Errands with 3 Kids

So this has been the 2nd Thursday in a row that I have ventured out to run errands with all 3 girls. It has been a challenge. Our car is a 2002 Nissan Exterra, and there's not a whole lot of room in the back. In fact, all three car seats are just kind of squeezed in back there. So I have had to come up with a way to get all the girls in the car in a way that none of them run out into the street/parking lot and get hit by a car. Grace is on the driver's side, Georgia in the middle, and Gwen on the passenger side, and here's how it goes: set the baby in her seat on the ground; put Grace in the front passenger seat and shut the door; help Gwen into her seat; go around to the other side and find a way to work the baby into the middle without too much bumping; go back around to the other side of the car and strap Gwen in; get Grace out of the front of the car and strap her into her seat. Then there's always the challenge of how to get them out and walk into the store without getting hit by a car. So far it's working out, but it is interesting.

Today's big errand was taking Georgia to the pediatrician for her 2 week check up (she is now 2 1/2 weeks old). She is doing really well-very healthy. She was 7 lbs. 10 oz at birth...3 days later she was 7 lbs. 3 oz...and she is now exactly 8 pounds (little girl likes to eat a lot). She has also gained 2 inches (although the doctor's office thinks that she was measured wrong at the hospital)...she was 19 in. at birth and is now 21 in. long. She has all ready outgrown the newborn outfits that we had for her. The only complaint that I would have is that she doesn't want to nurse. I have had a consultant over and talked to the same one on the phone and have tried and tried and tried to get her to nurse, but alas...the stuborn little stinker doesn't want to do it (the consultant believes that part of it is because she has a very tiny mouth). So, while it's made me depressed and I've felt like a failure, I've kind of gotten over that and moved on. I am pumping my milk and giving it to her in a bottle, so she is still getting that nutrition from me, even if it takes longer and is a bit of a pain in the butt. I'm still trying to get her to nurse, but we'll see how it goes. Other than that she has been my easiest baby and I am excited to see her grow and her personality bloom.

Gwen and Grace are doing good. Once again I was asked today if I had twins (he he he)...they are starting to look more and more alike, and since they are almost the same size, complete strangers will just guess that they are twins-until they hear them both talk (and there's an obvious difference there). Gwen is still a very funny little girl, although I could do without the extreme tantrums that she has. We're really having to watch what we say and do around her lately. Diana and Quinn took the girls for a little while after Georgia was born, and I guess they went to Burger King. While standing in line, a boy came out of the back of the restuarant (and Diana said he was a big boy) and Gwen took one look at him and said "He's a fat boy!" They're pretty sure that he overheard her. Oh, I can't wait to see what other embarrassing things she says in front of others. Grace is still my little sweetheart. She decided to play peekaboo with me the other day, and it was the first time I'd really heard her say an understandable sentence. She said "Where's da mama? Peedaboo!!" over and over. It was really cute. She is really starting to talk and is trying to learn her ABC's and 123's. Oh, and her and Gwen like to sit and pull each other's socks off and look for "toe fuzzies" (lint between their toes) and laugh like crazy when they find something.

As for Rob and I, we are both doing pretty good. We are both tired, but functioning as best we can. School and work are still going pretty good for Robbie, and I am still trying to adjust to a new baby along with everything else I have to do. It's been interesting. Robbie has been such a help though and it has meant so much to me when he makes sure that things are picked up so I don't have to worry about it the next day, or to watch the girls while they take a bath so I can have some "me" time (that's actually what he's doing right now) or making sure that I take a nap after the girls go to sleep because I have to feed the baby at 10 or 11 (when we usually go to bed). He is amazing and my love for him grows more and more each day.

Our family is well, and adjusting. I never knew it was going to be this challenging, but I welcome the lessons I learn and I know that this is what the Lord wants me to be doing right now in my life, and that Georgia was supposed to come when she did (why else would she come a week and a half early if she wasn't so anxious to join our family?). I am so grateful for my little family and for the love we all have for one another. I have been truly blessed to have such a caring and wonderful husband and 3 beautiful loving spirits as my children. I'll continue to give updates!!

A Thank You to My Momma

I am so very grateful for my momma...when she found out that we had gone into labor early, she moved up her flight so that she could be here to help us out that first week home. I know that it probably cost more to do that for us, but we are so glad that she did. A few days after coming home my back really started to hurt from all the back labor, and I could hardly move for almost 2 days without a lot of pain. I can't imagine having to take care of 3 kids all on my own during the day feeling like I did. And my mom did so much while she was here...cleaning, cooking, laundry, playing with and feeding my kids and Rob and I. You were such a help mom...you may not have thought so, but just having you here meant so much to us, even if you hadn't done anything to help around the apartment.

