The Sand Box

Preston has REALLY missed the sand box from our other house. Last year, we improvised by buying a kiddy pool and filling it with sand. That worked for awhile, but eventually the sand all ended up in the playhouse. Our next idea was to dig out around the swing set to make a huge sand box and also have a softer place to land. This was going to be Greg's project this week. We outlined the area to dig out and realized it was HUGE. I didn't want to cut up that much of our yard. Then we got the bright idea to make a simple sand box that juts out from the back fence. Greg was relieved to have a much more manageable project. He put it together in two days. Preston and Paige love it. Now if it would just warm up enough for them to really enjoy it.

Tyson pics

These pictures were taken yesterday. He is such a sweet baby. I am soaking up every minute since I know they don't stay this way for long. Because I plan on this being my last baby, I especially want to enjoy each stage.

He is sleeping well at night. He eats every three hours at night still, but at least he goes BACK to sleep after eating. One night he did go 5 hours between feedings. I'd love for him to keep that up. I find I can function pretty well if I just get a total of 6 hours. I've been able to rest a lot this week with Greg home, but I am getting nervous about him going back to work. It's not that I can't handle all three kids. It's just whether I can manage the three of them, plus get housework done. I am lowering my expectations of cleanliness for the next few weeks.

I am recovering well. I am amazed at how much better I am getting around just one week after getting home. I can lay down with the kids again when it's time for them to go to bed. I fell asleep with Paige today at her nap and it felt so good to cuddle with her again.

Home at last

5 days old



I finally came home on Friday after five days in the hospital. I stayed an extra night for IV antibiotics because my infection was still not cleared up enough. I told the doctor I was willing to do anything to keep me from having to come back like I did with the infection I got after Paige. The extra day was worth it.

We checked out in the afternoon. I snapped a few pictures before we left. I love the top one.




Tyson got his first sponge bath yesterday. Hopefully the cord falls off in a couple of days so I can use the baby tub. He was a little cold and unhappy. I gave him some naked time on the floor in front of the fire place. He seemed to like it. I was happy to keep him awake for a few minutes in hopes of getting more sleep at night.



The burrito picture. I have one of each of my kids like this. They don't stay tiny for long.



Preston wanted to fly kites with the neighbors yesterday. He gave me a paper sack and asked me to make a kite. I had no idea how. He got upset and said that it was in his fun book. We got the preschool activity book out and sure enough, there were directions in there. We just had to tie strings to his lunch sack and he was set. He ran up and down the side walk with his "kite".

Cousin Party

I am in my hospital bed holding my sweet boy and enjoying the quiet. He has been so sweet. My milk came in yesterday so I made sure to nurse him for every feeding last night. The two previous nights, I let them feed him at the nursery and I slept. He struggled a little last night, but it wasn't too bad. I dreaded the night time feeding and lack of sleep so much, yet when they bring him in, I perk right up because my baby needs me and it makes me happy to feed him. I'm still not looking forward to the few hours of broken sleep, but there is something special about holding him in the quiet of night and being the only one he wants.



Last night we had a spontaneous cousin party. I thought I was going to go to bed, then my sister Jen called to bring something over. While she was here, Cindy called and decided to come too. Both brought him some adorable outfits. They fussed over him and put Cindy's monkey jammies on him. It was kind of funny watching the aunts dote over their newest nephew.



Jen called Meg to tell her we were all hanging out and she says she wants to come too. She JUST got home from the hospital herself. I was surprised she wanted to go anywhere. Trevor brought her over and hung out with the four sisters. We wished we could get Aundi down here.



I love this picture. Afton was babbling in Tyson's ear and he just slept peacefully. He didn't wake up the whole time they were here. Maybe I shouldn't be so worried about him and noise as he has been hearing is brother and sister for several months already.



The cousin twins got to meet each other for the first time. Afton is adorable. She has such distinct features. Meg and Trevor are cute with her. We had a great time just visiting and talking babies.


Cindy got to relive the feeling of being a twin mom as she held both of them. Much easier when they aren't actually preemies and you can give them back to mom. Meg and I will have a lot of fun going through all this together.

He is here!!!

Saturday was a normal day. Like any other. We got the house all cleaned up and I got these cute pictures of the kids with my belly that I have been wanting to take. I kept telling Greg we need to get some profile shots before we run out of time. We went on my birthday date that afternoon and ate at Rodizio. My birthday isn't until Friday, but we celebrated early to make sure I got one. I teased about it being my last supper. Or our last date for awhile.

