Comparisons

Rachel here.  It's about that time again... time for some good ole' comparisons!

Emma Grace, Reese, Berkley

 Berkley, Emma Grace, Reese

 Berkley, Reese, Emma Grace

1 month old

Berkley here!  Hello world!  Today I'm 1 month old... can you even believe it?  Let me tell you a little about myself. 

My night schedule hasn't changed much.  I'm in bed "for the night" between 10 and 1045 each night, with a wake up around 130-2, and then a morning wake up between 5-7.  During the day, my awake time is getting longer and longer.  I'm getting better about activity time.  Mommy has attempted to start EASY with me... eat, activity, sleep, you time (meaning her time).  I've hung out in my swing some and can usually tolerate it long enough for Mommy to unload/reload the dishwasher. :)  Hopefully we'll have a better routine hammered out here in the next month.  It's all kind of helter skelter... or maybe it just feels that way because there are two others running around this abode that we've just moved in to.  Oy.

I love:  bath time, tummy time, Mommy time, and the ceiling fan, and hanging out on my changing table

I hate:  the paci

I'm learning to tolerate:  the Moby, and the swing

We'll have all of my measurements Friday after my 1 month appointment.  1 MONTH ALREADY!?

Camping virgin...

Hey there!  We're in the rental!  We've officially slept here 3 nights... one of which was spent camping in the backyard on Memorial Day.  Take a look...

 

 

 Don't worry... Daddy didn't burn Emma Grace.  This was as close as he got... he was trying to teach her to blow the fire out to eat her marshmallow.  This was her first time camping out.

See... she wasn't traumatized. :)

Something tells me we'll be doing a lot of this this summer. :)

Tummy Time is for the birds

 

Hey y'all!  Berkley here... I had my first tummy time session today.  Would you look at that strength!  That's a baby who looks like she's been practicing for years. ;)

Hey ma... watch this...

 

What's that?  I'm not supposed to be rolling over yet?  Psh... you can have your tummy time... I'm looking in to grad schools.  (Yes, she actually rolled over at 3 weeks... TWICE!)

HOLLER. :)

Once Upon a Dream

Could you just die?  I'm cute!  Tonight I have my pictures for my dance recital next weekend.  For the actual performance, we have to have our hair slicked back Robert Palmer style and enough makeup to not look like Casper on stage, but not enough to look like little hookers. But tonight... we're allowed to be cute.  I'm cute! :)

Get with it already!

Rachel here.  We're still alive and kicking. :)  We're morphing into a family of 5 nicely... 5... HA!  SO CRAZY!  I'll give you a quick run down of what each of us has been up to... I know you're dieing to know. ;)

We'll start with our littlest family member.  Berkley.  Oh Berkley.  You sure are cute and extremely predictable.  Here is what a typical day looks like with little miss binge eater.  I call it a night around 10pm each night when I take Baby B upstairs to nurse her and tuck her in.  30-45 minutes later, we're both tucked into bed nicely until about 2 am.  Bryan changes her diaper, (she's the queen of blowouts these days, so we change her pretty much twice with each feeding.) then I nurse her until "half time", Bryan changes her again, she gets swaddled, I nurse her until she falls asleep... usually about 45 minutes for the process.  She's back in bed until anywhere from 445-6.  If it's on the earlier end of that spectrum, I go back to bed... if it's later... I'm up for the day.  So she's waking up about once a night... CAN'T BEAT IT WITH A STICK!

Because she's such a super sleeper at night, mornings tend to be a little more of an issue.  Berkley will nurse sometimes for HOURS upon waking up in the morning.  She's slowly getting better, but it makes it VERY difficult to get anything done.  I'll nurse her, she'll stay awake for about 30 or so minutes, and then only go back to sleep if I nurse her.  It can be a lengthy process, but I'll take it... getting to sleep at night and all.  

Bryan accidentally ripped her stump off while changing her diaper about a week and a half into life.  Apparently it wasn't quite ready to be off yet because it began bleeding.  I let it go for about a day thinking it was just kind of a fluke, but ended up calling the pediatrician.  I ended up having to take her in to get her belly button cauterized.  It seems to be healing nicely now, but we can't get it wet... so I'm anxious to get her a proper bath.  We also haven't begun tummy time due to the healing process.

 

On to our middle child.  Sweet little Emma Grace.  She's a super stinker, but luckily no more of a stinker than she usually is, so we figure that's a good sign for the whole "middle child syndrome." :)  She's all registered for preschool in the fall... OMG.  She's beyond excited, and I'm super excited for her... she's going to love it.  Reese was scheduled to go for her 6 month check up to the dentist on April 30th, but seeing as how I was in the hospital having Berkley, we had to reschedule.  It worked out nicely because we were able to schedule Emma Grace right after Reese.  It was her VERY FIRST time, and from what I hear... she was awesome.  I was there, but B had a MASSIVE blow out, and I forgot to pack clothes in the diaper bag.  We had to venture home to get changed, and by the time I got back, it was all said and done.  Bryan was awesome with taking pictures though. :)  Next up for Sassy Pants... her 3rd birthday!  My Mom will be in town this weekend, so hopefully I can get some free hands time from Berkley to get her invitations made. :)

 Our sweet Reese.  She seems to have gotten through her major meltdown phase with the move.  As we've been getting things into the rental, we've been unpacking her things... I think she's relieved to know she gets to keep them. :)  She was under the impression we were leaving her things behind.  We've been sharing some pictures and things dealing with the new house with her, and she seems excited.  She's very anxious to get preschool and art time going at home again, but we're definitely not ready for that yet.  We hope to be out of here this coming weekend, so hopefully we can get our preschool routine started again in June for her and Emma Grace. 

Reese also has her first dance recital coming up next weekend.  SO EXCITING!  Her little outfit is to die for.  We can't wait.  I've pre-registered both girls for dance in the fall.  Emma Grace will be taking ballet/tap/gym (which is what Reese is in now), and Reese has decided to take ballet/jazz.  She'll also be playing soccer in the fall.  Once kindergarten starts though, we're making her choose between dance and soccer.  Dance is EXTREMELY expensive the older she gets, so one activity is going to have to be her limit... not to mention... she'll be in kindergarten for pete's sake. :)

 Bryan and I have been going through the motions.  He's been working from home during the day (occasionally he has to venture out to a meeting and whatnot) while I play mediocre supermom, in the evenings we're moving our lives into the rental until the girls get cranky, at night we're both victims to our infant.  We're both definitely looking forward to things slowing down a bit, which we sat down and discovered won't be until NEXT May... awesome. :) 

I'm just now starting to feel like myself again.  My tummy is THISCLOSE to being back to normal... I'm thinking a couple more days, and we should be back in business.  Of course I still have 15ish lbs to bid farewell to until I'm back down to pre-baby weight.  I'm in no hurry though.  Honestly, I'm so excited to be eating again.  I know I can eat all that food that was causing me heartburn again.  Then there is the ability to eat after 5 pm knowing I won't be sick the next morning.  Needless to say, I've been enjoying my food intake. :)  I've also graduated to being able to button two pairs of my jeans.  Hoorraaaaaaaaaaay!  I'm attempting to take back some of my old life.  You know getting dressed for instance.  When I was teaching, I got to wear real life clothes... not yoga pants and tank tops.  I've successfully gotten dressed everyday for the last week... sometimes that even included a shower!  I've also made a deal with Bryan on updating my wardrobe.  I'll be treating myself to a new outfit every month (not to exceed $50... hehe)!  When I do go shopping, I'm infamous for buying the girls WAY TOO MUCH stuff... just stuff... and nothing for myself.  No more... I'm forcing myself to shop for me... even if it's just a new shirt. :)  I should also learn to put makeup (other than mascara) on.  I'm a mascara and lip gloss kind of girl... and now I'm getting older, and my skin is too... and don't get me started on my hair... I need a makeover.  STAT.

Ahhhh... life. :)

Our wee little sleeper... and life

 Rachel here.  We have 3 weeks until we close on the house.  I still have quite a bit I need to pack, but it's all pretty much stuff that we use on a daily basis, so it's stressing me out.  We have a newborn in the house, and she's the last thing stressing us out right now... kind of ironic. :)  Both girls have been really great around Berkley and are adjusting nicely.  Reese, however, is off her damn rocker when it comes to the move.  She wants to do art projects, and "play" preschool, and use this and that... my answer is always the same "that's in storage Reese, I'm really sorry."  It's got to be super frustrating for her... I know this because she's beyond emotional.  She gets frustrated easily, and constantly cries when you tell her "no" or "it's packed."  Because of her frustration, I'm frustrated.  Night before last, I yelled at her for crying "for no reason", and before bed she asked Bryan why I wasn't her best friend anymore.  RIP MY HEART OUT.  We're trying to be very patient and loving with her, but she's a big ole ball of emotional wreck.  Hopefully things will calm down a bit in the next couple of weeks when we begin unpacking her toys and art supplies again at the rental.  Oy.

In between nursing a baby and packing a box here in there, this is what we've been up to.  Reese has really started loving holding the baby.

 Berkley got her first bath.  She was none to pleased.

 

Last week was Teacher Appreciation Week, so we threw together a little something for Reese's preschool teachers.  Cute huh?  The envelopes have sbux gift cards in them, and the frappucino cup is filled with brown and white tissue paper... thank you Pinterest. :)

 

I finally broke down and joined the Moby Wrap club.  Best thing I've done in a while.  Berkley is attached to me just about every moment of the day, and I was getting NOTHING done around the house.  $45 later, and I have a portable baby. :)

We ended the week with Mother's Day.  Holidays around here continue to get more and more interesting.  We let the girls choose their own gifts to give, and they tend to be pretty hilarious.  Bryan asked Emma Grace what she wanted to get for me, and apparently she responded with "a cake" like she had been thinking about it for months... Reese wanted to get me gum. :)  The balloon and candy bouquet were fillers as they were meandering around the Kroger searching for said cake and gum. :)  I love them.  We also went out for Mexican food for lunch, and I got a pedicure. 

I can't wait to post pix of the gifts we're giving to the grandmas!  We'll be seeing each of them in the next couple of weekends, so I don't want to blow the surprise, but the gifts are SUPER CUTE!

Likes and dislikes

Hi I'm Berkley.  I'm new in town... nice to meet you.  Let me tell you a little about myself. 

I dislike:  my paci, my swing, my papazan chair, Mommy's Jeep carrier, and allowing Mommy to get anything done.

I like:  to binge eat, poop, sleep, and being up close and personal with Mommy 24/7. 

Until next time y'all! :)

Our new norm... for now...

Rachel here.  Doesn't Berkley look so sweet here?  Well, so far, she is just that sweet.  I mean I know it's only been 1 week, but seriously... I'm in love with this little nugget.  She cries when she's hungry... that's it.  Sleeping takes up the rest of the time.  This makes night feedings bearable. 

One night last week, I lost it.  I was just so tired, she wanted to eat, and I wanted to sleep.  I think it was Thursday night.  My milk came in Wednesday morning, and she began to marathon feed for the next 48 hours.  I just wanted to sleep.  SLEEEEEEEP.  Friday night though... I think she woke up 3 times, ate, and went right back to sleep.  Saturday night... 2 times.  Last night... ONCE.  I've been trying to take her upstairs to eat around 10ish "for the night."  It takes me a good 45ish minutes to get her to sleep... nothing stressful.  She'll then wake up about 3 hours later... same scenario... 45ish minutes.  Then she's good to go for another 3-4 hours... usually around the time to get up and get ready for Frick and Frack to make their morning appearances. :)  I've also been getting a good 2ish hour nap in the afternoon with Berkley while Bryan entertains the big girls.  I let him sleep in in the mornings in return.  It's been a huge help having him home.

Bryan returns to work tomorrow for a few hours to attend a meeting, so I'll have all three for the first time by myself.  Should be entertaining to say the least.  In the coming weeks, he'll work some from home... helping me with the girls and MOVING.  Will it ever end? ;)

Emma Grace continues to stay clear for the most part.  She greets Berkley in the morning, tickles her once or twice in the afternoon, and kisses her on the head at bedtime.  Reese has become increasingly annoying.  I know that sounds awful.  She's been amping up the whine factor and yelling at EG more and more... no doubt to get that little extra attention... even if it's negative.  We're working on it.  All in all, I'm happy.  This transition has been less difficult than I anticipated... I've even done some laundry... and SHOWERED... I mean not everyday, but one every couple days is like heaven. :)

Berkley Paige Pattison

So... Rachel here... we have a baby!  She's sweet and adorable and PERFECT! At my appointment last week, we decided to go ahead and schedule to be induced Tuesday May 1st.  Nothing was wrong medically, but Bryan was scheduled to be out of town (2 hours away)... which made me EXTREMELY nervous... and I was OVER being pregnant. :)  After scheduling the induction, I felt really weird... not physically, but I felt weird choosing the baby's birthday for her... to the point where I almost called to cancel.  

Luckily I didn't have to worry for long because my water broke Sunday afternoon, and baby Berkley was here bright and early (3:22 am) Monday morning. :)  This was after my water broke... my last belly shots.

 

We're here... ready to have a baby!  My water broke (the trickle effect... just once it would have been fun to have a gusher like on t.v... tmi?) at 3:15 pm, we got to the hospital at 5:30... I was still not having contractions... hence the smile on my face. :)  Pitocin was started at 9:15, epidural was ordered and in place by 11:30... conveniently wore off at 2:30 am while I was laboring at 8.5 cm.  Dude... those later contractions are NO JOKE!  Luckily I was doped back up in time to push!

Here she is... Berkley Paige Pattison... 7lbs 20 oz of baby cuteness.  She was born with her cord wrapped tightly around her neck, so it took her a bit to pink up and even longer to cry... but all turned out just fine, and we're quite smitten.

 Meeting her big sisters and Grandma and Grandaddy.

 Reese was SUPER excited... Emma Grace... not so much. :)

 We came home a day early because... SERIOUSLY... we've done this before, and the girls needed just a little bit of normalcy.  Berkley had her first ped appointment yesterday for a weight/jaundice check.  She was down 6oz, but my milk came in yesterday right after we got home from the appt, so she's been marathon nursing ever since.  We go back in tomorrow morning for a weight check, and I have no doubt wee bug has gained 45 lbs because all she's been doing is eating and pooping. :)

 The new norm consists of me acting as Berkley's personal assistant and slave, and Bryan acting as Reese and Emma Grace's personal chauffeur and all over monkey boy.  Good times. :)  We both could use a shower, and a good nap... and a beer, but all in all... we're still kicking and madly in love with our three girls.