Wyatt - 3 Months

Why is time so mean?  Because I swear that I just wrote about Wyatt at two months and now he's three months.  And you know what?  I have a feeling I'll be saying that every month and for the rest of my life.

Anyway, my baby boy is three months old!  At three months, Wyatt:

- Weighs 10 pounds 2 ounces. And I know this thanks to an impromptu weight check with his pediatrician yesterday. He is not thriving as he should growth-wise and so we will be supplementing formula in hopes that it helps him grow more.

- Really loves Mommy.  Like, nobody compares to Mommy and I am more than OK with it

- Smiles all the time and is quite the little chatter box when you engage with him

- Is starting to laugh and it's just the best sound in the world

- Is very responsive to Mommy, Camden and Zoey

- Has lots of facial expressions just like Zoey

- Just might be favoring me in who he looks like??

- Loves the Tula baby carrier and all its sleepy baby magic

- Is trying to roll over from back to belly

- Has started drooling and I don't recall either Cam or Zoey doing this at this age

- Likes to put his hands in his mouth. This coupled with the drooling makes me wonder if he’ll get teeth early/earlier?

- His “it’s bedtime” tired cry sounds a little like Chewbacca

- Sleeps a good 8.5 hour stretch at night, eats, and then goes back to sleep for a varying amount of time.  I'll take it.  Naps are getting much better too.

- Hair is growing back in the front but is now disappearing in the back from him sleeping on his back and moving his head side-to-side in his sleep. So he’s got this little tuft on top, then a sweet strip of bald, and then a nice little mullet way down in the back.

- Eyes are still a dark gray/blue but I am pretty confident that at some point they will turn brown like Daddy and Zoey's

- Will start daycare at Ms. Debbie's on January 2

He is seriously a chill and very happy baby - he fits in with this family so well and is so, so loved.

Take Luck,

LP

Camden is SIX

I looked back on Cam's fifth birthday post just now and it feels like it was both a lifetime ago and just yesterday.  This year has been full of changes for him and he has truly rocked it.  I just cannot cannot cannot believe he is six and officially needs two hands to show his age with his fingers.  

Of course, I am queen of bias when it comes to him and his siblings but this kid is truly special.

Weight: 39 1/2 lbs (13th percentile)

Height: 42.5 inches (7th percentile)

- Is incredibly loving and affectionate

-  Has two (maybe three?) loose teeth and says he wants them to be shot out with a Nerf gun.  One of them is hanging by a thread, I swear

- Played YMCA basketball with the Rockets, YMCA soccer with the Lightning Cheetahs, and YMCA t-ball with the Sluggers

- Played Tracyton soccer with the Lightning Bolts (formerly Dragons)

- Has started playing indoor soccer with the Thunder Cats 

- Takes gymnastics (Comets 2) twice a week with Coach Sam and it is amazing how much his strength and coordination has improved.  He is so fun to watch!

- Is catching onto reading really quickly

- Loves to draw, practice writing his first and last name, and various words and phrases (after asking how to spell them of course)

- Started Kindergarten and absolutely loves it and his teacher, Ms. Ryan.  During his parent/teacher conference she said that he is the most articulate and socialized kid in his class, one of only a handful that can count to 100 and will be truly reading by the end of the school year, and has wonderful penmanship.  The two things he needs to work on are not blurting out answers/questions before being called on... and not hugging everyone all of the time.  Did I mention he was a very loving and affectionate kid?

- He came home on the first day of school saying that there was a very pretty girl in his class and that he would like to marry her... but he couldn't tell me what her name was.  Turns out her name is Mazie and she is adorable.

- His best friends in his class are Kaleo, Kamden (KJ), Charlie, Kainoa, Shane and Mazie.

- Seriously seems like he's made friends with at least half of the school so far.  I volunteer in his class on Tuesday afternoons and when we walk out together at the end of the school day he hugs at least 10 kids goodbye.

- His principal calls him "Boss."

- Has developed a very cute friendship with our neighbor, Ian.  It's like they are brothers.  Ian is very protective of Cam and walks him to his classroom everyday when they get to school (even though Cam is more than capable of doing it himself) and Cam looks up to Ian like he is the bees knees.

