She's just what I needed...

It has been quite the adjustment have three kids. I find myself feeling completely inadequate - like anyone else could raise these three girls better then I can. It's a daunting task, but miracles do happen :) 

I know my Father in Heaven knows me personally because he sent me only what He knew I could handle. A is the third child everyone prays for. She is patient, happy, content, cuddly and tough! Don't get me wrong...she's a newborn. She eats every 2 1/2 - 3 hours, she doesn't sleep through the night, she poops and cries, but all that aside she's exactly what I can handle. And I feel like I can finally enjoy these sometimes difficult newborn phases because I know how fast they fly by and how quickly these babies change. I cry when she laughs for the first time, or has her first tear and when I left her for the first time with her daddy. These are "firsts" I know I won't have again and it makes me sad. Being a mom is such an emotional roller coaster ride :)

 Happy girl!

This is in my bed every morning. Little A snuggled up as close to me as she can get. I love it!

I love being a mom. It's my greatest blessing. 

M and C these days...

Life is constantly changing in our home lately. Routines have been thrown out the window, a clean house is a luxury that rarely happens, cartoons are moms tool to survive, and sleep is.....I don't even know....I can't remember. I am learning to slow down, take a deep breath, only accomplish the "musts", and take time to enjoy what's important. Sometimes I can't believe how I've let things go. It isn't like me to not be organized. Truth is, I've had to accept that I am ONE person doing the job of a 100 and I just can't get it all done at once. 

These two girly's have been A-Mazing! They are so patient with a crazy mom trying to figure this three kids thing out, and lucky for me they haven't held it against me. We are all hanging in there, and taking time to enjoy little moments of triumph. It's a crazy, wild ride, but it's been fun!

A's Special Day...

Little A was blessed a few weeks ago, and it was the perfect day. The girls were excited to see her in the same dress they were blessed in, and thought she was just the cutest baby ever all dolled up for the first time. We were blessed to have close family attend, and even more blessed to have a daddy worthy of the priesthood. I have a lot to be thankful for. 

Of course, getting a family shot was as trying as ever! After realizing it wasn't happening inside, we tried for an outside portrait......

It was BRIGHT :) We gave up...and decided what we had would work. 

Our family is so lucky to have this little girl join us. She is a perfect fit, and couldn't be loved more. 

Family Outing to the ZOO!

We decided to do something fun for the girls during Spring Break. With Seth busy at work and me busy with a new baby, the Zoo seemed like the most doable option for us. It was so much fun to take a day off from the normal routine and spend time together. The girls loved every minute of our adventure, and were surprisingly well behaved. Unfortunately, I didn't get many pictures. Juggling three kids at a busy zoo and being the designated photographer just didn't work out! 

By far our favorite stop was the Giraffes! The little baby was so cute.

Our Latest Addition...

Little Addie was born on March 5th at 8:43PM

Weighing 6lb 2oz and 19 inches long. 

After keeping our fingers crossed and countless prayers said - we made it full term! I knew as soon as I passed the 36 week mark I wanted to have our little girl at home. Our amazing midwife gave us a thumbs up after we had passed all medical ultra sounds and blood test....things looked perfect! So, on March 5th (after having 10 minute apart contractions for 24 hours straight) I called our midwife and begged her to come over and get things going! She arrived at 4:45 that evening and gave me what she referred to as "rocket juice". Five minutes later I was in full on labor! 

Moments after birth. She found her thumb!

Our midwife then suggested that she break my water, and before I knew it I was in transition. I labored in the birth tub, and the water was an incredible relief! But like always, I forget how painful this process really is. I began talking to our baby, and with each contraction I begged her to come soon. I felt as though we were working as a team. This would be the first thing we ever did together.

After 30 minutes of pushing, she was here. Our midwife looked at me and gently told me to get my baby. I reached into the water and pulled her up on my chest. I couldn't believe the emotions that overcame me at that moment. I just balled while I stared at her and silently thanked my Heavenly Father. 

I never get over how perfect these little ones come. 

After baby and mommy were checked out, our midwife headed home. Seth and I curled up in bed with our sweet little girl and we all got some much needed rest. It was the perfect ending to our day. 

The next day the girls arrived! They were SO excited to see their new baby sister. This was a new thing C. She was just grinning from ear to ear as she held Addie. 

C kept looking at my stomach trying to understand how the baby went from in there to out here.  

Sweet little M is the perfect big sister. She has experience with this and knew right away how to hold a newborn. She kept saying, "Mom, she is so cute!" 

The only thing Addie is missing are those dimples. M noticed that right away!

