Happy 3 Months Greyson Oliver!

Greyson turned 3 months old...and despite my awareness that he was hitting said milestone...and reminding myself...the day came and went and the post did not go up!  In my own defense we had a super fun round of stomach flu in and around that part of the month...so I get a pass right?  Or at least I hope I do!! Sorry Grey!

During month 3 we did some growing!  Mister was 14lbs and growing (which we found out at a recent doctor's visit. Ever since his double ear infection...at the first sign of congestion/lots of spit up, I am taking him into the doctor just for a check on those darn ears!)
He is rapidly leaving his 3 month clothes in the dust.  He has a few 6 months sweat suits that are fitting perfectly and nearly all of the 9 months sleepers we own and that have been previously worn/washed fit  perfect.  His little toes even fill them out.  It blows me away how long he is!
Speaking of outgrowing...mister is working out of his size 2 diapers.
We removed the extra neck support from his car seat this month
Have found him rolled up on his side multiple times AND he loves to do 180's in his crib at night...swaddle-me and all.
Speaking of swaddling and sleep...he is still by all accounts a pretty rocking sleeper, though I think his growing belly and appetite are making him a little less consistent.  I know we will get back there so for now I'm trying to enjoy the extra excuse for a little extra coffee break in the morning and the early morning/late night snuggles!
Speaking of appetite...he is eating a 6 oz bottle almost to the last drop, every 3 to 4 hours during the day.
And more on eating...he is spitting up.  A LOT. We're talking massive amounts every day or two.  I thought it was from a cold/congestion...but it's begun to be a pattern.  A pattern we aren't huge fans of in this house both for his little sake and for the lady who does all the laundry around here...sigh. There is a debate of breaking down and giving him cereal early (which is against our doctor's wishes until he's 4 months old) or if we should simply make a switch to the formula we fed Cooper which had added rice and kept him from spitting up so much.  More to come on what we end up doing.
He is cooing, talking and doing so much communicating. We have a chatty Kathy folks!
He loves to hold this little taggies cloth that used to be Owen's when he rides in his carseat or sits in his pack n play...or is relaxing in his swing. Pretty much any time...it's his fave. Of all time. Ever.
He lights up at people when they talk to him and the sweeter you talk the more he lights up.
We caught him and Owen playing together recently and Owen actually got his first real laugh out of him.  It was priceless!
Is putting his hands and toys in his mouth non-stop!  Drooling machine in the works this one!
Wants to be up and sitting or up on his legs. I'm excited to get out the bouncer in a short order...he's almost ready!
He is enjoying lots of awake time and we have gotten into a pretty good little routine on school days with dropping off and picking up.

For the record...here is Owen at 3 months.  And Coop at 3 months.

Greyson Oliver,
You light up our house like a Christmas tree.  Your smile is infectious and you give it so often I find myself happier just getting to love on and be around you.  Mommy is getting the hang of things around here with 3 amazing kiddos to love. And I am sorry if I'm not able to do everything you need right now.  But I hope you know how loved you are.  Your older brothers are smitten more and more with you every day.  I found myself imagining the 3 of you talking in our car one day.  The 3 of you running in the backyard with bubble wands flying in the air pretending to be the three musketeers or a trio of Octonauts together.  I'm so excited about what our life is turning into little buddy.  Can't wait to see what this next month (err well half a month) has in store!
Love you to pieces little man.
Your Momma (And Dadda too!)

Family Photos

Back in January we brought Mr Greyson home to join our crazy family...and I knew before he was born that I wanted to do some lifestyle shots of our changing family.  I have fallen in love with Sherry Rosenberger and her photography.  She is amazing to work with and she can work miracles!  These shots are proof!  The chaos that was taking place in our house during this photo shoot was insane...but you wouldn't really know it.  So though it's far overdue and delayed, thank you Sherry for the wonderful shoot and for capturing such a special time for us.  Oh and for putting up with us!  Here's a few of my faves...though I truly love them all.

Sunday Snuggling

While I'm working on getting my posts in order and updated...here's a quick one from recent weeks.

 On a lazy February Sunday morning, this little guy wandered in and joined me for some snuggles before I got out of bed.  He always finds the adventure in every situation so it wasn't long before we were playing out a treasure hunt scenario he made up for us...but for a few moments it was just snuggles and this smile!

A circus...