- Became a big brother again and adores his baby brother more than I had imagined he would.  He is constantly asking to hold him and I frequently have to ask him to "stop kissing the baby." He tells me at least three times a day that "baby brother is soooooo cute!"

- Apparently not as terrified of natural disasters as he once was?  They had the "big shake" drill at school a few weeks ago and he came home saying it was his favorite thing about school

- A fireman came into their class to talk about fire safety and it left a big impression on him because no he will now randomly say "if there is a fire in your house, Mommy - don't worry about your toys.  Just worry about yourself."

- Wears 5T tops, 5T bottoms (finally), and a size 10 shoe

- Favorite things to eat are peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chocolate brownie Z-bars, and Classic Lays chips

- Favorite TV shows are Blaze and the Monster Machines, Teen Titans Go, and Loud House.  I'm also forcing the kids to watch Crikey! It's the Irwins and he really likes that too

- Still loves to watch "red commercial" on the iPad (YouTube Kids) and I'll never understand how it can be so fascinating to watch other kids playing with toys or playing video games

- Is still so snuggly and I LOVE IT

Interview update:

Favorite Color: All of the blues

Favorite Movie: Incredibles 2

Favorite TV Show: Puppy Pals and Paw Patrol 

Favorite Animal: Cheetah

Favorite Book: Anything about cheetahs 

What do you want to be when you grow up?: An Army guy

Who is your best friend?: Of course Shane and Mazie

Favorite thing to learn about at school: Reading and writing letters  

Favorite food: Pizza

Favorite Drink: Chocolate milk

Favorite Activity: Jump on trampolines and do backflips

Favorite Song: The River

Favorite thing about yourself: When I played my first game of indoor soccer I worked really hard and scored a goal

Camden James.  There really are no words to adequately describe how much I love you and how incredibly proud I am to be your Mommy.  You are smart, funny, outgoing, and very silly.  People are drawn to you because you are so happy, loving, and full of life  Being your mom and watching you grow and experience this world is such a joy and privilege.  It truly is an honor.  I love you, my Super Cam.

Take Luck,

LP

Wyatt - 2 Months

October to November may have been the fastest month of my life.  I swear I was just plucking out Wyatt's 1 Month post... and yet, here we are.

My baby boy is two months old!

He weighed in at 9 pounds 5 ounces at our lactation consultation on Friday.  Internally, I was proud of his weight and growth but the consultant said "he's still a little behind."  I wanted to reply with "story of my motherhood life," but instead I laughed and said that all my kids grow on their own little curve and as long as they're growing (even if at a snail's pace compared to everyone else...) that's all that matters.

Weight: 9 lbs 9 oz (6th percentile)

Height: 22 1/2 inches (41st percentiles)

Head Circumference: 15 inches (30th percentile)

At two months, Wyatt:

- Loves Mommy, baths, showers with Mommy, snuggling, Mommy, nursing, Mommy, and being carried in the Tula

- Has started smiling and cooing in response to us

- Rolls over from belly to back and looks like he's trying to roll over back to belly

- Sleeps anywhere from three to seven hour stretches overnight... he really likes to keep me guessing and consuming lots of coffee

- We’re working on napping for longer than 20 minutes at a time  

- Had his tongue tie procedure and was an absolute champ.  Mommy on the other hand cried (and cried and cried and cried) like a little baby

- His baby acne seems to have almost gone away

- His hair is starting to grow back in where it fell out in the front

We were having a moment of good eye contact and smiles this afternoon and I felt like my heart was literally swelling.  And of course, I got all emotional and choked up for a minute because I just love this little guy so much and know that time is just going to keep flying by and breaking my heart.

Obligatory comparison pictures:

Take Luck,

LP

Wyatt - 1 Month

Why is it that time just goes faster and faster with each kid?  Because time is a bitch.

Wyatt is one month old and I can hardly believe it.

This little guy fits in with our family like a glove.  He's adored by his big brother and sister, his Mommy and Daddy, and pretty much anyone that meets him.

At one month, Wyatt:

 - Weighs a whopping 8 pounds 2 ounces

- Loves baths, snuggling, nursing, sleeping and pooping

- Does not love having a poopy diaper or waiting to be fed

- Rolls over from belly to back 

- Sleeps three to four hour stretches overnight

- Takes a pacifier and a bottle like a pro

- Has the sweetest little receding hairline

We love you, sweet boy!

