AIM

 

Well, at our house we have been thinking about AIM these past few days, knowing that many of our good friends from that time in our lives were going to be together. We would have loved to have been there to catch up. From what we heard, a good time was had by all!

This little AIM onesie was Piersen's first baby gift. Sarah Altaffer (sp?) brought it as a gift for our baby when she came to visit - it was really sweet of her. Thanks Sarah! We think it looks good on him!

Sweet Dreams

Piersen has brought a lot of things into our family - including entertainment! I spend a lot of time with the little guy at all hours of the day - and I have loved just watching him. He is a big smiler when he sleeps - sometimes even to the point of laughing. Makes us wonder what he is dreaming about. This video is not the best in quality and it might be a little long - and maybe boring to many - but to me, it is incredible to watch his little newborn expressions. And, as they say...."there is nothing like a sleeping baby!" So...if it has been a long time since your little one was this small...or you just want to enjoy his peaceful sleep - click below!

1 Week Old

 

Little Pierce is a week old and doing great! It is still pretty surreal to us that we have not even reached our due date and yet we have enjoyed his presence for a week. Hard to believe that he fit inside me because although he is soooo tiny still, he just seems like he can't have been inside me, as he stretches out for an afternoon nap in the picture above. So far (I say so far because by baby #3 I have learned how many times sleeping patterns change in the first year alone!) he seems to have had his days and nights figured out from the get go. He is making things fairly easy on me - sleeping in good chunks at night and when he wakes up, he just eats and goes right back to sleep. He has several awake times in the day too and we enjoy that (Reece and Chase especially wish he did more than sleep and eat!).

My Mom arrived safely on Sunday evening and we are LOVING having her here. She is one of those Grandma's who connects quickly with the kids and is more than a servant in helping around the house. She is a great story teller too - so I am relieved to have a trade off on Reece's continual request for stories about "Timmy" (the main character in every story shared - due to the boys pleas for a "Timmy story").

 

 

The biggest fight in the house so far is in trying to keep Reece and Chase off of him. Piersen has received more kisses than you can imagine and they LOVE to hold him. Oh what fun!

Such a Little Guy

 

 

 

Sun Bathing

 

The doctor suggested a few minutes of sun bathing for Piersen to help with jaundice. The boys thought this was pretty fun to do together (especially Chase who is loving being naked these days). I am absolutely blown away by the size difference! Chase especially seems like a GIANT compared to Piersen.

Piersen Benjamin

My heart could not feel fuller - I am so blessed and feel overwhelmed with the goodness of God! I am more than thankful for my husband and my three beautiful sons!

Little Piersen Benjamin entered our world on Monday night - 12 days early! I was resting with the kids on Monday afternoon and when I woke up I felt like things were different. Although I was not having contractions, I guess it was instinct or something because I sensed the need to go and have a check up. Part of that motive was wanting to be prepared for planning for the other boys and to have a frame of reference for where I was at in it all since my last delivery was so quick. It turned out to be a good thing as at 6:00 I got into the doctor and he said he was admitting me since I was dialated to a 2 -3 (and beginning to feel some contractions, although irregular). My labor progressed at a good rate and all was going really well until it was time to push. The little guy answered our request with turning out of his breech position a few weeks ago - but he created a bit of a different mess as he came out face up instead of face down. This made it quite a bit more difficult to push him into this world - but he finally came out and blessed us with his cry at 10:10pm.

 

 

 

Piersen weighed 6 lbs 12 oz. and was 20 inches long. He is healthy and we feel humbly blessed to have another son. I will answer the question everyone has been wanting to ask - and some even have asked - so...."were you disppointed at all that he wasn't a girl?" We had already felt like he was probably a boy and although we would have been happy with a daughter - we also loved the idea of 3 sons. And once you hold that little baby in your arms - there is nothing but overwhelming love - no disappointment at all. Piersen, to us, is not "another boy" - he is a uniquely different child that we get the adventure to raise! Praise God for giving us him. And while we did wonder if Reece would be disappointed - he was very quick to accept and love another little brother. In fact today he said he is so happy - now he has another boy to wrestle with!

