Florida Smiles.

The Gang!

We were thrilled that Matt's parents (Grams and Pax) and Matt's nephew, Gino, were able to come out for a visit this summer. They all live in Spring Hill, Florida and are missed dearly. The night before they arrived Luke could not sleep and came out if his room and asked, "Are lots of hugs and kisses coming my way?" Oh, they sure did!

The week was action packed- a trip to the Alpine Slides and a follow up trip to ride the roller coaster, bumper boats and amusement park rides. (This reminded both Matt and I how we can't do spinning rides- ugh.) We also fit in lots of time on the porch with the boys praciticing golf and baseball, a movie night, a morning at the splash park and Clement Park, miniature golf, a baseball game (kind of as Luke got sick), and hiking. Lots of wildlife popped up too- deer, elk, a rattlesnake and bunnies, welcome to Colorado!

It was a time we will always cherish with so many wonderful memories and laughs. We are so thankful they all made the journey so we could spend this time together.

The boys were spoiled rotten. This helmet and jersey are now a prized possession.

Oh how James loves Gram's arms!

Riding the slides. Luke wanted to ride with Gino because he knows the heavier the weight in the sled the faster you go!

We love and miss you all!

We made it....I hope.

Going into this whole third baby scenario I knew 6 weeks was my usual breaking point. In the past it involved lots of tears, sayings like "I can't do this" and "What were we thinking?" Sure enough, it came but I held out a little longer than usual, 7 weeks 1 day.

James was sick and I was on my way to the pediatrician, I backed into a parked car and completely wrecked the tailgate of my minivan (which I LOVE), had not slept more than 3 hours that night and was just finishing up antibiotics. Why was I on antibiotics? Good question as I had not taken any in years, so long I can't even remember but my nipple was severely damaged from nursing. I tried Polysporin, Gentian Violet, different nursing positions, advice from lactation consultants and nothing was working. 6 weeks into it I was still crying each time Baby James latched on and would break out in a sweat. I started a 10 day course of medicine and on the 9th day nursed with no tears. Whoo, relief, thank you. But when my dad called that morning I think the conversation went something along the lines of, "I am so tired. I can't do this. I just backed into a car" BUT lo and behold just a mere 2 weeks later we survived and are actually thriving. I got 7.5 hours of sleep last night! Yep, ME, 7.5 hours. I woke up ready to run a marathon, climb Mt Everest, start extreme couponing- just do something BIG! When all was said and done, I ran 3 miles AND took a shower. A good day to say the least.

I am keeping all of my finger's and toes crossed that this is not a fluke and we are on our way to blissful sleep each and every night. We will see but now that I am a bit more coherent I wanted to jot down those things that are "life changers" with a newborn. I would like to thank.....

1. Babywise. This is the book that changed it all. I started the program with Luke and continued it with Eli. Amazing. Yes, the baby does cry it out which some folks don't agree with but I think of it as winding down. Just like I might read a book or take a bath. The little guys are wrapping up their day. The basic premise is you work off a schedule- the babe eats, plays and then sleeps usually in a 3 to 4 hour block. With two older kiddos I have had to be a little more flexible but overall, we love it! Lots of sleep makes for a happy baby.

2. Miracle blanket. This little blanket can make your newborn into the tightest little sausage swaddle ever. No breaking out of it which means longer naps. Interestingly enough James is the first baby we have had that soothes himself by sucking. He is finding his thumb so I am going to have to figure out how to make the swaddle work for him- I have left an arm out, given him a pacifier. I am still experimenting.

3. Napping. Everyone told me with Luke to nap when he naps. Why did I not listen? I was able to make it work so all 3 kiddos nap or have quiet time simultaneously each day. Which means I have actually laid down and taken a quick nap. This can change the whole perspective on the day and make the sleepless nights bearable.

4. Eat. With Luke and Eli I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight at 8 weeks. Here I am at 9 weeks and am close but not there. Why? Because I eat and boy does it feel so much better. I snacked when little guy was getting up at night and it felt great. I also think it made for a faster recovery overall. So simple, so effective.

5. Accepting help. This go around my parents were here for 2 weeks to help me, we have Mrs. Mary during the week to help and my in-laws and nephew will be coming for 2 weeks. It really does take a village and I know this is not profound but the extra hands and hugs make a difference!

Minus the breakdown this post partum has been wonderful :) Maybe I am more at ease or a little more laid back but I am begging Matt for one more (baby that is). His response, "No way". My response, "We already have to get the big table when we go out to restaurants."

Her Bridal Shower.

What a joy it was to host my sister's bridal shower with my cousin, Jenna. A day to celebrate just her.....her beauty and love are endless. My best friend.

We were all once Lampe girls or still are!

My sister's most amazing friends, Jenny and Kristi.

So sweet.

Yep, happy!

Summer Lovin'

So my little sister, Jamie, got married June 19th. We now share the same wedding day and I was so thrilled to be part of her wedding. She had a vision- mountain cabins, vintage feel, an abundance of flowers and lots of love.

My sister and brother, Jamie and Travis. Twins!

