Being a mom to three {boys} :: The first 6 weeks

Side note: Pictures above were taken a couple weeks ago now.

These days, when you see I have actually gotten a blog post written out, you can pretty much guarantee that there are dishes to do, floors to clean up and laundry to wash and put away. I feel like I spend half of the day either nursing Charlie or trying to get him to sleep, and the other half is spent feeding, cleaning, entertaining or consoling the older boys after a wrestling match ends in tears (which, let's be honest now, is every time). There is no doubt that life with three kids is busy!

Time just flies by! I have a list a mile long of things I would like to get accomplished, but most days I am lucky if the dishes get done and we all have clean underwear in a hamper somewhere. It definitely has been nice taking advantage of the I-have-a-newborn card though and having lazy days at home. Especially since I know the time is drawing near when Will will be starting school, and a more structured day will be necessary, it has been nice to just take our days nice and slow.

I am very grateful that Will and Sam have welcomed Charlie into our lives like it was nothing. Will is such a big help. Whether it's popping Charlie's binky back into his mouth or running upstairs to grab me something, just those small things help so much! And then there is Sam. Sweet Sam has shown nothing but love towards Charlie. Although it may be a bit too much love. The hugs. THE HUGS. Full body, face to face hugs. All. The. Time.

I have already managed the grocery shopping day with all three kids a few times now. We've added on another hour or so to our little routine, but other than that it hasn't been that bad. I typically bring lots of snacks to keep them happy. But a friend of mine suggested using organic lollipops, and that has worked out pretty well. Snacks are usually shoved quickly into their mouths, but the lollipop is licked nice and slow. It gives me at least 10 minutes before their little hands are reaching out for more. They are told if they want a lollipop they have to obey at the first store in order to get it at the second store, and it all works out in the end!

Charlie is already 6 weeks old, and I cannot believe it! He's been a bit crabby lately (aka gassy) and loves to be held. Having a baby wrap/sling has been great, especially during the dinner hour, but I am not kidding when I say this. If anyone would like to come over and hold Charlie during his awake time. COME! You can hold one of the cutest babies ever. I can wipe down my counters or eat a meal. We can chat. Win win.

Charlie George :: 1 month

*This post is a little late; life is busy these days!

Have a happy weekend!

Have any fun plans for this weekend? I had to postpone my grocery shopping day until tomorrow, since we went to the zoo yesterday instead. It will be my first big shopping trip with all three kiddos; I'm bringing lots of snacks! Sunday I am looking forward to enjoying the cooler weather we'll be having and being outside at my sisters graduation party. Here are some sweet pictures of Charlie. He is 4 weeks old today!

A Home Birth Story :: Charles George

This is a birth story. That's your warning.

Charlie's birth really was perfect.

The days up until his birth I was still feeling pretty great. The Wednesday before, we spent all day at a local amusement park, doing lots of walking.

The next day was our grocery shopping/running errands day, with a stop at daddy's shop to play tag and hide and seek (the boys, not me!). That evening I went to yoga, and left feeling great with plans to come again on Saturday morning...

Squishy baby love

Charlie :: 3 weeks

Sea Breeze, 2013

Every year in June, for as long as I can remember, a group of local home schoolers spend a day at our local amusement park. Going as one of the kids was always a blast, but going as a mom the past 4 years has been just as fun!

This year, it happened to be 5 days before my due date. I wasn't sure if I was going to go, but it was such a beautiful day and I was feeling just fine. I saw no reason not to go!

This was their first ride; the boats. It was also Sam's last ride. When it comes to kiddie rides, this one is pretty tame. Sam didn't seem to think so. He started bawling after one time around, and then refused to go on any other ride. He spent the rest of the day like this...

Watching Will ride rides. Which is funny, because he loved them last year! I felt so bad for him, but he had a great attitude the whole time and didn't seem to mind. Will on the other hand came off of every ride excited to go on the next one.

His sunglasses just kill me. My mom and some sisters were there as well, and were a great help with the boys riding ride with Will that I wasn't able to go on and keeping tabs on Sam.

My boys are just not fans of water. Will eventually waded in a whole 1ft, and Sam had fun walking along the "shore". This was Will's 4th year going and I have not yet been able to convince him to go down the little kiddie water slide. I always say, "Next year for sure he'll go" only to have him not. I tried bribing and everything, but nope. So yeah, there is always next year.

Another day at Sea Breeze come and gone. We had such a great time. I made it through the day without going into labor and we all came home exhausted with bright red noses.

Here we are last year at Sea Breeze! Notice Sam loving some rides!