Hobbies

The kids have come up with some hobbies and I just so happened to catch them doing them at the same time!

Raleigh collects all of our cans and bottles to recycle so he can get the moolah and buy more toys (specifically Ben 10 toys). My mom took Raleigh and Audrey on rock hunts to keep them entertained. I had promised Raleigh on the Friday before I went into labor that I would take him to our hiking spot so he could get some special rocks to color on. Well, since I was in the hospital on Saturday, my mom took him instead. These rocks keep the kids entertained for LONG periods. Isn't it amazing?!

The Bean

Our little Heidi Bean! The kids LOVE watching her and talking to her. Raleigh is constantly at my side when I have Heidi and Audrey comes in and Ooohs and Aaaahs. Raleigh likes to hold Heidi's hand...even when I am nursing. He says that he has special tricks to make her happy, and he is usually right. Heidi loves looking at the kids faces. And Audrey loves to make Heidi look at things, like birds and dogs. She always says, "Wook Baby Heidi, Wook!"

Grandma!

All the kids got lots of time with my parents and my sister, but my mom stayed a little longer to help get us ready to be a family of 5...alone! I have cried almost every day since she has left, but she left us with lots of meals and clean clothes, so I have been able to relax about the housework and just enjoy the kids. I have no idea where the pictures are of my Dad and Sister so whoever has them better send them on over!

Three of a Kind!

Life with 3 has been a little...exhausting. Everything was okay, and then my mom left and reality set in. Both Raleigh and Audrey started fighting non-stop (I think out of boredom), and Heidi stopped sleeping at night. We have a very slow routine in our house now. The big kids are adjusting a little better now and hopefully Heidi will settle in to sleeping a little at night. But for now, we are all like walking zombies! Luckily they are all so cute!

Ding...Dinner's ready

Or, I mean lasagna's ready...oops, I mean Heid's ready!!!!! Our sweet little girl arrived at 9:01am on Saturday, April 17th at an eensy 6lbs 12oz and 19" long.

After a week and a half of early labor contractions I finally went into active labor. 8 hours later Heidi came after 1 push!!!! She had her cord around her neck which was a little scary but since she was already out they easily cut it and everything was okay. I tried to tell her it wasn't a necklace, but I guess she didn't want to come out totally naked! I was a celebrity with my one push though. It made me feel like a champion!

We had a wonderful friend, Molly, come over and take care of the kids at 3:45 in the morning! THANK YOU MOLLY! My parents got in about 7:45am and headed to the hospital and made it just a few minutes after Heidi made her debut. They hung out with us for a while and then went to relieve Molly. The kids had a blast at the Chidester's house though!

When the kids got to the hospital they were reeling with excitement. Then, Audrey got into the room and froze up. I think the combination of the hospital and seeing me in the bed freaked her out a little. Raleigh was excited and couldn't wait to hold Heidi. Audrey was mesmerized by her little sis, and soon fell in love. Both kids have been beside themselves with wonder and excitement at squirmy little Heidi. They love watching her every move!

Okay, so now on with the pics...

Our Frozen Lasagna

Raleigh made a comment the other day about how Heidi takes a long time to cook like lasagna! That little comment went a LONG way in my impatient world! I have learned that some of the best things in life you have to wait a little longer for...like lasagna!

BUT, I went to the doctor's today and my OB gave me a light at the end of the tunnel. I have been having early labor contractions for a week now! A WEEK! And I am at 3cm dilated, 80-90% effaced, and Heidi is down low and ready to go. So, she set me up for a week from tomorrow (Wed) to be induced since that is when she will be on call. I am sort of hoping that Heidi comes before then, but I also like the idea of my family being able to get up here, relax and then go in with me Wed morning. I guess I am never totally satisfied. Now I know what Trevor is always telling me!

Anyhow, I will keep everyone updated with little Heidi's progress when she makes her debut, and in the meantime I am going to try to get some recent pictures of our "big kids" up here. We have been trying to make some extra special time for them since I know how newborns can consume you.

Egg Hunt!

Last Saturday we took the kids to an Easter Egg Hunt. We couldn't find our Easter Tub, so we had to run and buy a couple of buckets beforehand. Both kids picked out robot ones. They were really cute! Here is Audrey showing me her Foofa doll. She is OBSESSED with Yo Gabba Gabba! In fact, she is watching it right now!

Raleigh did the big kid Egg Hunt, but he is too polite and only came out with 2 candies. So, we let him get some from the little kid Egg Hunt since most of the kids were clueless about candy. Audrey has a sweet tooth though, and got plenty of candy for me to share!

Here are the kids filling up with goodies!

Raleigh was so excited about the Easter Bunny. This is the first year he didn't cry! Audrey on the other hand was having no part of it!

So I stepped in and made her take a pic!

The kids had fun and it was worth it! We were going to go to the Aviation Museum to see the Bunny arrive by helicopter and do another egg hunt, but we changed our minds. I am too big and tired to do another one. Raleigh is doing an egg hunt at school right now, so I figure that covers it! And we are going to have breakfast with the Easter Bunny at the YMCA on Saturday with our storytime friends. Sometimes there is just too much to pick from!!!!