Thursday, July 21, 2011

Growing...



Our sweet boy is already 3 weeks old! He has grown and changed so much! Going back to the baby stage is always an adjustment when you've "moved out of it", but Stennson is making it pretty easy! He's been a wonderful baby so far. Very content and easy going. He's already on a great schedule, falling right into the eat, awake, sleep routine during the day and has learned to go right back to sleep at night. (a little sleep is always a wonderful thing!) He even gave me his first 6 hour stretch one night this week!

Everyone is adjusting well. We are all in love with Stennson. Shaelyn continues to be my amazing little helper! She has such a servant spirit and is willing to do anything I need! I am so grateful for her help :). Monreau loves Stennson and loves to have her turn holding him, but overall I'd say she's the least interested. McLleyton has far surpassed my expectations as a brother. He is much gentler than I thought he would be. He just loves to be around Stennson. A few days after he was home McLleyton was holding Stennson when he looked at me and said "He's my best friend mommy!" It's such a gift that these boys with have each other! It's fun to watch the start of this life long relationship!!

Such a sweet boy! 3 weeks old!
Meeting Great Grandma Joy and Great Grandpa Ben!
Early morning snuggles from Shaelyn!

McLleyton... such a fun little guy! His personality matches his smile :). He is truly such a joyful, fun boy...and a pretty great big brother too!
McLleyton is definitely Matt's little buddy! They've had lots of fun adventures together since Stennson has been born. This is what I discovered one evening :)


Monday, July 11, 2011

Goodnight!!

It's the little moments like these that are the best!!!



Sunday, July 10, 2011

Who do I look like??

Who do I look like??

Stennson...
McLleyton...
Monreau...
Shaelyn...

It's amazing to think that we have been blessed with these 4 :). It's even more amazing how quickly they grow up!! It was fun looking back at these pictures of each of the kids during their first week. To me Stennson looks a lot like McLleyton, but has more of Monreau's eyes. It will be fun to watch him grow... if only I could just put it in slow motion!!

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Stennson...






Stennson is a week old today! It's been a joy getting to know this sweet boy! Life as 4th born is definitely different. I've been so thankful for the help from Matt and our families that's allowed me to feel like I've had some good moments just enjoying him! So far he has been a dream baby. His entrance into this world was fast, painful and emotional. He has been calm, quiet and so very sweet!

Last Tuesday night I started having a few contractions while Matt and I were on a date. I had been to the doctor that day and she was pretty convinced I'd go into labor that night. I was hopeful she was right because she was working that night. I was dialated to a 5+ at my appt. and he was very low. Sure enough she was right :). We headed down to the hospital and she broke my water around 10:30. Because of some side effects I had from the epidural after delievering Monreau and McLleyton I decieded I would try to deliever with out one. My biggest hesitation and concern was remembering Monreau's birth, she was born "face presentation" - or face, not head first. I had some fear something could go wrong again and I would not be able to push without an epidual like I had with her when I had one. My doctor was super confident and encouraging that I could do it and this delivery would be fast and the baby was in the correct position. Overall, she was right! Once my contractions really kicked in around 12am it was fast. However, when it came time to push we realized that as he dropped he had gone into the same position as Monreau- face first. I will admit that mentally this seemed a bit overwhelming to me in the midst of all the pain. I was so thankful to have in that moment an amazing doctor who knew how to get me to refocus and work through it. Matt was also pretty amazing and loving :). I had a big fear that I wouldn't be able to push him out in that position without the medication. With Monreau I pushed for over 2 hours, the thought of that in that moment seemed like too much. I also knew that my doctor could not do anything to help deliver him, it was definitely intense! Thankfully, after 25 minutes he was born! It was definitely hard on both of us! Yes, my tail bone broke again- this time I got to feel it!! But, he was healthy and in that moment of seeing him it is true that you almost immediately forget! I will always remember the moment Matt said "It's a boy" and feeling him place on my chest. It was incredible and so emotional! Because of all the pressure on his face he was pretty bruised for the first 24 hours, but like Monreau he healed very quickly. It is incredibly humbling when I look at the four children we've been given. To have two girls and then two boys is such an amazing blessing!

Stennson's first week has been great. I've been in quite a bit of pain, but it's been a blessing to have help. He has been amazing. I already feel like he's getting on a good schedule and last night he slept great, giving me two 4 hour stretches and going right back to sleep after eating. He is a very calm baby, even in the midst of a lot of busyness :). I am madly in love with this little guy!! We are blessed!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

We had a fun 4th filled with cousins, a cookout, swimming, boating, capt-n-sundaes, and fireworks! The girls have been looking forward to this day for weeks, it was fun to see them both so excited over traditions that are just beginning! Stennson is in for some fun in the years ahead! It was fun that he arrived in time to celebrate with us this year!

Sweet Monreau! They love it when Stennson is awake!
13 cousins! From 4 days old to 9 years! (Six are 2 years and under!)
Off on the boat to watch the fireworks! I stayed home with the boys! The girls had a great time- not getting to bed until 11:45!
My parents! "Nanny and Poppy" are very loved!!

Shaelyn and Lauren! Best of friends!

Love this picture!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Home sweet home!

On Thursday evening, we came home from the hospital! It was made even more special by the fact that we came home to our house! We had just moved back in two days before Stennson arrived! (we had been out, with the exception of a few weeks since April 4th) The timing could not have been better! The re-modeling is beautiful, FINISHED :) and it makes our home so much more functional for our family! To be able to come here from the hospital felt like such a blessing! It was so very sweet to have all four kids together at home!! Of course, Shaelyn, Monreau and McLleyton were very happy too! They were all excited and eager to hold him and show him around! He is one very loved little boy!!

A lunch time visit at the hospital with three of my favorite people :)
Stennson meeting his Uncle Nate for the first time! The "Nathan" in his name is after Nate- Matt's business partner. It's an honor to give him Nate's name!
His bruises from being delivered face first healed pretty quickly!
Headed home! 1 day old!


Some very excited girls :)
In PJ's and ready for bed, they were happy to have us home!

Love this picture! We have two boys :)