sleeping update

I definitely won't be posting about how much Haylee sleeps anymore. I seemed to have jinxed myself yesterday by posting that!
(I'm now going to try and take a nap.)

three kids vs. one mommy

Obviously I'm still adjusting to three children. I can't find the time to get everything that I like to/need to done. I had this problem before Haylee arrived, but it's twice as bad now. It's okay though because as long as I'm getting sleep, I can deal with most things thrown my way. And yes, so far (knock on wood), I am getting adequate sleep :) Haylee had her best night just last night - 11:30pm to 7am! Woot!
Since we really haven't been anywhere this past month, I just have random pictures on the camera that are taken (mostly) around the house.

The camera can keep Olivia occupied for awhile:

Cute toesies

I do love a sleeping baby.

Thanks for the stickers Mom. They obviously didn't last long.

Carter wants a pinata for his birthday. The frugal side of me kicked in and decided to make one for free. What a mess. It's a darn good thing that I started it almost two weeks ago because it still isn't finished.

Here's what the Grandma's have been wanting...some "new" pictures of Haylee. I don't know what kind of goofy face this is.

Haylee has already started giving big smiles. I thought it was too soon, but it's an obvious thing.

Most of the smiles come when she's laying on her changing table and has no diaper on...

Olivia wanted to help me out by folding a load of laundry. What a sweetheart. I think. This is the completed task. Olivia said that when she finished folding them, she put them in a pile for me. This work of art took around 15 minutes. Thanks babe.

On Saturday, we were supposed to attend a Pioneer Primary activity at a local park. Instead, we sat through one of the worst lightning storms I've seen and then went home. Olivia was a little scared and wanted to be held. I was a little shaken up too...it was incredibly LOUD!

But before we got in the van, Carter had a little fun.

helping hands

Thank you so much Mom for flying to Ohio and taking care of my family for almost two whole weeks. You kept the kids busy from morning 'til night and nobody appreciates that more than ME! With all the kids activities, I don't know how you were able to fit in making such yummy dinners for us, keeping my kitchen spotless, etc, etc, but you certainly did!

My mom did not want to miss out on Carter's birthday and so we had a little early celebration.

Since we're never together for Easter, my mom brought her egg decorating kit and did this with Carter and Olivia one afternoon.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You Mom!

Speaking of lots of help...Olivia is Haylee's #2 mommy. She's always there to hand me a clean diaper.

Occasionally Olivia really does help me out with entertaining Haylee.

Thanks to everyone else that has helped in making this transition to three children a little easier on me. I have had lots of yummy dinners brought into our home and the kids have had some fun play dates with their friends! I am so blessed to have such giving family and friends!

I didn't forget Father's Day...

...I just had a few other things going on at the same time ;)
I just wanted let everyone know (as if you didn't already) what a great guy that Aaron is. I kind of feel that he got short changed this Father's Day, but luckily, he doesn't feel that way in the least bit. I was able to make him one of his favorite meals for lunch on Father's Day before heading to the hospital. He got lots of hugs and kisses from two of his biggest fans too. Oh, and some pretty snazzy (home-made) key chains too.
Here's some of my favorite recent pictures of a great Dad:

(Carter got an early birthday gift...a "weed whacker." Since Carter is Aaron's #1 fan, he was thrilled to help Daddy "whack the weeds." And I'm so sure that Aaron appreciated having Carter just a few feet from him every time he turned around with his weed whipper;)

Happy Belated Father's Day to my dear husband and my great Dad! And while I'm at it...my great Father-in-law too! I'm so lucky to have such great examples in my life that teach me so much.

The Haylee Story

I don't know that I could have asked for things to go more smoothly! I am lucky to have pretty uneventful pregnancies and this one was no different. This labor and delivery experience was a good one too.
On Friday the 19th of June, I had my 40-week check-up. I wasn't quite dilated to a two and since my doctor knew that I would be ready to have the baby the following week, he scheduled for me to have an ultrasound on Tuesday the 23rd to be sure the baby was a good size before deciding to induce.
On Saturday the 20th (my due date) I got my hair cut and did my last bit of cleaning since my mom was flying in that night. The real contractions started that Saturday late afternoon. I was sure that I would still be going to my Tuesday appointment since I had contracted at home with Olivia for nearly four days before being admitted to the hospital.
My mom made it in late on Saturday night and we couldn't have timed it better!
I made it to church on Sunday (like I had promised everyone in Primary that I would) but couldn't hide the pain of my contractions very good while I was there. I did get things squared away to be gone for a few weeks.
After dinner on Sunday and getting the kids in bed, I think Aaron was getting nervous. (He's always worried that he's going to have to be the one to deliver the baby at home ;) We started timing the contractions around that time and by 10pm, they were regularly five to six minutes apart. Aaron hurried me along to finish packing my bag, I had a quick favorite meal of mine (cinnamon toast & chocolate milk) and then it was off to the hospital. We arrived there at around 11pm on Sunday and I was very happy to hear that I had dilated to a five.

They were quick to get me an epidural (which hurt really bad, but still worth it) and then labor slowed. The nurse gave me a little pitocin around 3am to get the contractions going again and boy did they! My water broke a little after 4am, at which time I was dilated to a seven. About 25 minutes later, I felt the urge.

I was pushing shortly after that and within about five or six pushes, Haylee was born!

We had told Olivia on Sunday night, before she went to bed, that she might wake up to just Grandma there. She could hardly believe that the time for her little sister to be born was that close. She was pretty excited. Our little visitors came to the hospital that next morning and marched right into our hospital room ready to meet their new little sister.

It didn't take Carter long to discover the buttons on the hospital bed.

He did have a little interest in Haylee though.

Aaron getting some bonding time.

How cute is that face?

Haylee's body temperature dropped enough that she had to lay in "the oven" for awhile on Monday and then we kept her bundled up so she wouldn't have to do that again.

She loves her rocking chair.

Haylee is a little bare on top of her head, but has plenty in back.

Olivia is usually happy to just hold Haylee's hand. She's held her enough on her lap and DOES NOT like it when Haylee begins to fuss and I don't run right to her. It makes Olivia quite upset to hear her cry (just like Carter did when he was born).

Our little lady Haylee is bulking up fast. At her one week check-up, she already weighs 8 lb. 7 oz.
I am so blessed.