pumpkins

On Saturday we went over to the Hoekstra house for a halloween and bday celebration. We had a blast. We were supposed to carve pumpkins with the girls. After being there for awhile we were reminded it was time to get carving. The girls were not very interested until someday told them to ask daddy to carve a cat face on the pumpkin. That piped their interest for a few minutes and then dad was left to carve a cat alone. He did a great job.

some more pics of the boy

my amazing kids

Everett is the best baby. So content and so happy. He only cries when he is hungry. His stare is so intense and compelling. He just loves watching you talk to him. He is the best listener. He loves to be talked to. He is a sleeper. He sleeps very well. Usually about 5 hour stretches at night. He has been doing that since he was days old. Goes to bed at 8:30 and is up around 1 and 5. Then usually sleeps till 8. He is a great nurser. We have not had any problems with that at all. He was right at 9lbs when he was born and never dropped below 8 lbs 9 ounces. At his 2 week check up he was 9 lbs 5 ounces. He sleeps swaddled in his own bed in his own room. Has from the day we brought him home. No car seat like the girls. The girls are doing amazing with him. They love him so much. Constantly kissing him and loving on him (a little too much). They help me so much with him. Today I carried Camille in from the car and was coming back for him. Av stayed right there with him till I came back "to keep him company" he was sleeping. heheheh Also today he was crying and before I could get to him Camille did and gave him her giraffe. So sweet. She also had a rattle and was holding it in his hand and shaking it for him. They give him his paci when he needs it and hate for him to be crying. We have a lot of love in this house. I just am so proud of how they have handled this all.

strong girl

Av is back to doing PT at hbr and speech as well. She has speech at 5:00 on Tuesdays and PT at 3:00 on Thursdays. Which works out well bc Camille is at school on Thursdays so I do not have to take her out there twice a week. Her PT has her wearing ankle braces. Av is such a strong girl. She is excited to wear them and not embarrassed at all. She knows they are helping her and will help her and is ready to wear them. Can't believe it but so proud. She is way stronger than I will ever be. She didn't raise any fuss at all about wearing them. She just asked if they will help her "not to fall." She is so amazing.

I did it!

John is on his first business trip since before Everett was born. I was so not looking forward to it. Thank goodness my parents came to help ease me back into being on my own with 3 kids! John is only gone 2 nights and my parents were here for one night of it. My first full day on my own is over and we all survived. It actually went pretty well until I decided to give them all a bath at the same time. Not a good idea. The girls didn't even need a bath, my mom had given them one the night before. All 3 are in bed and sound asleep. I feel pretty accomplished. It's a good feeling. I can do this. I was meant to be a mom of 3!!! (I will use this as a pep talk when I am eating those words)

rolling

Everett is rolling from his belly to his back. John saw him do it twice a few days ago. I chalked it up to a fluke. No way a 3 week old is rolling. Yesterday I was making him do belly time on the coffee table (all 3 of my kids have down belly time on that table). My dad and mom and girls were all there. All the sudden he got himself over. I could not believe it. Looked at my dad to see if I really saw what I thought I saw. He was amazed too. I put him back and called my mom to watch. The girls came too. We watched him roll 3 more times. He is crazy strong. He did it once today too. He's going to grow up faster than the girls did.

best bday present

I got the best bday present this year. My parents came to help me for a few days!!!! It was wonderful. They got in on halloween and trick or treated with us. It was very fun. The girls had a ball and loved that g&pp were there with us. It was the first time they have trick or treated w/us. A great time was had by all, even E who slept through the whole thing. No candy for him. Snow White and the butterfly got a lot though!!! Monday on my bday I got to sleep in, had help getting the girls ready in the morning, didn't have to get myself ready to go anywhere as they took Av to school and then they came home w/a starbucks for me!!! It was a great morning. The rest of the day I got to relax and cuddle w/E for most of it. J was on a day trip so didn't get home until 8 that night so I got to not be alone on my bday too. So nice of them. They are the best parents in the whole world. Not sure what I would do wo them.