Matching pjs – sadly the big boys have outgrown these styles.
Kaitlyn
First there was a box. Then there was a project. Now there is a fort.
Ready to take on the world – or Wednesday anyway.
We are definitely back to normal when everyone gets a random video game before bed.
The personality on this one…
Wade and I have a huge tub in our bathroom. We decided to throw all three big kids in and see what happened.
Summary – it was all giggles for about 2 minutes. Then the arguing and splashing started.
Waking up from naps is no fun, but snuggles help.
We got our tree on Friday and were determined to decorate it today. The kids were extremely excited and hard to keep out of the ornaments. Only a few got broken so we’ll call it a win.
In case you were wondering what a tree looks like after three kids proclaim it decorated – without help from adults.
Today was the town’s Christmas celebration. Local businesses were open throughout town and offered crafts, snacks, and fun activities. The town also had caroling and the tree lighting on the Common. Most of us took naps after church so we only attended a few of the afternoon activities. We had a lot of fun and plan to explore a little more next year!
(When you realized your entire family (except you) is wearing a toggle coat, you must take a picture.)
With our new reward system, I almost always have someone wanting to empty the dishwasher. Both boys refused and Kaitlyn immediately offered to help. She unloaded the entire thing and knew where everything went!
Today the best big brother award goes to Teague. (The boys are both great about earning this often.) Alex and Jadon were planning to sleep on the floor in the boys’ room. I had offered that Teague could sleep with Kaitlyn and they could both have beds. Nobody really liked that idea and I hadn’t realized Kaitlyn had heard me suggest it. When it was time for bed and she realized they were all having a sleepover and she was alone, she got really sad. Teague realized what was going on and offered to have a sleepover with her. The smile on her face were priceless. I was incredibly proud of Teague for making a choice that made someone else so happy.
Kaitlyn is a hoot. This toy has been around since Alex was a baby. It’s for a baby that sits. The wheels don’t turn and it doesn’t even have batteries at the moment. Nevertheless, Kaitlyn spent all evening playing in the car and convinced Teague to push her around in it.
Finally getting our tree – next year we’ll be back to cutting our own!
Today we had newborn/family pictures taken. Wade and the kids were good sports and we went ahead and let them stay home all day. We even ended the day by getting a Christmas tree and having a friend sleep over.
A new baby means Daddy gets some extra snuggles.
My children were in rare form tonight at swim lessons. Kaitlyn was trying out the life of a supermodel and Teague was practicing for Mr. Universe.
I was told to wait in the car while Gram walked her into school.
Big brothers are the best. I looked up from cooking dinner to find Teague and Kaitlyn snuggled under a blanket and Teague reading to Kaitlyn. So sweet.
Gram gives the best check-ups.
The boys are definitely rubbing off on Kaitlyn – or maybe just the choice of books in the house. She loves to find the boys’ comic books and graphic novels. Today’s choice – Dogman.
Kaitlyn has been begging to feed Ben. We were home alone this morning (meaning less chaos in general) so I got her all setup. The minute the bottle touched his lips, she proclaimed “I’m done. You take the baby now.” She finally agreed to feed him long enough for me to take a picture.
All snuggled in at home and ready for a bedtime book.
Finally, Ben and I can go home today! Granny and Pop had bought donuts for the kids yesterday and bought me some donut holes (my favorite) which were delivered last night. When I opened them this morning, I saw that sneaky Pop had included a $20 for Ben and me.
I was told Ben and I both needed to be checked/released by our doctors and then we would be good to go. That happened and then I was told Ben needed to try his hearing test one more time. When they took him back for the hearing test, I called Wade and he brought all the kids to pick us up. The nurse returned Ben to the room and told us there was one more test, but it had to be approved by a doctor (who had left the hospital hours ago) and then performed. I told Wade to go on home. It was lunch time and Kaitlyn needed a nap. The chances of us going anytime soon were slim.
A few hours later, we were really released. Our neighbor walked over to stay with the kids and a napping Kaitlyn. Wade arrived and we pretty much rushed out the door. I asked the nurse to take a quick picture of us, but that didn’t go exactly as I had hoped…
Now we are home! I am so glad to be here and the big kids are all loving on the baby.
Due to the crazy day, I didn’t get a picture of Ben in his “going home” clothes. So I took one a few days later.
Kaitlyn couldn’t wait to hold the baby.
Today Ben and I hung out in the hospital and Wade held down the fort at home. Then he loaded up all three big kids and brought them to visit and for a pizza party. The kids were all over and into everything, but we had fun being together. (I begged to go home from the hospital today, but they were adamant Ben had to stay 48 hours to be monitored.)
Ben has been an awesome baby. He sleeps and transfers to his bassinet well. He isn’t a big fan of the bottle and is taking very small amounts but we’re assuming he’ll get the hang of it before too long.
