Sunday, June 29, 2008

Simply Wonderful



"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
~Laura Ingalls Wilder



"I laugh, I love, I hope, I try, I hurt, I need, I fear, I cry. And I know you do the same things too, So we're really not that different, me and you."
~Colin Ray


Today I am finding joy and peace and beauty in the simple things. The smiles of each of my girls, the beautiful rose Tyler cut from our yard last night, the way his eyes smile when he looks at me and our girls.... Life is good

Friday, June 27, 2008

Training the dog

I was grilling steak outside and went out to check on it. Kaci was out on the patio looking distressed. I asked her what the problem was.

She said " I got a cockroach smushed and it started walking again."

I looked down at her bare feet and asked if she really stepped on one. (yuck)

She said, "No, I don't have shoes on!" (good... she didn't really step on a cockroach barefoot.)

Then she said "I taught Cocoa to step on them! He didn't do a very good job though, because it started walking again."

So now my question is: How does a 3 year old train a dog to step on a cockroach?

Thursday, June 26, 2008

A rainbow in the storm

Last night, all 3 kids were crying at the same time. It was fun. (not)

Kaci was "wrestling" (beating) on Shanna while they were trying to sleep. So, Tyler separated them. Kaci had to go sleep in the guest room. That punished both of them. (Shanna is not so innocent either) Kaci was of course crying because she got removed. Shanna was crying because she was "scared." (I think she missed her sister and also felt a little guilty because she was screaming like she was getting her toe nails pulled out when really she was just being bugged a bit.)

Anyways, just when the noise couldn't get louder, Sara joined in. Luckily her crying never lasts very long. (Who knew that an 8 year old could cry louder and longer than a newborn.)

But then the miracle happened. Sara nursed for the first time! I don't know if I can expect it to ever happen again, but it was like the rainbow in the middle of the storm that lets you know that it will pass soon. For just one feeding, it made all of the special equipment and time spent pumping feel worth it. Maybe she will figure this out after all. We'll see how it goes today!

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Plums


These might be as small as cherries, but they are so sweet. I made a small batch of jam out of some of them... Yum!

3 Weeks Old


Sleeping like a princess

No More Mean Kaci

Kaci has been such a stinker lately. Yesterday, I decided she was going to have a nap, or I would lose it. I put a relaxing CD on, and snuggled her and soon she was sleeping like a little angel. When she woke up, she was all smiles and announced that "Mean Kaci" was gone. She told me that she had put "Mean Kaci" into jail and locked her up tight.

"Nice Kaci" hung around for a few hours, and then she started turning back into "Mean Kaci." I asked her if that was how "Nice Kaci" would act. She said "Oh no, Mean Kaci is getting loose!" She then locked up "Mean Kaci" tighter.

Just for the record, her labels of "Mean Kaci" and "Nice Kaci" came from her, not me! I am just happy that she finally gets the whole concept of choosing how to act!

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Where does the time go?

No, I have not been slacking, I have been busier than ever before. It makes it difficult some days to do the things that I enjoy. I got pretty spoiled with Shanna and Kaci getting older and being able to occupy themselves and be self sufficient. Sara is such a great baby, but it seems like everything hits the fan all at the same time. This morning (well afternoon...) I was trying to make my bed, make lunch, clean up all of the night time bottles all at the same time. Sara was hungry (feeding her is a story for another day) Kaci was onery, and Shanna wanted to know where I keep the rope and nails. Apparently she wanted to build a human zip line with a car seat. (I'm not kidding.)

Yikes

I am still learning to manage it all. However, those sweet moments of feeling baby breath on my neck when I snuggle Sara, or watching Shanna give her nose kisses, or hearing Kaci sing her a song when she is crying makes it all worth it.

Saturday, June 21, 2008

Bubbles in the tub

The other night the girls were in the bath. I was busy with Sara, but was still staying close to monitor the splash zone aka bath tub. They got quiet for a minute and Shanna said:

"Kaci, what were those bubbles?"

I was ready for her to start telling Kaci how gross she was and that they were going to have to drain the water.

Kaci said "I don't know."

I had the countdown going in my head before I heard "MMOOOOMMMMM!!!"

But then Shanna said "That's what happens when you toot in the tub."

Hmmm... I guess it was the older one who is guilty. Now I am waiting for Kaci to have her turn calling her sister gross. But, again, I was wrong...

Because then Kaci said "COOL! How do you do that?"

Am I raising ladies or frat boys?

Thursday, June 19, 2008

First Pearls

I just had to make Sara her first bracelet tonight. She is a lucky girl to have pearls as her birthstone.


This is how we found her after we took the first pictures! I think she had enough of the bright flash!

Hospital Pictures Slideshow

It took me a while to get to it, but here are some pictures from the day Sara was born.

Click to play Sara
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Yikes x3

Ok, so maybe I don't have it all figured out...

Yesterday was a little rough... I did finally shower at noon. We ate lunch at 3:00. I took Sara for her first outing to the doctor. (With the other 2 kids in tow.) I also took Shanna to her dance class with the other 2 kids.

Driving in the car with 3 kids is scary. When I was driving yesterday I looked in the back. There was a car seat and Kaci that I saw. I looked next to me, there was Shanna. I don't know how to describe the feeling except for it sure felt like a full car!

