Our wonderful photographer Kelly has done it again... I love, love, LOVE these pictures. Take a peek here:
http://www.kellystocksenphotography.com/
Click on Enter-the-Site, then Proofing, then enter 030311vanvalkenburg as the password.
The gorgeous blanket was made by my sweet friend Sarah using Amy Butler fabrics. I had no design ideas yet for the nursery when we moved in, but now I'm definitely planning on using this blanket as my starting point. H's nursery is a warm, creamy yellow, and these fabrics go so well in there.
We have had the best weekend with my siblings and their families! My sister and her family left this morning as did my brother who had to get back to work tomorrow. My sis-in-law and her kids will probably leave Tuesday evening. Having seven kids under 6 was so much fun... I loved the noise and the chaos and the giggles. It makes me wish so badly that all of us lived close together. It would be so incredible for our kids to grow up together.
I'll try and load some pictures from this weekend soon. Right now I need to get in bed! Momma's tired!
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
Yes, I'm Alive!
But just barely. Life is crazy with three kids, y'all. I'm on Jason's laptop right now because mine was infected with a virus this morning, so I took it to the repair shop and hope to get it back in the morning.
Kids are good, hubby is good, and this weekend my siblings and their families are coming in town and staying with us! Woo-hoo! Can't wait to see my nieces and nephews... I haven't even told Emerson and Jax yet. It's just easier that way.
Hayden is getting a huge toad belly just like Jax had, and her little thighs have some sweet rolls on them. How I love my fat babies! Emerson literally can't keep her hands off her little sister, and it's so awesome to see.
I'll post more later... hopefully before this weekend, but if not, I'll post pics of all the relatives from this weekend.
Kids are good, hubby is good, and this weekend my siblings and their families are coming in town and staying with us! Woo-hoo! Can't wait to see my nieces and nephews... I haven't even told Emerson and Jax yet. It's just easier that way.
Hayden is getting a huge toad belly just like Jax had, and her little thighs have some sweet rolls on them. How I love my fat babies! Emerson literally can't keep her hands off her little sister, and it's so awesome to see.
I'll post more later... hopefully before this weekend, but if not, I'll post pics of all the relatives from this weekend.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
May Vacay
Last week one of the marketing guys with a company Jason contracts with called him and asked if he had received his email about the trip. Jason of course asked which trip he was talking about, and the guy informed him that he had won an all-expenses paid trip to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in May. Spouse included! Jason's next question was whether a breast-feeding infant would be allowed, and a few days later he received word that we could bring Hayden. So we're off to Mexico in May! Without two of our three kids! Lord knows my figure is nowhere near beach-ready, but who cares. The thought of R&R on a warm beach is all I can think about. That and quality time with the hubby, post 6-week checkup (if you know what I mean). *Ahem.* And him getting away from work for 5 days. Please ignore the fact that the previous three sentences are fragments. I tend to blog like I speak, so I'd appreciate it if you don't hold me to the highest grammatical standards when you read. All of this coming from the Grammar Nazi... perhaps I'm letting go in my old age.
Jax is in a big-boy bed tonight, and I'm a little verklempt. He's been sleeping in Emerson's sleeping bag beside her bed since we moved in because we realized we were missing the side frames of the bed when Jason tried to put it together last Saturday. The furniture store where we purchased his crib two years ago looked in their warehouse and discovered the missing pieces, so tonight the crib officially became a full-sized bed. He was definitely a little unsure about staying in it after we read books and prayed tonight, but we didn't hear a sound from his room, so I think sleep was the victor.
Here are a few pictures from our first week at the new house. Daddy and the munchkins have been having a lot of fun getting used to playing in a new place.
Jax is in a big-boy bed tonight, and I'm a little verklempt. He's been sleeping in Emerson's sleeping bag beside her bed since we moved in because we realized we were missing the side frames of the bed when Jason tried to put it together last Saturday. The furniture store where we purchased his crib two years ago looked in their warehouse and discovered the missing pieces, so tonight the crib officially became a full-sized bed. He was definitely a little unsure about staying in it after we read books and prayed tonight, but we didn't hear a sound from his room, so I think sleep was the victor.
Here are a few pictures from our first week at the new house. Daddy and the munchkins have been having a lot of fun getting used to playing in a new place.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Weight udpate
Hayden was up to 8 lbs, 8 ozs at her weight check on Tuesday! Talk about a sigh of relief. She's also nursing so much better the last few days which is another blessing. Last night the little turkey slept through the night... we'll see if it was a fluke or not. Her new favorite thing to do? Smile with all her might when we get right in her face and talk baby-talk to her. She has the cutest little dimple in her right cheek... see below.
We were scheduled to have her newborn photo session this morning here at the house, but our photographer rescheduled because of the rain (makes for bad lighting in the house). Jax, of course, hit his eye on the corner of Daddy's nightstand last night, so he'll more than likely have a shiner for pictures on Monday. Can anyone say Murphy's Law? Oh well. It'll remind us what he was really like at this age... ALL BOY and ridiculously rough-and-tumble.
Can I just say again what a blessing so many of you have been these past three weeks... from the calls and emails to meals and visits, I have constantly been reminded that we are loved and thought of by so many people. And let me just say that I think I have made it through the worst of the stress. The move this weekend almost sent me over the edge, but I've come to terms with the fact that the boxes will just have to be here for a while. I'm trying not to let my to-do list get the best of me either. We're just gonna work on this house a little at a time.