Right now if you asked me...I'd tell you that my life somewhat...or in most ways, resembles a circus.  There are rarely any moments of quiet contemplation.  When I find a rare one I am so tired I often don't accomplish much.  Most days it's a feat in itself if I manage to shower, dress, feed and get through the handful of hours I'm alone tackling all 3 kiddos that take up residence here.  On rare days I find extra energy and motivation...I catch up laundry, empty the dishwasher...even manage to scrub my toilets and swap our the towels on our towel rack...all while prepping a meal or two ahead and making headway on our to-do list of super fun adult tasks like ordering a new red card and planning out meals and making appointments.  I do not want a super star award for these things.  It's my life.  I set the pace and the expectations for myself.  No one else.  I struggle to find a balance between keeping house and keeping the animals contained everyday.  And I love the challenge and the chaos of balancing it all (most days!)...and will admit that some of those motivated days, it's a bit of a thrill to feel that adrenaline rush and knock things out.  But as I said...those are the rare days.

Most days I'm cleaning up messes, kissing boo boos and trying to remember what time I last gave Greyson a bottle because he's screaming and two and a half/three hours couldn't have possibly gone by already.  Why are my dishes still dirty, laundry unfolded and the goal of doing an ABC activity with Owen undone.  Then I remember that I got about 5 hours of sleep the night before...took Owen to school and picked him up with two extra littles in tow.  I ran a couple errands but mostly just got us together, out the door back, and then back in and again back out the door and back again...again...again.  When we get home it's lunch time for all...and by the time lunch is ready...I'm so wiped that I have zero motivation.  I also spend a ton of brain power on trying to make sure I'm helping give Owen the necessary prediction he needs to get through an afternoon...dealing with the mystery of why Cooper dumped half the bottle of bubble bath out of the cart and onto our package of bottled water all while screaming because we didn't spend enough time looking at fish while I'm putting toilet paper and Downy into the cart...and oh yeah  he didn't want to come to Walmart anyway...so there Mommy. I told you!!  Right now, most days leave me exasperated, exhausted and not quite as fulfilled a parent as I'd like.  But right now is still very new.  3 kids, 5 and under for about 3 months now. It's a new juggle that I'm just learning how to do...how to thrive and succeed in.

So right now...it is a circus.  I'm not reading enough to my kids...they aren't eating enough healthy foods as they should be (how dare we pump them full of processed foods or gasp McDonalds!)...Cooper probably needs to be getting potty trained as we speak...and Owen? I spent a whole afternoon this week reciting a social story  with him about not kicking our friends when they don't want to share...because...you guessed it.  He kicked a friend for that very reason.  Sigh.

BUT the kids are bathed (most days!).  They have their favorite popsicles in the fridge and we eat one almost every day. There is a basket of crafts and playdoh that we get out on rainy days.  The house isn't spotless but it's covered in kiddo colored papers and currently Easter decorations that I love but do also because the boys think it's fun.  We take glow stick baths and are members at the Zoo...promising a whole summer of trips to see animals and breathe in that stinky zoo air and ride the train.  Last weekend we bought bird seed and the boys have been helping us feed them.  We look out the porch windows and talk about all the birds we see on our feeders. At the end of the day Owen almost always asks to have dinner picnics on the living room floor with a movie...something I started on nights when Daddy has to work late that has become a fun little thing we do. So while I could sit and tell you that our life is full of nothing but circus type moments....and maybe even at the moment we are chaulk full of "holy shit Jer you won't believe what Cooper did" or "holy shit WHY are you not home it's like a war zone in this house" moments...there is the beautiful, beautiful rest of it.  The part that I love more than life itself.  The snuggles, the curly headed, pj-clad wake ups.  The train rides at the zoo.  The bedtime stories and bubbles in our bath.  We are making memories in between the chaos.  And it's crazy and it's hard right now.  But it's also good.  Really good.

So all of this is to say...there are blog posts coming.  And at some point I am going to fold blogging back into my routine.  I miss it and my family memories are slipping away from me as I type this instead of document Greyson's 3 Month stats because before I even hit save on this post I know someone is going to be at my feet in need of milk...or a time out for smacking his brother's face for the 3rd time in a row.  But the blog posts are in my head, on my cameras in pictures and I'm gonna get back to it.  Sooner rather than later!  Until then...I've got a circus calling me...wish me luck!!