Sara is growing well, she weighed 7 lbs 4 oz, up a full pound from the day we left the hospital. She also grew an inch, she is now 20". She has a large head... I think all of the girls did as babies though. Shanna and Kaci were so concerned for her to get her heel poked. They claimed to need a bathroom break around the time the nurse came in the room. They were bummed that they came back too soon. I thought it was pretty sweet how concerned they were. (Of course she did fine... I was in tears when Shanna was a baby and had to get poked, but I guess I'm over that now and I did good too!)

When Shanna was a baby, I clipped her finger nails once and accidentally cut her. I felt so bad it became Tyler's job. I never cut Kaci's when she was a baby either. I figured last night that I could carefully cut Sara's... I thought I had until I saw blood on her sleeve. Poor baby. She got her first pink band aid and I won't cut her nails again. Even now Shanna would rather that Tyler cut her nails.

But, today is a new day. Maybe I will have some extra wisdom from surviving yesterday! (And maybe I'll get a shower before noon!)

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Thanks Nana!

Here are some pictures from our fun two weeks with my Mom. Shanna got to have some big girl time shopping with her, Kaci had fun snuggling and drinking cocoa in the mornings and having Nana at her dance recital. Sara loved just being in her arms. I loved having her comfort and support. Our quiet mornings when she'd come visit me at the hospital were special, and she could always tell when I just needed a Mom hug. We had such a great time having her here. We love and miss her a lot!


Click to play Nana
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Thanks Grandma and Papa

Here are some fun pictures from when Tyler's parents were here. The girls had such a great time with them... some highlights were fishing, Kaci's recital, visiting the hospital, baking cookies, Kaci getting her nails done, Shanna having "knife lessons", snuggle times, and so much more. They are the greatest and we miss them a lot!


Click to play Papa and Grandma
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Day 1 Solo

Sometimes you just need a kiss from your Mom...

It has been so nice having her here. It was a sad goodbye this morning. She has done so much for me while she was here. She always seems to know just what I need. That hasn't changed even though I have been on my own for all of these years. It is so great seeing my daughters having fun with her too. Thanks Mom!

It was also hard seeing Tyler's parents go last week. I consider them my parents too. They are so great to me. Not only did they raise an amazing son, they support me and our girls as well. The girls had a great time with them, and they were so helpful to me and Tyler.

I won't lie and say that there wasn't a learning curve today, my first day alone with all three girls. I am sure I'll get better at it. But, it is now almost dinner time and here's a picture I just snapped. I must have done some things right today, everyone is happy at the moment!

Monday, June 16, 2008

You add the caption


Did you ever think about the expressions you would make if you couldn't communicate with words?

Sunday, June 15, 2008

Happy Father's Day Tyler!

Daddy,

Happy Father's Day! We love you so much. Thanks for making all of us laugh and smile and feel happy. You are such a sweet, hard working and fun Daddy (and husband!) and we are all so lucky to have you in our lives!

Love, Your Girls

Click to play Happy Father's Day!
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(If you have not downloaded Smilebox, you'll need to in order to see this!)

Saturday, June 14, 2008

~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~ Sara Lynn ~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~'~

Sara Lynn Swenson
June 4th, 2008
7:53 am
6 lbs 14 oz, 19" long


She is so sweet. She wins the award for the best baby in the Swenson household. She is calm and peaceful and sleeps so well. If she were our first baby, you wouldn't even know she was here most of the time. However, she does have one downfall. (A big one for me.) She refuses to nurse. So, that means lots of time on my part spent pumping, and lots of sweet Daddy time when he feeds her. I am really hoping that she will learn soon. I love that special time spent quietly nursing my kids. She is such a Daddy's girl, which pleases Tyler so much. Whenever he is holding her and she hears his voice, she tilts her head up and gazes at him with her big beautiful eyes.




The girls love to hold her and feed her. They run into my room when they hear her waking from a nap to be next to her. Things have not transitioned as easily as it did when we brought Kaci home. There have been hurt feelings and squabbles among the older sisters. Kaci is having a hard time not having my attention all day long. I am sure that before long, everyone will realize their special place in the family again and life will run smoother. I don't know how I would have done this without my Mom and Tyler's parents being here. They have helped in so many ways. I am feeling panicked about how fast Tuesday is coming when my Mom leaves. I am not sure how I am going to do it all.



Life seemed to stand still when Shanna was born. It slowed down when Kaci came, but this time I feel like the merry-go-round of life keeps spinning. I wish it would slow down and stop for a while. However, I do feel so blessed. I have the most amazing husband ever and I love the life we have built together. I never thought I would have three daughters. They are each so beautiful and special to me.

Tuesday, June 03, 2008

Here We Go!

It's almost time! I have to be at the hospital tomorrow morning at 6am, my c-section is scheduled for 7:30... We will post pictures when we can. Tyler and I are both nervous but also excited! Wish us luck! (And a healthy baby!)

Monday, June 02, 2008

Shanna's Baptism

Shanna was baptized on Saturday afternoon by her Daddy. She looked so beautiful and it was so special for her to have her Grandma and Papa here!

I didn't have enough pictures to fill up the slide show, so hit the "back button" on the bottom to see the all of the pictures. It is starting it from the ending for some reason.

Click to play Shanna's Baptism
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