Jake and Noah try to teach Aaron to crawl

Aaron is trying to crawl

He's on the move......well, getting there. Much, much earlier than his big brothers ever did!

Do I have your vote?

Existential thought for the day....

"What a mom learns by knowing a child from its first tiny flutter is nothing less than how a human being is formed. Motherhood forces us to understand, if only so we can teach it to our children, what really matters in the small space we each have between birth and death. And the easiest way for me to learn this lesson is by living in deep, penetrating kinship with other human beings -- by living, in other words, in a family."
-Margaret Renkl
www.parenting.com

Funky hyper links

Note..when clicking on inexplicably funky hyper links in Parent messages below, for some reason, the pages are loading at the end of the post, rather than the beginning. Just scroll up to read on....sorry!

A Parent In Silver Spring: Take the words out of my mouth

The Mommy Guilt Missive- properly cited..

A Parent In Silver Spring: Take the words out of my mouth

A Parent In Silver Spring: Parenting in Silver Spring

mostly true (however, I don't know one stay at home Dad...do you?)

Anyway, pretty funny.


A Parent In Silver Spring: Parenting in Silver Spring

Observations since we've been home.....

1. Having 3 children is much easier than having 2: When I was home with Jake and Noah when Noah was an infant, I had a very difficult time keeping Jake entertained and happy, and as a result, we had a lot of acting out. Now, Jake and Noah are such great friends- they get up in the morning and just start playing together- I swear, they don't even really need us sometimes! While they all need their special individual Mommy time, I think that now, they have each other, and so neither feel left out in the cold when I have to attend to Aaron.

2. Noah is no middle child: By number, of course he is, but I was very concerned about him feeling displaced, particularly because he's always been a Mommy's boy. Noah and Jake both are so kind, gentle, and loving to Aaron, I couldn't ask for better big brothers for him. Noah kisses Aaron all of the time (always asking for, and waiting for permission), and Jake wants to hold Aaron whenever he can (until he cries- then I get him back!).



3. Aaron is easy: Jake wouldn't eat when he was an infant, and Noah wouldn't sleep unless he was held. I had an inkling when Aaron wasn't breech, that he was trying to be cooperative- and hoped against hope that I had finally earned my "easy" baby. Seems to be so far! He has his moments, but generally, he's pretty predictable!


4. I'm not as tired as I remembering being with the others: but perhaps with 3 kids, I've reached maximum fatigue and just can't get any more tired!

5. I love being a mommy more than anything else: I adore my children. Being a mom is my most favorite thing. I could have 3 more kids (don't worry, my body won't let me), I adore these little people!


6. Paul and I hang out more now than ever: So much for children straining relationships- we hang out for hours every evening after Jake and Noah go to bed- and we already have a date night planned (still working on a babysitter...anyone? anyone?) ;-)


7. We've watched tons of movies lately: Good movies- Michael Clayton, The Nanny Diaries, Evan Almighty (it really wasn't bad!); Bad movies- Sicko (I don't mind Michael Moore- Fahrenheit 9/11 still makes my blood boil), but this was awful- not so much an indictment of US healthcare overall- more composed of individual anecdotal horror stories -the individuals probably could have fought and won the battles with their insurance companies- I know that I would have. It was like Super-size Me but regarding healthcare- stilted, so the arguments were less potent); Perfect Stranger (Halle Berry is bad, bad, bad...)....geez...can't remember what else we've seen.

8. Daytime entertainment: As Aaron doesn't say much and the big boys still go to school 3 days per week, I will say this- I watch more TLC and Discovery Health than anything. I LOVE Real Simple magazine, and while Rachael Ray annoys the crap out of me, her magazine has GREAT simple and quick recipes for the family.

Wow! Catching Up...

