Just Because

To Nap or Not To Nap

We have been having a tough time figuring out what would be best for Jackson these days. Jackson has been going to bed at 7pm since birth - that is until maybe six months ago. It slowly moved to 8 or 8:30 but even at that, he would go to bed and be out in no time. These days, maybe the last two months, he is in bed for a good hour or so before he falls asleep. So the question is, do we continue giving him an afternoon nap. This kid gets SO cranky by the middle of the day and I can't stand his afternoon behavior when he doesn't have a nap. But now that I am not in dire need of a nap anymore, I thought maybe I would help him get out of the habit of naps. Well after the second day with no nap, this is what we found at 6pm. We were looking for places to live and he was watching a show - Andrew went out there to check on him and couldn't believe his eyes.Needless to say, I am going to try a nap today. We will see...

First Bath With Dad

Girl Talk

Jackson thought Andi had some calls she needed to make - I am sure we will see something attached to her ear all too soon!

I'm A Big Boy

Mom, You are no longer allowed to feed me, I can do it myself. And I will now be wrestling with my brother Jackson so look out! Love, Ryan.

Not What I Was Looking For

Andi had been smiling on and off for a good fifteen minutes - so I tried to capture it. As soon as that flash would go off, this is what I would get.

Stroller

I want this stroller so badly but I just found out it won't fit in my car very well - do I still get it?? I think I will but I am bummed it's not as perfect as I thought it would be.

Ooh LaLa

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Happy Birthday Bri & Wes

Love you guys!

Last Sponge Bath

It was nice while it lasted grandma but I have to say, I am so glad my cord is gone!! Thanks for keeping me clean this week - I loved the warm water. Love, Andi

Sleeping Babes

JACKSON-RYAN-ANDI

Random

It was wonderful watching Jackson with Ryan because I was no nervous he wasn't going to welcome Ryan into the family - but he loved him from the very beginning. It can also be said of his feelings for Andi - the difference being he understands a little bit more, being 11 months older now, that he needs to be gentle, or that Mommy needs to feed Andi. He's such the helper it's amazing.

Saturday we made the journey outside. We took the boys to play out in front of our garage and it just so happened the neighbor kids were out there too. I was holding Andi and so I brought out Jackson's tractor so he could get used to it a bit more. Needless to say, the tractor graduated to second gear and extreme speeds. This kid now needs a race track, it was pretty hilarious to watch.
While we were playing, we were surprised by our friends, Matt and Michalle. It was great to see them and catch up a bit. They brought us some Friendship bread - ever tried it?? Considering it uses a "starter" in which has been sitting out for five days and no one really knows all that's in it, it's pretty good bread!
Shortly after my parents came by the take us to dinner. This reinforced the fact that we so didn't plan on another kid - our stroller is simply not ideal. I never thought I would be looking for a stroller to accommodate THREE kids!

Yesterday Andi wore her first real outfit - and yes it's pink, and yes I liked how she looked. Who would have thought I would become a fan of pink!?!? I just can't wait until she's six months old and I can get her ears pierced!!!!

And last but not least, Jackson has this thing, ever since we tried taking our Christmas pictures, to close his eyes for pictures. It's our fault really, we laughed hysterically the first time he did it and so it stuck.

Time With Gramma Nette & Papa

Friday night Gramma Nette and Papa came over for dinner and so one-on-one time. Papa was sick when Andi was born, so he was anxious to come on over and meet her.

After dinner Andrew made a Coldstone's run and everyone, especially Mr. Ryan, was very pleased. Andrew went a little trigger happy watching Ryan, but they are pretty funny shots.

Cruising Buddies

Now that they are facing the same direction, I get to see their fun interactions. It's so exciting watching them grow up together!

So exciting that they just couldn't handle it anymore - oh boy, Cheetos and a rolled up shirt, what a sight!

First Bath

As you may remember from the other kids, my mom has the tradition of bathing the kids until their cord falls off. Considering I rarely have two hands these days, well even one free hand, this is about five days old.

She did fairly well - there was screaming and what have you, but she recovered quickly.

After her bath she was ready for her first doctor's appointment. There she found out she had lost about a pound in two days, but all is well. She also caused her brother some pain for the first, but certainly not last, time - MR. RYAN had a get a flu shot - oh it's just the beginning :)

Jackson was all caught up - thankfully, I didn't want to have to deal with his mood change after a shot!

Andi Anderson

This picture is OBVIOUSLY AFTER my EPIDURAL! This pregnancy and labor and delivery was VERY different from my other two. Where to begin.... Because both the boys were early and because I was HUGE, I thought for sure I would go into labor early. This is an awful way to enter the last few weeks of your pregnancy because you are on pins and needles each and every second. So needless to say, I was going crazy waiting for it all to begin and each false alarm was very upsetting.
But then Tuesday morning around 2:50am I thought it had to be it. My contractions were SO real but they weren't very close to one another. With the boys I felt them when they were about 3-5minutes apart and at that interval, you can pretty much count on going to the hospital. But here I was, in pain, but only 8-10 minutes apart. I woke Andrew up around 4am because they went to about 6min. and we talked and planned and so forth. But then at about 5am, it all stopped. I got up to take a shower and see what was going on - nothing. I think about 5:30am I fell back asleep. 6:30am the boys woke up and so we were all up - Andrew made crepes and I had occasional pain but I didn't know what to think of it. So I decided that either way, I was going to go to the doctor's to check things out.
9am the office opened and I called. At that time I was also back to ten minutes apart and thinking this could be it. My nurse, Donna, told me to come on in and maybe they would break my water. Annette arrived here at 10:15am and Jackson was very understanding that we had to go to the doctor's to get Baby Andi.
I got there and was dilated to four and not really in active labor. After walking around for 20minutes, I came back dilated to 6, fully effaced, and ready to go. After breaking my water at 12pm, the show really started. I had never been that far without an epidural and I do not recommend it. We went straight to the labor and delivery floor and I wanted to scream. I felt so gross and so miserable. A LONG half hour or so later I got the drugs - YES!!!! You wait nine months for that pleasure and so I really feel I got jipped because I only had the "goods" for about an hour and a half :( Which meant, I wasn't feeling it as much as I have in the past and so I really felt things this time. Granted it wasn't drug free, but it was more than I wanted.

After maybe five minutes of pushing, Andi made her way into our world! We thought she had dark hair - turns out it's WAY blonde!

My parents were waiting OUTSIDE the door of course but were in there the minute they got the word.

We couldn't believe the resemblance to Jackson.

Later Annette and Tori brought the boys - our first attempt at a family picture was interesting to say the least! At first Jackson was not thrilled to be in the room - he saw my IV's and basically turned the other way and left me in his dust! But once Andi was brought into the room, Jackson was willing to come back and wanted to see "Baby Anni". Just like he was with Ryan, Jackson was so in love! Ryan, ummm not really sure what was going on :)

We were just there 11 months ago, Andi is healthy, and I couldn't sleep due to all the noises and the thought of my sad little man away from us - SO we asked to leave a day early and so after our 24hours from delivery, we were able to leave!!!

We can't believe just a few months ago Ryan was in this very seat looking this small. Actually - SMALLER. Ryan was 7lbs 6oz and Andi was 8lbs 3oz (but leaving today she's only 8lbs - still my biggest because Jackson was 7lbs 12 oz).

It's great to be home. We were blessed once again to have our families so close, willing and able to watch the boys. But I think we will all rest better tonight being back together under one roof in our own beds - there's nothing like it :)

Mr. Ryan is now officially the BIG BROTHER!

Andi has been very sleepy since we have been home - what a day for us all!