And because who doesn't love a comparison photo?

Take Luck,

LP

Kids Say - New Baby Edition

The big kids are beyond excited that their baby brother is finally here.  With his arrival has come lots of questions and funny conversations.

- After seeing me at home for the first time after Wyatt's birth:

Cam: (patting my tummy) Mommy why is your belly still so fat?

Me: (giving Cam the death stare)

Cam: ... I mean big?

- After seeing me in my post-birth mesh undies:

Zoey: Why are you wearing a diaper?

I thought it was funny that they didn't really notice or care too much when I nursed Wyatt the first few times.  But then...

- Zoey: Are you feeding him with your booties?

- Cam: What is he eating?

Me: Milk

Cam: How do you make the milk?

Me: My body knows that I'm not pregnant anymore and so it started making milk - it's my superpower!

Cam: (head exploding at the thought of his Mommy having a legit superpower) Wow.  Wouldn't it be cool if your nipples shot out poisonous water and killed bad guys?!

Me: Actually yes, buddy.  That would be awesome.

- Getting ready to go to soccer practice and Cam was very concerned with how I would feed the baby while at the field.

Cam: But how are you going to feed him?

Me: The same way I do at home.

Cam: But Mom, nobody wants to see your boobs.

Take Luck,

LP

Wyatt's Birth Story

You can't tell but I am chuckling to myself as I type.  Here I thought Zoey's birth story was wild, but her little brother had to one up her.  Just goes to show I know absolutely nothing.

I had said before that this pregnancy had been physically harder than the first two, and that became more and more true as the weeks went on.  Especially the last two weeks.  My blood pressure was much higher than normal, my hands and feet were swelling, I had a constant headache, and some spotty and blurry vision.  Blessed be my OB, she decided at 39 weeks that it was time to induce and get the baby out.  Being that I was done - I didn't argue and in fact, asked to hug her.

She had said that her method for induction (cytotec) was different than pitocin and that it would be "much slower and more gradual."  So, I was excited thinking that things wouldn't be as insane and fast as they were with Zoey - who was induced using pitocin.

We checked into the hospital at 7:30pm and I was 3cm dilated.  After getting settled and answering the myriad of questions about my health, past pregnancies, and current pregnancy - I had my first dose of cytotec at 9pm and second dose at midnight.  I didn't really notice any significant change at this point - just irregular contractions.

I took a third dose at 3am and I don't know if things had been building up or if that dose was just the magical kickstarter - but holy hell.  Shit got real, real quick.  I immediately started having legit contractions, and while I wasn't timing them - there wasn't much time in between.  I got out of bed to try and walk/sway through the contractions but the nurse immediately came in and said "the baby doesn't like that..." (meaning his heart rate was dropping with each contraction) and said I had to either sit down or lie down.  Awesome.

So I sat in the rocking chair for awhile and around 5am - asked if it was too early for an epidural.  I described my contractions to the nurse as "long and strong" and couldn't help but sing a little Sir Mix A Lot "Baby Got Back" to myself to try and distract myself from the pain. The nurse sort of laughed, probably thinking I was a big wuss, and said she would ask.  She came right back in the room and said that it was fine and that she had paged the anesthesiologist.

An hour of laboring later and the anesthesiologist finally showed up around 6am.  So, she got to work on me while I was having contractions every two minutes, some back-to-back-to-back.  At some point I told Ryan to call my mom and Rachel and tell them to get to the hospital "right now."  Ryan had offered to let me squeeze his hands during the contractions (and to try and help me focus on staying still while she was trying to get the catheter in) and after the first squeeze he said "ow!" and I told him to "shut up."

After six (or maybe seven?) failed attempts of getting the catheter in my back, the anesthesiologist telling me repeatedly that I have a "beautiful back," and some puking, the nurse told the anesthesiologist to stop.  The baby was having significant dips in his heartrate and she thought that I might be "getting close."  So, the devil woman stopped poking me and I laid down to be checked.  Seriously, all that poking and stabbing for nothing.

Lo and behold - I was at 10cm with a bulging bag and he was ready to come out.  This was great and all but the only people in the room were me, Ryan, the nurse, and the anesthesiologist.  The room and the few people in it weren't prepared for delivery at all.  

