Nana and Papa Anderson Visit

Jeff had to go to California this past week so my parents came to help out.  It was wonderful to have them here as I was able to get some errands run, go to appointments, have some alone time with the boys and they were able to hold Hattie and play and help me out. Thank goodness for parents!

Sunday night we had dinner and went to Excelsior and had ice cream at Licks and walked and played by the lake. The boys thought they were in heaven playing on big boulders and playing spy.

 Chase has Super Man ice cream

 Owen has cotton candy ice cream

 This is true Hattie.  She loves to stretch like this every chance she can get!

 Papa Bob holds Hattie for the first time since she was born.  She loved to be held by him!

 Papa sings and Hattie loves it!

 Monday we went to swimming lessons, open swim at the community center and had dinner.  We were all exhausted from the swimming and Chase and Owen went to bed early.

 Play time with Nana

 Tuesday and Wednesday mom and dad stayed with Hattie and I went with the boys to swimming lessons.  I got in after lessons and we all swam and played, which was super fun.  The boys were eager to show me all their tricks.  Tuesday night was National Night Out and we all went to the park and had a potluck with the neighbors.  A huge firetruck and police car came and there was a live band playing.  The boys had a blast!

 Hattie in her favorite pose-head thrown back, bottom out.

 Myself and Hattie's cute ruffle bottom

 A big Hattie yawn

 Wednesday night we went to T-ball and Nana and Papa got to see Chase and Owen hit, field the ball, play in the dirt and be silly.

Thursday they went home around noon, which was sad.  We had such a great time and it was wonderful to have some help around the house during the day.  I got so many things done (that needed to get done) and also some time with the boys alone.

We love you Nana and Papa!

Hattie's 2 Month Checkup

Hattie had her 2 month old Dr. appointment this afternoon.  I was dreading it knowing she would have shots.  I hated seeing the boys get their shots because of the pain I knew they were in.

We have a great doctor.  He talks with Hattie and is so kind and gives compliments to me!  Hattie weighed 12 lbs 11 oz. (89%), was 22.5 inches long (69%) and her head was 39.5 cm (93%).  She is growing really well and everyone was happy with how she is doing.  She has a hemangioma on the top of her head, which should go away eventually.  Hattie was wide awake during her exam and was talking and cooing up a storm with the Dr.  She kicked and flapped her arms and he said she was very engaging and aware of her surroundings given her age.  He also said she was very precocious and verbal. :)

Then came the shots. Ug, the dreaded shots.  I got to hold her arms and then she cried and screamed so loud it broke my heart.  She had one little tear in each eye and her head got all red from all the crying.  I just don't like that. I'm so glad it's over, though.

Hattie is growing and getting bigger every day and it's so fun to see!

 

Just to compare, Chase weighed 11lbs 9oz, and Owen was 11lbs 5oz at their 2 month checkup.

Just Hanging Out

Daddy, Owen and Hattie cuddle on the couch on Saturday

Playing dinosaurs on the deck on a cool July morning

More Hattie Smiles

Hattie sure loves to smile.  She smiles at everyone, but especially loves her family. She also loves to talk and coo and make noises.  She's pretty sweet!

Sweet Brothers

Today Owen needed a band aid and I wasn't able to help because I was feeding Hattie.  I told him he could get the band aid and put it on.  A little bit later I hear a stool being drug to the pantry, Chase gets a band aid and I hear Owen telling Chase to put the soft part on the owie. Then I hear some rustling and a little time passes.  I hear Owen say to Chase, "You're the best brother in the whole world".  My heart just melted.  I called them over and complimented each of them on what they had done and they just beamed.

I Want to Remember . . .

 . . . the way she lays her head on my shoulder and buries her chin in my neck, the way her cheek feels against mine, the smell of her clean baby hair, little fingers grabbing my arm, soft little "ga" and "ahh" sounds as air escapes and she learns to use her voice.  I want to remember the outfit she's wearing, as she wears it many nights and it is so cuddly soft.  I want to remember how tiny she feels in my arms and how she flops her head.  I want to remember the sweet velvet feel of her new hair growing in on the top of her head.  I want to remember how it felt to hold her close at the end of the day, when I finally got to shower, still had wet hair and no make up on.  I want to remember all the little things so someday I can look back and "feel" her and tell her about how she was as a baby.  Ahhh, the good stuff of my little lovey.

 Sweet baby Hattie and Mommy

Play Time

 Hattie plays on her play mat.  She can contort her head into the most crazy positions.

