Having Three Kids...Week One

So I've been home for a week now and have been immersed in having three kids.  Some of the time, like yesterday morning, it's like the picture above.  Both kids still adore Nolan and there really is no jealousy.  It's just the fighting among the other two (with a little less parental involvement since I may be taking care of or feeding Nolan) that gets to me.  But I will say, in my week's time, the transition from 1 to 2 was much harder than this one.  On Sunday, we got family photos taken (and afterwards played at the park).  If you are on Facebook, you've seen a few of them.  If not, hopefully I'll be able to post a few soon.  Here are the outfits of the older two...

 Grandma and Papa treated all three kids to hooded towels.  They love them!

 And here is one of Tessa smiling away on her scooter.

The older two are at daycare today and I am enjoying a peaceful day with little Nolan.  Hoping to go on a nice slow walk a little bit later and maybe hit up the park after daycare.  Maybe even a nap?

Nolan is here!

Who knew I could make it to 39 weeks? With a induction scheduled for 4/17, it would be my luck to go into labor a few days prior.  Not complaining...I was definitely ready.  I spent the day on Saturday by going to Zumba, followed by Tessa's first soccer game, some spicy food, and other old wives tales to induce labor.  And in the evening, Nate and I went on our "last" date for awhile to Tellers.  Where the contractions I'd been having for days (or weeks for that matter) got very consistent and started to hurt.  I called my parents, who were watching the kids and we ran home, got some things ready for their overnight with my parents, and waited for my good friend Mikala to come and pick up the dog.  And we headed to the hospital.  We arrived around nine and were immediately hooked up to the monitors where I showed no change for the first two hours.  I asked to stay one more hour, as they were becoming very painful at this point and was allowed one more hour before being sent home (which I know all about from Morgan's delivery).  Fortunately, that third hour was a success and we were admitted, water was broken, and epidural was given.  Ah, relief.  I labored through most of the night and little Nolan came into the world at 5:58 a.m.  The actual delivery was a bit scary and involved some forceps, but he is perfect and here!  My first look at him right after delivery:

 Getting cleaned up and measured.

 Here I am, world!

 And the proud parents with Dr. Lewis.

 All clean!

 Our handsome boy, Nolan Matthew.  7 pounds, 8 ounces, 21.5 inches long!

We came home Tuesday, and minus the sleep deprivation, everything has gone really well.  Tessa and Morgan are in love with their baby brother and hopefully it will continue!

Outside Play, Sleep, and a School Dance

The weather has finally been pretty nice!  (I hate saying that, as today it is supposed to rain all day).  But overall, we've had more good days than bad in the last week or two and have been able to get outside.  I bought this shirt a year or two ago for Morgan because I thought it was adorable.  He was happy to wear it and says he's going to wear it to Kings Island soon to get his picture taken with Linus. 

Speaking of Kings Island, we are making the kids work for their passes.  Going to bed at night has gotten RIDICULOUS at our house.  Both kids want us to (actually me most of the time) to lay with them until they fall asleep, which we (I) have been doing.  It usually takes an hour of laying there to get both asleep, and while I admit I've enjoyed the time to read on my Kindle, I always fall asleep and thus never get time to hang out with Nate in the evenings.  So, we created Operation Take Back the Night.  We created a chart on our kitchen chalkboard and every time one of them goes to bed without us laying there with them, they get to fill in one of the circles.  There are 18 of them in a line, which means 9 nights of going to sleep without crying and without Mommy laying there.  At the end, are the words "KI" and the right to earn their passes.  Last night was night one, and it was so much more peaceful (for me).  Tessa totally bought into it and went right to bed.  Bullseye!  Morgan cried a bit, but after one quick check-in and turning on a hallway light, he got in bed and actually fell asleep.  We considered it a success.  (And really, necessary, at this point- we're going to have a baby in a matter of days!)

 Tessa had her second soccer practice on Monday night and enjoyed it a little more this time since it was warmer out.  I think if she had more girls on her team, she might like it even more.  Regardless, I think it is good for her to give it a try and to get some physical exercise on Monday evenings (and at games on Saturdays).  They are both still doing Wednesday gymnastics, which is hands-down the favorite.

 And one of Morgan in the backyard.  The past two days it has been over 80 and this kid has still wanted to wear pants and a jacket.  Hopefully he'll learn to appreciate shorts and t-shirts in the coming months or he's going to be awfully hot!

 Last but not least, a photo of Tessa with two of her friends from the Kids r Kids dance on Friday night.  These are two of her best friends!  We love Kids r Kids and all the fun activities they plan, but are seeking alternative care for next year, probably a nanny.  We've found one potential candidate who is coming to interview on Monday evening and meet the kids.  Hoping it works out, as three kids in daycare is a tough pill to swallow financially (and the thought of getting them out the door in the morning is fairly terrifying too).

Baby Nolan is still on the inside.  At my appointment on Monday, my doctor thought it was time to schedule an induction.  After two early babies, I never thought  I'd hear those words.  But next Wednesday, 4/17 it is, unless of course, he decides to make an appearance before then!

Take Your Guess!

Easter morning at out house was nice and relaxing.  The Easter bunny filled their baskets.  (Thanks Mom and Dad for the cute new Easter baskets).  The kids enjoyed coloring, hidden picture hunts, some Easter books, new bath toys, etc. as we spent a lazy morning at home before going to church.

 Tessa also had her first soccer practice Monday night.  We tried YMCA soccer when she was three in Minnesota and it didn't go over so well.  She basically sat on the sides and picked grass.  Despite it being awfully cold and windy, she did a great job doing all the drills and being social at practice.  We will see how it goes.  Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures, as Nate and I were busy taking turns chasing this little monkey around...

 The other afternoon the kids were pretending to be teachers and reading their books to me and Nate in the basement.  It was adorable.  Morgan actually has this one book memorized, and Tessa just makes up the story as she goes if it is one she is unfamiliar with.

 And last but not least, Morgan with his Easter basket.  He was really into the Spiderman sandals he found inside!

Today is April 4th and I am still pregnant.  Everyone, including my doctor, thought this baby was going to make an appearance in March, but apparently he is nice and cozy in there.  I am still working and glad he has decided to bake a bit longer...he'll be bigger and less unpaid time since I'm staying home until the fall regardless of when he decided to come out.  Any date predictions?  I was really thinking April 1, but obviously I was wrong.  Tessa guessed April 4, which is today.  Morgan wants Nolan to be born on his birthday, which is the 21st.  I vote no on that one!