Maddox

My sweet spunky Maddox,

He loves Karate.

He loves to show off his new found Karate skills taught to him by his daddy.

He loves to run thoughout the house as fast as he can pretending to be a super hero saving the day.

He loves to ride his bike.

He loves his daddy.

He loves his brother.

He does not love when his brother won't do what he wants him to do

He loves to go on adventures

He loves to go camping, fishing and exploring

 I would have to say though, at the top of the list of things he loves right now, is his precious baby sister!

Today, he was helping me by giving Harper Grace her pacifier. Once said paci was in her mouth, she gave the sweetest little grin. When I informed Maddox that she was smiling at him, he joyfully proclaimed "OH MOMMY!!! This is the best day EVER!!"

He loves to run, jump, dig and play but most of all he loves his sister and I adore that about my oldest little man!!

Newborn Pictures

 She is tiny. She is perfect. She is beautiful. Just see for yourself.

A few of Harper's Newborn Pictures

Girl Time

There are random times throughout the day when I have to stop and catch my breath because I am reminded that this precious little one I am tending too all day is in fact my DAUGHTER.  I realize that may sound silly, I mean, how could I possibly forget that I have a daughter. I feed her, bathe her, clothe her, snuggle her, rock her, swaddle her and provide everything possible for this tiny little girl. However, sometimes I get in the routine of doing all the things necessary for a newborn and I get the fun gentle reminders that I have all the pink, tutus, and ruffles along with the tonka trucks, race cars, and super hero garb. I was watching the women's gymnastics on the Olympics and I began to get teary because I was getting to experience that with my very own daughter.  I began to picture Harper in dance or gymnastics (if she wants to) and it made me so excited for the opportunity to experience all things girly. After we had the boys we were fairly certain we were finished having babies, and boy oh boy am I thankful that God's plans were different than my own. I am thankful for the dirt bikes, mud stains and loud noises that accompany my boys as well. I honestly feel like the luckiest girl because I get to experience both! So thankful the Lord blessed us with this precious little girl. 

Oh, and her brothers are pretty smitten with her as well!! 

Harper is One Month Old

Our sweet Harper Grace is one month old. We are all adjusting into our new normal and our family feels complete with our precious little girl. 

What are you up to at one month:

Weighs about 6.5 pounds and 18.5 inches long

Wearing newborn clothes (they are still pretty big on you)

Diagnosed with reflux and cannot lay on your back or you spit up and choke

Sleep in your swing

Sleep best when you are swaddled, although you do not enjoy the swaddling process

You nurse every 3 hours during the day and you go 4-5 hours during the night

You have had some rough nights with tummy aches, but I think we are making progress in that area

Love to be held

You have beautiful blue eyes and light colored hair

Siblings

"Siblings are the people we practice on, the people who teach us about fairness and cooperation and kindness and caring - quite often the hard way"

.  ~Pamela Dugdale

Cherish the Moment

Harper is now 3 weeks old. Paxton is now 27 months old and Maddox is now 4 and a half. What!?! How are my babies getting so big. As I watch Maddox and Paxton I am constantly reminded at how short the baby phase really is. It is so crazy to see how big Paxton is now and to realize that in just two short years, little bitty Harper will be running around, talking, and getting into everything imaginable just like her big brothers. I am certainly blessed to have two wonderful little boys to remind me to take it slow and cherish this time with a newborn, toddler and preschooler, because it won't be like this for long. Our lives will be busy and this chaotic time in our lives will soon enough seem like a blur and we will be wishing to have it back. So for now, I will soak up every minute I can holding and snuggling a newborn. I will tickle, chase, build with blocks and read stories to our toddler. I will answer question after question, tie super hero costumes and teach our preschooler. I will have a good attitude and I will make the most of everything thrown our way, even in the midst of some pretty chaotic days, because it will not be like this for long! 

Precious girl trying to focus her little eyes

Saving the world

Super Paxton

Pool boys

I just can't get over how tiny she is in her car seat

Before the reflux set in, sweet baby sleeping in her bed (hasn't happened since then though. Ha)

Flying Pax

Beautiful baby girl. Oh so tiny. Oh so sweet.

Reflux?

I am fearful that our precious little lady has reflux. Boo. I was so hopeful that one of our children would be unharmed by any stomach issues, but it seems she is following in her brothers footsteps and showing signs of reflux. She is considered premature and preemie babies much more prone to reflux issues because their little tummies are still trying to develop properly.

Sadly, little miss Harper  is unable to lay down with out gagging, choking and having a super hard time breathing. She is content as long as she is being held upright or laying on her tummy on my chest. We have an appointment on Monday with her pediatrician and we will see what they recommend for her. I just hope they can figure something out because it is terrifying to watch our 5 pound little one struggling to catch her breath. 

It becomes pretty tricky to hold her non stop and tend to both of the boys. I have been very thankful for the help of my mom this week. She has held Harper, swam and played with the boys and has been a wonderful friend to me during this transition time in our family. I have greatly enjoyed the company and the extra set of hands. 

With Harper needing to be held all the time, I certainly get the amazing privilege to stare at this beautiful little face. I just can't get enough.