Mystery Milk

At breakfast before school I poured milk for the kids, then set it down, heard a noise, and looked down to see the milk lid opening and closing on it's own. Creepy! However, if you look on YouTube, it's not that uncommon. That's even creepier. Our video is below, tho...

Piper singing to Payson until...

Room Make Over (or Under) Part 1

A few months ago I mentioned that I wanted new bedroom furniture. We've had ours since we've been married which normally wouldn't be a big deal, but before us, it belonged to Tyler's grandmother, then to him in his first post-college apartment. At least before it became "ours" he stripped it and painted the hardware to modernize a wee bit. But, in the 4 moves we've made, it's gotten pretty banged up; and in KS, a certain someone spilled paint all over the dresser top (disregard this if you are now viewing it on craig's list).

So, if it were up to Tyler, we'd go to the nearest furniture store and get whatever I wanted. I say - "That is too expensive, just let me complain every day about what we have!".

We just got an armoire back that we loaned my mom, but is now too big for her new place. I LOVE this armoire and didn't want to get rid of it (super discounted from Pottery Barn 5 years ago), but we had no place for it...except in our bedroom if we got rid of our poo poo dresser. So, we did. Then, we just had the bed, nightstand, and chest of drawers (aka chester drawers) to replace. At World Market while shopping for my mom a new rug, we saw some pieces that matched our armoire perfectly and for CHEAP! The kicker was we/Tyler had to put it together which had it's problems, but it worked out in the end and was worth it! So, with the new furniture, some hand me down curtains, accessories and art pulled from other places in the house....we have a whole new room for $400! We are, however, lacking a headboard. I say we don't need one, but Moneybags thinks we do. And I'm not so sure about the "original" art work above the bed, so I may experiment there. Therefore, this is Part 1. More to come. Exciting, isn't it?

I forgot a "before" pic, but this is the old furniture. Anyone??

The inspiration (armoire)...

36 Days Post Pardum

All of you mommies out there know what my days have been filled with...nursing; rocking; scrambling for pacifiers; giving attention to big bro and sis; showering mid day (maybe); drinking one cup of coffee with many trips to the microwave to reheat it; nursing; laundry; falling asleep while nursing; trying to eat a sandwich while nursing; trying to squeeze into your old jeans, but wearing pajama pants instead...

But - these days will fly by, so I'm cherishing them because they won't happen again. And this smiley, one-dimpled baby makes all the hard work much easier. Porter and Piper didn't start smiling until they were 2 months old, but Payson started around Christmas Eve (not even a month old) and has only gotten smilier since. He has even started to "coo" at us lately and will stay awake and alert for hours! My theory is being proven true...he was born older than the calendar says he is.

Porter and Piper started back to school yesterday. It was a little lonely and quiet, but the day passed quickly and they were home again. Payson loves to watch them and listen to them and they usually are interested in him and helping me with things. Hoping that lasts!

Anyway...

Happy New Year. We have much to be thankful for! I'm not one for resolutions, but thinking I'm going to attempt to "simplify" this year. Someone said recently, "I hope God ruins all of your plans in 2011!" Scary, but a blessing - He is for our good and His plans are better than ours!

All Smiles

They say babies can't really smile this soon. I say he was born smiling:)

1 Week Down...

Well, I have to say, recovering from one almost 10 pound baby being delivered sans working epidural is waaaay harder and longer than delivering two 5.5 pound babies without feeling:) Being 34 instead of 28 with two 5 year olds doesn't help either. However, every day gets better and easier. At least I have a few things already figured out this time around and Payson has been a great baby and a pretty good sleeper and did I mention there is only ONE this time? I'm SO glad the twins came first! Speaking of, they seem to have adjusted to baby pretty well. It's only been a week, but besides a few outbursts for attention, they are doing well and love holding and snuggling Payson. But, today is the day I've dreaded...just the two of us alone. My mom is gone and Tyler went back to work, but did help get the kids off to school first - shew! But, we've been on our own the rest of the day. I managed a shower, and we've conquered getting groceries while he slept the whole time! However, back at home, he's gotten 3 outfit changes due to either poop and/or spit up. I should probably change my clothes, too, but I'm not. He does love to eat. In the mean time, the dish washer needs emptied and I need a nap, but it's time to go get the kids from school. I'll pile Payson into the sling which is a challenge that sometimes results in a little fit (from me), but it's getting better. I am still SO thankful each time I look at his sweet little face and can not believe he's here. I can't thank God enough.

He's FINALLY here!

Funny how we prepare and plan for things that are totally out of our control. Not often does it ever turn out the way we think...after all, His ways are not ours. And in the end, whether we understand or not, His ways are best. I did not plan to get pregnant; I was prepared to deliver at 38 weeks; I thought my baby would be in the 7 pound range; and I asked for pain medicine at 7cm dilated. However...I got pregnant, carried for almost 41 weeks and had a 9 pound 12 ounce, 23 inch baby with not a lick of working pain medication. I vow to NEVER do it again and I really hope that at least that part is in His plan:) However, I would not trade a single piece of the story that placed now this precious, perfect baby boy in my arms. Just like with the twins, I prayed for no c-section. Had I had a working epidural, I'm pretty sure I would have ended up with a c-section. But, because I felt EVERY ounce of pain, pressure, and fire, I pushed with every ounce of energy God supplied because more than anything, I wanted that baby OUT of me. Had I not had feeling, I know I would not have been able to push that big boy out. I screamed, cried, dug my fingernails into Tyler's hands, called out to Jesus, kept my eyes closed the entire time, and PUSHED. It may have been a scene from a very dramatic movie that scares people away from childbirth. I yelled "We are not paying for this epidural...it is trash!" at one point too, but I fully expect to still see the bill. And when Payson Jennings finally arrived and the room gasped in shock at his bigness, the pain did not subside, but it was all worth it. He is wonderful and I am unworthy of the blessing. Thank you Jesus, for all of it because it gave us this boy and it gave us an even better picture of your goodness and graciousness.