We are officially the parents of three kids. I guess technically we have been for the last month, but not until  you are on your own do you believe it. Trying to tote 2 young kids, making sure the third is not getting run over by cars in the parking lot, figuring out how to feed one kid when the other one needs to be up and eat for school, trying to carrying two kids down the stairs, and my favorite, chasing the oldest down with the wooden spoon while the youngest is in the sling. (Yes, we spank.) We have done well lately. Ethan and I have learned to depend on each other more…ok, maybe I am just depending on him more. He has been a great father and husband helping me in the middle of the night when Audrey is not going back to sleep, getting up when he hears the spit up shoot on the carpet, bathing and putting the older girls to bed, even going to the store for me yesterday before work. Thank you husband. One day, I promise, you will have my full attention again.

As for Audrey, she is growing. She weighed in at 9 lbs 3 oz today. That is 2 lb 3 oz in 4 weeks. Okay, I am a little proud of that seeing as how I am the one nourishing her. And taking into account how much she spits up, she must really be eating well. She is content most of the time, not too fussy, but something does not settle in her little tummy. I almost took a picture of my laundry basket yesterday, but just take my word for it, we go through an entire basket each day of bibs, diaper cloths, blankets, clothes… Audrey is currently on Zantac to see if it helps any, then we may move her to one of the stronger ones. However, I am hestitant because she is not in alot of pain and don’t really want her to take those meds if it isn’t going to change the spit up. She is beginning to stretch her nights a little going as much as 4-5 hours. I know I will look back at those middle of the night feedings and cherish that time with just me and her in the dark, but honestly, does any mom enjoy it at the time? I do love the times when she stays awake after eating and just lays on my lap and looks around and then fixes on me when she finds me. So cute and sweet. And then she spits up everywhere! Joy!

Our playtime during the day.

My mom and I discussed several times before Audrey’s birth if we could all handle 3 weeks together. Because of the timing of Thanksgiving, it didn’t make sense for her to leave before that, so she was here for 3 complete weeks. She and my dad drove in the weekend before the birth, my dad left mid-week, and then drove back with my brothers for Thanksgiving. And now, it is Saturday 3 weeks later and she is gone. I have only cried a total of three times (that I remember) when it comes to my parents. 1: As they prepared to go home after dropping me at ACU. 2: Going home after they flew up to get us moved into our home in TN. 3: Yesterday. Hugging them good-bye after 3 good weeks.

My mom had been there every moment since Audrey’s birth. She watched her come into this world. Watched her meet her sisters. Watched her come home. Watched her eat, sleep, and begin to spit up. She held her even while her back was in severe pain. She comforted her when her little stomach got upset after each feeding. She learned her signs and could predict and prepare before the spit up went everywhere. She washed and folded. She cooked. She cleaned. She played with the big girls. She got Alyssa ready for school each day. She let me take naps. She went to the store. She planned for the cousins arrival. She planned Thanksgiving lunch. Could I possible remember everything she did for me? She did all of it without complaint, but with joy. And for once in my adult life, I let her help me. It was a blessing to have my mom here with me as I learned about life with another baby. Since we have always lived so close, she has not really spent this much time with me or a new baby. She would visit, then go home. But this time, she was able to be with us around the clock and we loved it. I think we could have gone longer, but it is time that I learn to do this on my own.

Today, was our first day as a family of five. We had both of my brothers and families here for Thanksgiving and really enjoyed spending time with everyone. But now they are gone. Mom and Dad are gone. And it is just us. And I think we did pretty good today. Here is to Monday when I am on my own all day. And thank goodness Oma arrives on Tuesday! Then I do it on my own, I promise.

Bath Time:

Audrey

Megan

Maybe all kids scream like this in their first bath, but these two look suspiciously similar. (Thanks for the reminder Ali.)

The Swing: It goes a little slower with each kid, and makes this crank noise when it starts up, but 7 years and 4 girls later I guess it still works.

Today Audrey is hanging out in the swing in the in-direct sunlight. She of course has a little bit of jaundice, I think all of mine have. We are waiting for the results of her third bilirubin test, but I think she is getting better. She has gained back up to 6 lb 14 oz already and the goal for newborns is birth weight (7 lbs) in 2 weeks. She is still very sleepy and unaware of the chaos going on around her. I am not sure how I am going to manage these three girls by myself, but for now I am very thankful that mom is here to help. There are not any pics of her yet, but she is working behind the scenes.

Alyssa has enjoyed coming home to Audrey and kissing her goodnight, but still isn’t that interested in her. Megan has gotten excited to see her a time or two, but for the most part just plays around her. I guess we are adjusting. Daddy and Megan went to the Jump Zone today for some one on one time. Alyssa loves school, but I think Megan is getting the shaft just a bit…poor middle child!