Two nights ago I timed how long it took me to get to Super Target. Less than two minutes from our driveway to a parking space. This is a dangerous discovery. :)
We were scheduled to have her newborn photo session this morning here at the house, but our photographer rescheduled because of the rain (makes for bad lighting in the house). Jax, of course, hit his eye on the corner of Daddy's nightstand last night, so he'll more than likely have a shiner for pictures on Monday. Can anyone say Murphy's Law? Oh well. It'll remind us what he was really like at this age... ALL BOY and ridiculously rough-and-tumble.
Can I just say again what a blessing so many of you have been these past three weeks... from the calls and emails to meals and visits, I have constantly been reminded that we are loved and thought of by so many people. And let me just say that I think I have made it through the worst of the stress. The move this weekend almost sent me over the edge, but I've come to terms with the fact that the boxes will just have to be here for a while. I'm trying not to let my to-do list get the best of me either. We're just gonna work on this house a little at a time.
Two nights ago I timed how long it took me to get to Super Target. Less than two minutes from our driveway to a parking space. This is a dangerous discovery. :)
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Great Move
Oh my goodness, am I ever tired. I strong discourage moving to a new home two weeks after giving birth. For a variety of reasons. The first of which involves a sore uterus. Just sayin.'
We successfully moved yesterday, but it's a day I'd rather not relive ever again. First off, I had every intention of getting the house entirely packed before moving day, but that just didn't happen. So while the guys were moving the heavy furniture, I was frantically trying to get the rest of the house packed, and it was nuts. The kids were at Jason's parents' house all day, and by all day I mean 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Even baby Hayden. I just had to pump bottles for her and bring them by. I stopped in twice to feed her and see the other two. I was missing them terribly. They had a blast with their grandparents... Emerson and Pa-Pa went to the neighborhood school's playground and MeMaw and Jax hit golf balls in the front yard. Needless to say, when we put them to bed last night in the new house, they were out so quickly. Bringing them home to the new house was so much fun. They ran around and screamed and went up and down the stairs multiple times. I think they like it.
Today we got up, dropped the U-Haul off, and went to the old house for a final clean. Jax cried and fussed in the car because he wanted to go back to the new 'castle.' Now the kiddos are sleeping, Daddy is catching a nap as well (I think he got about three hours of sleep last night), and I just returned from Target where I bought shelf paper. I'm determined to get the kitchen put together before I lose my mind.
Thanks for your well-wishes and comments about Hayden's weight issues. I have been feeding the heck out of her, so I'll update her weight after she goes back on Tuesday. I'm ready for the fat rolls to make their appearance!
We successfully moved yesterday, but it's a day I'd rather not relive ever again. First off, I had every intention of getting the house entirely packed before moving day, but that just didn't happen. So while the guys were moving the heavy furniture, I was frantically trying to get the rest of the house packed, and it was nuts. The kids were at Jason's parents' house all day, and by all day I mean 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Even baby Hayden. I just had to pump bottles for her and bring them by. I stopped in twice to feed her and see the other two. I was missing them terribly. They had a blast with their grandparents... Emerson and Pa-Pa went to the neighborhood school's playground and MeMaw and Jax hit golf balls in the front yard. Needless to say, when we put them to bed last night in the new house, they were out so quickly. Bringing them home to the new house was so much fun. They ran around and screamed and went up and down the stairs multiple times. I think they like it.
Today we got up, dropped the U-Haul off, and went to the old house for a final clean. Jax cried and fussed in the car because he wanted to go back to the new 'castle.' Now the kiddos are sleeping, Daddy is catching a nap as well (I think he got about three hours of sleep last night), and I just returned from Target where I bought shelf paper. I'm determined to get the kitchen put together before I lose my mind.
Thanks for your well-wishes and comments about Hayden's weight issues. I have been feeding the heck out of her, so I'll update her weight after she goes back on Tuesday. I'm ready for the fat rolls to make their appearance!
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Crying at the Doctor's Office
Tuesday was brutal. I went for Hayden's 2-week checkup at her pediatrician's office, full expecting her to be back to her birth weight. When the nurse put her on the scale and it said 7 lbs, 12 ozs (she was 8 lbs, 3 oz at birth), I just lost it. Even though she had gained weight from the previous week, it startled me to see that she was under 8 pounds, and I immediately starting thinking the worst. The nurse gave me a hug because she could see it was one of those cries that wasn't going to end anytime soon. About ten minutes later when Dr. B came in the room, I was still bawling. Thankfully she reassured me that since H was gaining an ounce a day, there wasn't any reason to change what I was doing. She said because of her jaundice a few days after birth, she just lost her weight quickly and was slowly making her way back. I was glad to hear I didn't have to start supplementing with formula, but my sleep-deprived, hormone-out-of-whack self couldn't stop feeling like I was failing my baby. It was the worst feeling ever, and it was embarrassing to be such an emotional wreck.
Needless to say, I'm pumping two out of three feedings for her, just to make sure she's gaining enough weight this next week. She's definitely not a great eater like my other two. She'll latch on for a minute or so, then pull off to look around. I think once she's back to her birth weight, I'm gonna go on a boob-only mission for a day or two and force this child to become a better eater.
Needless to say, I'm pumping two out of three feedings for her, just to make sure she's gaining enough weight this next week. She's definitely not a great eater like my other two. She'll latch on for a minute or so, then pull off to look around. I think once she's back to her birth weight, I'm gonna go on a boob-only mission for a day or two and force this child to become a better eater.
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