Aaron Michael

So the word is out, but I feel the need to blog it nonetheless....Aaron Michael has arrived! Actually, he will be one month old this Friday (!). As is now usual, February was a whirlwind of doctors appointments, abrupt work stoppage and bedrest, delivery dates scheduled and rearranged, and ultimately, the birth of our healthy baby boy. In a nutshell, the day after the Superbowl, I was put on bedrest- thus I had to immediately stop working. In anticipation of such an event, I had cleaned out my office at work the week prior (my practice was moving to a new location while I would be out and I wanted to be in control of moving my own belongings, so I just brought everything home for now). Nonetheless, my office seemed a little surprised that I was out so suddenly (despite the fact that I had been warning them for months that this is how things go down when I am pregnant). No harm done. I'm actually thinking of going back to work, at least part time, sooner than later. I adore being home with Aaron, but I have realized while I've been out, that I really, really like my job. And going into a recession, I'm not sure that I should just throw the job away. But that's a discussion for another post.

Anyway, I was on bedrest for one week (not as delightful as you might think- I cannot stand not being independent, and I was very sad that I had to basically "drop out" of Jake and Noah's daily life, save for hanging out on the couch and reading books- I dig the day to day doings of being their Mommy). Anyway, on 2/11/08, I had another doctors appointment at which they decided that they were too nervous about waiting out my blood pressure and pre-eclampsia (that was developing steadily), so they sent me to the hospital for delivery. While at the hospital, after more tests were conducted, we determined that my situation was stable, although I had already been put on the schedule for surgery, so they were moving forward anyway. Paul and I quickly put the kibosh on that, as the whole point of my stint with the nutritionist, etc, etc, was to avoid a repeat of Noah's troubles by letting this little guy cook as long as possible. Long story short, we discussed our concerns with my awesome doc, and he said that we could wait a few days (assuring us that even extra days help), but said that I was not allowed to go home, and would be admitted to the hospital for monitoring. So I was admitted to the high-risk perinatal unit, where I shared a room with a non-English speaker (thank goodness- I really wasn't in the mood to be making new friends) and I suffered through the most incredible boredom that I'd ever experienced, with horrible hospital television and no internet. I also experienced the most intense homesickness ever- crying every evening when Paul and the boys left to go home. Coupled with anxiety-induced insomnia (did you know that pregnant women can take Ambien? I learned this on day 2 of my stay), I was quite miserable, but tried to remember that I was doing this for the health of my baby. By day 3, my blood pressure was rising despite near constant bedrest, so we made a plan for delivery. Our doctor suggested 2/15 (2 days later), but as that is Noah's birthday, we counter-suggested 2/14- and our doctor was relieved. Apparently, my condition was making them very nervous! So we planned to deliver our new baby the following day, on Valentine's day. The evening of 2/13, Paul brought the boys to visit. I helped them write their Valentine's cards for their friends, and we exchanged cards, gifts, and candy (and I gave Paul his new iPod!). In retrospect, it was a very special evening- and my last with my "2" boys.

Hanging with Jake and Noah for the last time until there are "3"...

On Valentine's Day, we were scheduled for a 10:45a c-section. Paul arrived at the hospital early, and soon after his arrival, we were called by daycare to learn that Noah was vomiting. Of course he was! We diverted Louise, who was en route to the hospital, and Heather picked up Noah and brought him to our house where Louise watched him. Meanwhile, our surgery was delayed for hours d/t a complicated procedure prior to mine. We finally were taken back to the OR around 2:20pm. Aaron Michael was born at 3:04p. He was strong, healthy, and a pound larger than either of my boys! Best of all, for the first time, I got to hold my child after they were born (usually, they were being rushed off to the NICU). Funny thing- I learned that you are in no condition to hold your child immediately following a c-section! I was drugged and nauseated, and was numb up to my hands, so instead of examining Aaron's little fingers and toes like Id imagined a million times, I could only look at his tiny face peeking out of the swaddled bundle that had been laid upon me. But that was okay!

Mommy and baby...

Aaron did end up visiting the NICU for a few hours that evening- his lungs were pretty wet from the c-section, but he was brought to me at 11:45 that evening in good health! After 3 more days in the hospital, we were both sent home!

