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. 

Park

We were adventurous and went out to a new place. Shocking, I know. 

The other day I decided we needed out. We are home bodies/hobos lately. So we got in the car and just went for a drive. 

We found ourselves in a teeny mining town on the west side. Our home ward used to do their summer BBQ's here, so we got out and played. 

It definitely makes the kids' day to try a new playground. Especially a big one. 

24th of July

Back on the 24th, our ward did a breakfast and bike parade. 

The breakfast started at 8:30, which the boys gladly attended without their morning sick (zombie) momma. 

I didn't want to miss my little sport (Gabe) in his first chance to ride his bike with friends though. 

Here he is at the starting line. In the orange. 

They started and his little cautious body fell toward the back quickly. So Garrison caught up to run along side. 

It took him a while, but he did it! 

You can see Garrison in the light blue in the middle of the picture. The finish line! 

Apparently there was a moment of discouragement in the middle, but he was glad he finished.