Busy, busy, busy--and a surprise!!

Things just don't happen one at a time around here in Autryville. We like to do 10,000 things at once, don't you??



Since we've last updated Ben had a mini version of the flu--which freaked me out a little since we have a teeny one here, but thankfully everyone is well. Ben had the flu shot in October, so his flu was short lasting, but poor baby was weak, achy and had a fever for three days. I guess it could have been some type of virus, but when we have newborns in our house (Erin in '03), we have the flu. I'm positive. Really.



While Ben was vegging in the basement, Mitch decided to take on the most difficult painting job ever. Ever. I'm thankful he did, though, or Ben would be waiting for the summer for me to get my act together. Did I mention that Ben's room was unusable for over a week, and in the midst of the project I got a call from Nana Nancy (Mitch's mom) that she was coming to visit, and please, could I not tell Mitch so we could surprise him?? More on that later...Ben's room, however, is a perfect homage to the Atlanta Thrashers. Blueland, baby! The Thrashers are the NHL team from Atlanta and my boys have loved them since their inception a few years back(Luke loves them now, too!). And thanks to Santa Daddy he now has a #18 Autry sweater--in hockey it's not a jersey, silly, it's a sweater--to adorn the wall when it's not being worn. It really is a fabulous room for Ben. He loves it.

So while I frantically (sorry, Nana Nancy!) prepared for our surprise visitors and had a mini freak-out which caused Mitch to mop the kitchen floor and finish painting...the surprise worked! One evening as I was preparing supper--and hiding the extra food I'd prepared--a knock at our door brought Nana and cousin Amanda (the girls call her "our beautiful big cousin"--the big is for her age...and she is beautiful!). It was a great moment and worth all the fuss! We spent the next 4 days visiting, eating, making gingerbread houses, shopping, playing, ice skating, and just having a wonderful time. It really was one of the highlights of our year!

Luke update.......he's growing like a weed this week. Finally. I finally started giving him bottles to ease my mind. I can see how much he's getting, and we're all much happier and feeling less stressed. I miss nursing him so very much, but he's getting plenty of breast milk in his bottles (thank goodness for the double electric pump!) and that is good for him and me! It's been such an emotional 6 weeks since his birth, and I'm very thankful that he's growing well now, sleeps like a dream and has a great temperament. I have been blessed...

Christmas to come...plus pictures of all of this!

Isn't he cute...

Back by popular demand...Luke Mitchell makes an updated appearance. His cheeks are beginning to fill out. He is a handsome boy. We have gotten quite a few comments that he looks like his daddy. Now that makes him one lucky boy!!

Have a great day!

Mitch

More snow in Cincy...

I didn't think it was supposed to snow in December. Now we have had 2 big (at least for a Georgia boy) snows. 3-4 inches each time. I am acutally having to learn how to drive in this stuff. That's unheard of down south! :-) It's fun though...for a little while.

Update on little Lukey(as Erin calls him)...he was 7 lbs 4 oz at his last weigh-in. He is eating well and doing all the rest of things that little boys should be doing!! I will post some new pictures this afternoon...since we will be cooped up in the house.

Hope you all have a very merry Christmas.

Mitch

A few more pictures

I wanted to post some pictures of our house. Some of these were taken last Christmas, but my decorating hasn't changed! The pink room is the girls, and forgive the trashcan in the drive!! I'll get pictures of the boy's rooms soon!

Our First Snow...

We awoke to about 3 inches this morning! The first snowfall is always so beautiful and fun, but wait and see what I think of it in February.:) Ben was gentlemanly enough to shovel for his mama, sweet boy. We must buy snow pants--otherwise they come back inside much sooner than I want them to!

Well, we're unfortunately at the same weight with Luke as last week. Desperate times call for desperate measures...well, not really.:) I'm implementing a few changes to our routine and after speaking with the best uncertified lactation consultant I know (thanks, Leanna--who is better than a certified one, I'm sure!), I think we'll make some strides in the weight-gain category this week. He is doing fine--he's alert, has a lusty cry, he's two inches longer than he was at birth--everything a baby should, he's just not gaining weight. Please pray for him, and for me, that our changes will plump him up this week and that I can do everything he needs. I had a few thoughts early in my pregnancy (I do have those every now and then!) that it would be nice to have a book or a website for mommies who've had 3 or more babies, and I am especially thinking that now. I think a third pregnancy or more is very different from a first or second pregnancy and the same for the baby once it's here. I never felt like I could find good information for my particular issues, during pregnancy and now, and when I had Ben and Lauren I didn't feel that way. What do you mom's of 3 or more think?

Looks like we're in for a long weekend at home. Feeding, pumping, supplementing, making Christmas cards, feeding, pumping, supplementing...hope yours is great!