in the road to smooth out?...yes.  But I see little baby steps of progress to making this all work and that makes me a happy Momma.

Yes, I am exhausted to the core.  And if you've seen me lately, I look it.  And if you haven't...imagine something from 'Night of the Living Dead'.  But, I am learning to take one day at a time while still counting down to the twelve week mark when I have a "sleeping through the night" baby.  I am confident sleep will change everything.

So between seeing baby step progress, the countdown to 12 weeks, and your amazing comments, meals, love, and encouraging words...we are doing....Better.

All my love friends!

Looking For My New Normal

I am looking for my new "normal".  Because this certainly can't be it.

The past week has been tough.  Plain and simple.  I'm not negative, just honest.  We are all looking for our new normal around here.  Kids, parents, and Lucy.

Remember when I called that picture the "calm before the storm" on my last post?  Well get ready for the storm...

We came home with a baby who had her days and nights confused.  Nothing new really.  Just totally exhausting and not the best way to start the week.  Three long nights later and I'm pretty sure we resolved that issue.  But, wouldn't you know...we have different issues now.

I busted my c-setion incision by the end of the week.  {Erica, bet you saw that one coming.}

The night sweats, oh who am I kidding, the sweats in general are so annoying.  As if I don't feel gross enough as it is right now.

We will get through this.  I do know that.  I trust in that.  Because I have been here before {just not with two other kids in tow}.  Or shall, I rephrase...just not with Maggie in tow.

Yes, my angel, the love of my life, is adjusting at all angles.  She loves Lucy, but she is a bit mad at me.  A little extra needy and clingy.  And so good at wanting that extra kiss at bedtime or her lost pink dolphin that she never cared about before or having to go the bathroom 14 times while I am nursing the baby.

And yet, she hasn't connected the dots.  The dots that connect her lost time with Mommy and a new baby.  I'm hoping I can recover before she does and give her what she needs again.

And speaking of giving what is needed.  I have never felt spread so thin.  Actually that makes sense, because I haven't ever been spread quite like this.  I want to give Jack his time because he deserves it after being in school all day.  I want Maggie to still have her Mommy time {but this recovery is so long and I am depending on so many other people to care for her} and Lucy needs me nonstop.  Feed...feed...feed.  Followed by an evening of cry...cry...cry.

Oh, and I wouldn't mind eating or getting a shower every once in a while.  And sleep?  That's a luxury I hardly remember.

Yes, when I find my new normal I vow to have this all figured out.

Regrets?  Absolutely none!  I can say that whole heartedly right through my sleep deprived bones and the ringing of a crying baby in my ears.  I am still madly in love with this new little being that has rocked our world.  And I adore my family to pieces...just not sure how they feel about me right now.

We will get to our new normal around here.  Full faith in that.  It may not look exactly like our old one, but that's why it's our new.

I have decided that this is just a true test in patience and faith for me.  Prayers welcome.  {Or even an encouraging word}

And so you know this week has had some really nice moments too...and when I really think about it --more nice ones than tough ones.  Somehow the sleep deprivation has me focused on the hurdles.  Good thing I have a camera to remind me of the down hill moments.

Lucy worked on tummy time.  She is super strong...all the way up she goes.

Jack has been such a trooper.  He easily keeps himself entertained no matter how busy Mommy is.  And I swear that kid doesn't have one jealous bone is his body.  Big Brother of the year if I say so myself.

Maggie got her fill of love with GG's visit.  She kept GG very busy with play-dough, princesses, dress up, walks outside, kitchen play, and lots of book reading.

And Lucy met her GG for the first time.  What a sweet pair.