Saturday Morning Quick Takes

1) Thomas got his first tub bath Friday. I was expecting him to scream, but he seemed to like it.
Gregory was very amused and keeps asking me to give the baby another bath.

2)I've also been trying to capture his smiles on camera, which sometimes results in very weird pictures, and I never seem to capture a real smile. The second picture is as close as I seem to get.

3)People keep asking me how I'm adjusting to a new baby. The new baby is a piece of cake. It's his siblings that I am struggling with. They seem to know when I can't get up and get into all kinds of trouble - like climbing to the top of closets.


4) Want a fun, clean activity that will occupy your kids for hours?
Giving them a bowl of water and plastic farm animals that "need a bath" kept mine busy for a couple of hours on several days. Take it outside and there's no mess, and the baby's happy because we're simply outside.

5) Clare took her first picture with the camera and did a pretty good job. It was cropped a little and I'm not sure what expression Thomas is making, but it was a good first try.

6) Thomas is a month today. It's hard to believe how fast he is growing. He's at least 11lbs. The boy likes to eat.

7)One last picture of the little cutie. This is one of my failed attempts to get a smile. It's so nice that he's really starting to be awake and look all around. I love seeing his eyes and his smile. And it's also nice that he likes to sleep at night.

Four Weeks and 1 Day

Today was a big day - little Thomas started smiling. I'll try to snap a picture soon.

The first person he honored with a big smile was Grandma, who definitely deserves to be smiled at and loved by her grandbabies.

My bruiser

Gregory's guardian angel must be tired.

In the past week, he has closed the van door on his arm, and fallen head first into a wooden piece of furniture. He also has the worst tantrums, completely flailing himself about - bamming his head and other body parts and then crying even harder when he realizes how hard the floor is. And all he has to show for it is bruises. The one on his head looks the worst.

Hopefully this season will pass quickly and without any more trips to the ER.

Going out in public

I'm discovering the challenges of going out with 3 kids.

For the feast of the Sacred Heart I was determined to go to Mass. We got there, sat in the back and managed until we went up for Communion.

As we get into line Gregory darts ahead 3 people. While holding Thomas in one arm, I scoot forward, grab Gregory and step back into my spot.

Gregory then discovers that there is a little boy walking with his dad right in front of us. It is all I can do to keep him from tackling this boy. I'm holding Gregory's shirt by the shoulder, then by the collar, grabbing his arm, then his other arm. He can not contain his desire to get up to the front of the line, or at least past the little boy. People around us snicker.

I go to receive, Gregory is now at the front and stands still. The priest gives me a mischievous smile.

I let go of Gregory, because it's fine if he runs to the back of the Church.

Gregory takes 2 steps, realizes that we have to walk and collapses on the floor. The altar boy looks at me like I'm crazy, and I've done something to my child to make him act this way. People stream around us, and I try to encourage Gregory to stand up. It's not happening.

Luckily, a friend of ours is also at Mass. She leaves her pew and her children and comes up to take Thomas. I can now grab Gregory and we all walk to the back of the church. We make it through the rest of Mass without incident.

Updates

It's been almost a month since I've posted. Something about moving, the new baby, having to set up internet, and a husband who has to do chores down in C'ville and study 3 hours everyday for the BAR.

We are adjusting well to baby Thomas. The kids love to hold him and are usually pretty gentle. Thomas is a good baby. He fusses when something bothers him, but so far seems happy to sleep between 10pm and 6am. That in itself makes me feel more human.