3 months with 3 kids

So it's been three months now - three months with three kids. First, I'll post a little about Ethan, then I'll write a little bit about what it has been like around here.

ETHAN

First, a little bit about my 3-month old Ethan. Ethan is super smiley and fun to be around from 8am - 7pm. He loves his brothers and watches them like a hawk as they run and play. He loves to smile, and he is super chunky (12 lbs, 6 oz at 2 1/2 months). He nurses every three hours for about 15 minutes in all. He likes to see what's going on, and he is discovering his voice. I love baby cooing. Adorable.

But any time the sun is down, he's our little Gremlin. I picked up a prescription for acid reflux tonight for him. It is supposed to take at least three days before we'll notice any change, if at all. I certainly have my fingers crossed.

Ethan still sleeps exclusively in his car seat or a swing. After the Zantac starts working, we are supposed to start experimenting with back-sleeping. In the past, he's choked and spit up every time he's been on his back. Maybe he'll sleep in his crib some day!

The last two nights he has gone to bed at 8pm, so I am hoping that's a new routine. On the other hand, it's been more than a week since he has slept peacefully. He woke up four times last night alone: 10, 11, 2:30 and 4:30. At ten and eleven, I waited about 15 minutes into his shrieking, and then I went in and held him and rocked him. At 2:30 I listened to his shrieking for almost an hour, and then sent Ryan to hold and rock him. At 4:30 I nursed him, but he was barely hungry and just nibbled for 3 minutes per side and went back to sleep. FRUSTRATING!

Before this past week, he actually went six days IN A ROW of sleeping 9:30-6:30. It was wonderful but short-lived. Now I can't get him to sleep more than a few hours without shrieking! The doctor and I have a few ideas: colic, gas, teething, acid reflux. We already medicate for gas (simethicone with each feeding), and in three days he'll be fully medicated for acid reflux. Colic, unfortunately, just sucks. When Ryan and I really get at wits end, we give him Tylenol hoping its teeth. Who knows. Here's to some rest for him... and his momma.

Ethan doesn't take a pacifier. Two weeks ago he also stared protesting a bottle. We're on our fourth brand of pacifier and our second type of bottle. It is super frustrating when he gags and/or kicks it back out with his tongue. When he gets tired or fussy, I just have to let him scream/cry. There's no way to "plug him."

THE REST OF US

As for me, I'm tired almost always. I lose my temper, especially with Brennan. The hardest part for me about having this baby is that we have a schedule that he has to adhere to. When Collin and Brennan were each born, we could cancel everything (story time, playgroup, lunch bunch) until I felt like going and like I had things under control. If I needed to go to the store, I just had to get there at some point on a given day. Now with Collin and Brennan being in school, we have to be certain places at certain times each day. It is stressful to have Ethan always nursed, napped and happy. Very often he is screaming in the preschool hallways. The schedule is definitely more hectic this time around.

As far as Ryan, he's ready to have his wife back. I have now been MIA for a full year. I got hives at the end of January 2013, followed by horrible morning sickness, then terrible pregnancy exhaustion, and now newborn exhaustion currently. Do you blame him for being frustrated?

Of course, I'm ready to be me again too. I am trying like heck to lose this baby weight. So far, I'm down 25 pounds since delivery, but these last 15 pounds haven't budged in a month. I'm tired of being hungry all the time, and it is really hard to work in 30 minutes on the elliptical each day. I am only successful about 4 days per week. I am also tired of being tired, but I'm also tired of napping my life away. Unfortunately, a tired and hungry mom doesn't equate to a very patient, loving mom.

Collin and Brennan are super great brothers. They don't want to hold the baby or anything like that, but they will make silly faces and talk to him to cheer him up. They like to introduce him to people, and they are kind and gentle with him. Brennan loves to kiss the top of his head and pet him. Collin is always willingly to rock his car seat carrier if he's screaming in public. They are good little helpers, and I really mean that.

AND THAT'S A WRAP

How's that for a run-down? We are doing pretty well. I have had a TON of help from neighbors and friends. I also have had Ryan and his parents around a good bit of time too. Having lived here almost six years has really come in handy. We love the people we have come to be surrounded by here in Peoria. We are constantly impressed by the Christ-like service from members and non-members alike. The Midwest is definitely where it's at.

Happy Birthday, B!

Our little Brennan turned three today!

 

Brennan picked going to the Caterpillar Visitor's Center for his birthday activity, so we started the day by opening a present with construction worker clothes. Each big boy got a hard hat and work vest.

Here's Collin modeling the get-up. Brennan adamantly refused to put anything on.

When we arrived, we managed to coax one photo out of B wearing his hard hat.

