The Photo Shoot

I woke up Sunday morning determined. Determined to get to church. Determined to have all the boys wear their matching dress shirts. Determined to get a picture of them all matching. I knew it would be a push to get the pictures before we left. Josh was rushed through feeding and wasn’t happy. This was the result of try number one: When we got home, I was even more determined to get the picture NOW. Because I knew Seth and Sam wouldn’t want to keep their nice dress clothes on—and even if they did, they would be dirty ASAP. Attempt number two: Calm baby with daddy before we tried setting him down. Isn’t the lighting perfect? Seth and Sam posing while Ben’s trying to calm Josh down And…fail Honestly, I just might frame this. Because the older boys look so handsome. And Josh crying face is so hilarious. And really, the lighting is perfect.

So…you may think I would give up there. Nope. I just wanted a decent picture of the three of them. I tested the water on just Josh playing on our front rug. It really was a good backdrop: Well, it wasn’t perfect lighting and Sam and Seth are back in their play clothes, but at least it’s all three of my wonderful sons: My heart is so full and happy! (Sam, Seth)

Pumpkin Patch with Papa

Everyone is upset about the government shut down—except me! It meant that my dad was put on furlough (he works for the Forest Service); therefore, he was able to come up and visit us. I was SO thankful for an extra set of hands. We had a really wonderful time with Papa. (and, yes, I think that the government shut down is ridiculous—I’m just happy to benefit from it :)

Papa, Seth, Sammy

It was an attempt at a picture of me and the boys. Seth wouldn’t come over to pose, Sam wouldn’t look at the camera, and I needed some sunglasses. Oh well. Such a sweet picture of Josh and Papa

Joshua: 1 month old

It’s hard to believe that a whole month has gone by already. Our little Joshua is a joy to our lives. He’s a pretty easy-going baby, eats every three hours during the day, and then gives me a four hour and a five hour stretch at night. He likes people to stand while holding him so that he can hold his head back and look around. He’s very alert during his awake times and seems to love being around Seth and Sam’s voices. Josh is chubby and his hair has a reddish tint to it.

His face did an involuntary smile and I happened to catch it. I can’t wait until he smiles on purpose!!

We’re surviving here with a newborn in the house. We were blessed by Ben’s parents taking Seth and Sam for a couple nights this past weekend and we were amazed how quiet the house was—and how easy life is with “just” a newborn! Aunt Holly also came for a night to help out…we had a wonderful time and she helped me immensely around the house. Josh loved being held by his Aunt Holly and would just gaze up at her pretty face.    I look like such a tired, haggard mama in this picture—but I love it because it’s a great memory of getting to read to all my boys. I’m so blessed! He’s such a cute baby and we’re savoring getting to hold him a lot!

Who Does He Look Like?

One of the most frequently asked questions about Josh is, “Does he look like Seth and Sam?” I finally compared some pictures today; it is kind of tough to compare pictures, because the twins were premies, so they looked quite different than Joshua when they were born. At the very least, it was fun to see pictures of the boys again—and to remember, if I survived twins as infants, I can do this with one baby! Here’s Sam and Seth the day they went home from the NICU Seth, Sam (I think?)

So you tell me: does Josh look like his brothers? I’d say pretty darn similar… He doesn’t have the dimple in the middle of his chin—that’s the greatest difference. He also has a reddish tint to his hair. Oh, and all the clothes that the boys are wearing in their second or third month of life—well, Josh is wearing those clothes now.

One last thought: you know you’re the parent of twins when you feel bad for your singleton child because he’s alone in all his baby pictures. Poor Josh.

Catch Up

Oddly enough, I don’t have a lot of time to blog these days. In fact, I feel like I don’t have time for ANYTHING.

So here’s a quick summary of life with Josh at three weeks:

-He’s a pretty good sleeper. He’ll give me at least two 4 hour stretches at night, and once even went 5 1/2 hours.

-He’s a fairly mellow baby. Some crying, but usually there is a reason.

-He loves to eat and is gaining weight well. I love it. I’ve never had a chubby baby before. At a little less than 2 weeks, he had already surpassed his birth weight of 8 lbs. 1 oz, and was 8 lbs 11 oz.  (at that appointment he was 60% for weight, and 90% for height—thank goodness…finally a tall kid!)

-People have asked if it’s easier having one infant. “YES!” However, having one infant with two toddlers is challenging. No breaks. You can’t sleep whenever you want. You can’t sleep in. You’re tired, cranky and short with your older kids. Which leads to the second question I get a lot, “How are Seth and Sam doing with a baby brother?” Overall, I think good. They are such independent and mellow kids that I know it could be so much harder. We’ve had a few more fits and whines than usual, but they keep each other company. I’m so thankful for twins! Right now they have been outside for an hour playing together (while Josh naps—which is why I get to blog).

-Seth and Sam are such great helpers with Josh, especially in the car! They love being in charge of putting his binky in. The other morning we were attempting to get out of the house, and Josh was screaming in his car seat as I was gathering my purse. I found Seth sitting next to him patting him trying to calm him down. It was so sweet! Look at that fat chest Double chin and rolls on his legs!

We have been blessed with many visitors and helpers. I’ve been so thankful for people’s generosity in bringing us meals and spending time at our home. What an amazing support system we have! Josh meeting GG Grandma for the first time Aunt KK!

While my mom was here she created a construction zone for the boys. They spent the entire week perfecting their area using all different kinds of art media. It was a wonderful activity, and something only my artist mom could come up with! (Sam, Seth)

Ben and I were so proud of ourselves: we went to a family gathering in Estacada when Joshua was only 2 weeks old! We would have never done that with the twins. Sammy with Aunt Tani We got lots of giggles about Sam lounging in this duck in the pool. He looked so silly!

Ben has been getting ready for hunting season; therefore, Sam and Seth having been playing a lot of “hunting” which means building guns out of every toy imaginable, and “booming” a lot around the house. I caught Seth hauling around the rocking horse this morning as his “dead elk he needed to skin.” Ben went on a “hunt” with them throughout the house yesterday, letting one boy use his compass and the other his binoculars to help him find the deer. What a good daddy!

We attempted church yesterday for the first time. We made it halfway through. Let’s call that a victory. Here’s Josh in his first church outfit: a little cheesy, but cute. Apparently not cute enough to keep him from screaming halfway through the sermon.

I think he looked like an old man with his pants pulled up and tie shirt. Tough life of a baby LOVE IT!

Joshua’s First Days at Home

Lots of pictures, but not lots of time. Here’s our life this past week and a half: Love the fuzzy hair This might be one of my favorite pictures ever. Yes, he’s held most the time and very doted upon My dear friend Katie visited—we had to get a picture now that we have FIVE boys between the two of us! Boy life will be fun with all of them playing together in a couple years! Ben found his old jerseys in a box and the boys were SOOOO excited to wear them. Can you tell? Best picture! Ben then showed them how to put their football pads under the jerseys. The bike helmets are serving as their football helmets. Nice football face Sam. Baby Josh sleeps A LOT, and always looks cute doing it. Happy and tired mama. Unfortunately, Seth and Sam got colds the day after Josh was born, so we’ve been trying to have them keep their distance (which has been really, really hard!) They love trying to get baby brother to hold their fingers and pat him lots. Sweetest little face  My mom has been here since Sunday helping and I couldn’t be more thankful! This last picture is from today. I think he’s growing up so much already!