comparing faces at 2 months...

Pike

Jovie

Pear

Our little dude is 2 months old.

"How can this be?" you may ask. Well, I don't exactly know. Evidently a day begins with the rising of the sun and ends with the setting. One month contains 30-31 days which means that approximately 61 days have elapsed since his birth but what I can't figure out is why it seems like it's been no more than 2 weeks. Why is it that time seems to disappear in thin air when I'm wanting to savor it? Ah, well, I can't change the way time passes, only how I use it. I think I'm using it pretty well loving on my little Pike and his adorable sisters.Do you like Pike's pants? I followed this tutorial for the Knee Pad Pants. How about the shirt? I used a Gerber onesie and inkjet transfer paper along with this clip-art image.

I am blessed!

A trip over the mountains...

Stephen's sister, Claire, just so happens to be engaged to a farm boy. And, not just any farm boy but one from a wonderful family who runs a cherry, apple and blueberry farm. On July 3rd Bill's Berry Farm held their first ever Blueberry Daze Festival. The festival sounded like so much fun that my family decided to take the 4 hour drive and make a mini vacation out of it.

We stayed in a hotel in Yakima on Friday night. Pear was so excited to see the pool upon our arrival. We immediately went to our room to put our suits on and headed down to the pool. The girls swam, and swam and swam some more. They were also very excited to sleep in a big bed. "This is the best room ever! They've never had kids here before because they don't have kids beds," Pear said with excitement. I think Pear's highlight was "making" her own waffle at the continental breakfast in the morning. She has been telling people ever since that morning that she made her own waffle at the hotel.

Jovie sittin' pretty in the pool.

Isn't my mom beautiful? She's blesses me.

Aspen.

Libbi.

Racer.

Stephen and Jovie.

Pear.

The Blueberry Daze festival was so much fun! There were pony rides, train rides pulled by a tractor, they had tire swings hung from big trees and the best tree fort. Wonderful antique vendors from all over Washington set up camp to display their beautiful treasures. They grilled tasty burgers and hot dogs, sold ice cold lemonade and mochas, ice cream bars and sodas. It was a blast! It reminds me of something you'd see in a Country Living magazine.The menu.

Some of the antique vendors.

Stephen's mom, Therese, and Pike.

Taffi, Pear and Libbi. Do you like Libbi's dress? I made it with recycled t-shirts!

Stephen's brother Warren with the J-Jove.

She really was having fun.

Need I say anything?

Yes, she really is as sweet as she looks.

Real life: overall, this first mini vacation with all three kids was a success. Sure, the girls fought for an hour or two in the bed before going to sleep. Sure, all three kids were awake at one point in the night and it took another 45 minutes to get them back to sleep but that's life with kids, right? The drive both there and back was fairly pleasant. Pike decided he didn't want to be in the car for some of it and we had to pull over a few times to console him but overall, I was very happy and deemed this trip a success. Oh, did I mention that having my parents and siblings there was a HUGE help? Yeah, that probably contributed to the success of the trip. And then at the festival, Stephen's family was also there. Family is WONDERFUL!

Woodland Park Zoo

My grandma Memee took us to the zoo on occasion growing up. Just recently, a few of us grand-kids got the bug to walk down memory lane and go to the zoo again. Although not everyone was able to make it, it was still a blast. I am so glad that my girls are getting to experience the fun Memee that I know and love.

The youngest of the cousins from left to right: Rallye, Jaden, Aspen, Libbi, Taffi, Pear, Racer and Jovie.

My Aunt, Debbie, with Pike.

My sister, Tara, with Pear.

My brother, Hutton.

My sister, Aspen.

Jovie with Libbi Lu.

a new record

Last Wednesday marked two things: Pike Henry turned 4 weeks old and Stephen set a new record. I was clueless that Stephen was embarking to set a record but somehow, he managed to do it without my help. It all began the day Pike was born. That first time he pooed, Stephen said "oh, here, you can change him. It's a great bonding time." I smiled as he came up with a cunning way to say that he didn't want to change his diaper. This is where the new record comes in. It was my turn to get out of the house. I picked Pike up after he woke from his nap and I knew his pants were messy. But, rather than changing him, I decided to feed him. So, I fed him. Then I put on my shoes, grabbed the keys and said, "I'm leaving, I'll be back in an hour! Oh, and Pike's poopy." To which Stephen responded, "Aw, really? Don't you want to change him before you go?" "No." I said, "The clocks ticking and I only have so much time before I have to be back to feed him again, you can do it." It wasn't until the next day that I found out about this new record. Stephen told me that he made it 4 weeks without changing a poopy diaper from Pike. It wasn't until I declined changing the poopy diaper which forced him to do it. That was his new record. I changed Pikes diaper- all 8 times a day, 7 days a week. This includes the days Stephen was home after Pike was born. It includes the days the following week that Stephen only worked half-days. It includes the 2 or 3 times in the middle of the night while Stephen sawed logs. Until last Wednesday. 4 weeks! That is a little over 200 poopy diapers that I changed and that he didn't. What a turkey!

life

Has it really been four weeks since we got to meet our little Pike? Yes, it really has. Life has been... ummm... somewhat crazy, a little chaotic, partially stressful, and absolutely wonderful all at the same time. I am learning how to make all three of my children feel loved, which simply takes effort. I've found that I have to set aside specific times for each of my kids. And then I try to make time for my wonderful husband who, unfortunately, has probably been on the back-burner most because he's the only one that understands the current chaotic circumstances and knows that I love him without the "special time" that the girls require. I truly am enjoying this season and for those of you wondering, having three kids is not as hard as I thought it would be. Honestly, it continues to be easier than when Jovie came along and we went from one to two.


Pike is still a very good little baby boy. He does have a fussy time from about 6:30-9:30 every evening. This requires either Stephen or myself to walk, rock and cuddle the little guy for the three hour stretch while keeping the binky in tow. He eats every 2-3 hours and at night sleeps a solid 3 hours in-between each feeding. He takes naps...sometimes. However, he almost always takes a solid 2 hour nap in the afternoon which is a time I savor as I not only can get things done but I can also spend time with my little ladies.

Jovie and Pear continue to be best of friends and worst of enemies. Jovie still has a hard time communicating, only saying a few words, most of which nobody else would understand. Once she can communicate, I think playing will be a little more peaceful. That's my hope at least. Pear can be the sweetest, most helpful little thing at times and then at other times I wonder what I did wrong. I guess that's probably just a typical 3 year old in training.

This is a typical scenario. The girls constantly want to hold Pike and one of them is usually crying because it's not their turn while the other one is as happy as can be holding baby Pike.

a week gone by...

Today marks Pike's 1 week birthday. It is amazing how it seems like just yesterday he was born and yet it feels like he's been with us forever. I couldn't have dreamed of a more pleasant baby or an easier adjustment.

Pear and Jovie LOVE him. Anytime he is in Jovie's sight she coos and makes sweet baby noises. She is constantly wanting to pet and kiss him. Pear couldn't be a more proud big sister. She repeatedly tells me, "mom, he's the best baby ever!" She is so sweet and is constantly asking to hold him. Not only are the girls being good to Pike, they have been so good and cooperative with each other as well!

We had a couple of fussy days and nights when we first came home from the hospital but I'm pretty sure we are over those. Pike's little body just had to figure out how to process all this food! He now wakes every 2 1/2 hours to eat and then drifts back to sleep. He seems to naturally be getting into a good routine with an eating, playing and sleeping cycle every 2 1/2-3 hours.

As you may have gathered thus far, God is pouring down blessings on our family and we are so happy to be receiving them.