Owen and Chase get to play with Hattie

Owen loves to kiss her chubby cheeks

 Chase gives her a smacker too.  Look at that cute little baby back.

 She smiled for the camera!

 Another big Hattie smile.

They are all gazing at each other.

Then and Now

 

This is Chase and Daddy 5 years ago

 

Hattie and Daddy now

Hattie's First Smile Caught on Camera

Jeff entertains Hattie very well and can always get the best smiles from her.  Here is the first smile from Hattie that we captured on film, isn't she a doll?!  These are from the 3rd of August.

Let's Be Real

Two nights ago as I nursed Hattie in the dark, with quiet surrounding us, with little noises squeaking out of her and after reading my Bible devotional book I stood up to burp her and was met with the most wonderful feelings of love.  My little one was snuggled against my shoulder, we were cheek to cheek and I could feel her soft hair and smell her delicious baby smell.  "This is my favorite part of the day," I thought.  Here is my little one, who won't be little for too long and we are snuggling and I'm providing for her and she's sleeping.  My little girl, my answer to prayer.  Ahhhhh.

Now let's be real, as my friend Marriah would say.  These feelings don't last all day.  In fact, the day after this blissful experience was just not great.  I pushed us.  I pushed us to do more than we are able to do at this point.  The boys were fine, they are used to being on the go, but Hattie is not.  She needs her sleep at home.  She needs consistency and a schedule.  I need a break from the hustle and bustle of the day.  Neither of us got a nap or a rest in the afternoon and it made for a terrible evening.  To top it off, Jeff was not home last night until late so I was alone.  However, God was there and He reminded me that she would sleep, I would sleep, the boys would sleep and we would all be happy once again.

But again, let's be real!  Motherhood is sooooo difficult.  It really is.  In between the beautiful cards you receiving telling you to enjoy the time because it goes so fast, is reality.  Reality is dirty laundry, dirty dishes, dishes that need to be put away, 3 sets of teeth that need to be brushed, bottoms wiped, faces washed, showers had, vitamins to give, phone calls to make, bills to pay, birth certificates to get, food to make, food to clean up, toys to play with, calls of "Mommy!" to answer, and more. How do we do it all?  I've been asking myself this a lot this past 6 weeks.  Prior to Hattie we had a good system down-well the boys were almost 5 of course, so they had matured and were "easier".  Now nothing seems to be easy.  We watch way more TV than I ever thought I would allow, the quality of the TV shows has gone way down, we sometimes skip veggies at a meal, sometimes my teeth don't get brushed until way late in the day, I wear the same clothes over and over, my hair is in a perpetual pony tail, shoes get put on in the car after we reach our destination, piles are made in the house, toys are not picked up, spills become stickier, the house looks like it threw up baby stuff and I neglect myself.  Of course I knew having a 3rd and a baby wouldn't be easy. I think that's why I was so nervous throughout my pregnancy.  I remember having two babies, it was HARD!

Truth be told, my kids are super good! (most of the time) and my sweet little one is a really good baby.  But we all have fussy times (I know I do).  At the end of the day things are harder, life is harder, headaches are pounding and kids are demanding.  So, should I complain?  Probably not, but again, "Let's be real,"  this parenting thing is tough.  I will complain a bit, cuz if I don't, I will go crazy.  Thank goodness I have a husband who listens and supports, a mother who can relate and wonderful wonderful friends who are in the thick of things with me.  Gosh, what would I do without them.  Then of course, there is my God.  My God whom answers me when I call, who listens, who knows, who made me and my children and understands the mother's cries.  

So, when times get tough and I think I can't do this baby thing any more, I will remember my snuggles with my little girl and remember Who gave her to me.  That I am blessed beyond measure and my prayers were answered. 

Let's be real, life is pretty good.

Lots More Pics

Hattie loves her swing, thank goodness!  Sometimes it's all that will get her to go to sleep.

My little babe with her legs pulled up like in the womb.  This was before she lost her hair, so before she was 4 weeks.

My favorite outfit.  Owen asked why I put a cotton ball on her!

First bottle!

I have pictures of Jeff like this with the boys too.

My little sweetie awake!

Some tummy time

Having fun holding our sister

Owen took these pictures.  Poor Hattie spit up a bit.

Chase took these pictures

Wearing her sleep sack to keep her toasty warm.

Chase was checking Hattie and the mobile.

Who's Who

I think two of my children look a lot alike!  Check out these pictures of them in similar poses.  Clearly you know who Hattie is given the outfit.