What we are up to:

I simply cannot believe that a month has passed by already… I remember with the two older ones a month felt more like 3 months… this time, sadly it is flying by and I would give anything for a ‘pause’ button.  We have not missed a beat since Julia’s arrival – the best way for me to explain this is like we are all four jumping rope together and she just joined into the rhythm we had going.  We have all been very busy to say the least… here is a peak as to what we each have been doing.. sorry no pics of audrey or charles in this post. I’ll try to get some later

Audrey:

• Rehearsing/Practicing for the K-12 school musical, The Sound of Music.  She is in the children's chorus and gets to go on stage 3x’s during the play to sing different songs with the group.  She is ecstatic to say the least!  Audrey had to audition for this by learning a song, singing it solo as well as learning a dance and performing it with a group of much older kids… I was so proud that she had the confidence to do this.  I would have been terrified!! She is one of only 2 first graders in the play.
• Attending Birthday parties… we’ve had an average of 2 per week recently.  They really put a cramp in our weekends when we are all climbing the walls and wanting to go do something, but at least it is keeping Audrey entertained!
• Homework! oh yes, it has begun and will continue for the next, uh 16 or so years. Audrey’s teacher sends home a math packet that they are to do a little each night – We usually do it all at once. They are focused on counting money and telling time right now.  In addition to her  math homework, she is supposed to read 20 min each night.  She usually reads us 2 books before bedtime. 
• Girl Scouts has started back up and she has been attending meetings as well as another after school activity where she gets to do arts and crafts for an hour after school one day a week.
• Recently had her first sleepover (with Evelyn) here at our house.  The girls played nonstop! The next day was full of attitude and whining… maybe we aren’t quite ready for staying up late?!
• Had a goal setting conference at school and Audrey chose her own goal: To count to 100 in arabic before the end of the school year.  Wow. quite ambitious!
• Got a tooth pulled at the dentist.  She has had a loose snaggletooth for over 3 months and its replacement was coming in behind it and all wonky – it was more traumatic than I expected. poor girl. she was tough though.

William:

• adjusting to a new class in preschool.  he tells me daily, “I don’t wike my cool” but he really does, I know he is just giving me a hard time and trying to tug at my heartstrings.  I asked the teacher how he is during the day and he is doing amazing! ha. not gonna fool me.
• Practicing wearing big boy underwear (Ben 10 undies in the picture below).  He has still not had a successful trip to the potty, but baby steps – it is a huge HUGE victory just to get him to try on the underwear.  He sports them for a couple hours each day but still fights us about sitting  on the potty.
• enjoying his sister.  He no longer refers to her as ‘mama’s baby’ – he calls her ‘our baby’ He is protective over her and is very caring.  I expected a lot more acting out from him with the arrival of Julia, but honestly it has been quite the opposite.  He has been more compliant and just overall easier to deal with.
• is really into coloring lately
• has given up the infamous ‘bebe’ (his lovey) during the day.  Each morning it gets put up out of his reach and he can have it back after bath time/ before bed in the evenings.  This has dramatically decreased his thumb sucking since the two are just better together.  Trust me, I know this because I was the same – but mine was a pillowcase…
• getting excited for Halloween.. he wants to be a monster from the Ben 10 cartoon..

  

Julia:

• working on being a champion nurser. Out of my 3 kids she gets the gold medal. 
• gaining a lot of fat and a little head control
• refusing a pacifier…we won’t give up though, it is easier to take away than a thumb
• starting to smile on purpose
• loving bathtime
• waking up 2x’s a night to feed
• taking a bottle like a champ when I am away. She has had 3 so far and does great – whew! bottles = freedom.
• packing on the weight like it is her job – her cheeks are scrumptious
• still has absolutely untamable hair. the sides flatten out during the day leaving a crazy Mohawk at the top…   it is wild, but I adore it.

 

Daddy:

• working a lot and often late.. also about to have to travel a little bit soon.
• helping out with big kids in the evenings/ weekends while I tend to baby
• bringing coffee up to me while I try to join the land of the living in the mornings
• taking one for the team and spending lots of money on flights so we can bring J to meet her family at Christmas

Mama:

• loving taking care of baby… I forgot how much I love caring for a newborn.
• feeding Julia a bazillion times a day
• looking forward to some maintenance appointments coming up – pedicure today, hair apt  tomorrow– alleluia!
• trying to lose the baby weight. I was doing okay and then just plateaued.. {ugh!} it could have something to do with the fact I am ravenous every afternoon due to nursing.  out of all three pregnancies,  I’m least patient with the flabby post baby bod this go ‘round.  I want to fit in my clothes… STAT.
• enjoying the occasional glass of wine – FINALLY!
• running kids all over, errands, etc..
• being sleep deprived