Getting Back in the Groove

Nic is now back at work and we are starting to get a little rhythm to each day. It has been absolutely crazy and I have cried many times...but I have been trying to cherish every single moment that I am home with my three babies. I do miss my partner home with me all day though! I am finding that I just can't possibly do everything on my own as much as I would like to think so. Thankfully, my dear husband is able to help me as soon as he gets home. I am very grateful for that man. I don't know what I would do without him.
We are still having the crazy fits from Colton. He loves the baby now and makes sure he goes everywhere we go. I have set a goal to read Scripture first thing in the morning and I feel like that has helped a little with dealing with hit temper. I realized how much I really need that or by the middle of the day I am just spent. This realization came the other day when I spent 30 minutes folding laundry on our living room floor (BIG mistake) and went to put the boys' clothes away and came back to every single piece of clothing thrown throughout the room...by Colton. After I spanked him, he laughed. Oh dear. That same day he had hit Hayden as hard as he could on her ear (she has pierced ears). That day I lost it...big time...ask my mom. I never in my life felt so helpless and had absolutely NO idea what to do or how to handle it. He has never been a hitter and now all the sudden he is just whacking his sister like crazy. These last couple of days has been a little better and I have tried my best to give him the attention that he is seeking. He really does have a sweet, sweet spirit. I know he is just trying to adjust to our new life.

Hayden has been doing A LOT better this week. She has been my little helper and has wanted to cuddle often. She wants to help me any way she can and I love that about her. She is precious. She still has her melt downs but I truly think she is starting to know how to handle them better. We have to remind her to just relax and "smell the flowers" as Nic likes to say. She has been my little side kick and I have loved it. While Nic and I were gone last weekend for his tourney, we picked up some preschool books for Hayden to start to work on. Her and I spend about 45 minutes a day working in them and she absolutely loves that time. We usually work during Colton's nap time or when he goes to bed at night. It is amazing to see her progress already. We have worked on tracing different lines and shapes. Today she was to color a certain picture/shape a certain color. She is dominating it. We are going to be starting letters soon:)

Easton has been a wonderful baby. He kind of has to be though:) He loves his swing (thank Jesus!) and we have learned that he does well being swaddled at night. He is still wanting to eat every couple of hours...little chunk! He is now over his birth weight and is just a blessing. He still loves being held very tight near my neck. Easton went to his first tourney in Battle Creek this past weekend and it was just us three. he was amazing and perfect! He slept most of the time and only was awake when hungry.

When I sit back and think about how Nic and I are parents of three kids now, I am overwhelmed...in a good way. Yes, it is complete chaos...but each child is just such a gift from God and we are so grateful that God has allowed us to be their parents. The love I have for these children is almost painful. I couldn't imagine life without them.
"I love you, Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18: 1-2

First Week as Family of Five

Easton has been in our lives for a week now, and somehow it seems like he has been part of our family forever. There has been VERY little sleep, but it is all worth it...the quality time holding my baby boy during the nights has been priceless. It has been a whirlwind of a week. As mentioned before, my brother, sis-in-law, and niece came in to town last Sunday night for the week. If you know me, you know how much a value family time, so of course I wanted to take in every moment with them that I could. Not only were they in town, but Kristen and Sarah were also home, so everyone was under one roof again...and it felt amazing. So thankful. We also had Kristen's open house this past Saturday. We were to able to see lots of family and friends, which was amazing.

I am very thankful and blessed to be feeling so well after just giving birth. I am not sore anymore and I feel like somehow I have more energy than I did while being pregnant, even with as little sleep as I have been getting. I pray every morning that God will just give me the energy that I needed for the day ahead and for the wisdom that I need for Hayden and Colton.

You might wonder how Hayden and Colton are adjusting to their new little brother. It has been a very hard week for these 2 little ones. I have cried many tears and begging God to give me the words and wisdom how to handle the tantrums from the kids. I know that their worlds have changed completely, I just don't know how to make it easier for them. Hayden loves to help with Easton and likes him. Colt didn't want anything to do with him at first but now calls him "my baby". He is doing a lot better with him. It is just the temper tantrums that have been so overwhelming. Sometimes I literally just stand there and watch because I have absolutely no idea what to do or how to handle it. Today has been the best day so far as far as the tantrums go. They have been more interested in everything Easton does or anything I need to do for him. I don't know if it is because we are getting back into a routine and we have been in our own home all day or what. Hayden has been my little side kick with Easton, wanting to help in any way she can and Colton did well too. Both slept in and took really good naps. I am praying that this is a little bit of a "turning of a corner" but don't want to get my hopes up quite yet. I am still afraid slightly for Nic to return to work though.

How's Easton? He is doing great. Nights are a little rough but he doesn't really cry, he just moves around a lot. He doesn't really like to be swaddled so I am still trying to figure out how he will sleep best. He is a wonderful baby though and a fabulous eater. He has proved that he will fit in with our family by being able to sleep right through the loudness of everything and everyone:) He has been more awake than I remember the other 2 being. I love how big his eyes are and how it is like he is just taking everything in. Sometimes I don't even realize he is awake until I look over and he is just wide-eyed. I love it.

So that is a summary of our week. This week will be a whole new week as we settle into a routine and back to real life. I am praying that God will guide me as I parent 3 children now...because quite honestly, I am scared...scared to mess up, scared I won't be able to 3 children at one time.

"Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."