We named him Piersen Benjamin. Piersen was actually on our very first "name list" for a boy when we were pregnant with Reece. "Chase" was also on that very first "name list" so it is kind of special to think that all three boys came from our original thoughts and dreams of a baby. We will call him Pierce for short - we like how it goes with Reece and Chase. And...Benjamin is from his very special Daddy. Benjy has been excited about this pregnancy from the beginning - and although his humility was a bit opposed to naming a child after himslf - I told him that "I" was naming him after him! I love it and think it is perfect. And...although it may be a bit too early to tell, I have a sneaking suspicion that Piersen fittingly has his Daddy's dimples!

It was a really neat experience to see Reece and Chase meet their little brother. They are absolutely enamored with him! From the first moment of entering the hospital room they were full of kisses and love for Pierce. The pics below show their initial meeting and discovering their "little" brother.

 

 

 

 

The addition of Piersen to our family is an exciting thing. We are really looking forward to watching him grow and change and add to our family dynamic. Three boys is bound to create many active and fun adventures ahead! We are pretty happy!

 

 

 

 

We came home from the hospital today (Wednesday) to 2 very excited boys! Reece was eager to show Piersen the "welcome home sign" that the boys made for him a few weeks before his arrival (Reece printed the letters all on his own!)

 

 

 

So now life begins with 3! Thank you to all of you for your love, support, and encouraging comments as you meet - even only via internet - our sweet baby. We are surrounded by so many who love us! A very special thanks to our AIM girls - Beth and Michelle who really helped us out in a significant way - they watched Reece and Chase while we were in the hospital. We love you girls!

Cute But Unacceptable!

So, little Chase has entered the fun stage of showing attitude back at us when he is disciplined, or even when he just hears something he doesn't like. He began to stick his tongue out at me but learned quickly that it doesn't feel so good to get his mouth "flicked".....so he adapted his response to a scrunched up nose with a dirty look. Nice try. Well, he is also in the stage of repeating most of what he hears and Reece has, on more than one occasion, called him a "mean guy" in some of their brotherly encounters. He now tells people that they are a "mean guy" or a "mean, mean, mean, mean guy" and he calls himself a "mean guy" if the name fits the situation. Tonight I chose to borrow his language to teach him what is NOT appropriate behavior in our home.... that maybe we oughta be a "nice guy" and give kisses instead of dirty looks. We'll see how he catches on! (I do think the faces he makes are kind of cute though....but, not acceptable!) Check this out....(seems he is having a hard time transitioning to a friendly "kiss" - still looks a little "mean"!)

Improvising!

Bathtubs are rare here - sadly, we don't have one in our house. Obviously, Reece long ago outgrew his baby tub so we improvised and "upgraded" him to a rubbermaid tub a while back. Today, that little tub may have met its match (notice the bowing at each side) as Chaser decided to join the fun and crawl in too - not much space for soaking and playing....but they amazingly still found a way to make a BIG splash!

Just Waiting...

So I am 15 days away from my March 24th due date (no, I cannot believe it!!!!). My Mom arrives next weekend and so we are kind of hoping this baby stays put until her arrival. We want her to be here to be able to meet the little one as soon as possible, and we also want her to be able to keep the boys and have time with them while we are in the hospital. Yes, we do have a backup plan.... Beth and Michelle (our wonderful AIM girls) have their phone ready for the call in the middle of the night so they can come and watch the boys. I joked with them that I almost played a prank on them last night - just to test their readiness - they didn't think it was very funny. Ha! So, I will refrain and not cry wolf.

I'll keep ya posted!

Crock Pots

What a great invention! When you have 2 little active boys, and you are very pregnant, and you have little to no desire to stand in the kitchen and make a meal for everyone else who will eat it hot and tasty while you get up and down to refill spilled drinks as your own plate cools....which is okay because you don't have much of an appetite anyway....guess what is a great solution?!? The dependable crock-pot! Yup. So we will eat healthy tonight with all the effort of chopping up a few vegetables and throwing in a chicken long done. And I am going to read a book while the kids rest. Not a bad afternoon.

Thank You!

