Hair

I was brushing Gabe's hair for school one day and noticed something funny with a spot on his head. I though it was a typical random uncooperative spot (as it happens to the best of us, right?). 

But upon closer examination, I realized a chunk of hair was missing. 

I had no idea what to think of it. No idea how it happened. 

Then another day later Gabe came home from school and I noticed a bald spot:

Right between his cowlicks, where he always has a tuft of hair sticking up (which I LOVE).

TURNS OUT Gabe took it upon himself to remove his untamable "bed head."

Says he when I asked, "Oh, I FIXED it!!"

I learned my lesson about accidentally teaching him "bed head" the same week I point out his cowlicks. 

And keeping hair scissors easily accessible in the bathroom. 

Pluggin Along

It's been just over a month since life's change of pace began. Life as a mom takes 300% of my time (and energy) and it's all I do. 

Transitioning to three so far has been CRAZY for me. I still can't believe I have three. A LOT of moms tell me it was their hardest transition and I'm believing it. I can't quite put my finger in which aspect it is though. 

I get to see the difference between an 18 month and three year gap between kids. I traded off having to re-enter "baby mode" after a while for kids who are relatively independent. Apples and oranges. 

I get lots of friends asking how the baby's doing. He's an awesome baby! He just does everything a newborn does without asking too much. I think he's pretty great!

It's the older two that are giving me a run for my money. My efforts to enforce house rules are less than perfect being limited in mobility and they're running wild with it. I'd be lying if I said it isn't nuts. 

I may or may not be losing my mind. 

Recovery is still taking it's own sweet time. For all those women who tried to tell me a vbac recovery would be "SO much better"... I want to give some serious crusties. There are moments I lean over a counter, or reach up, and remember that could have been an impossible move, and I'm thankful in those moments. 

We're still in potty training mode. It seriously feels like we'll be in limbo forever. Nate's got all the tools and practice... we're just waiting for some switch to flip. He's oh so close though. 

(Thanks again, Hannah, for our sweet pictures!)

We're taking life super easy for now. If it doesn't have to get done, it usually doesn't. It's often PJ day and our outings are (gladly) just a drive in the car. 

I recently saw a show where they said, "I wish there was a way to know you're in the good ol' days before you've left them." One thing I know for sure is no matter how crazy the days are, or stressful, I'm already nostalgic for the day before. We're definitely in the good ol' days now! We're loving life!

What Matters

My mother had this poem on her wall as I grew up. I remembered it while holding Peter one night and wanted it to put in the nursery. 

Cleaning and scrubbing can wait til tomorrow,

For babies grow up, 

We've learned to our sorrow. 

So quiet down cobwebs,

Dust go to sleep,

I'm rocking my baby,

And babies don't keep. 

Heaven knows I have always thrived in an organized and squeaky clean living space. For the first time I've truly had to learn to lower my standards for a clean house. Some days we still mange "tidy," but I'm learning to pick my battles. 

Pumpkin Eater

-Peter was named by his brothers. They were convinced for a while he should be Peter Pan. We went with idea and took Peter... but left the Pan. 

-This newborn has given us the wildest ride of all our children when I comes to diapers. His favorite time to save all his business is while he's fussing DURING diaper changes. 

-He's acclimated well to the volume of our family so far. Boys playing little boy games, blow dryers, blenders, etc. Doesn't phase him. 

-Peter smiles ALL the time in his sleep. Big smiles! He would grimace and pout a ton while in Special Care nursery with all the pokes, but since he's been home he's been all smiles! 

Peter

Peter Glenn made his big debut just a little early! He arrived on Friday at 7:16 in the afternoon, weighing 6 lbs 7 oz--our biggest baby by an ounce. 

Pre-labor took days. Intense contractions non-stop every five minutes. We went in to L&D Friday morning and my doc took mercy on me and admitted me. 

Long story short, everything went SO fast (and SO smooth) from we were admitted to when we heard Peter's first cries! The epidural was beyond heavenly, and I made it blissfully through everything totally comfortable. I literally could not have asked for a more smooth, amazing experience. SUCH a contrast from my previous labors. 

Garrison had to hurry back to the kids not too long after Peter came. Nate had been sick since the night before, so they needed to go home to rest. 

The next day our wonderful pediatrician stopped by and just happen to notice quivering. Peter was taken to the Special Care nursery for an extra day for an IV for very low blood sugar. But the resilience of babies never ceases to amaze me. He bounced back in no time and we got to go home only a day later than planned.

 

Gabe got to hold Pete for the first time and it was ADORABLE to watch. He was on cloud nine admiring his new brother! 

We seriously can't get enough of this fellow. I'll sometimes find Garrison or one of the boys sneaking up to hold him or peek at him while he sleeps. I'm guilty myself. 

We look back and cannot help but see the Lord's hand helping us all along the whole way. He is a huge blessing and a constant reminder of how much the Lord can bless us. 

Ready

We're down to single digited days. It's baby time soon. 

I get overwhelmed at the idea of transitioning to three kids. I was never worried about two, but three just seems like a big jump to me. This little guy has been very physically demanding for nine months already, so it'll only change in the kinds of demands, not magnitude, right?

I've stocked up on every possible thing to have for several weeks out. I've deep cleaned places in my house I've never thought to scrub before. Baby things are all pulled out and washed and ready until this kid is pretty much a half year old. 

(That's my hospital bag hanging on the side ready to go).

And I made a new car seat cover. It's nice to make your own stuff to keep busy. 

I've already been having small contractions every day for almost a couple weeks (average on an hourly basis) although they never pick up or just switch out with strong Braxton Hicks that come steadily all day long. 

The little guy is measuring to be right on track with his brothers in size (they were both six and a half pounds). But we'll see. I love em tiny. 

We're super excited to meet this sweet fellow. 

Lucky

I seriously have the best little helpers. I say the words, "Can you help me?" and they come RUNNING.

They'll make good husbands one day.