The girls had so much fun with their Nana. The day she left, Gwen came out into the family room and asked, "Where's my Nana?" She still talks about having her Nana here with her. And it was great to have Diana and Quinn come up with Madison to visit while she was here too. You are amazing momma...I keep thinking that if you could do it with 6 kids, I can do it with 3. Still, I am amazed that you had 6 kids when I find it hard with 3...can't even imagine what it was like for you sometimes. And I can't imagine how you went through labor 6 times...

Thank you momma, for everything that you did while you were here. I sure miss you and wish we could be closer to you and all of our family. I can't wait for the girls to get to spend time with you again, and to spend time with their papa and their Grandpa and Grandma Congdon in another month. Thanks again momma...you are truly inspiring.

Family Picture

Once again, this is being posted a bit late due to the fact that Georgia came a bit earlier than expected. We took a picture of our family the Sunday before Christmas, like we did last year and I'm finally posting it. It was fun for Robbie cause he got to use some of the new toys he got for Christmas. Hopefully we'll take another one of all of us soon (and one where I look better than the one from the hospital...).

Gwen's Birthday

I feel really bad that this is coming so late, but Gwen had her 3rd birthday on Monday, the 12th. Yes...the day after Georgia was born. I had originally wanted to throw her a party with all her friends but I am glad now that I didn't. I would've had a really hard time coming home from the hospital and having to prepare for a birthday party. Anyways, we decided to wait until Tuesday to celebrate her birthday so that my mom, who flew out early Tuesday to help us out, could be here and that would make things a little more special.

Gwen was so excited about her birthday. Robbie brought home a ton of balloons and she and Grace just went to town with those-running all over the place with them, sitting on them and bouncing, and throwing them around. It was fun to watch. Gwen was also pretty excited that she had a new baby sister at home too. Mostly she was excited for her cake and her presents. I didn't do a special cake this year like the crayon cake I did for her last year. I let her choose between having a special cake or a cake that had those little candies on them. We found Tinker Bell candies so Gwen decided that she'd rather have those instead of a special cake, and called her cake the "Tinker Bell Cake." She helped my mom decorate the cake with the candies and some sprinkles and of course Grace helped a little too. Gwen was really thrilled about the candles too...little twisty ones.

She had a blast opening her presents as well. Lots of money (oh, she loved that), princess stuff, a my little pony, art stuff (man she loved digging through that box!), minature tupperware (Grace stole most of it from her), a savings bond and from Mommy and Daddy...a Fisher Price Kid Tough camera. She has so far taken almost 300 pictures with it (most of them of cartoons on TV). Once I figure out how where Rob's screwdriver is (the port to download the pictures to our computer from the camera is right by the batteries, protected by a screwed-on plate) I will put some of her pictures up...some of them are actually good for a 3 year old.

I can't believe my baby is 3 now...I still remember bringing her home from the hospital in an outfit that was way way too big, and then going through the constant heel pricks for jaundice and having to get a billy patch to fight off the jaundice. I remember her first birthday cake and having to give her a bath because she smeared it through her hair and all over her face and chest. I remember her learning to walk, getting her first tooth, learning to talk, saying I Love You and her second birthday. How big she's getting!! My sweet peanut is 3!!

Georgia Ann Congdon

She's here!! Georgia Ann Congdon was born on Sunday the 11th at 10 am after about 15 1/2 long hours of labor. Labor was awful, but Georgia is a very healthy little girl, and my recovery is going a lot better than it did last time. Georgia was 7 lbs. 10 oz. at birth and 19 inches long. She has a little bit of hair that looks like it'll be dirty blond (like her sisters) and of course her eyes are blue right now...we'll see as they change if they stay that way or not. We are both home now and doing very well!! Thank you to all who helped with the girls and who came to visit and make sure we were taken care of. The girls seem to be excited and I can't wait to get pictures of all 3 of them together (check out Robbie's face book page...he's got more pictures there!).