We have all heard the statement that "prayer changes things" and in my case....it has done exactly that! Our sweet baby has changed away from the breech position and all is set to go! I was suprised but also relieved to hear the doctor give his prediction and then confirm it through the ultrasound. Doctor also assured us that 97 or 98% of the time, at this point in pregnancy, the baby will stay put and not turn again - so....now we wait for nature to take its course for us to meet our little one in God's timing! Thank you for all of your many prayers. Now I feel that if the birth is not going to be a pre-scheduled c-section, I had better get a bag packed and prepare for labor! Ahhhh........

Delight

I have had the idea of "delight" in my mind and heart today. It has been refreshing to think of a God who delights in me and a God who wants me to delight in Him. As I sit here in the living room, my boys are playing together - in complete peace and harmony - they are not having sharing issues, they are not playing rough and on the edge of hurting one another - they are simply playing together - Reece is singing and being silly and Chase is laughing really hard at him - that deep gutted laugh that is contagious to anyone who hears it. I think it is an appropriate illustration of "delight". They are enjoying each others friendship - really enjoying it - they are not playing together out of obligation or out of guilt - they are just delighting in the mome..........(okay - they are toddlers - it is all over - the peaceful delight has taken a quick turn for the worst and they are now fighting over the ball. back in a flash).........

So, I am back. Changing topics a bit - I feel like I have been having a few power struggles with the kids over these past few days. In my tiredness and lack of patience, I think I have focused too intensely on every moment of their behavior - trying not to let any little pout, feeling of frustration or imperfect interaction between them slip by. I have felt like I have been on them constantly and it has created a few days of frustration and discouragement on my part - and surely for them as well. So....I chose this morning to work less on them and more on me. To try and clothe myself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12) and to simply try to follow my Father's example and delight in my children as He delights in me. How grateful am I that He sees the good in me and doesn't focus on my every shortcoming! It has been a good day. No, not a perfect one - but definitely better. I want my kids to understand boundaries, and discipline and respect....but I also want them to understand grace, forgiveness, and that I believe in them. I want to "delight" in them!

So...it looks like my life would be richer if I delighted more in both my Father and in my children! And I think about how I believe God desires my relationship with Him - He doesn't want me to spend time and walk with Him out of obligation or guilt, but because I delight in His goodness and He delights in me. Amazing!

The Big Boy Bed

So we are in high gear for preparing for baby's arrival at our house! Chase has officially transitioned out of his crib and into his very own "big boy bed" (although as the picture shows, it isn't very big!).



He was most excited about the bed being put together but when given the choice to sleep in the crib or his new bed - it was very easy - he pointed at the crib and said, "NO - baby!" (he is figuring it all out!) He slept in his bed the whole night (well, better put - he stayed asleep all night - when I checked on him in the middle of the night, he was sound asleep on the floor with his head in the opposite direction!) and I think was a little suprised at his freedom in the morning as he came stumbling out of his room and into the hall.

We are proud of him for how well he is taking all of these "growing up steps" in stride - no more pacifier, no more crib - but...... always still my baby!

New Family Entertainment - Roll, Baby, Roll

So...I had a doctors appointment with an ultrasound today. Thankfully all looks well as far as the baby's health - but the baby is in breech position. We (both us and the doctor) are hopeful that there is still time for him or her to turn and switch positions. Our doctor ordered a daily 10-15 minutes of crawling on the floor because "they" believe it can encourage the baby to flip around. So....tonight we had a "family crawl" time - the boys thought it was pretty fun! I wonder how my knees and back will hold out over these next weeks giving "horsie rides". We might have to eliminate the rider!

Any other suggestions out there on how to get the baby to flip? Please pray for this little one to switch positions and then stay put!

 
  

Happy Valentine's Day

 

So I hope all of you had a good day yesterday - celebrating "love" with your loved ones. We had a really nice day - Reece had a special party at school were he got to wear pajamas and eat pizza, and exchange a ball with his classmates. We baked heart cookies and the boys loved that. Me and Chase made valentines for our little friends. We left the kids with a sitter in the evening and Benjy and I went to dinner with some friends and saw a theater production - a fun night.

  

I Wanna Be Like My Daddy

Reece is growin' up! He got a shaving set and has used it quite frequently - sometimes too often. He is a little like his Daddy in that he already has the idea that he is such a "man" that his facial hair grows so fast that he has to shave in the morning and evening....ahhh - ya right!