We got THE PHONE CALL from my sister Megan that she was in labor. FINALLY. Three days after her due date. She was off to the hospital while I was off to my date. She labored all night long. In the morning we got the call that she had delivered Afton at 7:07 a.m. via c-section. I felt so bad for her to go through all that. I've been there. So, now I knew that our kids would be a week apart as my cesarean was scheduled for Sunday, March 22. How exciting. Tyson had other plans.

I started contractions at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday afternoon just as I laid down to rest. I made a couple of phone calls while they were happening, waiting for them to stop. Courtney was one of the calls and told me "it sounds like you are in labor". It was too early. Eighteen days. I just waited for them to stop. After an hour, I got concerned and called the Dr office. The only symptom I didn't have was that they weren't getting worse. After two hours of having them 2-5 minutes apart, they subsided. I had maybe one or two an hour after that. Whew. I could go to bed and get up and go to work the next day.



When I got into bed, they started again. Every two minutes and much more painful. I decided we better head to the hospital and have them check me. I didn't know if they would try to stop me or what. Greg's dad came over to stay with the kids and spend the night. We left for the hospital at 11 pm and the contractions kept coming. The above picture was the "last shot" just in case picture to get a profile. When we arrived, they checked me in and checked me out. I was dilated to a 4 and fully thinned. The nurse said "looks like you are having a baby." I was shocked. We weren't ready! We still had another week. Whoa. It was fun calling my mom and telling her she was getting another grand baby less than 24 hours after Afton was born!

The thing with a planned cesarean is it is quick. No laboring for hours and wondering when he'll be here. They got me all prepped and into the OR. My water broke just after they gave me the epidural. The doctor joked with me that if my contractions didn't bring me in, the water breaking would have. My doctor was out of town so Dr Langer did the c-section. She was great and explained each step. I loved watching Greg's face as they brought him out. I heard my baby cry and couldn't believe it was all happening.


Here he is just minutes after he was born. He was born at 12:45 a.m. on March 16th. So, while he is only 18 hours younger than his cousin, Afton, he does have his own birthday. He weighed 6 lbs 10 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. They wiped him off and wrapped him up, then brought him over to rub his little cheek against mine. He is so beautiful and perfect. Greg headed out with them to give Tyson a bath.


I love this picture of Greg bathing Tyson. He is only a half an hour old here. The doctor was great as they got me all fixed up. I went into recovery and they brought Tyson in within an hour. I nursed him and we took some pictures. It was three in the morning and Greg had to work so he headed home. It was a long day for him. I didn't sleep much either. It was fun to call everyone and surprise them with our news. My family was all so shocked.


Greg brought the kids over first thing in the morning before taking them to the babysitter. They were so excited to meet baby Tyson and each one had to hold him. He brought them again after work and Paige just didn't want to go home.





This is one of my favorite pictures so far. I can see both Preston and Paige as babies when I look at him. He has been so good. He is actually nursing so I am hopeful that it will continue. I struggled so much with my other two. I got some good sleep last night and feel great. I have been up and about a couple times today and am not hurting too bad. I hope to have a nice, normal, infection free recovery. Greg is looking forward to a week off next week to snuggle his baby and help me out. Thanks to everyone helping us out with the kids. They love playing with friends and cousins.

Coming soon...

So I am 37 weeks today and scheduled for my cesarean on March 22. I have a few more ten hour shifts left at work, then I will take two months off with the baby. My sister Meg was due yesterday and baby Afton still hasn't made an appearance. Her doctor won't even induce until she is a week over. She is so frustrated because she just doesn't know WHEN. She also doesn't know what this next phase of life will bring.

Me, this is my third child and third cesarean. I know what is coming. I am both excited and scared. It will be such an adjustment. Preston and Paige will be such big helpers. I worry about how they will do while I am in the hospital for four days and when I get home and can't play with them for awhile. They will be excited about the baby, but I think Paige will struggle a little. I hope the recovery goes better this time around. I am excited to meet my new little one. The baby room is ready, the swing and bouncer are all cleaned up. I just have to wash some clothes and get them in the closet. Wow. I can't believe it is so close. I don't feel ready, yet I also feel like I know what I'm doing. I'm going to have three kids?

The doctor said to get some rest and take it easy this next week and a half. I'll try.