Who looks like who?

A common question when you have a new baby is, "Who does s/he look like?" I don't know why but I have such a hard time answering this usually. It's difficult to compartmentalize my babies' features and remember what the others looked like as newborns. And, although for short moments I will, finding me or Ryan in their faces can also be difficult. I go back and forth with Margaret. I think she has Jo's (Ryan's) mouth and Atticus's nose and Jo's (my) eyes. But she changes so much every day who knows! Here are pictures of the kids all about 1 or 2 weeks old.

One thing I do know is that all three have been FREAKING CUTE. Freaking.

Back at home

These first two weeks I've had a lot of ups and downs. The day we got home from the hospital I started crying in Walmart. This crying continued for a few days and then went away. I figured it was my turn for the baby blues. Then last night I went to fill a prescription at Walmart. And I started crying in the store. So I think it's just Walmart. I don't really like that store. But it's 3 blocks away. Anyhow, I really love these three kiddos.

And they REALLY love each other. Jo and Tic cannot hold and kiss Maggie enough.

Maggie's first bath. I was careful to keep her modest:).

I have to say that I don't think our Camera does Maggie justice. She is beautiful.

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Margaret Marie

I apologize for taking so long to get pictures posted for those who haven't met Maggie in person yet. We just found our camera cord to transfer pictures to the computer late last night! Here are a few pictures from the hospital. I was induced on Thursday, August 19th (the day before my due date). I went in dilated to a 4 and we started pitocin around 2:30 P.M. and Mags was born at 5:46 weighing 7 lbs 2 oz. Things went really well. When I arrived at the hospital my nurse told me she wanted to make sure I was in charge of the birth plan. She wanted to know exactly what I expected and wanted to have happen. I said, "I want a healthy baby with as little pain as possible." Ha ha. Anyway, I had to wait a little while for the epidural but once numbed I was a very happy camper! It just took a couple of pushes at the end. Zero problems.

Me at full term just a couple days before delivery.

Atticus - almost 2

Jo- 3 1/2

It is absolutely AMAZING to me how things have worked out. We have truly experienced an overwhelming amount of blessings the last month and a half. Every worry has been taken care of, every detail addressed perfectly for my needs and wants. Between Ryan graduating and finding a job, moving, and having Maggie I feel so much gratitude to our Father in Heaven. He truly has a specific plan for us and is taking care of us. Thank you to all of you who have helped me so much: meals, taking the kids, gifts, visits, etc, etc, etc. I don't know how to take care of three on my own yet! So thank you for making this transition easier!

Seriously, can't wait

Last night I went out with my sisters to the Olive Garden. It was a fabulous girls night out. I'm grateful to our husbands for keeping the kids home for us and grateful to Jen for treating us! During our dinner the subject of blogs surfaced. And something was said about me never writing on this blog. Hey, some of us are blog creaters and some of us are blog posters. And we all know which one I am. I blamed my inactivity on the fact that I haven't been able to upload photos since moving into Ryan's parent's house. And... for some reason this makes it hard for me to think of anything to write. So I said if my sisters wanted to send me a picture, any picture from the internet, I would post about it. This one's from Briana.


This sandwhich looks wonderful. I shall be eating one like it in approximately 6 weeks. Not knowing the exact date increases my excitement. My sandwhich will be different from this one, however. It will be made with asiago cheese bread, turkey, provelone cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickles, green peppers, sprouts, ranch, mayo. And AVACADO. My avacado turkey sandwhich. The precious. Spawned at Hogi Yogi. It will be eaten either in the Mountain View hospital or driving home from the hospital. It will be delicious. The excitement of this meal may have slightly died with another anticipated happening. I'm assuming it will overshadow the sandwhich event. Because when I devour the said sandwhich my belly will be slightly deflated and very flabby. And I will have a baby close by. Probably sleeping. And I will be very much in love with that baby. Maggie Marie. 6 weeks from tomorrow. Can't wait.

Seriously don't read into this

Last night we went to my Mom and Dad's for dinner. Pre-eating activities were what you'd expect on a Sunday afternoon. Mostly talking with a little sword fighting thrown in the middle. The sword fighting enhances conversation, I feel, because you constantly have to be on the look out. Atticus could, might, and most definitly will chop your head off if he gets the chance. When Jo was kindly escourted to the sideline to give someone else a "waa-ting-ing" opportunity she threw herself on the couch next to me and just howled. For the sake of making small talk with my daughter I asked,"Jo, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
Through her dramatic sobs she cried out, loud enough for everyone to hear, "I JUST WANT TO KILL SOMEBODY!"

I am choosing to interpret this as a moment which exposes all 3-year-olds' natural aggression. Not a reflection of poor parenting. Either way, I think we all might want to watch our backs around a little someone who's name rhymes with foe...

Seriously a beautiful day!

Yesterday was beautiful. The day, the weather, the Jo, the Atticus. The only thing which could have made it better would have been Ryan at home all day. BUT, still beautiful. It's fabulous living at my in-laws. I am pretty much guaranteed in depth talks every night I want them. It's kind of a trade off though. If Casey and Mom and I start into a conversation... it's going to get good... and then it's going to be 1 AM before I notice the time again. Still, worth the lack of sleep. Plus I'm playing a little racquetball with family B which I really enjoy! Never has exercise been so good. And Jo gets a cousin to play with pretty much every day.

Yesterday was especially beautiful because we took a nice walk and enjoyed the sun. We got to Eric and Briana's in 17 minutes. I (21 weeks now) was a little red in the face. Briana said if we stayed outside and didn't touch, Elena could come out and see us for a minute, wave "Hello." Jo and Tic antibacteria-ed themselves and impatiently waited their cousin's presence. "I want to see Elena!" over and over until she appeared. Elena looked wonderful yesterday! It took she and Jo a minute to remember each other and adjust to some changes. "Mama, she doesn't have hair." "No, Jo, she doesn't." "And she has green." (referring to the mask Elena wore over her mouth and nose) But it didn't take long for the two to be holding hands again. Briana said this was okay, she'd just wash Elena off once back inside. Lena showed us the long necklace she was wearing. She gets a new bead every time she gets a blood transfusion or chemo treatment or has some other medical procedure. And she wore an adorable hat her Grandma Brimley lovingly made. Well, what was meant to be a quick hello turned into an hour long play date outside. It was SO wonderful to be with Elena and Briana again. To watch the kids interact as they made "messes" of bark together on the picnic table and walked on the log steps and swung on the play set. Elena seemed to be in the best spirits we've seen her in since her diagnosis. She's very weak and fell down several times. But she is still her beautiful self. I can't exactly describe each thing I love about that girl. Several mannerisms surfaced during our visit that just warmed my heart. What a lucky lady I am to have held her hand just yesterday. A beautiful day!

And, to top it all off, Ryan and I finished our day by watching Willow!