Thrush from Hell

So I've heard of thrush before and figured it would be no big deal if one of my babies ever got it.  Wrong answer.  I mean, technically, it's no big deal to Hayden that she has an overgrowth of yeast in her mouth.  The little white spots don't seem to bother her a bit, but the medicine she is taking has been giving her a little bit of diarrhea and upset stomach.  Momma, on the other hand?  I don't think I can quite describe the condition of my nipples right now.  (Wow, that's a sentence I never thought I would actually put in writing).  To say they're painful is an understatement.  I have cracks in them that are so deep, I can see bloody raw skin exposed.  And when Hayden latches on, her mouth feels like what I can only imagine a piranha's bite to be.  Wowzers, does it ever hurt.  I'm also on medication because I know we're just passing the infection back and forth to each other.  I'm just praying this all resolves soon... the good news is that I have felt a little relief yesterday and today. 

I know many of you are wanting to see pictures from my siblings' visit this past weekend.  I promise they're coming soon! 

Tonight the in-laws kept the kids while Jason and I got sushi take-out and watched a movie here at home.  It was a fantastic date night!  Sometimes there's just nothing quite as great as snuggling on the couch in a quiet house with no children.  We find ourselves thinking and talking about them when they're away, as I know pretty much all parents do.  In fact, Jason found Jax's pajama shirt on the floor and brought it in to me and told me to smell it.  At first I thought it was going to reek of tinkle, but he simply wanted me to smell Jax's smell.  Mmmmm.... it was heaven.  That little boy, as rough and tumble as he may be, is so precious. 

Emerson has been getting out of bed the last two or three nights.  And I'm not talking 30 minutes after going down.  No, the girl has been making an appearance down the stairs anywhere from 9:30 to 11 p.m., and she is gracing us with her presence in full dress-up garb.  I'm talking the dress, crown, and high heels.  Last night Jason found her lying on the floor at the entrance to her room with her pillow and a blanket.  Last weekend when my sis-in-law and I were watching TV, Emerson crawled from Hayden's nursery (where she and Jax were sleeping) all the way into the living room and behind the couch.  I don't know if it's a phase or what.  She seems to really enjoy sneaking around late at night! 

House update... our painters stained the big desk that was upstairs, so we moved it down and have slowly been putting the office together.  I'm starting to get overwhelmed thinking about the area rugs, chairs, window panels, etc., that are on my to-do list for each room.  I know it's going to be a slow work in progress, but I just wish I could snap my fingers and have a magical decorator appear and do it all for me.  I truly don't enjoy it because I don't have an eye for it.  I can copy with the best of 'em, but coming up with the design ideas myself just doesn't happen.  The hubby actually has more of a creative/artistic eye than me.  It's not fair! 

We're planning on visiting another church in the morning... hoping to either really like it or really not, just so we can make a decision and plant our little family somewhere.  Making it to church in the morning, however, depends quite a bit on whether Princess Emerson makes it through the night without a fashion show and whether Hayden the Piranha lets Mommy sleep.  Keeping my fingers crossed.  :)

Hayden's Newborn Pics

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!

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. 

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.

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.  :)

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!