Getting Out the Door

Thus far, I've found one of the most challenging things about having 3 kids to be going ... anywhere.  We function pretty well inside these 4 walls but getting us all out the door is not an easy task!  I think this would be hard no matter what, but adding the fact that it's winter to the mix means we all need coats, scarves, boots/shoes, kids need mittens and hats (and you KNOW I'm putting those things on more than once because it takes SO long that at least one of them has taken them off in the process of leaving), diaper bag (with Wyatt diapers, Tiegan diapers, a blanket, wipes, a few toys and snacks... always snacks), water bottles, etc... OH and keys and phone, definite necessities!

Because I feel like I have conquered the world every time we do get out the door, it usually requires a picture to prove it.

After Tiegan's first doctor visit when she was 6 days old, we headed straight to our chiropractor Dr. Ann!  She confirmed Tiegan's perfection and gave her her first adjustment!

One night all 5 of us went to Target and Jed and I decided to divide and conquer, boys vs. girls.

We have had our preschool group a few times since Tiegan was born too.  It's always a little bit of a juggling act but we make it work.  I love these ladies and their kids and it's really always the highlight of our week to enjoy their company and watch our kiddos learning together.

I hesitate to post this one... how embarassing, but this is what happens to my living room when Jed plays in the band at church and I'm responsible for getting us all fed, dressed (semi-well) and out the door by 9:45.

I noticed one week by Wednesday we were all going a little bonkers and the kids were bouncing off the walls.  So the next day we went to the library!  I had avoided the library the last few months of my pregnancy because I literally could not waddle after Wyatt any more and losing a child at the downtown library is one of my worst fears.  It was actually a really great outing.  Tiegan slept most of the time and we got lots of new books to enjoy the next few weeks.

What's even better than just getting out is actually getting OUTSIDE!  Before all of this snow got dumped on us, we had a few really awesome days of 40s and 50s and SUN!  I wrapped Tiegan up in the moby and we walked down the street to the big open field and the dirt piles where they dump the dirt when they dig a foundation for a new house.  This is noteable because this is usually a DADDY thing, NOT a Mommy thing.  Daddy lets us go crazy outside and get extra dirty.  Mommy is usually full of "be careful"'s and "watch out for the mud!" But this time I let it go and got to just say yes.  We all had an awesome time.  The fresh air was just what we needed.

We also enjoyed an outing to the zoo with our friends Allison and Gwen the other day.  It was such a nice day we ran into several other friends too!  I was really proud and impressed with how great my big kids did walking the whole trip and staying close without the stroller!  There was no complaining even in the absence of snacks and water bottles!

Jed had the idea to go to the mall the other night, which normally would be pretty fun but it was CRAZY busy so instead of enjoying the train table at the book store, we got ice cream, which the kids probably enjoyed more.  Tiegan was, as you can see, not impressed.

I'm sure one day I'll look back at this and laugh at myself, whether it be when/if we have more kids or just when I'm more seasoned at life.  For now, I'm going to pat myself on the back and do my best to be thankful for our days at home and the outings we enjoy together, no matter how stressful they seem!

Oops, September happened...

So, September came and went.  It was fun... we did some things and stuff.  I think I have a serious dip in the brain cell department when I'm pregnant because I have a hard time remembering what I ate for breakfast let alone what we did a month ago but thankfully, there are pictures to remind me.

We enjoyed a few more warm barefoot evenings before the temperatures really started to dip.

Getting outside is the best in September.  The weather is mild and the scenery starts to change.

We started a little small group preschool meet up with a few friends every other week.  We rotate who hosts and plans the lesson and who brings a snack.  It's been a great time.  All 3 of these munchkins are 3, they all have younger brothers and they all are awaiting another younger sibling in the next few months.  Also, their moms are all so great and I love that we can do this together.  It's been really motivating for me to do more learning activities with Lainey at home myself.

We ventured to the Berry Patch Farm again to do some apple picking!

Still loving arts and crafts every chance she gets!

