A Month

Well, I am in denial every day but this baby is growing. Her cheeks are plumping up even more, her legs are losing their chickenish appearance, her skin has lost its newborn "tan" and she's alert, oh and her receding hair line is taking over and for the life of me I can not figure out how to tame her handful of long hairs on top!

So content.

I love when they yawn. It's very satisfying.


One thing hasn't changed, however, she still likes to curl up, she was in this position for a long time and still can't quite fully embrace her freedom.

In the meantime-when she decides she doesn't need me to take a nap-we party, tea party that is. I'm the wicked witch feet, Jara has the fluffy feet (of course) and Jack has the monkey feet(of course.)

I try to give them attention when I can but it hasn't been a lot. The good news is they are becoming very resourceful and when they are not killing each other they play quite nicely. For example this is what I hear yesterday...

Slam of toilet lid

Uh-oh

Cock-a-doodle doo JACK!!! -Jara

NeeNee (his name for Jara) needs toilet paper!!! -Jack

Well they seem to understand each other if nothing else.

Just thought I'd share that.

Saturday's

Maybe because I go crazy just sitting in the house.
Maybe because its fun to have memories with your children.
Maybe because we do chores in the morning.
Maybe because we have to initiate Elise early
Maybe because the weather is under 95 for the first time since....???

Whatever the reason Jed and I like to take the children out into the local spots and have a "free" afternoon. I truly believe my children are best behaved in their natural habitat, the wild, dirt required.

Playing house, cave-man style. Jara loves to play house and play "boss of the world." Such a fun game for Jack. She can even coerces her 7-yr-old boy cousin into playing house. He's a much better sport than Jack.


This is what Elise and I do. Sit in the sand and enjoy the show. Actually Elise slept through the show but enjoyed the shade and breeze. She is in the golden stage of "easily portable."

This being the show. My husband feels the need to perform acrobatics off of lone rocks in the desert. He is very tall but can someone tuck and flip very nicely. This is mid flip, don't worry he landed on his feet. A perfect 10. Auntie Mary Lou would be impressed. (We do got the coat to prove it, that's for another post, however.)

Like father, like son (minus the flip, thank goodness.)

Like father, like daughter.

Having a tasty snack. This boy was covered in so much orange sand he looked like an Oompa-Loompa. He enjoys rolling in it for the full effect.

Baby Elise

Elise had her first photo-op this weekend, thanks to my lovely and talented sister-in-law. Isn't she precious?! She has the most delicious chubby cheeks and a calming personality. Holding her puts Jed and I to sleep and not just because we are exhausted, but because she is so peaceful. Each of my children has their own niche, Elise seems to be the "soother" so far.

Here are some of my other observations the last two weeks:

She prefers to be held snuggled right up to your chest, her hands above her head.

She is very strong and already tries to hold her head up when we lay her on her stomach.

She is easily soothed, as already mentioned and only wakes up every 3-4 hours in the night, I've never had a baby go that long without eating this early in the game!

She likes to pose her hands into the cutest positions when sleeping, almost as if she is saying "Admire my adorableness."

She HATES bath time. Bathing makes her angry. I wonder where she gets that from? ewww

She loves to be swaddled, she prefers the "Jed-baby-strait-jacket" swaddle.

Her hair is beautiful-all my babies have been furry little monkeys.

And of course-she is practically perfect in every way. (Good thing she isn't in school yet, those parents are always fun.)

He's Magic

Don't let the photo scare you. It's to further aid my point. Point being...
Jed is pretty amazing.

• He has the magical gift of soothing babies to sleep. He picks up my baby, wraps her up and 5 minutes later she is slumbering peacefully.



• He baked a cake last week that left anything I've ever proudly made in the dust.



• He made window coverings, thus alleviating the need for my blanket in the skylight.

And in case you are starting to think his talents are only domestic...

• He installed a garbage disposal that could shred a pumpkin


• Installed an air conditioner to keep us from melting in our 92 degree house!

AND...

• Fed my cats, the cats he loathes with a burning passion.


• Most importantly-he had four people completely relying on him for care. Myself being the most needy, you really know how much your husband loves you when he cares for you after a baby. I couldn't even get out of the chair without help. (C-sections don't leave you with a great deal of mobility.)

This guy deserves a medal!

Oh yeah-and who could forget the explanation for the picture. This is Jed's crawl-under-the-house-suit, necessary for performing manly duties that I could never attempt. For example, pulling dead animals from under the house, fixing duct work, running cable lines and hunting animals from under the house. shiver.

Ta-Da

She is here!

Elise Jayne

7.15 pounds

20.5 inches

She's beautiful, huge (biggest baby yet), and nicely mannered.

We are smitten.