A small miracle today

I don't know if I've even written about it yet, but sleep is a rare thing in our house lately.

My big boys have been waking up between 4am and 5am on most days for months now and I have tried everything to get them to sleep in; noise machines, dark curtains, fans, putting them to bed earlier, later, watching what they eat and when, etc... nothing worked.

Adam had been getting up 3 + times a night still for no apparent reason.

Last night, that all changed.  All 3 boys were in bed by 6:30pm and nobody was up (for the day) until about 6:30am.  (Adam did get up to eat around 5:45 but he went back to sleep until 7!)  It was a miracle and I'm praying that it will happen again.  Only time will tell.

*Adam has slept through the night 3 nights in a row now.  I'm really hoping we're on to something here.  Finally, at 7 months :) Now I can get back to being a sane person....well, at least not a sleep-deprived person.

Some of our California Trip

We were lucky enough to go to California for almost 3 weeks in August. We had a fun-filled time with Daddy the first week, then the boys and I were on our own for about a week. We wrapped things up with Ryan's Cousin, Camille's wedding.

Tyler's (second) 1st day of Preschool

Although this was nearly 2 weeks ago now, I thought we'd throw a picture up just for fun. Tyler started preschool on September 1st this year. He goes 2 days a week and so far is loving it again. On his first day of school we also had Adam's 6 month appointment so it was a crazy morning.

Tyler did okay at school but his sensitive tummy had him feeling gross by the end of the day. Thankfully, he has learned to control his nerves and excitement a little more and this week he hasn't had any more upset tummy from going to school.

Jacob missed Tyler a ton during school, but we had our own fun with just Jacob and mom for awhile. His favorite thing to do is play with some old leap pad books that we got from family while we were in California. I think he likes it because I can actually sit down with him and help him learn how to do what you are really supposed to do with the books. We also made some rocketships out of diaper boxes and Jake got to take Adam for a ride.

I can't believe my boys are growing up so fast!

Next year, Kindergarten!

My job

Ya- this is what happens when Ryan is at work and I should be sleeping. Instead I had a rather easy night putting the kids to bed so I have the time and desire to be nostalgic about how our family of 2 so quickly became a family of 5 and now I spend my every moment focused on these crazy little boys. I wish I would have taken more pictures of the pregnancy with Adam, especially since we know now that it will have to be my last. So, the pictures aren't the best, but each pic is my last day pregnant with each boy. Some are within hours of meeting the newest memebr of our family (Jake and Adam's).

I really can't believe I don't get to have any more of these (pictured) moments. And I know it sounds insane because life is so overwhelming right now, but there is something very, unspeakably, special about carrying a baby and adding another little soul to your family.

In talking with my sister and a few other wonderful women in my life, I have decided to re-commit to enjoying these children because life is too short to be upset and frustrated all the time. I also realized that (disclaimer: I love my mom and never felt neglected growing up but...) I never had an example of what a stay-at-home-mom should do. I am completely winging this here and all I have to go on, and what I have been expecting of myself are these incredibly idealized views of a put-together, cookie-baking, house-cleaning, patient, craft-making, organized lady. Let's be honest, I'm much better at doing one thing at a time and I prefer to not make any decisions in life. So now, I'm making my own course and just doing the best I can. Raising three boys really, truly, is not easy. However, it should be fun and messy and spontaneous.

I see these pictures and remember how excited and scared I was for each of these boys. I felt sub-par for the parenting course, and still do, but that doesn't mean we can't start over each day. I hope that I can choose my battles wisely so that raising my boys can be a joy, as well as a challenge.

And he still sleeps like this

Looking through some old photos with a quiet house and i ran across this one of Jacob when he was just days old. Here he is with my dad, just chillin with his hands behind his head. To this day, this pose is sure sign that Jake is about to be out cold. As a matter of fact, this is how I left him, just minutes ago, nearly 2 1/2 asleep in his bed. Love that kid (even more when he's out!)

Adam's 6 month Stats

After a sad night with Adam's first fever, we had a "fun" morning at the Dr. for his 6 month well check (at 6 1/2 months)

Height: 26.75 inches (50%)
Weight: 18 lbs. (50%)
Head cricumference: 45cm (75-90%)

So I was right- he does have a big head ;)  But we love him none-the-less.

I am so glad to have another boy who is just average.  So much better than how special he was at the beginning.