Weekend at the lake/4th of July

This weekend was absolutely perfect. We filled each day to the max and the girls thrived with all of the activity. We went out on Thursday morning minus the hubby since he still had to finish out the work week. My parents had set up a few new things to entertain the older girls. First, since they are adding on a workshop to their garage, they have a huge pile of rocks that the girls played in all weekend. Second, they rolled out a sheet of plastic to make a slip and slide. Hilarious. They weren't brave enough to actually run and slide, but we were able to give them pushes to get them going and they braved the freezing cold water like champs. 

We also rounded out the first day with a trip to Battle Lake for Granny's Pantry's ice cream cones. The kid's size cones were perfect for all of us. 

Amelia was fussy most of the weekend. I'm not sure if she needs a chiro adjustment or if she's just generally dramatic these days, but she was quite unhappy if I was out of sight pretty much the whole time. While it's flattering that she is so devoted to me, it was also pretty frustrating. I miss out on a lot of what the big girls are doing because I'm glued to the baby. Not only does she want me right with her, but it has to be on her terms whether she's laying down, standing on my lap, being held, etc. Really praying that an adjustment helps her chill out a little. She's so happy when she's in a good mood. The smiles are amazing and I just can't stop kissing on her, but unfortunately she's been having a lot of freak outs too. (Not to mention waking up every 1 1/2 hours the first night. Thankfully she stretched that out to every 3 hours the next two nights.)

On Friday, we headed to Glendalough State Park to do a little paddle boarding and kayaking. I mostly held Millie while the big girls waded in shallow water and played in the sand. We all took turns trying the paddle board and a few of us tried kayaking. The weather was beautiful. It was relaxing and the perfect way to spend the morning. We had a picnic in the sun before we headed home. 

That afternoon, we had a bit of quiet time (Josie inside, Audrey outside) and just continued to enjoy the perfect weather. I got the hammock out and that helped with the relaxing. ;)

On Saturday, hubby (who had come out late Friday night) and my dad went to work digging holes for the workshop footings. They hit the sewer drainage pipe (had to replace it) and a ton of rocks so the day was less than relaxing for them. They did break for lunch, but then continued working until 10:00 PM to finish it completely. 

My aunt's birthday is the 4th of July, so we threw a birthday party for her as well as for America. My mom set up a big picnic by the lake shore and ended up just staying down there the rest of the afternoon. It was so ridiculously humid that there was nowhere else to go. The breeze coming off the lake made it bearable, so nobody really moved. I can't say that we minded it all that much, since we all had tons of food at our finger tips, beverages, and good conversation all afternoon. 

Audrey has mastered her grumpy face.

See no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil... thank you, blinding sun, for this perfect shot.

I spent a large chunk of this weekend holding Millie so she'd fall asleep/stay asleep/go back to sleep so I got a bunch of reading done on my kindle app via my phone. I don't mind holding her while she sleeps (it happens so rarely these days) but her piercing screams I could do without.

And finally, Sunday, we went back to Glendalough Park (this time with hubby too) and ended up on a different beach with a swimming area blocked off. We had the place to ourselves in the morning and fully enjoyed it. After working so late the day before, the men both took serious naps. My mom and sister napped a bit and Millie napped in the Beco carrier on me. Josie and Audrey swam almost the entire time. They alternated between water and sand play and also made a friend who happily joined in whatever game Josie made up. 

We headed back to my parents' lake in the late afternoon. Audrey fell asleep on the way home so she resumed her nap (rare these days!) inside and Millie finally got a decent nap in for the day. We took that opportunity to fish a little and hubby, dad, and I all caught a few fish. Could we ask for a better way to end the weekend? No, we really couldn't.

Myth. One is easier.

My parents took the girls home with them to the lake kind of last minute on Monday. They return with them later today (Wednesday). They didn't do it to give us a break necessarily, but it is kind of implied that we'll get one. 

