Noah at One Month

This week with just one kid went by very quickly. I kept thinking of all the things I could do with just one kid in tow, and it came down to coming home and resting with him.

Noah is now one month old, and I have learned a little more about him this week. He is a true thumb sucker, he will use his own when he finds it, but likes to also suck on my thumb, and pacifier once in a while. Instead of really spitting up, the milk seems to go through the nose, which is a new thing for me. He is already 11 lbs, and eats very well, but also takes a bottle of which I am thankful. He loves the car seat and traveling, there is not one sound when we are in the car. Last of all he is cooing already, and I think he misses the extra noise that the other two seem to bring. As Kevin puts is...he is a good kid.

It was a God sent that the other two weren't here this week, Kevin worked some very late hours, and the rest for me was very helpful. My parents were good with webcaming and texting pictures and updates of the kids, and I look forward to seeing what they have been doing all week. Next weekend we will have time with Kevin's family, and I look forward to introducing Noah to them, meeting the new little cousin, and other new kids in the family. This summer is really going by quick now!

A little too quiet....

Here is Rachel at a picnic at Kevin's work this week...

Daniel enjoying some time at VBS...
Noah enjoying time in the sling...
The kids enjoying time together...


It has been a little bit busy with Kevin and Daniel doing VBS last week, and then the quick trip to NY this past weekend. Daniel did enjoy VBS calling it a party at church, and it was fun to hear him tell me what he did through his eyes. I had some time one on one time with Rachel, we made cookies, painted, read books, watched princess movies, and painted our nails together.

The weekend in NY was fun, but quick, and my parents offered to keep the kids with them for a few extra days, which I took them up on. Daniel and Rachel were having fun with the dogs, cats, and outdoors. I am in need of a little extra sleep with Noah and Kevin has a lot on his plate with work right now, so we just brought Noah back with us, and will pick up the kids in a few days. That being said, it is a lot quieter around here, and right now just one young kid is so easy. For now I have some time with Noah and Kevin, and I will try not to miss my other two too much, and will get some rest. Hope you all have a restful week as well!

Some more beach pictures

Here are some pictures from the weekend. We tried out a new beach to us, Hampton beach, and it was fun catching crabs with the kids.

My favorite picture of Rachel to this point. She picked out this bathing suit herself.

Kevin and Daniel have enjoyed VBS this week, an we have to pack for our trip this weekend. It is getting harder t0 post with three kids needing the attention, so I will write more later.

2 Weeks

It is amazing how the first few weeks of a newborn's life can totally change you. It has only been two weeks, but now I can't picture life without three kids, although I vaguely remember it being easier to get out of the house. The lack of sleep is starting to kick in, but we found a pacifier that Noah takes, so that makes it a little easier on me, and the other two are still taking naps, so we have rest time.

My three men...

I have to watch that the kids don't smother Noah too much. Rachel will walk by and take his pacifier away or just squeeze him very hard, but it is out of love. Daniel was trying to read to Noah today, but was getting frusterated because he wasn't looking right at him.
Noah had a 2 week check up this week, and weighs almost 9 lbs already. Everything is going well with him, although he goes through a lot of diapers.
Next week Kevin is helping out with VBS along with Daniel, and giving me some Rachel and Noah time at home. Next weekend we have planned on going to NY to visit with my family, and that brings us into August and a busy month. But hopefully we get to enjoy some nice weather this weekend, the rain has been still pretty depressing.

Keeping it Cool...

One week down...and it was alright. My mom says that three kids will make me slow down, and she was right. We did get out of the house this week, going to local parks and a birthday party, but I didn't expect to get out of the house much earlier than 10 in the morning, and it was only for one outing. But the kids are doing great. I have to watch myself as the sleep deprivation kicks in, but again, if I take is slow and don't expect too much, I find that easier on myself.

Already in a week Noah is changing. He was back up to birth weight by his one week appointment, and the way he eats I think he is going the path of Daniel. He loves it when his brother and sister talk to him, and they keep a good lookout for him too.

This is a little out of order, but Daniel got to help Kevin wash the car today. The weather is perfect for a summer day and it is fun to watch Daniel help out.
Noah can take a regular bath now, and I think someday he will enjoy the bath time just as much as Rachel and Daniel do.
Here are the kids keeping it cool....

As you see, we have updated our family photo, thanks to the tripod Kevin got for his birthday, we can get some more group shots of us. I also wanted to welcome my sister in law Renee to my blog list, she just got an IMac too, so welcome to the Mac family!

A family of five please

We embracing the fact that we are a family of five now, and took the opportunity to have an outing yesterday. We went to the beach. And it was pretty good. We stayed for a few hours, got in before it was too busy, and left as the beach was filling up. We even stopped for some lunch and ice cream afterward. Wow, the times have changed, the stuff has multiplied, but we are jumping right in.

I got this baby carrier in the mail yesterday, and I think I am really going to like this. Noah likes the enclosure, and I almost forget he is even there. It is a little puzzle to figure out, but maybe this will be just what I need to get out of the house comfortably with three.
Here is the little guy with his eyes open...
As for jumping right in, we moved Rachel to a toddler bed, and she loves it. I think there is still enough room in there for her and all her stuffed toys.
It has been a good past few days, the nights aren't too bad, or at least I am not too removed from the lack of sleep. This week will be a little more difficult with Kevin going back to work, but I am lowering my expectations and going to take my time doing anything with the three of them. Let's see how this goes!

Noah

Here are the proud sister, brother, and cousin:

I was first considering naming this post from Noah Show-a to Noah Whoa! Noah is now here, and actually came on his due date. So he was born 7/7/2009, 8 lbs 1 oz, 20 1/2 inches long,and at 9:57 in the morning.
Without going into too much detail, I wanted to share the birth with you. I kept thinking he was going to come earlier, and as I mentioned before we were staying close to home and not doing much. On Tuesday morning around 7 I started feeling some contractions, but they were like 8-9 minutes apart, and although stronger I was debating calling it in, because all of the false labor I had been feeling. But I called it in, and we went in just to see if we were all set, and the contractions even stopped for like 10 minutes so I was doubting. We went in and got set up at the screening station, I gave them all my info and I was on a monitor, but nothing was really changing. As I sat there watching TV, all of a sudden my water broke!

I yelled for Kevin, and the contractions were right on top of each other. The labor and delivery ward was full, it was a full moon and July has been busy month, so they scrambled to get a room for me. I got into the room, and nurses were in the hall getting things together, but not too worried. Kevin had to go into the hall to tell them I was in full labor, ready to push the baby out. Within 15 minutes Noah was here. I didn't even get an IV and it happened so quick!! He has a little congestion because he came out so quickly, but he is so perfect. I am so thankful to God that we went to the hospital at that time, I probably wouldn't have made it there if my water broke at home, and that my sister was in town to help out with the other two.

So far recovery is going very well, and the only thing lacking is sleep, which will probably be a long time in coming. Noah nurses well, and is pretty content in his busy surroundings, but we are so happy to have him here!! Kevin has posted more pictures on his facebook account, and we will be sure to have picture updates coming soon. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes!