Bye Bye Paci!

We took Addison's paci away on Tuesday. So far so good!!

I've never been a paci lover....She had it a lot in the NICU so she could learn how to suck. She loved it a lot more than the boys did. They gave up the habit at about 3-4 months.  She's so much cuter without it in her mouth!!!!!


Ok..so this picture is still cute! Would be cuter without it in her mouth!




That's more like it!





1 year check-up

The kiddos had their one year check-up today. Lots of good news and a little bit of bad news...

Brady has been super crabby the last few days and has woke up the last 2 nights screaming.  Ear infection. YUCK. Thank goodness we had our 1 year checkup today or I doubt I would have taken him in. I thought he was just being a stinker and not sleeping thru the night.  Other than that, he's doing great! He's getting big and weighed in at 21 lbs 15 oz and is 31 inches long!

Addie's growing like a weed too! Still smaller than the boys but healthy as a horse! She weighed in at 20 lbs 4 oz and was 29.5 inches long.  I was a little worried she'd have to get glasses. We'd discussed her eyes at the 6 month appointment several months ago. If you haven't noticed, her eye crosses a little. I've noticed it has gotten so much better and Dr. Beck thought so too! He says the way the light hits her eye is the important thing and that all checked out just fine! She was the shot champ too! Only cried for about 7 seconds! ROCKSTAR!

Colin is huge. That's all I can say. He checked in at 24 lbs 5 oz and was 31 inches long. Nothing to report on him really! He's doing just fine! He probably cried the most with the shots..maybe 20 seconds?

I love Dr. Beck. He is so nice and the kids love him. When he's assessing a kid, you could honestly hear a pin drop in the room. I hold the child being looked at and the other 2 sit on Ryan's lap....and they are absolutley silent.  When we're waiting for the doctor to come in, the kids run around the room and get into EVERYTHING. The second him comes in and starts, they are perfect little angels. Now only if they could sit that still in church............

He was impressed with their walking abilities and how well they are doing developmentally. We have LOTS to work on in the next 6 months though. Saying a few more words, walking down stairs with help from an adult, using a spoon, and lots other!   We'll go back for our next visit at the end of June!

mErRy ChRiStMaS!

Celebrated our 2nd Christmas as a family of 5 on Thursday and Friday! Definitely a lot more fun than spending it in the hospital like I did last year! The food was much better this year, too!

The kids and I packed up on Wednesday and headed to Marcus. Ryan had to work Thursday so he came then. Had Christmas at Grandma Downs (my dad's side) on Thursday night. We all got lots of fun stuff! Toys, money and gift cards! Just what we needed!

On Friday, we opened presents at grannie and grandpas house in the morning. Again, lots of fun stuff! Pajamas, outfits, toys, and a SLED!!!!!! We pulled them around the living room and they loved it! Can't wait to take it outside when it's a few degrees warmer! Mom kept some old snowsuits so the kids will have something warm to wear! I know she's looking forward to pulling them around Hinton when she comes back to babysit in January!

We'd rather climb on the presents than open them...

Colin helps Auntie

Grandpa and Addison

Merry Christmas!

On Christmas Eve night, we headed to Great grannie's house (mom's side) to open presents! Lots of good food and fun presents again!

Dad and Addie (Colin playing in the background)

Thanks for the tutu Auntie!

Aunt Samantha and her bf Blaine

Didn't take as many pictures this weekend! Too much going on I guess!
 MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Polka Dot Party!

                               MY BABIES ARE ONE!!!!


Happy Birthday Addison, Colin and Brady!



Our family on 12-21-10

 I've been excited for this day for awhile now! Unfortunately Ryan and I both had to work so grannie and auntie got to spend the day with the kiddos. We both got off a little early to get ready for the party though! I was a little emotional this morning. I'll admit that I cried the whole way to work. My babies aren't really babies anymore. Where did this whole year go?  I miss the baby stage(some things!) but am having so much fun with 3 little toddlers! Maybe we'll just have to have 1 more child...maybe......ha...

I had a hard time picking a theme for their party. They don't watch TV (Like a Dora and Diego theme or whatever) or have anything they are really into yet. I ended up getting polka dot invites and polka dot plates so we just went with that!  Lots of bright colors too!

The food was good! BBQ beef, cheesy potatoes, salads, cake and #1 cookies! YUM! We crammed 26 people in our house to celebrate! I need a bigger house! We had 2 surprise guests too! My best friend Brooklyn and her fiance Jeff came home from PA to help us celebrate!! She just got engaged a few days ago too!!!!!

Lots of great gifts! Toys, clothes, money, stuffed animals, and lots others! Thanks to everyone for the great gifts!


Fun fold out couch from the Nelsons! Addie LOVES this!



Very fun gift...I think it's called Learning House by Fischer Price. It is VERY cool!

Colin can't wait till summer so he can drive his car from Uncle Jake and Aunt Sarah!

                                                          

Cake time!

The kids liked their cakes! Addie dug right in and licked the frosting off her fingers! Colin pretty much smashed it in his hands and Brady threw it around a little! Not too big of a mess thankfully!

Enjoying our cake while everyone watches and laughs!

After many of the guest left, the kids got in their jammies and played with some of their toys!



It's my party and I'll be sassy if I want too!!



The Learning House from grannie and grandpa. SO MUCH FUN!



SUCH a FUN TIME Thanks to all who came and for all of the great presents!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ADDISON, BRADY AND COLIN! WE LOVE YOU!



Best Day Ever! December 21st, 2009

One year ago....

Sometimes when I'm driving alone in the car, I think about the day the babies were born. I've been thinking about it a lot lately with their upcoming birthday. Sometimes it makes me smile...and sometimes I end up sobbing. How are my babies 1 year old already? (On Tuesday actually...but I had time to write tonight!)

I remember the day like it was yesterday. It was a Monday. I had on black pants and a purple long sleeved shirt. I went to work at 8am like normal.  Had a pretty uneventful morning with the kids. As I was waddling them to lunch, my principal and secretary were in the hallway. They both commented on how great I looked and that they thought I'd be back to work a few days after Christmas break for sure!  (They had to be lying. I looked like hell and was HUGE. Little did they know that I'd be having the babies in 4 hours!)

I left that day at 11:30, ran home and ate a bowl of tutti fruities and jumped in my SUV with my sister. She was home on Xmas break and was coming with me to my doctor appt. Ryan had come with me to EVERY doctor appt. (like 30 of them) but we decided he could take a break and my sister would sit with me for my stress test and bio-physical profile. We headed to the hospital for my bio-physical. My appt was at 12:00 and it took awhile to get in. The boys checked out just fine but Addie only scored a 6 out of 8 points. Not a big deal at all. Wasn't worried.

Went upstairs for my non-stress test. This is where the shit hit the fan. After the first 30 minutes or so, the nurse told me the boys were fine but they wanted to continue to monitor Addie for awhile. Several nurses came and checked on me...It was pushing 3:00 and my nurse told me she needed to call Dr. Eastman to tell him that Addie seemed to be under some stress. She then preceded to tell me that either A-I'd be staying overnight so they could continue to monitor me, or B-I'd be having my babies in a few hours. WHAT THE HELL! I remember panicking. My sister was a little scared too I think. Of course, Ryan wasn't there. My doctor came over around 4 and declared that the babies would be born in 1 hour. OMG. I sobbed. Seriously. I couldn't believe what was about to happen. 

Within minutes, several nurses/people were in my room taking off my clothes, putting IV's in, making me sign papers and god only knows what else. I was terrified. Sobbing. My sister was on the phone telling Ryan to get here fast!  She called mom and dad. Mom was getting her haircut and left with only half of her hair cut! Samantha was a little bummed Ryan got there in time. She secretly wished she could have gone in with me!! Sorry Sam! By 4:30, I was in the delivery room. The only thing I really remember was how cold I was. I remember shaking uncontrollably. I remember saying a prayer. Begging that everyone would be fine.

At 4:48-Brady Ryan arrived. 1 minute later, my baby girl was born. Colin came 1 minute later at 4:50. Within 30 minutes, I was in the recovery room. It still amazes me how fast that all went down!The rest of my hospital stay is kind of a blur. I remember seeing them for the first time and wondering how in the hell they all fit in my belly!!!!! Such miracles. Thank god for Addie, Brady and Colin.

For your viewing pleasure....
30 weeks..this was the last picture taken. Babies were born at 32 weeks. I gained exactly 60 pounds and hit 200 lbs right on the nose! Jealous?!



Addison. Notice how her pacifier looks so huge compared to her head. This paci was also a preemie paci..smaller than a normal one.




Brady Ryan-1 day after he was born.




Colin was the biggest but had the most problems breathing. He had to wear that thing on his nose for a day.



2 Men and a Little Lady

The boys had their 2nd haircut today and Addie had her first. It was an actual haircut for the boys...not just a trim around the ears and neck! They honestly look so different! Like little men! Addie just had a trim. She doesn't have as much hair as the boys.  They sat on my lap so nice for Aunt Jean to cut their hair! You will notice the lovely stylist cutting their hair. We call her Aunt Jean. However, she's not really our aunt...just my mom's best friend whom we love! Thanks for the GREAT haircuts Aunt Jean!!

My little man Brady!



Colin had a lot cut off! He was starting to grow a mullet.....

 

Just a trim for Addison. Aunt Jean's last name is Addison! We named Addie after her... :)



Our babysitter Jaci. We LOVE LOVE LOVE her and HATE that she goes to college in August.



My boys in the tub! Colin is such a chub.



