Lawson is FOUR

Like every year I love thinking back to the day you entered our world.  You showed me how a momma's heart just grows with love.  We had left your gender a surprise, but I think your dad and I both knew that another little boy is just what we needed at the time.

 

 You must have grown a lot recently because everyone comments on how tall you have gotten.  I do notice that you are losing that baby roundness as I look back at pictures.  You are still our solid little man.

Your personality is coming out more and more with each passing year.  You go from our rough and tough little man to the sweetest big brother to our sisters.  I wouldn't call you my sensitive son, but have started to show a little more sensitivity recently.  You especially don't like when anyone laughs at you for any reason, even when its just that you did something funny.  We are trying to help you understand the difference in people laughing with you :)

You have started preschool and seem to be enjoying it.  You have made some new little friends there.  If I ask what you do your response is always that you played, never much more detail than that.  I try to ask questions which works sometimes or you just say you don't know.  You go in and come out smiling everyday though so atleast you are having fun.

Playing wise you still love your animals and dinosaurs.  You have added an interest in superheros though.  You especially like batman and superman, lucky for me because I don't know much about superheros... yet.  Your favorite show is "Lion Guard."  You tackle Dad right away when he walks in the house.  Whenever we play football or practice catching the ball you just want to tackle.  If you can't tackle you don't really want to play.

Your imagination has grown so much over the past couple of months.  I think a lot of this has to do with you learning to play without Luke while he is at school.  I love listening to you though and seeing where your mind will take you.  You have enjoyed getting to play with Laney as well.  She is not always quite agreeable though to your thoughts as the younger sibling like you were.  You always went along with whatever Luke said.  She goes along with you about 50% of the time :)

As a brother you are a perfect mix.  You like to do that boy things with Luke, but are also such a great big brother to your sisters.  You want to eat, drink, and do whatever Luke does.  You will ask what he thinks first before you answer anything.  Watching you and Laney's interaction has changed so much in the past year and you guys have become such great friends.  You like to help with Lexi, but not if its something that will take long.  Your assistance is good, but short lived.  You love to lay down on the floor though and talk with her.  It is so cute to watch.

We love everything you bring to our family.  You can be silly and goofy when you want or serious and sweet.  I enjoy the cuddly moments I still get.  Every night at bed you request for me to lay with you for a bit and I just can't say no to that sweet face.  I never know when that request will be the last so I have to enjoy them while I get them.

Lexi 1 Month

Lexi is a month old.  The past month has gone by very quickly and she is just blending into our family perfectly.  We have had a lot going on and she just goes with the flow and joins in on the fun.

1 Month Update:

• Lexi still has her dark hair and dark eyes.  The hair hasn't started falling out yet.
• At her 2 week appointment she was just under 9 lbs. so we are probably around 9 or 10 lbs now.
• Lexi reminds me a lot of Lawson as a baby with her looks, except with a bow
• She eats every 3 hours and has started to be awake more between feedings 
• Bottles are used when out and about and she drinks 3-4 ounces
• Sleep is going pretty good.  She goes about 3 hours at night as well.  Usually after her 4 or 5 feeding she struggles sleeping more though and does a lot of grunting and squeaking.
• Clothes are a blend of newborn and 0-3.  Would probably be all 0-3 but our short sleeve clothes are more newborn and with the heat still here we need those.
• We are moving into size 1 diapers
• Still getting a lot of attention from siblings, especially big sister.  She loves to be close to her and in her face at all times :)
• Laney thinks she is a great momma's helper and luckily Lexi tolerates her most of the time
• Lexi is the first child I have used a wrap with but she loves it.  It has been especially handy at football games to keep her cozy and still have my hands to help with other kiddos.

Relaxing at the doctor

Morning cartoons with these two

Ready for Daddy's first game, Lexi's first big outing

Panthers win!

Sisterly LOVE

Start of the School Year

Luke and Lawson are off to a great start to the school year.  They both are attending Holy Family School.  Luke started full day kindergarten, which has been a bit of an adjustment for both mom and him.  Lawson started his first year of preschool and goes just a couple mornings a week.  Both seem to be loving school and always have good things to tell me when they come home.

I missed the boys' first day of school this year.  Apparently you can't get out of the hospital an hour after having a baby to take your oldest to school :)  Luckily we have some awesome grandparents and aunt that helped out and even took all of the requested pictures by this momma.  Erin was able to take Lawson to his first day, which I think they both really enjoyed.

Luke with his teacher

Got a picture with his principal

He got to bring a stuffed animal with him for the first day, which he loved.

Luke doesn't have a specific favorite.  He says he likes it all.  He has enjoyed getting to eat lunch at school this year, especially the chocolate milk.  Lawson likes when the teacher reads to them and getting to play.  I am looking forward to volunteering in their classroom and getting to see them learn and grow throughout the year.

We are so thankful to their wonderful teachers and all the others at the school that help out for making it such a great start for our boys!

Lexi's Birth Story

** If you don't care to hear detailed stories of child birth then skip this post **

Let me start with saying I have never been one to have a big plan all prepared for the birth of my children.  With the first three I was induced with each one.  I had high blood pressure with both the boys and just done being pregnant with Laney.  Because of this I really wanted to wait this baby out and go into birth naturally (unless medical reasons said otherwise).  At my 38 week appointment I thought that was all going out the window.  They were concerned the baby had flipped and was no longer head down.  The talk of c-section was being discussed if this was the case.  I was not prepared for that or really had ever thought that was the direction this pregnancy would head.  They scheduled a sonogram the next afternoon to check on her and see her placement.  I spent the next 24 hours wrapping my head around the thought of a c-section and having the baby later that week.  However the sonogram showed her head down and doing good so we were back on track with the waiting game.

When I went back for my 39 week appointment on Monday the 22, I was dialated to almost a two and 50% effaced.  I was having contractions but nothing consistent.  I had told this baby she had to hold out until after Thursday morning so I could take the boys to their first days of school on Wednesday for Luke and Thursday for Lawson.  She did not listen though and was on her own schedule.  I knew going to bed Tuesday night that she was coming.  I just had a feeling.  Early Wednesday morning I woke up around 3:30 and was having contractions about 5 minutes apart.  About 4 I got out of bed to see if they kept coming or stopped.  They continued so I started packing my bag and getting things ready.  I woke Erin up and called my Mom about 4:30 to come stay with the kids.  We got to the hospital and checked in by about 5:15 AM.  Contractions were still about 4 or 5 minutes apart and I was dialated to a 5.  Hearing a 5 made me think a lot about how I wanted this to go.  My water had not broke (which didn't happen until delivery) and I was already over the contractions so  I talked to the nurse about getting an epidural.  Of course you have to get fluids for 30-45 minutes before they can do that so I started watching the clock and counting down.  I was trying different positions to get through the pain but I was miserable.  I started feeling a lot of pressure so the nurse told me to get back in the bed so she could check me again.  I had dialated to a 10.  I couldn't believe I was there already, but not sure how I was going to get through it at the same time.  They had to quickly call the doctor.  The epidural thought was out the window and I was just trying to focus on getting through each contraction.  The next 5-10 minutes are a complete blur of nurses coming in and out moving things.  This is also the same time I think I went a little crazy.  Our doctor got there and 3 minutes later at 6:51 Lexi was born.  It was a fast and furious labor.  They asked me when I arrived in my labors were quick which I said yes, but I didn't expect that quick.

We were able to call the kids and share the news with them before Luke headed to his first day of school.  He was so excited and told his principal and teacher right when he got there.  The whole school even said a prayer for her that morning which shows just how special of a place it is.

I appreciate everything the nurses, doctor and my husband did to keep me focused through it all.  I know that couldn't have been easy.  Even though it wasn't what I had pictured, it was an amazing experience that blessed us with our beautiful baby girl.

Welcome Lexi

We have had a lot of changes in our world in the last few weeks.  Erin and the boys have started school, football season officially started, and biggest change is adding Lexi Jo to our family.  We are adjusting to our new normal and getting our routines figured out.  Lexi has been such a blessing to our family already.  I love watching her siblings interact with her.  They love to give her attention and are getting a little better at understanding personal space.  Erin and I are just embracing the sweet snuggles of a sleeping baby.  Lexi is handling our crazy so well and fits right in.

Meeting the Crew

First family of 6 photo

Heading Home

LOVE these FOUR