Our poor nurse.  She told the anesthesiologist to "go get help" and she called my OB to let her know what was happening.  In order to keep the baby in, they told me to flip over and get on all-fours with my head below my butt.  This was by far the worst part of this labor.  I cannot even describe how uncomfortable it was and how intense the contractions were in this position and at the angle I was at.  I kept looking over at Ryan to make sure he was still standing.  I think we were both worried that like Zoey's birth, the intensity would be too much for him and he would pass out again.  But, hallelujah, he was staying upright!

I have no idea how much time passed but before long, the room was full of nurses and I was swearing up a storm.  Mostly "fuck's" and "holy shit's."  Maybe even a few "mother fucker's."  I don't really know for sure.  Thankfully most of my swearing was muffled by the oxygen mask.

The nurse told me to flip over and I wasted no time.  I grabbed my legs and as soon as the next contraction hit - I started pushing.  Like Zoey's birth - pushing felt so good.  In the weirdest way it was a relief.  So, I pushed once and heard "there's his head!"  I pushed two more times and he came on out.  Ryan said he was in a weird, semi-curled up position, but regardless - he came out.

Thank you, sweet infant baby Jesus.  Seriously, instant relief.

He was so quiet and only cried a tiny, tiny bit - I kept asking if he was OK!  The doctor and nurses assured me he was fine and I just stared at this sweet baby that was literally just in my body.  Mom and Rachel missed his birth by literally a minute and heard his first cry through the room's door.  I felt terrible that they missed it.

Four hours from the start of legit labor and contractions to the birth of this beautiful little squishy boy.  Another birth experience, like his big brother and big sister, that I will never forget.

Take Luck,

LP

Wyatt Austin

On Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at 7:06am we welcomed Wyatt Austin into the world.

7lbs 0oz

19" long

14" head circumference

Our smallest baby.

Shortest (and wildest) labor and delivery.

Already fiercely loved.

The caboose to the train Peters.

Take Luck,

LP

Almost Birth Time

It's almost birth time and I am counting down, willing the time to come, more so than my first two pregnancies combined.  I can't be sure, but I don't recall complaining too much the first two times around and I feel like I have MORE than made it up for that this time around. Looking back, I probably should have been more appreciative because right now...

- I sleep with no less than four pillows.  One under my head, one between my knees, one between my arms, and one behind my back.

- I turn over and change positions no less than 47 times per night.

- Ryan interrupted an unusual good stretch of sleep the other night by snoring and I have never been closer to smothering him with a pillow.

- Zantac is my lifeblood.

- Everything hurts.

- My feet are swollen and angry.

- I hear anywhere from 5-7 comments a day on my body - both positive (nice? thoughtful?) and not positive (are they trying to be nice and falling short? do they realize nothing they are saying is helpful?).  Ryan says I'm being too sensitive and I want to punch him in the throat.

- I'm suddenly much more prone to violent tendencies (see above)

- Cam is asking a lot of questions - like are the doctors going to "put me back together" with duct tape and glue?  I basically just answer "yes" to all of his little five-year old theories because I am too chicken shit to have a real, honest conversation about this whole process.

- Someone asked me the other day how I was feeling and I somehow managed to say with a totally straight face, "like a small human could fall out of my uterus at any moment... how are you?"

I truly am so grateful to be pregnant.  But I am beyond ready for this child to vacate the premises of my body.

Take Luck,

LP

Third Baby

We announced that we were expecting Baby #3 in April and I’ve been meaning to talk about it since then.  Now here we are… at the end of July.  Sorry third baby.

First trimester:

-          Raw meat made me gag

-          Had a seriously heightened sense of smell

-          My gas could have literally killed a small child

-          Felt best while sleeping or eating; this may be why my ass is now so big

-          Gum was my soulmate.  Seriously was forever chewing gum, multiple sticks at a time

-          I coached Cam’s basketball team and it was a real treat

-          Had a dream that our Commanding Officer tasked me with a super top secret, time traveling mission

-          Cam was convinced from the minute we told him about the pregnancy that the baby was a boy and that his name was “Alex”

-          We heard a strong, healthy heartbeat at 10 weeks

-          It was typical for me to make something for dinner and then it sounded/smelled/looked horrible so I would then eat something else instead… only to lay down for bed and think “I’m hungry.  (What I made for dinner) sounds good.”

