Big Siblings

First Visit to Michigan

We made a last minute decision to head to Michigan.  We've been slightly avoiding the trip because we weren't sure how to manage with three ... Or how the drive would go with a newborn.

We fed Luke at 4:30 which gave us a three hour window.  No problem!  Except we didn't get out the door until 6:00...

Luke actually slept the whole way, a definite benefit of a newborn.  At 7:38 he started fussing and we were only minutes away.  In the parking lot he was angry, but we had made it.

The kids took forever to settle down a and settle in, and like was up from 3:30-6:30 am.  Other than that it's been great ;)

Kids are now at the pool for the second time today, and Luke is taking second poolside nap!

Story Time

Activity Mat

Tried out the activity mat.  It sent Luke into a rage that lasted about an hour.  At least the other two enjoyed it.

6 Weeks & Angry

We've got full-blown colic, likely reflux, and possibly a food sensitivity or allergy. This means lots of screaming. Lots.

Thank goodness for the Moby Wrap. He hates the swing and hates being put down in general, but the wrap can give us all some peace.

Unfortunately, when the reflux acts up in the wrap, we are both covered and stuck together with puke. Baby steps.

Ryan's Freestyle

Finally got video of Ry in the pool!

For Mother's Day the kids spoiled me with a delicious breakfast and beautiful art and cards made at school :)

Sunday She Said / He Said

Brooke: Mom, can girls get beards?
(I told her no ... No need to freak the poor kid out) 

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Brooke: What is that?
Mom: Cotton candy, want to go get some?
Brooke: Too much sugar

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Brooke (to Ryan): Your name can be Fire Blast
Dad: Can I have a name too?
Brooke: Sure, you can be Jack

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Ryan: You're embarrassing my face

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Ryan: When I was a little baby, and Shamu was a little baby, we used to play and splash together.

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Random Woman (to her dog): Sit! Good sit!
Ryan (to Mom) : I think his name is Sit!

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Brooke: Mom, I'm like the specialist person in the whole world
Mom: You are? Why?
Brooke: Because when I close my eyes and put my hands on them I can sometimes see shapes. Then when I open them it takes a while before I can see because its dark.

Gymnastics

Luke finds Brooke & Ryan's gymnastics class to be highly stimulating.

Riding Solo: Round Two

Well, last night was a total failure.  The kids were fine till it was bedtime, and then it all just blew up. 

Luke screamed from 7-9PM.  If Aunt Jean wasn't here to help, I actually think the kids would have had to stay up still Jeff got home (which was 9pm).  Even with Jeans help it was out of control.

Brooke and Ryan started off screwing around with brushing teeth and getting ready.  They then both refused to go to bed, complaining about their beds, pillows, ability to get comfortable and lack of being tired.  As Luke screamed, Jean did her best to settle the troops.  I had to intervene (with screaming baby in hand) several times, and after an hour things were mostly settled.

The thing is, I'm solo tonight too ... Without Aunt Jeans help.  I figured last night would me a trial run to prepare me for tonight.  Instead, last night merely instilled anxiety in all of us.  I think the kids and are are all doubtful of the current situation ;). To top that off, the nanny called in sick today.  So I'm on my own all day - and night! 

I already bribed the kids with cookies last night, so I'll have to be extra creative with the bribes tonight.  Thank goodness I had Oberweis ice cream delivered yesterday! Now I just need to figure out how to bribe a 2 week old baby.

Failure to Expect the Unexpected

I'm lucky to have help most days of the week, but on Tuesdays and Thursdays I fly solo.  This wasn't a big deal with two kids ... But with three its a little different.

For the past two weeks Jeff was around to help, so today was the first time I had three kids AND a schedule to adhere to. 

Last night I did all the prepping I could:

Brooke's lunch packed - CHECK

Clothes for three kids set out - CHECK

My clothes set out - CHECK

Diaper bag packed - CHECK

Coats and shoes in a findable location - CHECK

I was ready.

This morning Luke woke at 6:15 to eat.  It was perfect timing.  I knew it was going to all run smoothly.  Luke ate and fell back asleep.  While he slept I got both kids breakfasts ready and on the table.  Perfect. I waited for the kids to wake up ... But they didn't.  No biggie.  I went 

upstairs, popped my head into Brooke's room and told her it was time to get up.  Then I went to wake Ryan.

I sat next to him and patted him on the back. It was sopping wet.  Hmm... That's weird.  He woke up and I realized all of him was wet, even his socks.  He never has accidents at night, so I guess when he decides to - hes gotta make it memorable.  I got him out of bed, into the shower, then dressed and sitting at the kitchen table.  Not quite perfect, but we managed.

Brooke still wasn't up, which was unusual.  I went up to her room and found her in midst of a full-blown panic attack.  Apparently she called me, and since I was giving Ryan a shower I didn't hear her.  She called again and again, then must have determined she was abandoned, and freaked out.  It took a while to settle her, but eventually I got her dressed and at the kitchen table.  I then went back upstairs to strip Ryan's bed and start the first of three loads of laundry (his sheets, his comforter, his pillows).

Finally we got everyone ready to head out the door, only a few minutes behind schedule.  On the way out I noticed I forgot to bring in our milk delivery. So we dropped Brooke off, came back to put the milk (and ice cream!) in, and then left for Ryan's school.  Driving there, Luke decided he was hungry and screamed for the 25 minute ride.  I got Ryan into school and rushed to a coffee shop to feed Luke, only to find him back asleep.

I had a few minutes of silence till he woke (again) to eat ... And those were the best 30 minutes of my day so far ;)

We are now back home.  I'm on load #3. I've bribed the kids with chocolate chip cookies and all is well.  For now.

I'n addition to this being my first day solo ... It's also my first night solo.  Jeff is staying late at work and won't be home till after the kids go to bed.  However, we don't have to leave the house tonight so the chaos is contained at home.  And, I've recruited Aunt Jean to be my wing-woman.