They both got right to work. Here's Collin. He looked super adorable in his costume.

 Lots of other visitors commented on how prepared he was for his day of work.

 

Nana and Papa were able to be here to celebrate with Brennan. (B's birthday is one of the reasons we did Ethan's blessing yesterday.)

Each time Brennan wanted a fruit snack, we made him get dressed for a photo. One fruit snack...

 Another fruit snack...

and this photo cost us two fruit snacks because he put on his hat AND his vest.

 Of course, there's no way he'd give us a smile for any number of snacks!

When they were done being workers, we headed to lunch. B picked going to Wendy's. After nuggets and fries, he got his very own Frosty, which thrilled him.

Before naps, he got to open his present from Nana & Papa. It is one of those pillow pets (a monkey) with the starry-night lights on top. He LOVES it.

After naps, we enjoyed the cake he picked out himself.

Side Story: Last Sunday I got stuck going to church on a snow-covered hill. A pickup truck had to tow us up the hill. Ever since then, the big boys have been playing various games with towing: laundry baskets and bungee cords, excavator booms and dump trucks, etc. Brenn picked this cake because Elmo is being towed by Big Bird, just like Mom.

His final gift of the day was a Caterpillar cement truck. It drives by itself forward and in reverse, spins and talks. They have a real one at the visitor's center, and he loves it.

 

Now a little bit about Brennan on his third birthday...

Mr. Duck

Brennan is very confident. For example, first thing in the morning his overnight diaper is very full. Some mornings he removes his jammie pants and waddles around the house. His super-full diaper swings back and forth as he stands tall and saunters across the floor. He definitely knows who runs his show!

Mr. Copy-Cat

Everything Collin wants, Brennan wants. Everything Collin does, Brennan does... except for in matters of cleaning and pottying, unfortunately. I think it's probably just part of looking up to his big brother, and I figure he'll outgrow it at some point, but he really has very little personal creativity when it comes to playing. He just follows Collin's lead a lot. He has no idea what to do when he wakes up from his nap before Coll gets home from school. It'll be interesting to see how C's full-day kindergarten in the fall affects his personality. I am excited to see who he really is.

 

Mr. Coordinated

Brennan may be our athlete. He is runs, kicks, throws, climbs, catches and jumps quite well. I hope to get him into soccer this coming spring/summer. He loves to move and be active.

 

Sweat doesn't seem to bother him at all, especially if he gets a popsicle out of it. He doesn't seem to be a fan of cold though. He hasn't played in the snow at all this winter. He just stays inside with Mom.

Mr. Performer

Brennan loves to get others to laugh. He loves to be silly. He loves to "tell jokes." Every joke is a "knock-knock joke," but most start with a question. He also likes to dance and sing. His singing is often just humming. He also likes to play musical instruments.

Last week Collin had a friend over to play one morning. It was cleaning day, so I had out a sensory box for them to play with full of rice and stars, bells, beads, cups and spoons. I expected a minor mess. I was cleaning in the bathroom when Collin called, "B is dumping rice on the floor!" I finished the toilet scrubbing, and when I rounded the corner to come out to the kitchen, Brennan was taking scoop after scoop out of the tub and dumping it on the floor! He was really enjoying being naughty in front of company. Sigh.

Mr. Stubborn

Brenn doesn't do anything he doesn't want to do. He decided one day he didn't like milk, and he hasn't had a sip since. He does not help with chores around the house, unless he's threatened with time-out. He will not practice his letters, and he will not work with me on anything (like singing his ABCs). When we go to the library, he picks a big stack of books, but when he get home, he wants us to read the same book over and over again... until I return it to the library and he latches onto another. Everything has to be his own idea. If it makes Mom happy, he wants nothing to do with it. Ahh!

 

Mr. Social



B loves preschool, which he attends on Monday mornings at friends' homes. He seems to be much better behaved on the days he goes to school. We think he thrives on being surrounded with people and new activities. I plan to enroll him in a preschool program next year that meets three mornings per week. I hope he (and I!) will be much happier. I have received many compliments on his cute conversations from the leaders in nursery and from the other preschool moms. He seems to be a wonderful little guy; he just likes to keep that part of himself hidden from me.

Mr. Mischievous

Brennan chooses to be naughty a lot. When I ask him why he did something bad, he answers with a perfected the shoulder shrug. Either he hasn't yet figured out how choices lead to consequences, or my consequences aren't nearly severe enough. He loves to annoy Collin, which isn't hard to do, by not obeying "the rules" of whatever pretend play they are doing.

Love you, B-B! Happy birthday!