-          Was absolutely worthless and exhausted after 7pm

Second trimester:

-          Wondering where the “second trimester burst of energy” is from my first two pregnancies?

-          We found out we were expecting a baby BOY and Ryan hugged the technician

-  During the ultrasound the tech flipped on the 3D imaging and the baby looked eerily like his big brother

-          I coached Cam’s soccer team and it went better than basketball – although that’s not saying a whole lot

-          A handful of friends had new babies around this time and I was so happy I was already pregnant because holy cuteness

-          The kids (especially Cam) told me “your belly is so big!” and I keep telling him to “just wait…”

Third trimester:

-          I accepted that the “second trimester burst of energy” just wasn’t going to happen for me this time around

-          I started closing my eyes when being weighed at my OB appointments

-          Still can’t understand why I’m always so tired, despite being pregnant and keeping two active kids busy and out of trouble

-          Having lots and lots and lots of Braxton Hicks contractions

-          Every day I wake up after (not) sleeping well and vow to order a pregnancy pillow

-          The baby is currently breech and me thinks he has some hair on his head because I take Zantac twice a day for acid indigestion

-          I had a dream I received a SECNAV (Secretary of the Navy) Award for technical writing.  There is (obviously) no such award

-          I also had a dream that after I passed my glucose test that they called me to say “just kidding… you failed.”
-  Living on Zantac and prayers

We are so excited to meet the newest member of our family in September.  He is already one loved little guy.

Take Luck,

LP

Zoey is THREE

Our little firecracker is three years old and you guessed it - I cannot believe it.

Weight: 28 pounds 6 ounces (28th percentile)

Height: 35.8 inches (22nd percentile)

She is still this petite little thing, but I promise you that there is so much life and exuberance packed into every inch of her.  Her three-year well check sounded a lot like her two-and-a-half-year well check: she's tiny with above average speech and below average bowel movement frequency.

- Favorite songs to sing (aka belt out at the top of her lungs) are "A Million Dreams" from The Greatest Showman, Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus, and Crazy Girl by The Eli Young Band

- Favorite show is still Bubble Guppies and she is always requesting to watch "Hall-weeeeen Gubba Guppies"

- Favorite movies are The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast

- She's started the bedtime stall tactics and those have only increased since she's now sharing a room with Bubba.  My favorite is when she says "but Mommy, I just want to touch your hair."

- Asks so many questions and most of them start with, "but why, Mama?"

- Loves gymnastics and has transitioned really nicely from the tots class (with a parent down on the floor with her) to the regular toddler/kids class

- She tried ballet for one class but it was too slow for her style

- Still a fearless little thing.  As evidenced in gymnastics when she barrels down the tumble track and then leaps into the pit

- Not only is she fearless but she is tough!  She just wants to keep up with her big brother

- Potty training is super hit and miss.  She shows a lot of interest but not enough to be consistent.   I know we need to push this more but she's pretty stubborn so I am treading carefully

- Asked for a squirrel for her birthday.  A live one.

- Best friends are Grady, Liberty, and Logan

- Still a great eater.  Her favorite things to request are popsicles and "pirates booties"

- Very into princesses, dress up, and accessorizing with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, crowns, shoes, and purses.  Her favorite princesses are Belle, Elsa, Ariel, and Rapunzel.  She's also perfecting her curtsy.

- Loves to have her "painnails" (fingernails) painted

- Is becoming more particular about what she wears

- Wears 3T tops, 2T bottoms, and size 7 shoes

- Is an amazing combination of sweet and sassy

- Will say "I'm a nice friend" when she does something nice or thoughtful for me

- Nicknames include Zo Zo, Ladybug, Little Bear, Sissy/Sis, and Peaches

My Zoey Grace, you keep us on our toes.  I am so lucky to be your mommy.  You have the sweetest heart that is sometimes full of sass.  I hope you are always a strong willed creature.  You bring us so much joy and laughter with your funny and dramatic personality, your animated expressions, and your love for the most ordinary things.  You truly are a one-of-a-kind.  Always remember that you are smart, kind, important, and beautiful.  I love you to the moon and stars, my little peach.

Take Luck,

LP