Our Five Ring Circus: September 2013

Thursday, September 26, 2013

Liam's First Bath

A few days after we brought Liam home from the hospital, we attempted his first bath.  The kids gathered around him, and Grant took over my role as photographer. As you can see, Liam wasn't a fan!

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The traditional newborn bath method didn't work very well.  Liam was so angry that he kept kicking and flinging off the towel that was covering him.  I decided to remove the towel and bathe him as quickly as I possibly could!

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Wham, Bam, done in 45 seconds!

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I would love to say that the drama ended there, but he was really angry!!!

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Finally, he was dry and warm, and the tears stopped.

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I suppose the entire 3 minute experience was exhausting, because he fell asleep right on the changing table!

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Bath time has gotten much better since then.  He's much happier when his body is submerged in the warm water!

These pictures were taken just over a month ago, and I can hardly believe it's the same baby.  He was so swollen and yellow back then. 

Within a week after that, he managed to lose almost 2 pounds, and he still has to gain 1 pound back in order to reach his birth weight.   His tiny arms and legs are only half that size now.  But...he's on the right track and we're praying he will reach his birth weight by his 2 month checkup!

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Baseball in the Burgh

On Sunday, our family headed into Pittsburgh for the Pirates game! The Pirates are FINALLY having a winning season, so it was exciting!

It was the last home game of the regular season, and Grant got 4 free tickets from work.  We did have to leave one family member behind.  Lily spent the day with her Papa and Nina, and had a great time!

When there's a Pirates game and a Steelers game on the same day, the city is completely crazy!  PNC Park and Heinz Field are only a few blocks apart, so all the fans are packed in one area.  We ended up parking right next to Heinz Field and walking to PNC Park.  

I have to say, I'm glad we left Lily behind this time.  Trying to keep an independent toddler right next to me in that crowd would have been impossible!

Pirates games are always entertaining.  All the fans got Pirates scarves at the game, and because Grant's company had a group package, we got to choose a Pirates hat or a jersey.  The kids were super excited about their new scarves and hats!  Even Liam, who was attending his first Pirates game (not in my belly!) got his own scarf!

We got there early, and immediately went to our seats.  The weather was PERFECT, and Dylan and Lexie were so excited to be there!

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PNC Park is beautiful! The view of the city is gorgeous and every seat in the park is good!

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The game wasn't a good one, but they do shoot off fireworks after every homerun the Pirates score.  Luckily, the kids got to see two homeruns that day!   It was the first time they got to see one!

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Dylan loves baseball, so he loves going to the games.  Lexie's favorite things at Pirates games are the Pirates Parrot and the Pierogie race!

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Liam was very unimpressed by the game.  He slept in the Moby Wrap the entire time!

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We ended up leaving after the 7th inning in an effort to beat the crowd.  Dylan was bummed that he couldn't run the bases after the game, but we promised him we would bring him back to do it next year!  And next year, we'll bring Lily.  Hopefully it won't be as crazy!

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Even though the Pirates lost, it was a memorable afternoon! 

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Trendy Tot Tuesday



I am linking up with Kelly,  Megan, and Lindsay for Trendy Tot Tuesday!

{Liliana}

We started calling Lily by the nickname Lilybug when she was a baby.  Somehow, she ended up with a lot of ladybug items.  When I saw this outfit, I knew she had to have it!

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Outfit:  Rare, Too (Kohl's)
Headband and Flower Clip:  Girls Crochet Headbands
Shoes:  Circo

{Alexandria}

Lexie has reached the point where she wants to wear "trendy" clothes.  She's only 6, and some of the clothes  in the girls section are...questionable.  It is very difficult to find stuff that she thinks is cool and I think is appropriate.  This shirt, however, was a huge hit!  It looks adorable paired with leggings and flats!

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Shirt: Ta-eam Collection
Leggings:  Circo (Target)

{Liam}

I received this football onesie before we told anybody that we were pregnant with Liam!  I couldn't wait to put it on him for the first Steelers game!

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Onesie and Legwarmers:  Girls Crochet Headbands

{Dylan}

Dylan's typical Fall attire is usually jeans and a long-sleeved tee that he thinks is cool.  Simple and easy!

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Layered shirt:  Sonoma (Kohl's)
Jeans:  Old Navy

Friday, September 20, 2013

Wrapping Up August

My life has been so busy for the past month!  Somehow life got in the way of my 365 project, and I'm about 5 weeks behind.  I guess adding a 4th child to the family has a way of doing that! I love this post, because Liam joined us! So here's what happened at the end of August:

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August 13th

Played outside with the kids and had my 36 week OB appointment...my last one!
 (This picture makes me laugh, because Lily was falling, and Dylan reached out to stop her as he posed for the picture!)

