{Life Lately}

Last week was the first week since Jonah was born that I actually felt well. Between recovering from labor, sinus infections and then an abscessed tooth and the soreness from the root canal I have been miserable in all honesty, but finally, FINALLY I feel so great and I can now appreciate even more my time off with my babies. 

We are now about three and a half weeks into Dan's crazy work schedule. Most days we see him for maybe an hour, sometimes less and sometimes not at all. He has had a couple of Sundays off which sounds really great- and we are thankful- but since he has to maintain his sleep/awake schedule it means that he still has to sleep all day and then we do get a few hours with him in the evening- better than nothing! The babies and I do our best to still have fun with him gone- some days are easier than others, but now that I'm healthy it's not so bad.

One day last week Nanna wanted some snuggle time with Jonah so Jackson, Audrey and I went to the park for one of the first warm and sunny days of the spring. I think we made up for lost time after a long winter- we played on the playground, took a walk to see the ducks, went on a bike/stroller ride and found a new trail to take a hike on. The peanut's legs were pretty tired by the end of our hike so she ended up on my shoulders and immediately passed out when we got in the car. These two- they are still the best of buddies. 

Last week I was updating our budget and was skimming over our bank statement and noticed a charge that showed up quite a few times under a suspicious name, "OLFY." At first I thought our account had been hacked again but then realized it stood for "Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt." Yep, we go there. A lot. I think Jonah has been to Orange Leaf more than almost any other place. 

Speaking of Jonah bug... he's pretty cute, even with his grumpy face on.

This past week was also Nanna's birthday. It was on Thursday. Jackson began planning the "biggest surprise party ever" on Monday. He made special signs- lots of them. He made a giant banner. He made her a gift from play-doh and he planned out what else we would need- flowers, another present and cupcakes. So, on Thursday morning we ran all the errands needed to complete her "surprise party" and then Thursday evening we went to Nanna's house. Jackson went inside and ordered Nanna to her bedroom so he could set up the party and he immediately began instructing Pop on how to help him hang the signs and set up the party. The boy loves parties and he loves Nanna- oh, and he loves cupcakes too. I'm not sure in which order those come.

On Saturday Mamaw offered to take the babies for awhile so I could have a break. I asked if she would like to just spend time with Jonah so I could take Jackson and Audrey to Entertrainment Junction. They loved it and Jonah loved the quiet, cuddle time with Mamaw. He definitely prefers it to be quiet when he's sleepy and that rarely happens when his big brother and sister are around. 

And finally, Jonah's first time at church. It took me awhile to get him there because I wanted to stay away for his first month because of flue season and then since I wasn't feeling well and I don't have Dan around it just didn't happen until this week. I'm so thankful to be feeling well again because our church isn't just a place I should be going or want to be going... it's a place I need to be going. It is so good for my soul and brings me so much peace and happiness. I took a very sneaky photo during service because Jonah, of course, couldn't stop looking all over at all the new sights and sounds. He is the most curious baby- if he sees or hears anything he will almost break his neck looking for it. His inability to sit still reminds me of his daddy. 

Brothers. (Jonah at 7 Weeks)

Jackson at 7 weeks HERE.
Audrey at 7.5 weeks HERE.

The face of a Peanut. A rotten little Peanut.

jonah bug at 6 weeks (better late than never...)

{life lately- jonah at 5 weeks}

Jonah bug requires a lot, a LOT of cuddle time. He's also decided that he's going to be grumpy every night from around 9 until midnight.  Luckily, he's seriously cute.

I'm not a big fan of the "selfie" but I've realized that if my children are going to have any evidence that I actually existed in their youngest years then I'm going to have to resort to it since I'm always the one taking pictures. 

Jonah and I also got our first post-baby run in this week. My incredibly slow pace bored him right to sleep. Unfortunately, my lingering sinus infection (yes, I still have one.. it's miserable) has kept me from running again. I'm hoping to get back out there later this week assuming I start feeling better. 

And we're attempting to stay busy and entertained without Dan around. We are almost 2 weeks in to his new work schedule that lasts until May- he is working 7 days a week and long shifts which means I'm pretty much on my own.  

Oh, and I may have turned the big 3-0 this week. More on that later... 

I have moments every day amid the sleep deprivation insanity where I just stop and think... are these three really mine? Was I really chosen to be their mom? Crazy blessed. 

...with my 5 week old Jonah. This week he is suddenly very alert. He likes to be held upright when he's awake so he can turn all around and look at everything. He has also started to smile a lot more and coo a little bit. I love this little man so much.  

Audrey doing what Audrey loves best, reading books. Today she came up to me and said, "Mommy I need to tell you something... you have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And you are the gal who'll decide where to go." ...she may be a mean little 2 year old, but she amazes me with the stuff she knows. 

date with jackson: the CIRCUS!

When I realized that the circus was coming to town I knew that I wanted to take Jackson- I knew he would love it and I also knew we would be needing some one-on-one time at this point with so much of the past month being devoted to getting settled with Jonah. 

The circus did not disappoint...

jonah daniel: ONE month

Jonah turned one month on Friday- a MONTH! This past month has honestly been somewhat of a blur and I'm ready to start his second month off on a better foot. He is the sweetest and most cuddly baby, but I've unfortunately been sick almost this entire time with what we thought was a severe sinus infection, but actually turned out to be an abscessed tooth which ended in an emergency root canal on Friday. Fun! But I'm so thankful to be out of pain for the most part now and am more than ready to move forward and able to actually enjoy this little guy. So far Jonah looks a lot like Jackson's baby photos, but I think with some different features that remind me a lot of Dan. His laid back, easy-going nature is a lot like Audrey was at this age with pockets of Jackson in there too when he insists on being held during parts of his naps or at nighttime. Overall, this little guy has completely stolen my heart. We love you, Jonah bug! 

Jackson at one month HERE.
Audrey at one month HERE.

my little jonah bug.

{life lately}

Lots of baby snuggle time... at all hours of the day and night. 

Nothing makes me happier than organization and order. Dan finished designing and building the shelves for the new bathroom this week and we implemented a new rules/reward system for Jackson and Audrey.  

Sleepy boy. Here's to hoping this week his sleepy time happens more during the night. 

Messy little monsters during art time.  

While the night time duties are exhausting, they are so worth it for the Jonah snuggles. There is nothing better than having a baby sleeping peacefully on your chest.  

Daddy's helpers in the kitchen. They took advantage of a cold and snowy Sunday by baking. The peanut only bakes in her panties.  

This was also our first week on our own as Dan went back to work after his 2 weeks off for Jonah. Overall it went really well although by the end of the week my lack of sleep was starting to get to me. Jackson and Audrey have done a good job of playing together during the times I need to tend to Jonah- here was one time I overheard them upstairs reading books together. Jackson loves to teach Audrey and every once in awhile she actually listens and lets him.