Life with just one baby? Easy, it seems! Logically, going from three to one kid should be much simpler. I jumped right on that and ordered a gallon of paint to get the main bathroom finally painted. I even dreamed that I'd be able to paint the rest of the hallway. I would have all the time in the world to get it done, so why not have the materials to encourage me to get on it?

But of course, life happens. I desperately needed to go grocery shopping. I had to go to the other side of the world (east Moorhead) for a Craigslist find (totally worth it). I had lunch plans. I had office work with a deadline. I had to make dessert for our small group. We went to small group. The day was gone before I could even pick up the paint brush. Then, this morning, I slept later than I wanted (argh late night wake ups you strike again) and didn't want to get the paint supplies out when I just knew that Amelia would wake up (she hasn't, an hour later...could have gotten an entire wall done). 

Here's the reality. Having one kid is not easier than having three kids. Not at all. There are a few reasons for this. One, babies are the most high maintenance age. Sure, I can lay her down and she can't get into everything since she's not yet truly mobile (rolling around doesn't count). Sure, she naps a lot, creating windows of time where I could possibly get something done. But those windows are not easily predictable. At any given nap, she may wake up just needing to eat, just needing her pacifier, or just needing to be up an hour early. I can try to get something done, but it's never a guarantee. No amount of verbal coaxing will change her mind. She's demanding, that one.

Let's talk about the bigger kids. They are much more self sufficient than a baby. If they need to go to the bathroom, they go (most of the time even on the toilet!). If they need a drink, they can get it. They can play without my assistance. They can ask me questions and talk to me instead of crying when they have a need. Here's the kicker, though. They entertain each other. I'm not expected to constantly entertain all of them. They are awesome at doing that themselves. So once all of their needs are met, I often get to step back and finish up the dishes, laundry, office work, etc and they are perfectly content. 

The bigger kids also keep the baby distracted. Their play is the best thing for her to watch. She just loves being around them. It kind of surprises me that she'd like it so much considering that their hands are in her face almost all the time and they think it's hilarious to scream right next to her, but she has a connection with them that I'm not a part of. She loves those big goofs and is much higher maintenance when they are gone than when they are here. 

We miss them. We want them back. 

And lastly, I just really like them. I spend all day every day molding them into the kind of people I think they should be (and obviously into the people that God has created them to be). Their behavior, sense of humor, and attitudes reflect me in a lot of ways so of course I enjoy being around them. We get to laugh and play and have amazing conversations daily and without them here it's so very quiet. I like quiet at times, but I don't need this much. I know they are having a blast with Grammy and Papa, but their home is here and we are waiting for them to return. 

Amelia Jane - four months old

We've got a happy baby on our hands this month. She spent the whole month charming everyone who even glanced her way. I have never gotten so many comments on my baby like I have this month. The dimples and huge eyes draw everyone, but the real winner is her huge smile. Her little soul is making quite the appearance and we are all eager to interact with her.

I don't feel like a lot has changed this month. She's definitely grown longer but not filled out hardly at all. All of that growing only goes one direction I guess. When next to an older baby, she always seems to be the same size only leaner. She's wearing 3-6 month clothes and a few 0-3 month items still like pajamas, onesies, and rompers. No way are the 0-3 month pants fitting at this point. Summer weather makes it easy to fudge sizes a little since the length isn't as important. I wouldn't be surprised if we skip a size once winter clothes make an appearance.

This month, Amelia got two teeth at just 3m1w old (3 weeks sooner than her big sisters). It was incredibly shocking to discover. What was even more incredible was that within twenty minutes of discovering the first tooth, she rolled over for the first time (on the deep freeze while I was putting on the Moby wrap - no baby was harmed in this alarming story). My heart could barely handle all of the milestones that day, but thankfully they haven't kept up at that pace since then. She now rolls all directions and will not sleep on her back. I lay her down swaddled with one arm in and one arm out and she rolls over to her tummy for the rest of the night.

Another huge development - she's a pacifier lover! After all of the teething, she really started to chew on any and everything. On a whim one day, I stuck one in her mouth and she loved it. She won't sleep without it now and it has really helped in those in between times when she could sleep or eat but isn't quite needing it yet. I admit it fully - I love having the pacifier as a crutch. Plus, the big girls can help put it back in her mouth in the car or if she's fussing while I'm finishing cooking or whatever job I'm stuck doing. Church is so much more manageable now that I can wrap her up tight and mute her with the pacifier. She has slept through more services this month than the first few combined.

bubble blower

Just this week she started blowing bubbles. She's making constant sounds, mostly sticking to one drawn out ahhhhh as loud as she can. She's never been afraid of her voice, this one. I got one belly laugh out of her by tickling her lightly and kissing her cheek/neck area, but mostly she just coos and offers huge smiles.

She also sits in the exersaucer (with blankets stuffed behind her for support), although she's always very aware when I'm sticking her in there to distract her while I try to get something done. It seems at those moments that she only screams and doesn't play. If I'm not doing much and put her in there, she's as happy as can be. She's a smart little lady and keeps me on my toes daily.

We haven't spent too much time in the bumbo chair but she loves it too with the same criteria as above. When we are outside, she will lay on a blanket peacefully looking around. Stroller rides or being worn by me are also almost always successful when we are outside. She just loves being outdoors. It's a huge relief since it's good for all of us to get fresh air and the older two girls need to be able to run around. I don't know what we'd do if we were stuck inside all day.

We have been so busy this month with activities out of the house almost every day and she just rolls with it amazingly. Her naps are pretty haphazard, usually taking two random naps either on the go in her carseat or worn on me. She also falls asleep in my arms if she's wrapped up tight with the pacifier. It's so wonderful to have that flexibility. She gets a good 2 - 3 hour nap most afternoons unless she has a long morning nap, then it's a bit shorter. Bedtime is still around 7:30 even if she takes a third nap right before. That happens a few times a week too.

For how much noise she's constantly surrounded with, she can be over sensitive when it comes to loud screams or shouts when she's eating. We're just getting to the stage where she unlatches constantly if she gets distracted. She likes to kick her feet and if there is something within reach, she'll kick so hard she can't stay latched so sometimes we end up in a bit of a wrestling match. This is especially fun at night (note the sarcasm). She hasn't used those two sharp teeth to bite down yet (thankyouJesusforreal) but I'm kind of waiting for it any day now. 

The sister picture went well.

I suppose I should mention that we've hit that lovely four month sleep regression stage. She used to only wake once at night and now it's a solid three times every night. I'm mostly used to it and just have an extra cup of coffee in the afternoons. I will take a nap maybe once a week for about twenty minutes and don't seem to be over tired, but I definitely wouldn't mind getting more solid sleep. Thankfully, she eats and goes right back to sleep most of the time so it doesn't take more than fifteen minutes. I fall back asleep quickly too, so my complaining is minimal. I know it's short lived and that soon enough she'll be like the big girls and not need me so often. I do enjoy the sweet baby snuggles while I can get them.

One other sweet little "Amelia" thing... when I pick her up post nap or if she has been crying, she buries her head in my shoulder so hard that she can't breathe and then comes up for air suddenly like she just couldn't tear herself away from me. It's the sweetest thing, and I haven't seen her do it to anyone else. That's about the extent I get for cuddling. She loves to be held, but not in a cuddly way. I fully expect her to take off away from me (or anyone holding her) once she becomes mobile.

Here are the girls all lined up. Amelia, Audrey, then Josie. I've heard so many times that Amelia looks just like Audrey but I still can't see it. I don't feel like Josie looks like herself in this picture, so I definitely do see any resemblance here. What do you think?

The fun is just getting started with miss Millie girl. :) Even though the newborn newness has worn off, we are all still enamored by her all the time. So thankful she has joined our family.

Nursery reveal

The nursery has been in use for a solid four months and it's time to share it. I don't feel like the pictures do it justice. It has a peaceful, clean feeling but the pictures seem a little cold and bare. Does that make sense? My photography skills are lacking, but please take my word for it. I do love this room. It seems that Amelia loves it too. She gets her best sleep in there and seems to sigh a breath of relief after we've been gone a few days. 

I don't close the blinds - ever- because I really want her to be able to sleep without it being pitch dark. So far it hasn't been a problem. She does wake up around 6:00 AM or so but I don't really think it's because of the light.  If I leave her to chatter to herself for a while, she usually falls back asleep. It's working out great and having the blinds open all the time makes the room feel bright and homey. 

I really love this room.

I made the mobile quickly one night when I realized that she liked to watch her bassinet mobile while falling asleep. She's the first kid we've had that has paid it any attention. It's pretty subpar, but it'll have to come down once she's sitting up anyways, so it does the job. 

(I really need to get that camera up out of her reach before she can grab it.)

• Hubby made the valence above the window. The fabric is sadly out of stock forever. I tried to get more for the crib skirt, and it was impossible. It's also a hard color to match, so it only mostly works with the rest of the room. 
• The chair cushions were redone by this Etsy seller. It wasn't cheap and took forever to come in the mail, but it looks great in the room and will work when it's not the designated nursery chair.
• The dresser is from Furniture for Less and matches the dresser in the big girls' room. Eventually it will be in their room as they get bigger and need more space. 
• The baskets under the changing station are from HomeGoods. The bottom baskets just barely fit but since we don't need to pull them out often, it hasn't been a problem. The upper baskets are where the cloth diapers are stored so they are used ... often. 
• I made the changing table mat cover. I actually made two of them, along with all of the sheets and the crib skirt. Many thanks and credit goes to my mom who helped me keep the pregnancy brain forgetfulness to a minimum with that lovely sewing machine.
• The big A on the dresser is from Hobby Lobby.The clock is from HomeGoods.

• The flag banner contains all the leftover fabric from the sheets and mat cover. I am so glad I didn't have to throw the scraps away. I'm just too cheap (I prefer the word frugal) to do that.

• I made the outside pictures using Photoshop and ordered the middle print from this Etsy shop. 
• The model in the crib is a real life baby that just happens to live in this room.
• The owl stool is an accidental prop that was left behind by a curious older sister. It's often found here or alongside the changing table. 

• The mirror is from HomeGoods.
• The lithograph print is from this website. The options seem endless and I could stare at them all day. Check it out! This print in particular is the Pride and Prejudice print.The entire picture is made up of the words from the book. If you look closely, you can actually read most of it.
• I picked up the navy blue framed cork board from Target's dollar section on a whim. I added navy blue in with the teal/turquoise, coral, and plum last minute after seeing the colors all mixed together at the best fabric shop in the world, Modern Textiles. I tell you what, I get lost in that store just dreaming about all of the possibilities. Everything is so gorgeous.

So there you have it. My hope is that this room can evolve into a little kid room, then a big kid room, and maybe even a guest room without having to be completely redone over and over. The neutral gray walls are lovely but I also know that gray won't always be so in style. There is a lot of room for her to make it her own as she gets bigger, but for now, I like it just the way it is.

Amelia's newborn pictures

While looking for a few photos from months ago, I realized I never posted Amelia's newborn pictures. Dear friend/family Missy took them for us (while she was eight months pregnant - that's a gift to us if I've ever seen one) and they turned out exactly as I hoped. I really just wanted one or two good pictures that I could print and hang up (need to do that still...) and she got them easily. The big girls wanted in on the fun too, and their shot at the end of this post made me swoon. It's also been made into a magnet and will forever be on the fridge. 

Isn't she the sweetest? She's four months old (as of yesterday) and that post is coming soon, but it's fun to look back and see how much she has already changed.