 
 
 
  

And The Countdown Is On

There is something about reaching that point in pregnancy when you begin counting down in weeks rather than months that you realize how real it is becoming that another life is about to enter your world! I am at 34 weeks so more or less only 6 weeks to go! Unbelieveable! Needless to say - we are pretty excited around here! For my own recollection, I would like to record some of the sweet little memories from the boys as they await "their" baby (because I am positive that a day will come in the future when having another sibling around won't be so exciting - hopefully that won't happen till the adolescent years- ha!)

Reece is perhaps the most expressive about his excitement - commenting many times a day, if not per hour, how much he loves the baby. He has said things like "I cannot wait to see the baby", "Mommy, I will help you take care of the baby when she comes - if you need to take out the trash I will take care of the baby while you are gone", "I wanna sit beside you Mommy because you have the baby inside your tummy", and so on and so on. Last week when I was tucking him in for bed he began to ask questions about the baby - specifically if after this baby was born, does that mean we can't have any more? I explained to him that we hadn't decided yet. Reece's quick response was that we needed to have 9 babies! I smiled and said that was NOT going to happen but he resisted that idea. Searching for an answer that would meet 3 year old logic, I told him that we couldn't have 9 babies because they wouldn't fit in our van - there just aren't enough buckles. That seemed to satisfy him. Until yesterday....as we were driving in traffic the solution apparently dawned on him! "Mommy, IIIIIII know! How 'bout when I get just a little bigger I will buy my own car and drive your babies around!" (his wheels never seem to stop turning!) His enthusiasm really has made this pregnancy very special. He remains strong in his hopes to have a sister. In my desire to prepare him for either we talk often about how neat it would be to have another little brother too. I explained to Him that God knew if our baby was a boy or a girl and whatever gift He gives us we will be so happy with. His response: "nahhh. Jesus already knows I want a sister." Hmmmmm - time will tell. Reece doesn't have a lot of patience in his busy little life to wait too long to feel the baby move - but he has once or twice and he thinks that it is pretty neat. If he/she isn't moving when he tries to feel it - he shakes my tummy around and tries to get a reaction. Reece asked me one night a while back if the baby likes it when we talk to "her". "Of course", I said. So he looked at my tummy and said, "hi baby - what are you doin'? - what do you see in there? - is it dark?" and then he sang "Jesus loves me" to "her". Very sweet.



Chase, being a little younger, doesn't really grasp what all this "baby" stuff is all about (affirmed by the fact that this morning as he was pointing to his own body parts and naming them, he came to his own tummy and stated "baby"). However, he has begun to lead our prayers and always lists everyone in the family, including "baby". He enjoys giving zerberty kisses to my tummy and will share kisses and hugs to the little one. When he sees little babies out in public or gets to be around friends of ours with babies, he is very sweet and wants to hold them. I think he is really going to be a good big brother too. He is officially done with his pacifier and has adjusted pretty well (not without some tears, but better than I was expecting). He says "I big" and although he is still my baby - it will be a real blessing to watch him grow into his new role.

  


So...pray for us as we get ready for this change in our family. We have had all the "encouraging" things said to us like..."oh, get ready - when the kids outnumber the parents, it is all over" and "the adjustment from 2 to 3 is much more difficult than the one from 1 to 2" and so on....but if you have any truly encouraging advice - send it our way!

Isn't He The Best?

Ok, it has been too long since I have sat down here and posted something - and how can I not respond to perhaps the sweetest man out there? (read the last post). I was really touched by my husbands kindness and my children - on my birthday. We enjoyed a really great day together - lots of little suprises and lots of hugs and "I love you's". This was the first birthday that, thanks to Benjy's coaching, the kids really caught on to the whole idea (for someone else's birthday in the family besides their own that is!) and they had quite a lot of fun suprising me with breakfast in bed, a present that they picked out on their own, a cake, etc.. Chase has been repeating "I love you" for awhile but on my birthday, for the first time, he added "so much" all on his own. It was a very special day for me - always to be remembered.

I have lots of pictures of lots of things....but I haven't downloaded them yet because I am a little afraid my computer is about to go on the fritz. But - when I take the time to download them and then upload onto another site for safe-keeping...I will post some here. I'm not so high in the energy department these days!