Now that you know a bit about Brennan's interesting (and dare I say, difficult) personality, does anyone have a book recommendation for me? I feel like I need to read something to better understand him, but I have no idea where to start. I love him so much, but days can be really hard when everything is a fight. He and I are so different. I think Brennan will be my child who teaches me the most, so I better get started learning.

Ethan's Blessing

What a fun weekend! We blessed Ethan in church today. We had the pleasure of playing host to lots of family...

Uncle Jared & his friend Charlotte drove from Ohio on Friday evening.

Uncle Rob flew in from Arlington, Va late on Friday night.

Uncle Ron & Aunt Kristie and three of their kids (the ones not on missions right now) drove in from Iowa City too.

Nana & Papa came from Washington on Saturday afternoon.

Our neighbor Laura, our Peoria Grandma, was able to come too. Unfortunately, Jake (our Peoria Grandpa) had to work.

 

We had a wonderful time and already miss all the noise and laughter. Thank you for coming! We love you!

And not to be forgotten, we still definitely felt the absence of Grandpa & Grandma Morello (away serving a mission). We love you too!

Here are some nuclear family photos.

 

 

And one last photo, just to give you a good laugh.

Ten-Year Love Letter

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights, in sunsets
In midnights, in cups of coffee
In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife
In five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year in the life?

How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love

Dear Lindsey,

In high school we sang this song from the musical Rent. As we approach a major milestone in our lives, I thought it would be fun to look back over the years and look at some of the numbers behind the 10 years of love, laughter and friendship that we commemorate today.

Family

In the last ten years our immediate families have more than doubled from 15 to 31. We've welcomed several new brothers and sisters and even more little nieces and nephews, and together we've mourned the passing of three grandfathers and two grandmothers.

Messy Business

Our own little family has expanded as we have welcomed three wonderful little boys into our home. Each of our cute little boys has come with a cute little bum that is in constant need of changing. To date I estimate that we have gone through roughly 7600 diaper changes between the two of us. At 25 cents each, that's almost $2000; I believe this means that we earn ourselves a pretty nice vacation when we finally get these tykes potty-trained.

Working for a living

You’ve got me beat by a point in the job count, but together we've worked a total of 13 jobs since we've been married. Though you have spent the majority of your time working to develop the impressionable minds of children as both a mother and teacher, I have been impressed by your willingness to roll up your sleeves, supporting the family with everything from chopping veggies to crunching numbers while I finished up with school. My jobs have been more on the mundane side with positions like teaching assistant or grader, but possibly my favorite was the 10 months I spent in an auto shop learning how to work on cars. That training has certainly served us well.

Getting Around

Any guesses how many vehicles we've owned in ten years? We've owned exactly 6 cars during our marriage, and we've named everyone according to its personality. From the twin sisters Trixi and Prixi who were always acting up to get attention; to the Yoda, our regrettable impulse buy; to our current people movers Odie and Hickup. But for some reason our fondest memories have been with Sven (our little Svedish svedan). Sven was the first car we bought together; he brought us 1374 miles across the country to grad school in Wisconsin as well as the 147 miles back and forth to Chicago every month for temple trips; and he was at the center of a rather miraculous repair job when we were our most destitute. But more than anything, we enjoyed the laughter and conversations during our hours of driving around together in his more comfortable than average seats.

And we can never forget the '73 Kawasaki motorcycle that I attempted to restore. I’ve decided to name him Osu, the Japanese word for push, because I spent a lot more time pushing him than actually riding.

Movin' on up

We've managed to stay relatively put over the years, moving just three times from Orem to Madison to Peoria: a total of 1573.6 miles. You’ve kept us organized and sane each time through the process while I did the grunt work.

Reading Between the Lines

One of our favorite things to do is to find a good book and curl up together and read to each other out loud. Together we've read more than 7500 pages from authors like Dan Brown, Grisham, and C.S. Lewis, and from some great series like Eragon, Hunger Games, and Series of Unfortunate Events. Notice the absence of Harry Potter from the list, probably a travesty to many, but we really never got into it. Perhaps that will be the next 2000 or so pages we decide to tackle.

Dedicated Service

Together we've served in a total of 13 callings, from my brief stint as the ward chorister to your latest calling as the compassionate service coordinator.  Most notably, however, have been the 4 opportunities we've had to work together in teaching assignments. It seems like someone was aware of how well we work together as a team. My personal favorite was the year in Madison that we were asked to put together a Mission Prep class for the youth of the stake. We didn't have a prepared curriculum to go from, so we got to work together to develop our own lessons from the new (at the time) Preach My Gospel reference.

In addition to our callings, I estimate that we've been to the temple about 75 times, about 20 of which we were able to sit together and hold hands through the session because of the layout of the Chicago Temple. We will always cherish those trips to Chicago where we made a concerted effort to turn off the radio and instead use the time for sharing memories from our childhood and impressions from the temple.

Windows of Heaven

Based on our combined AGI from the last ten tax returns, I estimate we've contributed (redacted) in tithing during our ten years of marriage. When you look at the numbers on this scale it's easy to think that that money could have constituted a substantial nest egg or perhaps a stellar European vacation or even a dream sports car. But as I look back through the years, it's equally easy to acknowledge the blessings of continued employment, ample sustenance and comfortable shelter. As I reflect on these blessings, it is easier to focus on gratitude than on the sacrifice.

Measure in Love

Even with the conservative estimate of an average 60 beats per minute, I would guess that my heart has beat at least 315,360,000 times since our hearts were joined together in marriage (18,250 fewer if you deduct the average of three times per day that my heart skips a beat when you walk into the room). Regardless of the actual number, I am certain that each and every one of those beats has been for you, Lindsey. You have become my closest confidant, my best friend, and my greatest partner. You are constantly in my thoughts, my dreams and my aspirations. I love you, and after ten years I can't imagine life without you. I look forward to the next 10 years and 300,000,000 heartbeats. I can't wait to look back and see what we have accomplished together.

Happy Anniversary!!

Love,

Ryan

Merry Christmas!

Here's what we've been up to in December...

Sickies
To follow up with other health post, Ryan & I got the puking-bug the week of Thanksgiving. It was a great diet plan for Ry - He ate all he wanted at Thanksgiving dinner, and then his body rid it all from his system the following 24 hours. It was awful. I was sick Saturday night and Sunday, so I missed my last Sunday teaching Primary. (Read on if you are curious about my new church calling.)

Then Brennan got another cold, a nasty-coughing-horrible cold. He has been sick for two weeks now. We took him to the doctor, and... DRUM ROLL, PLEASE... he has a double ear infection. Sigh. We haven't had a healthy week since Ethan arrived. In fact, Ethan is battling his SECOND cold himself. Christmas Day he had a terrible fever, and he's throwing-up a good amount of each feeding. This has got to end!

Ward Christmas Party

This year's Ward Christmas party was a Cowboy Christmas. Ryan built the stand for this cute photo-op board. Here are the boys when he tested it in our dining room.

Fearless Collin sat on Santa's lap and asked for a bike horn. Chicken Brennan sat on the bale of hay next to them.

Here they are looking adorable next to the pretend campfire. The committee even arranged for line-dancing and campfire carols.

The last event of the evening was a nativity play performed by the youth. Ethan was cast as Baby Jesus, and I missed the whole party (except dinner) trying to ensure his happiness for the skit - He was fed and napped to perfection. Here's the first scene. How does he look?

 

Ah, did I fool you? Yep - Surprise! That's my baby doll from when I was little. He got all fussy backstage when he needed to go on, and I swapped him for a doll at the last second. (Yes, I came prepared with a doll.) Here I am coming through the door as Ryan realized he'd been snapping pictures of a pretend doll and not our baby.

Anyway, Ethan didn't end up being Baby Jesus after all. It would have made a great story too, since Ryan and I were both the Baby Jesus in our ward's nativities 32 years ago. (October babies make the best Jesus' apparently.) Unfortunately, Ethan just hates the hours of 7-11pm.

Advent Tree
I finally came up with an advent calendar idea I like. So here's what we do...

Each night the boys find the number on the tree. On December 1st we did number 25, and we did number 1 on Christmas morning. Each card has a picture (and the number) on the front and on the back it has: scripture verses, Gospel Art picture, online LDS bible video, and an assigned ornament. So we look at the picture, read a verse from the bible and watch the video. Then the boys put the matching ornament on the tree. I adapted it from the Pinterest idea called "25 days of Christ." It's awesome! The boys really look forward to it too.

Three Boys

I have THREE BOYS! Can you believe it? I sure can't. Here are my three boys in their "City Jammies."

Collin and Brennan have had theirs about a year, and they were so excited that Ethan had pajamas with cars and buildings on them too. They insisted they all get their picture together.

Aren't they cute?

Christmas Around the World Family Home Evening
I can't remember if I have ever blogged about this tradition before, but I absolutely love it. Everyone should do this!

For the past three years, we have been inviting over 2-3 families one Monday evening in December. Each family is assigned to plan an activity or craft or bring pictures or a treat from another country. Anyway, over the years we've heard about Germany, France, Venezuela, Russia, New Zealand, Brazil, and - of course - Japan.

Usually Ryan teaches some origami, but this year our group was a little younger; Collin was the oldest. He found this cute game that translates into "Other people laughing at you while you're blind-folded." Anyway, it's a 'pin the tale on the donkey' kind of game, and the little ones loved it.

Our friend who served a mission in New Zealand taught the kids the Haka dance. It was cute.

And our friend who served in Russia brought his wolf hat and stacking dolls.

We ate some fun treats, and it was a great evening for all. With all the multicultural experience our returned missionaries can offer, I think everyone should try this tradition. It's really fun, and we all learn something new.

Weather

It snowed early this year, beautiful fluffy snow. Collin and Ryan built a snow tunnel in the front yard again. We also had our second storm this weekend, which started with rain, then ice and finally snow. Church was canceled for Christmas Sunday. Sad huh? Anyway, it is beautiful... as long as you are safe and warm inside.

Gingerbread House

 

I missed this whole event (napping, I think), but check out this creation! Ryan and the boys decorated this great gingerbread house two Sundays ago. See the car out front and the W above the door? They even crafted a chimney with Starbursts for bricks. And the brick-mould around the front door actually matches our own real front door.

My New Calling
I got released from Primary. I've been there 3-1/2 years (since I got pregnant with Brennan!), and I am/was devastated. I cried when I found out that a release was in the works in September, but I had about two months to come to terms with the change. I finally got officially released and called to my new calling on Thanksgiving Sunday. I found out the night before (between bouts of puking) that I was getting called to be the new compassionate service leader in Relief Society. I was pretty speechless, and my mom's and mother-in-law's jaws literally dropped when I told them each via Skype. Anyway, I really felt like I was in need of service instead of needing to arrange for everyone else's services. Ethan was only a month old!

But this past month I have learned how wonderful the sisters in our ward are. I have yet to call someone (though I know it will happen soon enough) and be turned down to take a meal to someone. Our ward has already had three babies born (all the same week in December), and other needs for meals as well.

I know I'll be busier than I was with primary, but so far the boys have been understanding of my need to make a lot of phone calls. Hopefully we can all adjust, and it won't be too painful a transition.

I think it will also be cool to get to work more closely with Ryan. He is the elder's quorum president (and has been for almost two years), and he does all the arranging for giving priesthood blessings, loading moving trucks, and assisting with broken cars. Now I arrange for the meals, packing of moving boxes, and rides for car-less members. What a team we make!

Christmas Eve
We stayed home this year, for the first time ever. In the morning, we went bowling with about ten other families in the ward. It's a tradition for one of the families, and she invited all of us to join her. I hate bowling, but Collin is begging to go again, so I may just have to suck it up. Ryan and the big boys had a great time playing, and I had a great time socializing. :-)

In the evening, we had over our neighbors for soup and appetizers. We also decorated sugar cookies. Their children and grandchildren were with other family, so we were able to steal them away. It was great. We're so glad to have "family" now in Peoria.

After Jake & Laura headed to their church's Christmas Service, we opened this year's "Nana Jammies." Here are our little tigers.

At bedtime, Brennan was having a hard time calming down. I went in their room and told him he needed to go to sleep so Santa could come. He said, "But I am listening to hear the bells on Santa's sleigh." Yeah, think we've read Polar Express a few too many times this year? It was adorable. Then Collin told me that he had said his first personal prayer. He had thanked Heavenly Father that we could celebrate Jesus being born. That melted my heart too, and I left smiling.

Christmas Day

Being home to open presents with just our little family was awesome. First, we read the Christmas Story in Luke 2 and finished the last ornament on our Advent Tree.

Then we sorted our presents and took turns (youngest to oldest) opening one present each. Here's a random assortment of photos - monster hats, Curious George blanket, kitchen/cooking toys, books, a Marble Run, dress up clothes, and Mr Potato Head.

 

 

Ryan made eggnog donuts, scrambled eggs and sausage and bacon. We played toys the rest of the day! It was nice to be home and relaxed.

Unfortunately, Ethan was sick all day, and I spent the whole day in a panic. He had a raging fever, and on any other day I'd have taken him to the doctor. But we did NOT want to be in the ER on Christmas Day (miserable experience with Collin at 4-days-old in the hospital), so we did piggy-backing doses of Motrin and Tylenol all day. When Ethan is sick, he pukes up all his feedings when he gags on the mucus in his throat, so Ryan and I (and Ethan) went through several apparel changes throughout the day. Laundry on Christmas Day? Yuck. The fever finally broke after his 1pm dose. That part wasn't the best. He seems to be doing much better now. Thank goodness.

Merry Christmas everyone! Hope you are enjoying lots of time with loved ones.