I’ve been ready to have this baby for a few weeks, but it only really seemed to make sense this week. The nursery was finished on Sunday. My doctor told me I was 4 cm dilated on Monday. Judy and Jerry are in town for Thanksgiving. I am officially 38 weeks. The most important reason – I am insanely uncomfortable. When I hadn’t gone into labor by Tuesday, I started to rethink all this. I didn’t want to miss Thanksgiving with my family. Birth story below. Feel free to read or skip that part and just see the pictures.
The baby must have taken all of this into account. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving day and I woke up about 1:30 am pretty sure I was in labor. I woke Wade up and we called his parents. We got to the hospital a little after 2 am. With my history, I was a little surprised that I was only 6 cm dilated. I was having contractions every minute and there was some discussion about how quickly I would progress. They quickly moved me to a room and I asked for an epidural. After getting all the information/disclaimers the doctor has to discuss before the actual epidural, the OB brought up that if he broke my water, I would most likely be immediately ready to deliver. (Or if it broke on its own, I would be ready to deliver before the epidural took effect.) Then the anesthesiologist also mentions I am a greater risk for the nasty headache I hear people talk about after an epidural. Decision made. I have had one delivery without pain medication and it wasn’t too bad. I told the OB to break my water. He did and suddenly everyone in the room was suited up and ready. Then the OB realizes something isn’t quite right. He keeps checking me (which HURTS) and demands an ultrasound. They were afraid the baby had suddenly turned and I would need an emergency C-section. The ultrasound confirmed the baby was in the correct position but something still wasn’t right. The OB finally realized the baby was head down, but coming face first (instead of crown first). He warned me it would hurt but we were going to deliver immediately. I did, but wow. I should have gotten the epidural.
Benjamin Fuller Burch was born on 11/24 at 4:26 am. He was 7 lbs, 5 oz. and 20.5 inches long. The poor thing has a bruised face with a very swollen nose and mouth, but hopefully that fades quickly.
After we were settled in our room, Wade ran home to take a nap and check on everyone. The entire family came back later that afternoon to meet Ben.
And now there are four!
Happy Turkey Day!
We had a wonderful day celebrating family. Due to baby’s upcoming arrival, Wade’s parents and sister came to spend the holiday with us in Grafton. The cooking was easy (and something I enjoy) – especially when there are three extra adults to entertain the kids. We had a big meal at lunchtime and then most everyone took an afternoon nap. We had pie late afternoon and then spent most of the evening playing games. Emily introduced Alex to some new ones and I loved that he was old enough to understand games we like to play.
Poor Aunt Emmy was evidently sick and needed a lot of doctor care.
Sneaky kids. They figured out a way around the “no electronics” except on the weekends. They imported one from next door without me realizing it!
I came out of my room from getting ready to find Teague helping Kaitlyn get dressed. Love these two!
I think all the new baby stuff in the house is renewing Kaitlyn’s interest in baby dolls. Her baby slept in the cradle beside her bed last night and had to come to the bus stop this morning.
Today we read.
Fighting a zombie apocalypse.
(Kaitlyn was loving the game – she did not like stopping to have her picture taken)
We tried to take a picture of us reading, but our camera angle was a little off…
She is determined to wear goggles like her brothers, but I have no idea how she actually sees anything with them on.
My little helper was so excited to help me clean today. (We won’t discuss quite how long it has been since every room was clean at the same time.)
Kaitlyn has been asking to make a pie for her teachers all week. This morning we made time before school to make a chocolate chip pie for the ladies.
Kaitlyn has been pouring over a catalog we got from Magic Cabin. I’d never heard of it before but she has a few items she has latched onto for her Christmas list and looks at daily.
Sam’s Club run with all three.
Testing out all things for the baby.
According to the dentist, all of my children still need a little help brushing. I will admit that Kaitlyn is the easiest to help. She will lay down in my lap and let me brush till I think I’m done. (The boys have their own ideas on how we should brush and for how long.)
Sunday.
I love that Teague will always take time to play with his sister.
My little sidekick was content to sit and read while I folded laundry.
The kids had their last dental cleaning right before we left Chicago. I have always loved their dentists so I looked at numerous reviews to find an awesome place here. Success! We found a great place not too far away that would take all three kids at the same time! They had video games in their waiting room. All three children were in the same room with their own hygienist and I was able to talk to the ladies as they finished. The dentist came in and worked right down the line. As we finished discussing one child, the hygienist would keep the child entertained for me while I talked. It was a dream for a Mom!
How we do girl hair.
Kaitlyn has been begging to paint in the shower. I finally agreed and she was done after 30 seconds. I was trying to iron so I begged her to paint a little longer. I came back to find her painting herself.
Evidently Elsa and Anna decided to have a sleepover in my bathroom while I was in the shower.