It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas…

 

Christmas really did sneak up on us this year, and I don’t feel prepared at all! We normally don’t get our tree so early, but we realized there are no other free weekends that we’ll have time, so we went ahead with our annual Tree Decorating festivities the weekend after Thanksgiving this year. After a trip to a nice restaurant with Mom & Dad for lunch, they went with us to the tree farm. We easily picked out our 6 ft. tree and took it home.

 

(I have a picture of each of the kids in their car seat at a tree farm every Christmas when they were babies. Abigail continues the tradition - only she stayed in the car because we parked close).

  

When we got home, Leah was so excited to decorate and asked a hundred times if it was time yet—especially when she found a tin of ornaments with her name on it and a Princess one inside! So we tried to keep her busy while Daddy got the tree in place and put on the lights. She loved the Nativity magnet book we have and for a long time kept herself busy by telling stories she made up.

  

Finally when it was time for the ornaments, Leah and Andrew were grabbing them from me faster than Daddy could help them put them on. They wanted all of them in the same place, of course, but we managed to make the tree look beautiful in the end.

 

What I’m Thankful For…

 

We had another great Thanksgiving this year with my family coming to our house for the big meal. I enjoy cooking the turkey, and really didn’t feel stressed about having the meal, especially considering I didn’t even make half the dishes! I am so thankful Mom & Dad and BJ & Jenipher got to come, and that we had a great time playing cards, watching the parade & making memories. I have so much to be thankful for this year (and every year.) I am thankful for my ever-growing family. I am thankful for a husband who works so hard so that I can stay home with my children to teach them and watch them grow every day. I am thankful for three healthy, intelligent children. I am thankful for my own health. And for a roof over our head. I am thankful that God always provides exactly what we need—like an extra job for Brett when we were struggling with our finances. I am most of all thankful for my salvation in Christ, that I have hope for the future.

And now, let the holiday season begin! It totally snuck up on me this year, and now, without even realizing it, we have Christmas activities planned just about every weekend this coming month. I was totally not yet in the Christmas spirit when we decided to go back to see Meadow Lights this year, like we did last year. It’s a light show where you can ride a train through the beautiful displays. Grandma & Grandpa, BJ & Jenipher got to go with us this year, and of course Leah & Andrew were so excited! (Although the lights were just a bonus—they were more excited about the train!) (Jenipher is holding Abigail for me in this picture.)

They also have a carousel, which both of them loved!

And this year was the first year we attempted a photo with Santa. I had no high hopes that all 3 kids would be smiling—I totally expected them to be a little timid, but Leah & Andrew were both excited to see him, and the picture turned out better than I could have hoped! I LOVE that Abigail is screaming in the picture. (Although it wasn’t really so much that she was afraid of Santa, she was really just hungry.) Neither of them really talked to Santa or told him what they wanted, but they love that they got to see him.

Newborn Photo Shoot

 

While Elizabeth was here, she helped to take some great newborn shots of Abigail, right in our very own living room. I wish I would have done this with Leah and Andrew, since it was so much fun and the shots are priceless. But I am so happy with how these turned out, especially considering we are not professionals. Abigail was so sweet and cooperative. She didn’t like some of the positions we tried to get her into, but she was easily consoled and slept through most of it.

I can’t believe how much I am in love with this little girl. I think being my third-born (and also probably the easiest baby yet, as far as sleeping and breastfeeding), I cherish this phase so much more than I did with both Leah and Andrew. In their newborn days, I wanted them to hurry up and learn to eat or learn to sleep better—I wanted them to grow up faster. Not so this time around. I know that this is such a short phase, and I don’t want it to end. I love snuggling up with her on my chest. I love her sweet little coos and grunts and squeaks (especially since I can’t hear them when she’s in her crib at night).

 

And if it’s possible, she has made me love my older two even more. Seeing them love and dote on her brings me so much joy, and though Leah’s been emotional lately and Andrew’s been sassier and moodier, I still find myself wishing I could freeze certain moments of my day and keep them like this forever. Time is going by so fast—Abigail is already 2 weeks old! I’m already starting to feel “normal” again, and so ready to return to our normal routine (although still tired and somewhat unmotivated for many things). It’s amazing how this little baby has just fit right into our lives.

   

Fall Leaves & Fun Friends

 

This past weekend, my friend Elizabeth visited us with her two kids. She’d never been to our house before and thought Abigail’s birth would be the perfect time. We had a lot of fun! Monday was such nice weather we decided to have a picnic and play at the park. It turned into a fun fall photo shoot and we got a lot of great shots!

