Are these the days I'm going to miss?!

The end of summer and start of Fall weather has been great until...today. It's the first day of gloomy skies, rain, wind and cooler weather - and the kids' behavior has been about the same. Let's start off to say that Lincoln had a great 5 hr stretch of sleep last night - from 7 p.m. until midnight...hmmm...we'll have to work on the timing of that. Because then he was up every 2.5 to 3 hrs after that. So, I was a bit tired and less than thrilled when Clayton came down the stairs at 5:45 this morning. I didn't get a chance to shower before Mike left for work which usually makes things a bit tricky because I have to lock a sleeping Lincoln in his room to keep him safe from curious fingers and hope that the other two don't have any major meltdowns/arguments while I'm in the shower. Both kids had quite a few timeouts this morning for just plain not being nice to each other.

By 11:45 a.m. we were FINALLY out the door for the 2 errands I needed to run today. I let Brooke and Clayton out the backdoor to walk to the car. (Clayton has finally figured out how to walk nicely to the garage without running through the yard, playing with the garage toys or stomping in puddles on his way. I made him ride around for last weeks errands in wet pants after he stomped through the puddles - so I think we cured that!) As I was walking out with Lincoln (about 15 seconds later), I found Clayton laying on the garage floor crying and a very apologetic Brooke. She didn't want him climbing in through her side and decided to push him out of the van. Her intentions were to have him out of the car and not to hurt him - so she was upset too because she "didn't mean to hurt him." He wasn't hurt, just a bruised ego and Brooke's consequence was that she didn't get to pick out her own books at our library stop. (She was devistated.) So we made it through the library with no issues and then stopped at the Starbucks drivethrough - between lack of sleep and the events of the morning I justified the stop.

All the kids were quiet and Lincoln was still sleeping so I thought I'd make a "quick" stop at Sentry to pick up the things for dinner given that it's way too windy to take a walk there later. We got into the store and Clayton "lost it" that he had to sit in the regular cart and not the car cart (broken seat belt in that one.) After a great battle to get him seated and buckled he was still a bit hysterical as we entered the store. It was one of those scenes where lots of people are looking at you and I just give my best smile in exchange! As we approached the end of the produce area, one of the managers walked up to our cart and said to Clayton, "it sounds like he's having a rough morning - would a cookie help. Mom, is that okay with you?" I think that was code to me for - "you're distrupting the entire store - will a cookie shut him up." So although I wanted to explain to this well meaning lady that I was not about to reward his awful behavior with a cookie, I bit my tongue and politely accepted her offer.

The rest of the trip, lunch and naptime routine all went great and all kids are now sleeping! Success for now. We'll see what the evening brings...

In our Sunday school class we just started a series on Parenting. I'm so grateful for the lessons - although they aren't rocket science, they are GREAT reminders that I'm working toward my children to be productive members of society 20 years from now....one day at a time. And when all was finally quiet I did give myself a small pat on the back for not "losing my cool" during all the drama. (I can't say that happens every day!)

A girl after my own heart!

As most of you know I'm a list person - mostly because my memory isn't all that great! We have lists of what to pack in the morning, chores, to-do's, etc. Yesterday we were driving and Brooke says, "Mom, can baby Lincoln have a list too?" I told her he could and asked what would be on his list. Her response, "Cry, eat and sleep." She forgot poop, but that's okay - she got the majority of his list right!

We're officially listed!

Pass the news on...
http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/W148n8082-University-Dr_Menomonee-Falls_WI_53051_1112791290

The realtors had their walk-through this morning. Keeping a pristine house with three kids should be interesting - after one morning of making sure the house was set before we left, I'm really praying it sells quickly!

Getting bigger...

Lincoln's features are starting to fill in as he continues to gain weight. He's been eating about every 2-2.5 hrs the past couple days, so I busted out my "What to Expect in the First Year" book and sure enough 3 weeks in the first growth spurt (he's right on schedule.) I think it's funny that with Brooke I had that book opened all the time and Lincoln's 3 weeks old and I was only looking because I was somewhat annoyed by the change from every 3-4 hrs and 5 hr stretches at night to a much more frequent schedule. But that also explains the rolls that are starting to form on his legs and under his chin. Clayton came over during a diaper change the other day and patted Lincoln's belly saying, "Baby you getting a BIG belly!"

And from Brooke's report - this was Lincoln's first time grabbing the end of the Nuk. This past week was also his first trip to the library, the CFA park, and the emissions testing station!

Last, Mike and I were commenting on how his eyes are still very blue and that we think Brooke's had already started to change by this point....we'll see.

Oh Clayton, you make me laugh!

Clayton is just so silly and makes me laugh. I love the world he's discovering and how he'll repeat things he hears Mike and I say (sometimes in the correct context).

• We were at Kohl's and he proclaims "that lady has no head!" It took me a minute to realize that he was talking about the manikin.
  
• Yesterday morning Clayton crawled into bed with Mike and I - Baby Lincoln started to cry and Mike started to get up. To which Clayton exclaims, "That's not you job daddy - it's mommy's!!"
  
• The rule when we are out for a walk or going to the playground is that the kids can run in the grass, but not on the cement. I had to take Clayton to the Dr last week and had the baby with me. As we got to the car, I let go of Clayton's hand so that he could get in. He took off down this huge grassy hill - which sent me chasing him (Lincoln safely in the car already.) I told he we shouldn't run away and that we needed to go back to the car. "But mama, I running in the grass!"
  
• So the reason we were at the Dr was because Clayton had hives. When he saw his "spots" he let us know that we should cover them all up with band-aids. Apparently they fix everything.
• Clayton's favorite color is blue. He's a riot to shop with because in every aisle he proclaims that he wants the blue one. We were going through McD's for ice cream cones and Clayton yells from the backseat that he wants the blue one!!
  
• After he's naughty we'll hear "I be in trouble? I not a good listener?"
• In comforting baby Lincoln, "it's okay baby, I'm here baby, it's okay" "Or, he's crying - I get him - I make him happy!"
• We were eating lunch and Brooke was whining about something. Clayton says, "What's wrong peanut?"
  
• When Brooke was in time out he went up to her and said, "Brooke, you not make a good choice."
• As Brooke was asking how much more of her dinner she had to eat, Clayton responded before I could "Brooke, take two more bites and then you have POPSICLE!" (Clayton's huge motivator for just about anything these days is a popsicle - Brooke really could take it or leave it.)

And a Brooke story too...

• We've been having Brooke lay down each afternoon when Clayton does and she'll usually fall asleep for 45 minutes or so. Mike had been telling her when he got home what a great mood she was in on the days she had taken a nap. Friday he came home and I overheard the following... Brooke: "Daddy, can you tell I took a nap today?!" Mike: "Yes Brooke, I can, you're in a great mood." I saw the set up coming and just could respond fast enough...see - Brooke didn't take a nap on Friday. What a tricky little lady and Mike fell into the trap!

Two weeks!

Friday was Lincoln's 2 week appointment. He weighed 8 lbs 3 oz (almost 1 pound more than birth weight!) Typically by the 2 week appointment the Dr's like to see that the baby is at least back to birth weight - so, he's doing well. All else is good and he's healthy.

Clayton is continuing to work on being "gentle." He'll try to hug him while Lincoln's laying on the ground and basically Clayton ends up laying on top of him. When we try to explain to Clayton that he can't lay on him, his response is "But he LOVES me!"

Wink'n Lincoln

Many of the pictures that we have of Lincoln he has only one eye open. I think it's funny that Clayton calls him "Winkin" and that the pictures back it up.

Lincoln also seems to prefer to have his pacifier when he's not eating. Mike and I have had conversations about knowing when he's hungry vs. just knowing when he needs the pacifier because when he's hungry he vigorously roots for and then attacks the pacifier - we affectionately call it the tiger move. He usually has only one eye open then too. Mike made me laugh and then chuckle to myself for the remaining of the night time feeds when he came found me with Lincoln in tote singing "Eye of the Tiger." Maybe that's humor that's only found with lack of sleep...

1 week old

One proud big brother!

Tummy time!

It's his FIRST time!

It's hard to believe that Lincoln is already over a week old. He continues to be a great baby that eats, sleeps, and poops well - and cries very little. He even gave me almost a 4 hr stretch between feedings last night! I had intentions of posting more pictures, but that includes uploading and making choices and I just don't have the energy for that right now - so I'll post those later.

Brooke has been so funny in reminding us of all the events that are Lincoln's "firsts." Yesterday, we had a bunch of errands to run - none of which were exciting to Mike and I, all of which were necessary. At each stop, Brooke proudly exclaimed that it was Lincoln's first time to that destination.

• Mom, this is Lincoln's first time dropping off our stuff at the Goodwill.
• Mom, this is Lincoln's first time going with us to get the oil changed.
• Mom, this is Lincoln's first time going through the carwash.
• Mom, this is Lincoln's first time going to Target.

She was very disappointed that it was NOT his first time, but his second time going to Walmart and that she had missed his first trip that Mike and I took while the kids were at school.

Clayton is SO proud to hold his baby brother. We've found it to be the safest if he's in the rocking chair with the boppy and not required to support any part of Lincoln's body. He's free to poke, prod, and kiss. He's very cute to announce that "Baby Winkin has little toes, Clayton has big toes" and he'll go through all the body parts with the same comment. I've also enjoyed watching Clayton demonstrate "tummy time" to his baby brother.

Life will be interesting come next Tuesday when Mike returns to work...

Brooke and Clayton's 1st Day of Preschool

This year both Brooke and Clayton will be attending preschool at Children's Community Center (CCC) on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.

Brooke was excited that she has Ms. Megann again (she had her 2 years ago) and also Ms. Jessi. Her favorite parts of her first day were making playdough at the cooking center and reading the Kissing Hand.

Clayton seemed excited about the playground and his teacher said he had a great first day. (It may take a little bit for him to get used to walking in line and following the new rules.)

Lincoln Kyle Stanley has arrived!

Baby Lincoln decided that he didn't want to wait until our scheduled c-section this coming Friday and that he would make his appearance a bit early. God's hand was clearly seen through the day of putting all the details together for this little man's arrival. I woke up at 7 a.m. (Friday, August 28th) surprised that neither of the kids were awake yet (typically they are the alarm clock somewhere between 5 and 6:45 a.m.) I went to use the restroom and my water broke - (very conveniently in the bathroom!) I called Mike who had just arrived at work and moments earlier started to boot up his computer - he quickly shut everything down and came home to take me to the hospital. I also called my mom who was coming over that morning to help me with some final errands before baby's arrival to come over a bit earlier than planned. We headed to the hospital and they confirmed that we were indeed in labor and began pulling together the details of the operating room, doctor's, anesthesiologist, etc. We were scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. c-section (baby was breech and it's too much risk for my body to undergo a "normal" delivery anyhow). I did get to enjoy 3 hrs of intense contractions that were 2-3 minutes apart though as we waited. Everything went really well with the c-section and at 11:06 a.m. Lincoln Kyle Stanley arrived weighing 7 lbs 4 oz and was 20" long. He's a great baby and cries very little. He only let out a few squawks when he had blood drawn and was relatively content during his first bath. Our first nights home have been good and Lincoln has pretty much only gotten up to eat (not to play too!) Brooke and Clayton are loving being the "helpers" and are also having fun with all of the "new" baby toys.

Today I let them give Lincoln a bath - basically they each got a wet wash cloth and learned how to gently wash his knees, elbows, tummy, etc. Later daddy took them outside and I finished his bath with soap added to the equation. The kids were none the wiser...

Here's some of our favorite pictures so far.

Welcome, Baby Lincoln Kyle!

We have THREE kiddos.

Brooke just beaming

Clayton's not quite sure what he thinks of this new baby...

First family walk