Nothing better than a warm evening and some chalk to keep us busy and happy on the evenings this momma is too tired and sore from chasing toddlers and being pregnant.  Glad Daddy has taken over most bath night duties these days as well! :)

Lainey is 3!

(Okay, so I wrote this post on Lainey's actual birthday buuuut I'm just getting around to posting it.  OOPS!)

I've heard it said about life with kids that the days are long but the years are short.  I couldn't agree more with that statement today as we celebrated Lainey's 3rd birthday.  That steamy weathered, long, long summer day I spent 3 years ago in a hospital room seems like just yesterday.  Never would I have imagined what life would look like being the mom of a 3 year old girl - a sensitive, bright, intuitive, early rising, princess loving, soft hearted girl.

We started out the birthday celebrating the weekend before with some family time.  My parents came down with my niece Claire.  Unfortunately, my nephew Will was sick so he and Emily had to stay back :(

Lainey's birthday dinner choice was Hickory Park.  No complaints here!

Birthday treat #1...

And #2.  I tried my hand for the first time at homemade buttercream.  Um, yes.  Never buying a can of frosting again!

 

Excitement abounds.  It was as delicious as it looked!

Lainey's 3rd birthday also marks the 1 year of anniversary of us living in our new house, which seems CRAAAZY to me because it still feels new.  Though, the scuff marks and hand prints on the flat painted walls remind me otherwise...  Since last year, we couldn't really offer her the celebration we would have liked, we hoped to make up for it a bit this year.  

Our little early bird was up with the sun.  How can you sleep when you know it's your birthday?!

We let her enjoy opening some birthday presents right away.

Princess helmets are pretty cool when you're 3.

You can see in her right hand is a roll of bubble gum.  She had been asking for months to try gum and we said we'd let her try when she turned 3.  Yeah, don't do that.  She swallowed it.  A few times.

7:00 AM scooter ride!  She scored this sweet scooter from her Ma and Papa over the weekend.  The helmet really completes this ensemble I'd say.  Safety first!

Jed took the day off and we decided we'd take a family day to the Iowa State Fair!  We headed to the Capitol complex to park and ride because when you're 3 and 1.5, the bus ride to the fair is almost as exciting as the fair itself.

(They look so big in this picture, I can't even handle it.)

We hit all of the great kid spots - Animal Learning Center, Little Hands on the Farm, etc.

 Then, Wyatt had had enough.  Passed out with cotton candy in hand.

 We took the birthday girl for an ice cream treat while Wy snoozed in the stroller.

But even the sugar rush couldn't keep her awake.

Then Wyatt woke up!

I'm proud to say we actually lasted over 6 hours at the fair.  My expectation was 3, maybe 4 so I was excited.  It was nice that the kids napped at different times so that we could do and see more and we gave each kiddo a special experience and treat (Wyatt got a fair square but I didn't get a pic :).  The pregnant lady got a treat too... mmm... cheese curds. :)

We rounded out the birthday with some bike practice.  The helmet gave her some crazy new confidence and she's a pro now!

Like I said, last year Lainey's birthday was overshadowed a bit with the move.  I don't remember exactly how the conversation flowed but Lainey pretty much decided on and planned a birthday party all on her own.  I don't even remember if I offered to throw her a birthday party to be honest, but she had the idea and we went with it!

Her requests were "just girls" and she wanted to "paint nails" ... easy enough!

So with a little help from pinterest, we kicked the boys out of the house and went with a spa theme!

A little craft to make some fancy flip flops!

The nail station complete with a foot bath!

Lainey has some of the cutest little gal pals!  The girls all had a really fun time and it was so cute to watch them play together - many of these little ladies have siblings and several of them have brothers so it was extra fun to have just mommies and girls I think!  I can't wait to try to recreate this picture in 5 or 10 years!

All in all, we had a fabulous time celebrating our sweet girl.  Birthdays are so fun to me.  It was especially fun that she had a greater awareness of the fact that it was HER day and we were celebrating her.  She was incredibly thankful for each gift she received and has been so excited to enjoy them too.  Blessed to be her mom and excited to see what the Lord has in store for her life this next year!