Our whole family rallied together the day of the wedding to transform the grounds of this cabin retreat. It was beautiful already but throw in glass vases filled with peonies and wildflowers, photographs hung from twine twisting down wooden poles, haystacks covered with bright blue, purple and yellow fabric, picnic tables adorned with homemade napkins, colorful plates and delicious organic food, and key lime pie flown in from Florida. Oh perfection!

Jamie looked beautiful! Gasp worthy. The weather held out through the ceremony and dinner. The skies then opened and poured down rain, good luck ya know.

Lily and Marley are the sweetest girls and looked just beautiful. So sweet.

Jamie dancing with our most amazing father.

All smiles.

Oh and Luke caught the garter. Everyone cheered and he stood there stunned. He decided it was best suited as a headband.

It was lovely. Exquisite in every way. Congratulations Jamie and Jex!!

Chins.

If you ask me there is just nothing cuter than chubby babies and chubby cats. Since we don't have any cats I am thrilled I finally have a chubby baby. Baby James was fighting a little cold last week so I took a quick trip to the pediatrician. He weighed in at 12 pounds 6 ounces. Holy cow! The doctor could not believe it and I am just glad all of our hardwork (late nights breastfeeding) is paying off. Matt told me, "Check out his chins." Usually those don't come in pairs but I love that his do.

Brothers.

The boys do look a like, sort of. Here are pictures of each of them at one week old.

The first picture is James, the second is Eli and the third is Luke!

So, that is why they call it labor!

Leading up to the arrival of Baby James, we were told stories again and again at the birthing center about fast labors, mommas delivering at home, in the car, etc. So, Matt and I knew we needed to have a plan in place and act quickly to have the calm, peaceful birth we hoped for. However, we were also warned that Baby #3 was usually a Wild Card, meaning they tended to not follow the pattern of previous births.

Little James proved to be our Wild Card in so many ways!

Saturday:

6pm- We are outside and the boys riding bikes, I am planting my first terrarium and it all starts. A back ache, subtle but enough to make me notice.

7pm- The backache continues and I decide to start timing- 8-15 minutes apart. Now I get flashbacks from when Eli is born. I went from this point to delivering him in 2 hours. I decide it is time to call my doula. She recommends I take bath and give her a call back to see if anything has changed. It has not.

8pm- I call the midwife. Sarah is on call and we discuss my past labors and desire for a calm and peaceful birth this go around. The contractions are not getting any stronger nor closer together so we decide to meet at the birthing center at 9:30pm.

9pm- Mrs. Mary arrives to watch the boys. I am in very good spirits and tell her we will see her in a few hours with a little boy.

9:30pm- Matt and I are thrillled, we arrive at the birthing center. Jacie, our doula, meets us there as does the midwife. We have a chance to get settled in and I am checked to see where we are. 3cm dialated, perfect. Right on track, I guess the baby will arrive at 1am.

10pm- We lay down and the contractions continue. Not too strong but enough to wake me out of sleep and send me to the bathroom. Sitting on a toilet is extremely comfortable at this point.

11pm-7am- nothing. Yep, nothing changed. No baby and only 1cm more dialated. We are all surprised, little Wild Card.

Sunday:

7am- The new midwife arrives- Laura- and at this point we can either go home and see what the day brings or stay. I send Matt home for a shower (we did not really pack anything thinking we would only be there a short while) and I take a walk around the neighbor.

12pm- Laura checks me- 4 cm and fully effaced, progress but so very slowly. I am tired from a night without sleep and psychologically drained. I run through my positive affirmations and visualize the birth.

3pm- 5 cm now. Laura tells me we can either head home or can try to get things moving. I am torn- Luke and Eli are at home and I miss them so. What if we head home only for active labor to start? Plus, I am already so tired.

3:15pm- I lose my mucus plug and take my first of 4 cotton root bark tinctures.

4pm- Contractions begin a consistent pattern. We call Jacie to come in. I get the birthing ball and begin to utilize deep breathing techniques through the contractions.

5pm- Jacie arrives. Matt and I enter the birthing tub. It is warm and comforting, helping to take the pressure off my body. At this point I can tell Laura is making preparations for a delivery. My deep breathes get even deeper, closer to a groan. I try to keep my toes from curling, Matt is holding my arms tightly as I am on my hand's and knees. He is breathing with me. Jacie is reminding me to relax and breathe the baby down. Pure exhaustion kicks in, can I do this?

5:15pm- I feel the urge to push. It is a bit confusing for me as with Luke and Eli I am sitting upright in a bed. Now I am on my hands and knees so it felt as though I was pushing backwards. I deliver my water bag thinking it is the baby, oh how much longer? Then I feel pressure, pressure through the pushes. Sweet baby had come down so quickly Laura kept him at the crowning position so I would not tear.

5:36pm- And then he arrives, just about 24 hours after feeling my first contraction....little Wild Card.

I am overcome with joy, relief and exhaustion. Oh yes, that was labor. We make our way to the bed to recover. I am administerd an IV of fluids and arnica as I did not feel well. Over the next four hours, we nurse and surprisingly James latches on and eats right away. I am given an herbal bath and we marvel at this sweet boy.

Dad getting lots of cuddle time before we head home that night.

My biggest baby- little Wild Card- at a week early he is 7 lbs and 5 ounces. Both Eli and Luke were under 7 pounds.

What a blessing- a third little boy to love!