Bringing Baby Home

While in the hospital, my parents came a few time with the boys to see us. They were very excited to meet "the sister." But they were also excited to leave and go back to Grandma's house to play with their new legos. I definitely didn't have to worry if they were happy while we were away. :)

Here's Dad finally getting a chance to hold her. Why don't I have a picture of my mom holding her?


Our friends Ryan and Julie came to see her too. They brought lots of presents for everyone including this headband for Brynn.


On April 9th, we were ready to go home. I for one was looking forward to not being woken up every hour for them to check my vitals, check my body, bring me the baby that was kicked out of the nursery... twice. I was tired, cranky, and mad at the nurses.


I mean, just cuz a baby is crying doesn't always mean she's hungry. All it took was to hold her and she fell right asleep. Feeding her every hour and a half is a little unnecessary in my opinion.


After being given the okay by my doctor, her doctor and the nurse, we packed her up and got out of there. I'd have to say my favorite hospital stay, was NOT this one.


We came home and got things put away just in time for the boys to come home.






They were so happy with their new sister that they wanted to make something for her... through Kaleb's orchestration...


Jaden built a track, Kaleb made a cake and Bradley built a temple. They sang happy birthday a few times.


We all took turns holding and cuddling her the whole day. But not without washing hands first. I think this might have been more fun for Bradley then the actual holding of the baby!





Bradley has grown a bit. It's crazy how big the youngest looks when you bring home a new tiny baby.


Then it was bed time.


This little outfit from Julianne kept her nice and warm.


We made it through our first night, and took naps in shifts during the day. The boys were just counting down the seconds till they could hold her again. In fact, as soon as Jaden got up he went straight into Brynnlee's room. Then he came and woke me up a little panicked. "Mom, I went to check on Brynnlee and... she's not there!" I quickly reassured the sweet boy that his sister was fine and that she was asleep in my bed at the moment. What a good brother. :)







Okay, here's a picture of my mom holding Brynn.


Brynnlee was such a heavy sleeper. I mean, newborns are all pretty sleepy, but she was the worst. It took me forever to wake her up enough to get some food. Not only that but she was classified as a "lazy nurser," so I was REALLY having to work to get her to eat. Which explains why she didn't gain back her birth weight by her 2 week checkup.


And here she is getting her first bath at home. On the kitchen counter. No fancy baby tub when it's your 4th baby...(or 3rd, or 2nd... or even 1st if you are us). Besides, the second you set them in that warm water they're just gonna pee and you'll be cleaning them in pee-water. Just get the job done.

Amber

About a week after Brynn was born, we got to have Aunt Amber over for a visit.


Amber lives in Boston, and she chose to miss coming out over Christmas so that she could come after the babies were born. She stayed with us for about a week before continuing on to CA to see Brynnlee's twin cousin, Zoe. :)


Having Amber stay with us was not only fun, but really a huge help to me. I was not only super sleep deprived, but having an extra set of hands with 4 kids while Charles was back at work was very nice.


Just being able to take a shower without having to worry about the kids was a huge relief. And if I wasn't awake when the boys got up, Amber took care of breakfast for them.


Amber made these Rice Krispie Easter Eggs with the boys. They were pretty good too! :)


She even took the boys to the new Jump n Bounce...


twice!


Although I know all the boys had fun with their Aunt Amber, I think Bradley enjoyed her the most. He would wait by her door till she woke up in the morning and sometimes he climbed in bed with her and played with her iPhone.


He was found cuddling with her on her lap a lot, and always wanted to sit next to her at the table. If he couldn't see her, we would ask, "Where Amber?" He also asked Amber to give him a mohawk.


But I think Bradley's favorite thing to do with her... was this:

Over and over and over... Amber- you're a trooper! :)

Jaden's Birthday

I can't believe Jaden is 7. He's all grown up! This year, it was all about Legos. Lego Star Wars, Lego Ninjago, and the newest craze.... Lego Pirates of the Caribbean.

Amber was in town for his family party.

I usually try to be all creative with the cake, but this year we went easy because I had just had Brynnlee, and was too much in Zombie-mode to think up anything. Which worked for Jaden. He said all he wanted anyway was nothing but chocolate.


Jaden's friend party was at some Karate joint. It was awesome. All we had to do was provide the cake, and these people took care of the rest. My kind of party.



They played lots of games...


...did obstacle courses...


...a pinate...


...cake and ice cream...

Kare and Curtis were here for his Friend Party

...and he even got to cut his cake with a real ninja sword.


Jaden at 7:
~Loves all things Lego
~Hoards his Legos more than he plays with them
~Mostly collects Lego: Star Wars, Ninjago and Pirates of the Caribbean
~Like to play his "Nintendo DSi XL" and always have it charged
~Loves to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid books
~Asks to play with friends after school just about everyday
~Is Kaleb's hero
~Takes good care of his siblings
~Still mommy's best helper
~Will listen and follow... but is can be manipulative
~Too smart for his own good sometimes
~Still extremely sweet and sensitive
~Fav. foods- rolls, oreos, chips, pasta and strawberries
~Does very well in school... especially in math and handwriting.

We love you Jaden. You're growing up too fast. :)

Building a "Nap"

Bradley wanted to build a "nap" for Brynnlee. He started making it long and skinny. When he realized that she kept knocking it down because she couldn't fit, he altered his design.


That seems to be working a little better.


One more piece...


Ta-da! A nap for "baby Binny." Such a good big brother. :)