Narcoleptic Noah......

Noah has developed an amazing ability..he can fall asleep anywhere and everywhere! A few examples:

Happy New Year!

The Brampton Inn

Outside our cottage

The "real life" Tow Mater!



January was a whirlwind! My parents visited, I had a few Creative Memories Get Togethers (what fun!), and attended a Creative Memories Regional Convention (even more fun!). I'm a scrapbooking nut, that's for sure.

Most fun in January was the trip that Paul and I took to the Brampton Inn in Chestertown, MD. Granny and Grandad watched Jake and Noah so that we could get away for one last weekend before baby Aaron arrives. For the 1-2 long-term blog readers (lol..), you may remember that Paul and I went to the Brampton right before Noah was born. We wanted to plan a trip before the new baby, too- and after considering many options, decided that the Brampton was perfect, so no need to try anything new! We had a great, relaxing time away. Guess it's officially our "pre-baby" trip destination. Anyway, it's a great place, the couple who run the inn are very nice- highly recommend!

The boys having fun!

Holidays 2007

I know, I know.....I need to update! Long overdue- never enough time! The holidays were great- spent Christmas in PA with my family. Noah was sick over the holidays (so what else is new?!)- it took him literally 2 days to open all of his gifts. He just wasn't into opening presents. Adam and his dog Yuri (who tried to eat Buddy 5-6 times) was home from Denver- it was great to visit with him.

We spent New Years' Eve in Annapolis with Paul's parents- low key was the order of the day for preggo me. A great holiday season-



Jake and Noah's favorite gifts from Santa- seriously!!


Christmas morning breakfast with the Newhouse's!

Thanksgiving......

Seems like a million years ago already; Paul outdid himself as usual with a terrific menu of turkey, sausage stuffing, homemade cranberries, and sweet potatoes. I made my usual chocolate pecan pie, and Granny and Grandad and Aunt Jo, Sarah, and Peter joined us.

Big Boy Bed

Today we assembled Noah's new big boy bed and put away the crib....well, no, we didn't put away the crib- we just moved it to the "new" nursery. But anyway, Noah was beside himself with excitement jumping around and playing on his new bed- but any parent who has taken a child out of the crib wonders how it will all go down......when the child is no longer confined at bedtime. Well...Noah was breeze! He went right to bed, no fuss, crawled in and put his head on his pillow. Fell asleep without a peep! I had to sneak in and take a photo because the boys are so cute together! Paul and I can't wait for morning when the boys can get up and play- Noah no longer confined. What big boys they are!

Halloween

....has come and gone, but we still have buckets of sweets for the kids (and Daddy!) to plow through! We celebrated Halloween week (yes...it's not just a day around here)....beginning last Sunday, with Heather and Dave's annual Halloween bash. They truly outdid themselves. Not only did they have the moonbounce, but Dave made 2 "ghostly" bowling lanes, and they had several other games for the kids to play, and even a craft table! It was the best ever, and the boys had a great time. The only downside was when Jake cleared out the moonbounce after throwing up in it (!)...poor kid.....

So for Halloween, Jake dressed up as a member of Lightening McQueen's pit crew, and Noah was a monkey. Some how, Noah's daycare teacher worked a miracle and actually got him into the costume (which he had refused to wear prior), and he wore it all evening! I even left it on through dinner because I was sure that if I took it off, it would never go back on.

Finally, the kids trick-or-treated with their cousins (also becoming tradition). Noah tried his best to keep up with the big kids, and managed to say "Treat" when he was able to toddle up to a door in time. He was continually confused because he kept wanted to actually enter the houses, and would get frustrated when I carried him away. He did get his own little stash of candy, which was very cute. Jake was beside himself with excitement and had no trouble hanging with his cousins- they didn't require any urging to go to houses this year as they did last year!

Now it's time to think about Thanksgiving....only 3 weeks away (how is that possible?)- thankfully, Thanksgiving is Paul's gig- I just make dessert. The holidays are upon us. Hard to believe!