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August 14th

Had a playdate at Jocie's house!

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August 15th

Went for a walk with Amber, went through the drive-thru for lunch, and met our group of friends for one last summer playdate/picnic at the park.  It also turned out to be the last time Steph, Amy, and I were all pregnant at the same time!

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August 16th

Turned 37 weeks, and early labor began! Went shopping with my mom and Lily and had dinner with my parents.  Went home and told Grant that I thought this weekend would be baby time!

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August 17th

Labored all day, but still went to our friend's house for dinner. Halfway through the meal, I realized I had to time the contractions.  We tried to hang out after dinner, but my contractions were getting close and painful. Although Grant made fun of me for going out while in labor, I'm glad we did.  It was our last fun time with friends as a family of 5!  We headed home and began to prepare for when it was time to go to the hospital.  We decided to head to bed and see what happened...

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August 18th

(The rest of the story coming soon!)  Welcome to the world, Liam!!!  What an unexpected blessing!  He decided to share his birthday with his Aunt Pam!

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August 19th

Long day in hospital.  Lots of visitors.  Finished up our stay with the hospital's celebratory welcome baby dinner! 

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WEEK 34

August 20th

Welcome home, Liam!  We were so relieved to be able to go home and start our lives as a family of SIX!  We had quite a few visitors, and then a quiet night together.

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August 21st

Aunt Pam stopped by to meet Liam. Later, Lily and Dylan played at Jocie's house while Grant, Lexie, and I took Liam to his first appointment.  That evening, my parents dropped off some dinner for us.


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August 22nd

Our first family outing! We took Dylan and Lexie to their schools so they could find their classrooms.  Afterward, we got some lunch before heading home.  That evening, our friends stopped by to bring us dinner. 


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August 23rd

Lexie spent the night at my parent's house and Dylan had a sleepover at my sister's house.  Grant, Lily, Liam, and I headed over to Rita's Italian Ice, then headed home. 

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August 24th

Ran some errands (without Grant!), then came home to a bunch of visitors.  After they left, we gave Liam his first real bath at home, then went to Tracy and Gary's house for an end of the summer picnic.  We had a great time!

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August 25th

The last day of summer vacation! We visited Grant's family, then Dylan, Lexie, Liam, and I went out so the kids could pick their first day of school outfits.  Liam scared me so much when I went to get him out of his car seat and his lips were completely blue.  As soon as I picked him up, they went back to normal.   Met up with Steph to pick up a dinner she made for us.  Hard to believe summer was over!

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August 26th

The first day of school!  I cried as I sent Dylan and Lexie on their way. Grant headed back to work after being off all week.  It was just me and the babies!  Lily, Liam, and I spent some time outside, then I managed to thoroughly clean the house before the big kids came home.  I love having my kids home, so sending them to school is rough for me!

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WEEK 35

August 27th

Liam went in for an appointment to check his weight and jaundice.  He had lost well over a pound, and was very yellow.  That evening, my dad watched the three big kids while Grant, Liam, and I went to Lexie's first grade orientation.  The little man didn't even make a peep while we were there!

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August 28th

Lexie cried getting on the bus.  It broke my heart!  Spent the entire day at home.

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August 29th

First sick day of the year.  After over 6 months of not getting sick at all, Dylan woke up with a fever and cold-like symptoms.  I drove a crying Lexie to school.  The day was spent at home so Dylan could rest and get better.  That evening, Grant's mom came over to watch the three big kids while Liam and I went to 3rd Grade Orientation.  Once again, not a single peep from him! 

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August 30th

Another weight check for Liam.  That afternoon, my mom and I took the babies shopping while Dylan and Lexie spent time with my dad.  We all had dinner together, then the girls, Liam, and I headed home.  Dylan ended up spending the night at my parent's house.

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August 31st

We went to Amber's house for dinner.  Dylan ended up spending the night and Grant and Lexie stayed later than the babies and I.  I was really tired so I took them home and we went to bed.

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September 1st

We spent the afternoon visiting Grant's family, then went back to Rex and Amber's house for dinner and the Fantasy Football draft.

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September 2nd

Happy Labor Day!  No school! We went to Nannie's house for a labor day picnic with Grant's family.

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