My Day with the Three

Yesterday was my first day completely solo with the three babies. Overall I think it went well, however I was completely exhausted-by noon! Being up all night nursing a baby and then waking up to take care of a baby, toddler, and preschooler is some serious work. I wanted to document our day for memories sake. I documented every aspect of the day.

This picture is not from yesterday, but from Sunday night. We gave Hampton a chocolate chip cookie in the car on the way home from church and this was his face afterward.
Okay so here goes:
6:15-Eleanor woke up and I got her dressed for the day. By 7:00 the boys were up. They had waffles for breakfast and watched Sesame Street. 7:30-I nursed Eleanor and put her down for a nap in her nursery. Boys played in the playroom. 8:15- I did an art project with Everett while Hampton watched a video.
This is our project for the day.

And we made a caterpillar.

Everett expresses his own creativity with glitter glue and pom poms.

8:45-Eleanor is back up. She only wants to be held. 9:15-I transition Eleanor to her swing in the playroom and the boys and I play restaurant with play food. 9:45-Snack of applesauce and yogurt for the boys. 10:00-I nurse Eleanor.

Playing restaurant.

10:45-We all bundle up and go outside on the back deck to play. Everett and Hampton take turns pushing each other in the Cozy Coup car. Everett discovers a fuzzy caterpillar and is thrilled to share with Hampton. Eleanor nuzzles on my chest. I think I snuggled her in at least three blankets because of the chill in the air. 11:30- Boys have lunch.

12:00-Boys nap. 12;30-Eleanor is now awake and nurses. I watch the Dick Van Dyke show while I nurse her and try to eat some lunch. I also manage to pay some bills and make a few doctor's appointments. 2:00-Boys are back up and have a snack. I nurse Eleanor to sleep and put her in her nursery for another nap. 3:00-Eleanor is back up. Boys play. 3:30-Everett requests we do another art project-which we do. 4:00-We head back outside to play. It has warmed up a little more. 5:00-I try to fix dinner. 5:20-Eric is home!

I had a good day with the babies-a long day. It definitely had its share of meltdowns (only a few from me!), but some great moments as well. I was definitely ready by 7 to go have some girl time with friends. Happy to have survived the day and completely blessed to be home with our babies.

Week with Nonny

This past week my mom came to visit. I was especially happy to see her since Eric was going to be out of town on business. The boys love Nonny and had so much fun with her. We got a lot done and were busy with activity.

Mom and the babies at Biltmore Park
On Sunday afternoon we went to the Biltmore Square Mall. It has been almost a year since we have been to a mall and Everett was fascinated. He was very interested in the mannequins and kept calling them "people." I'm not convinced he didn't think they were real since he was a bit cautious. I was excited to buy Eleanor a few things and a new dress. Have I mentioned having a girl is so fun!? That night my mom made chicken noodle soup and we had slow cooker applesauce.

At Biltmore Park

On Monday we went to the Asheville Mall. This mall is much better and there is more to it. We decided on a whim to get the boys pictures taken at Picture People. Since we weren't prepared, I ran into Baby Gap and picked out new polos for the boys. We managed to get a least one decent picture of Everett and Hampton together and one of all three. We had to work for it though!

Hampton looking sweet at Biltmore Park

On Tuesday we dropped off Everett at preschool in the morning and then took Hampton and Eleanor to the aboretum. It was a beautiful morning and a bit cool-so perfect. Hampton pushed his little walker around the whole place. We then had lunch at the cafe. We spent three hours there!

Everett at Bilmore Park. He loved his cotton candy ice-cream!

On Wednesday we went back to the mall (for not having gone to the mall in almost a year, I sure made up for it this week). I bought Everett some new shoes and then we had lunch at Chick fil A, which my boys love. That evening we went to dinner at Brixx pizza and then had Coldstone for desert.

Little sis wearing a cute dress! I've had this dress since I was pregnant with Everett and I was convinced I was having a girl.

Nonny and Hampton at the arboretum.

Taken from my mom's iPhone-Little sis.

Hampton harassing people trying to eat at Biltmore Park

Just sweet

In between activities we also did a few crafts and organized a few things. Looking forward to when she comes back for a visit soon!

Saturday from the Camera Phone

Yesterday was a very busy and productive day. We had a "to do" list of about 15 items and got them all done! Definitely had time for fun in between chores though.

The boys watching some Georgia football.
While the boys played outside, I ran some errands. I was able to go to Wal-Mart, Target, Micheals, and get a pedicure! Of course I did have to stop home in the middle of it all in order to nurse Eleanor.

Even Eleanor enjoyed some fresh air. She is such a sweet baby!

It was such beautiful weather.

Hampton pushing Everett!

When I was driving into our subdivision after finishing my errands some of the neighborhood kids had set-up a lemonade stand. So we gathered the children and walked down the big hill with a mission to buy some. However, by the time we got there it was gone! Luckily we had some lemonade at home, which they loved. Perfect end to the day.

First Bath

Yesterday afternoon I gave Eleanor her first tub bath. She loved it, however it was a challenge as I had to hold her in place with one hand and wash her with the other.

All fresh and clean after her bath.

Morning Play Date

Eric's mom left early this morning (after being here all week to help) so that left me with all three babies! Fortunately I had already set-up a morning play date with Sally Ann and her girls. Such a big help, plus we love their company.

Abigail and Everett went to town with play dough. I had to distract Hampton with another activity because he kept eating it!

They stayed for the majority of the morning. It was so funny having five kids now who are three and under! Here is Sally Ann having "story time" before naps.

And little Eleanor pretty much slept the entire time. She sleeps wonderfully in her crib in her room at night, however during the day wants to nap where all the action is.

I have to say I have gained confidence that I can handle the three on my own now. It just takes a lot of preparation and organization......and patience! It also helps that sweet Eleanor Jane has such an easy temperament.

Two and a Half Weeks

Lil sis had a doctor's visit this morning. I was very interested to see how much weight she had put on. 9 days ago at our first doctor's appointment she weighed 6 pounds 2 ounces. Well today she weighed 6 pounds 15 ounces. Only 1 ounce away from 7 pounds! She is doing great.

She nurses every 3 hours, almost to the minute.
She wakes up about 3 times during the night to nurse and then goes right back to sleep.
She sleeps in her crib during the night, however likes to be near me for her naps during the day.
She rarely crys, except when she is ready to eat.
Her cord stump fell off a few days ago, so she now can have a tub bath (which we haven't done yet).
Eleanor's temperment is amazingly sweet. She is starting to wake up from "newborn coma" a bit and is staying alert for longer stretches of time.

We just love this sweet pink baby and so do our boys!

4 Reasons

There are 4 reasons why turning 30 today isn't sad or depressing.......

Reason 1
Reason 2

Reason 3

and reason 4......my completely amazing husband! So long 20's. You were good to me, however I feel like my life is really just getting started.