Addie is definitely the 3rd child. She seems to know that mommy can't give her all the attention ALL the time. She is patient and content to lay around and listen to her sisters play (and fight). 

We are still struggling to get much sleep at night. Poor thing has some acid re-flux. But I think we are making progress! Someday I WILL sleep again....that's what I tell myself. 

Biggest surprise yet? We have a blue-eyed little girl...with no dimples. We are unsure how that happened, but everyone in this house is excited for something different! I just hope Addie doesn't feel left out 

someday :)

She has yet to put her thumb in her mouth again. It's all about the binky now. 

I would be lost without my M! She is such a big helper!!! She holds the crying baby, cleans the house, plays with C, and is my diaper fetcher. She told me today that she needed a break! So, I'm doing my best to not ask for her help for a day. 

C seems to like Addie, but most days prefers to not have anything to do with her. I guess that's better then strangling her. 

Well, we've almost made it 6 weeks! I can't believe how time flies. My baby is already starting to feel out her newborn clothes. I wish they would stay little longer. This is such a fun phase - minus the sleepless nights.

Update...

I realize I haven't posted much on miss C lately. So, I thought I'd give an update!

Oh where to begin.... C is just the life of the party around here. We all can't get enough of her personality. She is constantly saying and doing the cutest things. She's 2 and a handful, but is such a happy, lovable little thing that we all seem to be able to look past her "terrible 2" moments. She loves to give hugs and kisses and reminds me everyday that she loves me. It melts my heart. C loves her big sister, and can't stand being without her in the mornings while M is at school. She knows something is about to change around here and is always talking to my belly asking if her baby sister is ok. She loves to have conversations and is an excellent talker. She is slowly but surely conquering potty training, but her 2 year molars are peeking through and it's made things a little difficult in the potty department. C loves church and nursery! She loves to sing  - her favorites are Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam, I Love to See the Temple, I am a Child of God, I Hope They Call me on a Mission, ABC's and The Wheels on the Bus. Her favorite cartoon is Caillou (I can't figure out why) and her favorite snack is granola bars. She is an awesome eater! And she prefers to stay in her PJ's all day....just like her momma :)

Some of Chloe's phrases - the ones I hear multiple times a day:

"Mom, I have nothing to do!"
"Mom, will you play with me?"
"Mom, it just isn't easy!!"
"Mom, it's not fair."
"Mom, can we go to Disney Land?"
"Mom, Caillou is my favorite."
"Mom, M's not sharing!"
"Mom, where's Daddy?"
"Mom, do I have friends?"
"Mom, can we go see Aunt Sarah?"
"Oh my gosh. Mom's gonna be mad at me!"

I kid you not when I say I hear these things at least three times a day. She's a very consistent child! And we love her. I can't wait to see her reaction to her little sister. I think it will be an adjustment, but I think it's just the thing C needs right now. 

We definitely have our off days, but I can't imagine our family without C. I honestly can't get enough of her :)

M's Big Day!

I can NOT believe I have a six year old. How did this happen? 

M knew for weeks that she wanted to have a La La Loopsy Birthday Party. Personally, those things are a little freaky looking to me, but I went with it. We started preparations several weeks in advance just in case mom went into labor and had the baby and Dad had to take over. Of course, mom is still pregnant... But we were prepared!

We have some of the sweetest girls in our ward, and they were nice enough to come celebrate with us. And of course, it wouldn't be a party with out our cousins! M decided on La La Loopsy masks and picked out specif colors for each of her friends. Some were a little more excited to wear them then others...

C was just happy to be involved! She loves Birthday parties and didn't want to miss a second of her sisters big day!

We decided it would be fun to do a craft. (What little girl doesn't love crafts!) Thanks to Pinterest, we found some fun ideas! The girls got to decorate their own La La Loopsy however they wanted. M and I cut out different shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, aprons, hair bows, leggings, etc. and had buttons and yarn ready to complete whatever look the girls chose. We had some pretty awesome La La Loopsy dolls when things were all said and done. And thanks to Sarah for being my glue-er....it was a big help!

Present time came and M was spoiled! Thanks to everyone who brought a gift....M didn't know what to do with herself! She's never had so many fun gifts to open. 

After presents were open, we sang happy birthday and had cupcakes and pizza. Then it was off to the bedroom to play. All the balloons came off the walls, and they started their own party! I love that M has such great friends. It was so much fun for me to watch everyone play and interact with each other. I love these different times and phases in my kids lives. 

Thank you to everyone who made M's day so special! It was a success.