Personalities

A co-worker of mine asked me the other day to tell her about the kids' personalities. It was fun to tell her all about the kids. She smiled and laughed the whole time. Made me really think about each kid and how different they really are.

Colin. One word. Wild. The kid is nuts. He bangs on things. Throws things. And laughs the whole time he's doing it. He plays rough. Always hanging on his brother and sister. Always pulling someones hair. He's a giggler though. The sound of his laugh makes my day. His new found love is playing in his bed in the morning. I love hearing his little laugh in the morning while I'm downstairs with the other two kids. He'll entertain himself for 30+ minutes in the morning. He doesn't cry a lot. Usually pretty content. Great eater. Isn't shy towards anyone. Loves to give kisses. Loves to dance. NOT a good dancer. We tease him and tell him he dances like grandpa Greg.

Brady. The first word that comes to my mind is lover. He's so happy and cuddly. A little shy maybe. Definitely has a tender heart. When I raise my voice at him, he jumps and kind of cringes. When we yell at Colin for getting in the tree, Brady has been known to start crying. His smile is probably my favorite. I could kiss his little face all day long. He's not rough like his brother (other than the hair pulling) and can play so nice by himself or with the others. When he's up, you better go get him.  Good sleeper. Listens really well. I LOVE the sound of his babbles. There is something about his voice that just makes me melt.


Addison.  A little spoiled. So smiley. A little whiney. Likes to be with mama. Actually, a lot spoiled. She's the runt. I'll admit that I was worried sick when she was born. She dropped down to 3lbs and looked so skinny and sick. Maybe that's why I give her a lot of attention? She's nosy. Always has to know what's going on. I could hold her all day long. No, she's not my favorite. She's my girl. She's sneaky. Not a good eater lately. Likes to chew up her food and spit it out. Fabulous. LOVES to read books. Very daring. Has figured out how to get off of the couch without landing on her head. Worst sleeper of the 3. 9 hours unlike her brothers who make it 10-12 hours. When she's up, she's up. Go get her. She'll let you know she wants you. Her giggle is hysterical. It's kind of dorky but thats ok.

P.S. 6 days till they are ONE.
P.S.S. Used our last scoop of formula yesterday! WOOHOO! LOVING vit d milk!

Early Bday Presents..and other stuff

Gma and Great Gma came to babysit today...and brought early bday presents! Woohoo!! The kids had fun opening them!

Colin would rather eat the paper!

Brady too...

My FIRST PAIR OF BOOTS!!! THANKS GRAMMIE!

Rockin the boots!!

The boys got their first shoes too! (A little big but will fit us in a few months!)

Great Gma brought us the Little People Farm! SO FUN!

Our cute bday invites!



And our attempt at a Christmas picture. We got their pictures taken at a studio and I wasn't thrilled. Addie was a GRUMP and the boys weren't great either. We ordered them anyway (they'll be in the mail tomorrow).  Our attempt wasn't so great either!



Sickies...

2 sicks kids and can't believe the 3rd one hasn't gotten it yet. Brady came down with an awful cough and runny nose on Sunday. Addie got it on Monday. Still nothing but a little cough from Colin...maybe we'll luck out and he won't get it?

Took them in yesterday because Addie looked like hell. Tested her for the flu and came back negative. Ears looked perfect. Lungs were great. Just a really red throat. Doesn't help matters that she's getting like 4 teeth all at once. Poor baby girl.  Brady had perfect ears and lungs too...he was a lot better yesterday but thought I'd haul him in too just check.  No prescriptions for us...just Benadryl and Tylenol.

Brady and Colin were going on 12 hours of sleep when I left for work this morning... but Addison hasn't slept so well the last 2 nights. Too hard for her to breath and she coughs all of the time. Hoping today she naps and starts to feel better by tonight! 

Thankful that we made it ALMOST 1 year with nothing worse than this. A fever here and there and some runny noses. That's about it. I guess I'll take it!

Weekend

Enjoyed a nice weekend with Ryan's parents! Spent some time at home just relaxing, went out to eat with the kiddos and headed to the mall! A very nice weekend! Just a few pics to show you what we've been up to!


We love running around in diapers!



Excited for gma and gpa d to get here!

Like my owl shirt?!!

Heading out to eat. Addie loves her cute pink coat!

Sweet socks sister!

Bathtime---Colin the puppy

Addison the ducky!

Brady the froggy!

THANKS FOR THE CUTE TOWELS AUNT KARLA!!!




Just some pics!

Just some pics from the last few weeks!



Addie reading to her pig! She really likes looking at books.

 

Shopping with Auntie and Grannie. I guess Addie was buying tampons.



Peek!!!!! Love playing with Uncle Jake!



My favorite Christmas gift last year!



We've been finding toys in the garbage.......Hmmm..I wonder who's putting them in there?

What's up mom?

Favorite place to play!



Ryan always makes fun of grannie's BATMAN sweatshirt! Grannie bought one for Addie so they could match!