Tball time!

William is playing t ball again this year! He has shown huge improvement already! He now remembers to touch home plate instead of just running to the bench from third base. He also spends a bigger percent of the time facing the play of the game and running after the ball instead of playing in the dirt! I'm sure he would show more improvement if we could find time to work with him outside of the once a week t ball slot :(. I guess it is just hard to find time for things like that when there is a new baby in the house....

Proud brother and sister too!

A hard life...

Isn't it, when you get to sleep all day?

Happy birthday John! (father's day too)

John's birthday is now the day after Gemma's on our family calendar. I knew there was a strong possibility we would have a new baby right around the time his birthday rolled around (and Father's Day 1 week later).

I racked my brain for something just right for the occasion. Something that would be something he would be excited about and make up for the little attention the two occasions were going to get.

Luckily, while discussing the problem with my sister in law, Kendra, (here visiting over Memorial Day Weekend) she had a brilliant idea: an IPad.

John has been eyeing the tablets for a long time. The reality is when you have three kids, cars, a house, and a spouse who works part time for very little money, you have to be a grown up about where your money goes. Stinks being a grown up sometimes :). But, I counted up my pennies and made it happen with a little help. Of course, the local version of the big store didn't have any in stock.. Nor did the other three locations within driving distance. Luckily, there was one in Rochester, MN and my mom was able to pick it up and bring it with when they came to help.

So, I got him an iPad. With some help. He was pretty happy- which made me happy.

Awwww...

Gemma lost the bulk of her cord stump today 6/22/12. I'm too lazy to look it up exactly, but I'm certain this is the earliest any of our kids have lost their cord by at least a week. There is still a small amount remaining behind. Without the cord stump, it also appears her button has either a small hernia or will be an outie. It is a little foggy, but I'm almost certain that our dr said this wasn't of concern now. Will have to consult notes .... Or maybe John will remember .

Maybe later. They look pretty cozy!

I'm tired or my brain is on overload

And it is pretty funny, so enjoy!

1. I carefully packed my hospital bag at about 37 weeks after a few hours of irregular and almost painless contractions. It seemed like a good warning sign to get a move on, even though it was clearly not time. Being my third time around, I felt practically an expert. I did not consult the Internet or book. I did not call my mother. I just packed my bag. I was so proud to finally "know" what I would need- I had significantly less than our other 2 hospital stays.

I checked the bag again the Wednesday before I went into labor and found everything ready.

We had everything we needed at the hospital. That is until it was time to go home. I had packed 3 shirt options so I could choose on what felt good that day. However....no pants. No bottoms at all. Oops. I ended up wearing John's pajama bottoms home with my cute top.

2. John came in from the mailbox laughing when Gemma was 6 days old. In his hand, he had 2 envelopes that were stamped and had return addresses on them... And nothing else. Totally blank. The post office had helpfully cancelled the stamps and then returned to me.

Several of our fathers's day cards were late this year- I addressed, restamped, and mailed for a second time.

Next up: Gemma's birth announcement...what kinds of fun will that hold?

Sent from my iPhone

1 week weight check

We had a 1week weight check Tuesday (6/19/12) with our dr office for Gemma. To be on target, Gemma needed to weigh at least 7 lbs 10 ozs.

I was anxious because this is where it became clear we were running into problems with nursing Amelia. Amelia was such a big baby, I didn't worry about feeding her. She was so sleepy from jaundice, that she wasn't waking enough to eat. I wasn't aware of the problem until the first weight check, and then major panic set in.

So, I was pretty nervous about putting our girl on the scale today.

No need to worry. Gemma was 8lbs 7 ozs, gaining close to a pound more than she had to. What a relief! Now mama can get some sleep (maybe?).
Sent from my iPhone