Hi Ho Hi Ho...To The Doctor's I Go

So I went to the doctor again today. I lost more of my mucus plug this morning, but didn't think that the doctor was going to tell me much more than he did last time although I knew I was going to be checked for dialation today. However I did tell the doctor about all the braxton hicks contractions and loosing pieces of my plug, including losing a piece today. He checked me, then said he wouldn't be surprised if I had the baby sometime within the next week (ahhh!!!) because between loosing pieces of my plug and having a few small contractions (besides the braxton hicks ones) I am dialated to a 3 and I am 75% effaced (spelling?). This is a bit further along than I was with either of the girls-with both of them I was only ever dialated to a 2 and less than 50% effaced before going into labor. So while it's good news to know that I am almost done with this pregnancy, and I am excited to see this new little spirit, I am also really hoping that she doesn't come for another week, or at least until after Monday (Gwen's birthday). Seeing as how my children have minds of their own, and how anxious this one has seemed to be, I'm not counting on her listening to me and waiting until I say it's okay. So, keep a look out here for updates...the next one on the baby and I may just be pictures of her (and this isn't a very good picture of me, but it sure shows off how big my belly is now)!!

As for everyone else...

Robbie started school again yesterday. He likes his classes so far, and has a few classes with some friends as well. He says that they are going to be a lot of work though. He gets up early every morning and most nights doesn't go to bed until late, and I don't know how he's doing it-he is amazing. He will still be working for Okland while going to school, though only part time.

Gwen and Grace had an appointment today where they were both weighed and measured. It's no wonder we are often asked if we have twins. Gwen weighs 24 pounds (still a tiny little thing) where Grace weighs 23 pounds 13 ounces (so only 3 ounces apart in weight). Gwen is 35 1/4 inches tall (10th percentile for her age...as it's always been) where Grace is 33 inches tall (90th percentile for her age). They are so close in height and weight to each other-it's crazy. They are both doing really good though-they are healthy and are having no learning problems. Gwen is constantly repeating new things that she hears (the newest-too bad so sad when we tell her it's time for a time out, and mommy has a fat belly) and has such an amazing imagination when playing with her toys and Grace. Grace is still the cuddler and is learning to say new things too. She loves to say wow as loud as she can, and she likes to hide then pop out saying "here I are." She steals Gwen's bike from her all the time but rides it backwards, and she is constantly making up new dance moves. They are so cute and so much fun!! We will continue to keep you all updated!!

Blankets

Since I learned how to crochet I have made blankets for each of the girls before they were born (okay...Grace's took me longer than that). Anyways, each time I've made a blanket I've used a different pattern, and this time I used different colors as well. I finished the blanket a while ago and I think it turned out rather nice...

I have also attempted some other blankets recently. Robbie got me a sewing machine for Christmas (I've been asking for one since we got married) and I made some cuddly blankets (that's what they're called on the pattern) for the girls as my first attempt at sewing since high school, and as practice to figure out how to use my machine and all it's features. We let the girls pick out which type of stuffed animal they wanted...Gwen had to have the Lion (after we convinced her that she has plenty of stuffed dogs) and Grace got a monkey (which is perfect, because she goes around making monkey noises all the time...she's become my little monkey between the noises and all the climbing!!). I think they turned out pretty good for my first attempts at sewing in years, and since they did, we're going to go back to the craft store and get the stuff to make one for the baby (I've had my eye set on the stuffed elephant for a while).

Another Doctor's Appointment

20 days away from my due date, and another doctor's appointment down. Nothing new to report-the baby's heart beat sounds great and weight, blood pressure and protein levels with me are fine. Only new thing to really report is that I am once again Group B Strep positive, but since I had it with Grace I know what to expect with this one. The only other things going on is that I have lost some of my mucus plug (it's coming out in pieces like it did with the girls) and I've been having a lot of braxton hicks contractions that have increased in intensity this week-nothing near a real contraction though. Other than that we're just preparing for labor and counting down the days. They'll check me for dialation on the 8th (every week visits now!!).

Everyone else is doing okay, I guess. The girls and I have all had colds that I thought we were all over...Gwen seems to be completely over it, without having had too much of a hard time with her head cold. I thought I was just about over mine but tonight it seems to be hitting again-blah! Grace was hit really hard with a bad head cold and today she seemed to be just about over it-hardly had to wipe her nose at all, and she had moved on to coughing. Tonight she came down with a fever so we'll be keeping an eye on her to make sure it's not anything serious (her fever was almost 103 before bed tonight). Poor baby always seems to have a hard time lately with illnesses. However I am grateful that we all have it now and not after the baby comes. Hopefully we'll all be over it soon.