Noah in the news...

Noah in the Potomac Almanac last week.....

It's a........

boy! (Right side of bottom pic is a shot of tush and boys parts pointing to the left ;-)). Yes..I am the proud mama of 3 little boys. I adore my boys, can't wait to meet our new little fellow! So when we weren't able to identify the gender on Thursday, I decided to investigate 3D sonogram. Long story short, Paul Jake, Noah, and Heather and Charlotte and myself went this morning to a great place in Potomac (their machines are newer and of better resolution than what my OB uses), and in no time at all, saw evidence of boy-ness! Anyway, in retrospect, I'm very happy that we found out on our own! Another month seems like an eternity! So here are a few pics. More soon!

Disappointment....

while everything health-wise is fine with the baby, the sonographer was unable to determine the baby's gender today (partly because baby wasn't moving around so much, partly because the tech didn't seem terribly motivated to get the info anyway). So, argh! I am frustrated beyond belief and am in total disbelief that I have to wait another entire month before we can learn more about this baby! I'm thankful that all seems well, but was just so excited to learn the gender, and today was just a huge let down. In the whole grand scheme, not a big problem, but I'm definitely bummed.....

Jake's 4th Birthday and other news....

The cake that Mommy made!


Jake and pals at the bowling alley.


Noah enjoys Jake's birthday breakfast!


Jake turned 4 years old last Wednesday- he was far more excited about taking cupcakes to school than about the presents that we had for him (briefly, at least!). We got him a 2-wheeler bicycle that he likes, but is a little scared of, too. His "CARS" themed bowling birthday party was attended by 12 of his pals. It was fun, the kids enjoyed playing duckpins, and I didn't have to cook or clean up anything! ;-)

Later on Saturday, the grandparents came over for dinner and we celebrated birthday party #3. At this point, it was getting a little ridiculous, but Jake really enjoyed himself.

Jake takes a spin on his new bike!


Otherwise, Adam received news 2 weeks ago that he passed the Colorado Bar exam on the first try! He's being sworn in on 10/22 and my parents will be driving (yes, I said driving!) to Denver to attend.

And finally, we're anxiously awaiting our sonogram on Thursday. Can't wait to know how our family will be growing changing! Short post, not much time, will write more on Thursday, I'm sure!

Excavators are very distracting to 4-year old boys and girls.....

This we learned at Jacob's soccer practice last Saturday. The scene directly adjacent to the soccer field:



Number of times the kids had to be recalled to the field after drifting, slack-jawed and eyes-glazed: innumerable!

Fall is here! Thank goodness; I'm so done with summer. Done with the swampy, sticky heat. Jake loves playing soccer, and he's fairly good at it (he's always had good aim!).





Noah likes to chase after the big boys....



Otherwise, we're all doing very well! I am just about 16 weeks along, feeling great, haven't gain but a few pounds, and thanks to the awesome nutritionist that I go to, my blood pressure is the lowest that it's been in a very long time (120-130ish/70-80ish)!!! I go to the OB tomorrow, and pushing for my next sono SOON!!! I want to know this baby's gender! Believe me when I say that I REALLY don't care either way, I really don't! I adore my boys, and would be happy with another, but a girl would be....well...unexpected, to say the least! Anyway, I'm very curious. Will post when we know!

Noah is having eye surgery soon; he's had blocked tear ducts since infancy, and as his hasn't resolved (as they usually do), the time has come for intervention. It sounds like a very minor procedure, actually- he's given a general anesthetic (via mask, not IV, my mother has assured me), and the doc inserts a small wire into each tear duct to open up the blockage- it's a stuck valve, actually. The process of the anesthesia reportedly takes longer than the procedure itself. We'll schedule...well....when Children's calls us with an opening...I feel bad for little Noey, but it's quick and not very invasive, so he shouldn't be in much or any discomfort afterwards, we hope. Never a dull moment!