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

Even Daddy had the day off work and got to come with us!

 

Sweet little Luke loved the swing!

We attempted a shot with all the kids and this is the best we got! Poor little Abigail…

Leah loved playing Princesses with Amelia—they got along well (Andrew and Amelia maybe not so much, since they are both 2!). Amelia loved holding Abigail and did so good at it! What great big sisters!

 

Abigail’s First Week

 

Abigail’s first week home has been a whirlwind of activity, adjustments, and excitement. Mom was here most of the week, so I was spoiled with plenty of sleep and built-in entertainment for Leah & Andrew. But now she’s gone and Brett has gone back to work, so the past two days I’ve been on my own. I don’t face the days with nearly as much dread as I did when Leah or Andrew were just born, but I still see an endless string of long days with 3 kids. Thankfully, the holidays are coming up and we’ll be busy. We haven’t been out much this past week—so far I’ve braved the grocery store (with only the baby) and the doctor’s office, but I’m not yet ready to tackle our everyday activities.

Abigail really does fit right into our lives. She is such a great nurser that I don’t feel like I’m constantly feeding the baby or struggling to get the baby to eat. I don’t dread feeding time and don’t feel like I’m planning my day around her. She sleeps well during the day (a lot, actually) and rarely fusses, except when she gets her diaper changed. She does have a lot of issues with gas, and grunts and squirms to try to work out her tummy issues. I remember struggling with this issue with Andrew—his lasted for months and he didn’t even sleep through the night till he was over a year old. I am praying that doesn’t happen this time around and she works through all this quickly!

The first few nights, she only wanted to be held. She would sleep just fine, as long as someone held her. Literally the second I would put her in her crib, swing, bassinet—anywhere!—she would start crying. Then when I would go to pick her up, she would stop. Maybe it was related to her gas and tummy issues, maybe a slight case of colic (which was what the doctor suggested) or maybe just adjusting to life outside the womb. Regardless, it was exhausting. However, I did expect some of that when I signed on to have a newborn, and I don’t think it was nearly as bad as it could have been!

Then, Monday night, we put her in her crib in her own room. (I think we only used the bassinet in our room once or twice! I’ll probably use it during the day some, though, since it’s probably the quietest place to sleep.) I was a little concerned that she’s so little to be in that crib all on her own, and I worried I wouldn’t hear her, but actually it was easier for me to let her cry just a little bit before rushing to her side. I could hear her just enough to know when her cry started to get a little more distressed. And, miraculously, she slept in more than one 3-hour stretch! Last night, she slept in 2 four-hour stretches! I even got up to check on her several times to make sure she was okay. Hopefully it’s not just a growth spurt and she’s really going to continue this pattern!

Leah and Andrew haven’t yet shown many signs of jealousy, although they have both been acting a little out of sorts. The time did change this weekend and they have been up early every day, so they are tired on top of the fact that their lives have just greatly changed. Leah is very emotional about everything, and Andrew is saying “No” a lot more often. I am trying to balance patience and discipline to help them adjust to all the changes. They love to hold the baby and kiss her all over, even when she’s sound asleep! They love when she’s awake and want to play with her. They are so proud to tell other people all about their baby sister.

Abigail’s First Bath (Sponge Bath)—Nov. 3, 2012

She surprisingly didn’t scream until she started getting a little wet. After that she cried pretty much through the whole bath, but loved being held at the end!

   

Abigail’s First Doctor Visit—Nov. 5, 2012

We made it out of the house on our own—me with 3 kids. It was definitely a task, especially considering for a pediatrician, the doctor’s office wasn’t very kid-friendly (meaning they didn’t have much to keep Leah & Andrew occupied while we waited & the office was so small!). Abigail has gained about 6 oz. since she was released from the hospital, back up almost to her birth weight. She is eating well! The doctor said she looks great. She seems to think the gas & colic will work itself out eventually and it’s normal for babies her age. I am so blessed to have a perfect bill of health for my sweet baby girl!

Tummy Time—Nov. 6, 2012

Yesterday I let Leah and Andrew play with her a little on her playmat. She wasn’t too thrilled about all the stimulation at first and preferred to be on her tummy. Once she got onto her tummy she was fine and tolerated it for a good ten minutes. Leah and Andrew loved the chance to bring their baby toys and play with her!

 

My little Halloween baby!: