Mother of 3

{I don't have pictures...sorry. I thought I'd warn you from the beginning. Pictures make the posts better, however, we have been using Adam's work camera, and it has decided to not let us upload the pictures to our computer. Don't worry, there will be some soon.}

Life with three children is...interesting, to say the least. We came home from the hospital on Saturday morning at around 11. It really surprised us that we were home so early. The paper said they start discharges at 11, and they really meant it. We were on the road home by then. I was ready to go home. I didn't think I could handle any more "La Buena." My roomate spoke Spanish, and apparently really liked the trashy music videos on this particular station. Hmm. Anyway, we went home without calling, we thought it would make for a better surprise. The kids loved it. Macie and Noah can not get enough of him. They fight over who gets to hold him...ALL OF THE TIME. Noah is pretty protective of his little brother. They both are pretty cute with him. Macie still is a little confused, I guess may be the right word. She really wants Mommy time, but only when I go to pick up the baby or when it's time to nurse. Her cries have gotten louder and she has now started SCREAMING. Noah has just started little tantrums, which I'm sure are baby related. We'll see how it all plays out.

My mom and brother left on Sunday morning. They weren't here for long, but it was a huge help to have the kids with them. Knowing that they were in good hands, and we didn't have to worry about taking them other places was a big helper. They were with their Momo, and they loved it. It was sad seeing them leave. My mom left me with three kids. I didn't think I could handle it. Sunday went well. Adam took the kids to church, and it was just me and Jacob. I got in a little nap, but he decided that he wanted to be wide awake for the most part. My milk hadn't come in yet, so he really wasn't into nursing much. I just fed him every like 4 hours. The night went well. He woke up twice, I think. But wasn't up long.

And then reality set in. Adam went to work yesterday morning. My mom was gone. It was me and three little kiddos. The fighting started early. Noah and Macie fought over who was going to hold him first. And then it was who got to hold his head, and who got to hold his feet. And then it was who got the blue sippy cup and who got the green sippy cup. And then it was who got to pick the movie. It just went on and on and on. I was exhausted, so I just watched them fight it out. It was quite comical. They eventually came to some sort of agreement, if you can call it that. But, after a screaming and flailing spell on Macie's part. But, we survived the morning. And I needed a shower.

I remember taking my first shower when it was just me and Noah. I didn't know what to do. Where was I going to put him? So, I usually lugged the swing into the doorway. And then Macie was born. It took more creativity with her. I'd have to get Noah engrossed in a movie, and then put Macie in the baby papasan chair. That worked pretty well. But with three? We have a separate bath. So before the baby, I would just shower while they bathed. It always worked out well. I knew where they were at. But, I still am being cautious about lifting. I overdid myself after Macie and didn't recover as quickly as I should have, so I'm trying to be really good this go around. But, I put Jacob in the papasan, and plopped the kids on the bed with a movie. But they wanted to look at the baby. It was okay. I was clean. Baby Jacob was safe. The kids were happy. It worked out. I felt pretty accomplished after the shower! But then Adam called and said I could come pick him up from work. That was a task. I got all three ready to go and in their carseats. I didn't realize how much work that would be. I even broke a sweat! I am not the kind of homebody person. I have to be going places all of the time. It drives me nuts to just sit at home. Even when I know I have so much to do at home, I just have to get out. But, I think this baby is going to totally cramp my style. I don't think I can handle three kids in a store. It was hard enough getting them into the car and into Adam's office. I think we'll be staying at home a lot more these days. Maybe I'll save lots and lots of money that way! But, we did it. We survived just the four of us. Adam came home early to save me, but for those few hours, we made it.

A home health nurse came to weigh Jacob and check his vitals and things. He weighs 8 pounds 1 ounce, the same and Noah and Macie did at birth. He's a little jaundice, but not terrible. He's a strong little booger, too. He's my big boy. He's a good little nurser, like Macie. As soon as my milk came in, he started eating every like hour and a half for a good 15 minutes. He loves it. Once again, I have quite the milk supply. I pumped a good 7 ounces last night in about 5 minutes. And, it's all cream. It's thick. I know I'll have a healthy boy! Maybe I'll get skinny again, too. I could be in my size 2 jeans again! Macie took every ounce of fat off me, and I was skinny. We'll see if Jacob is as nice! With his good nursing, however, comes the diapers. We had forgotten how many diapers newborns go through. Jeez.

Last night was a very sleepless night. I changed his diaper at about 10. I fed him, and laid him down. About 10:15, he needed his diaper changed again. And now was wide awake. 11, he went to sleep. 11:45, wanted to eat AGAIN. 12, needed his diaper changed. 12:10, another diaper change. 12:30, finally asleep. 1:30, another diaper change and wanted to eat. 3, wanted to eat again. 5, I made Adam take him downstairs while he got ready for work. 6, wanted to eat. 7:30, ate again, and needs a diaper change. It was quite the night, and starting as quite the morning. He just wants to eat and eat and eat. We'll see how Macie likes it later on. She won't be too happy that I'll be feeding him more.

But, I do love being a mother of three. I'm sure we'll work out the kinks and make it a good experience. I have good kids. They have their fair share of tantrums, but I wouldn't trade them for anything in the world. Having a third baby makes us feel more complete. I know it's going to be pretty stressful, but I signed up for it! We can do it.