Four weeks already

Here is a picture of Thad and Brady from today. He is already four weeks old. Where does the time go? I realized today that I have no pictures of the two of us, so I will have to ask Thad to do that for me.
Physically I am feeling really well. I have begun working out again. It feels so good. Appearance-wise I have a long ways to go. I am not one to bounce back quickly after a baby. It will take some serious discipline on my part to get back into my pre-pregnancy clothes....which means giving up my addictions to sweets. That just might not happen for awhile!

Can you tell...

...that Ryan is our oldest child? I left him home alone while I took Kate and her friend to dance. We are talking 30 minutes tops. Mr. Overachiever's 'job' was to do his homework. As I was entering the house through the garage, this was taped to the door:

Talk about funny! The homework was complete, and he ran today too. I reminded him that if mom leaves for even a few minutes, he is to stay inside.

In other Stafford news, Kate had dance camp this weekend. She and her friend Kailee attended it. It was put on by the MHS dance team. When I dropped them off they were excited (and surprised) to see another friend, Kelsey, there. Kate had a blast! Typical Kate was upset at the end of camp, because two awards were handed out, and she didn't get one. We are working on improving her attitude.

No major news with Olivia and Brady. They will get more attention when I post next!

Oh My...

Kate this morning: "Mommy, Jordan C. told me not to vote for Obama because he lets moms kill their babies."
Whoa! How do you explain that to a six year old. Thanks 1st grade friend!

Thanks girls!

Thank you so much for updating your blogs girls! I realized just why I have been stalking all your blogs lately: my life is rather boring. Yes I am busier than ever, have a beautiful baby boy, and three other children occupying my time, but I am not working. Thus, my adult conversation is pretty lacking these days. As a result, I am feeding off you all for updates, humor, insight, and anything else you want to share about your lives. Hey, it's what I do when I breastfeed.
I will try and share more too. The problem with my updates is that they are pretty much limited to kid stories. I am not doing any traveling, seeing friends I haven't seen in a long time, or anything other than breastfeeding, bringing Olivia to preschool, washing 100 loads of laundry, etc.
I do have a few things that might make you crack a smile:
1. (This is borderline inappropriate) Two days after Brady was born, and the first day home from the hospital, I was holding him and crying. Kate asked why I was crying. I told her that he was just such a miracle. Kate said in her soft voice in all seriousness, "It's such a miracle that your privates stretched wide enough to get him out." WTF???????????? You should have seen my tear streaked face mixed with an expression of pure shock.
2. Yesterday at Olivia's ENT appointment, the doctor asked if we got the baby from Target. She replied, "No, he fell out of my mom's tummy."
3. As I write this, Olivia is walking around saying, "My butt reeks." She has been putting her hands down her pants (both front and back) obsessively lately. Obviously we have said more than to stop doing it!
4. The girls had yet another bad suppertime. In a nutshell, they refuse to eat--ever. Vegetables are the big issue. We have used dessert, no other food, saving dinner until bedtime, heck you name it to get them to eat. Thad was so frustrated with Kate our ultra-whiner that he sent her to her room for an undetermined amount of time. All of the sudden she comes out and says, "Daddy I am getting bored." Thad said, "I don't care if you're bored." Her reply? "Well you should." How stupid to say that?
Why are our kids so freakish?????????? They are alive, healthy, and I am being extreme, so please don't accuse me of being a bad parent. Honestly though, what the heck is up with our kids?

Okay ladies...

We have all commented on how blogging is therapeutic, fun, and another way of us girls to connect. The problem is, we have all been slacking lately (myself included). We are all busy with babies, work, older kids and activities, houses, spouses, etc, but how about we all try to blog a little more? I still check several times a day from updates from you all, but lately there is nothing much new to read--except for you Vicky.
So, here is my vow to try and post more. Believe me, I have wacky stories to share! Don't hate me for posting this. It's actually a compliment to you all and how attached I have become to you and your posts!

My little helper

My special helper these days is Olivia. Every time I have to change Brady's diaper I hear a little, "I will go get his diaper!" She runs to his room to grab a diaper and the wipes if I need them. She loves to give her baby brother his pacifier--too often. If he makes the slightest noise she says, "He's crying mommy, I better give him his pacifier." I have had to scold her a few times because she is always in his face. Three year olds don't understand personal space at all.

Overall, though, she has been such a helpful little girl. Having a new baby has reminded me that they grow too quickly. I have been making a special effort to play more with Olivia. We have been playing Memory (or as she calls it 'the remember game') and Candyland--a lot!

In other news, Thad and I went to parent-teacher conferences yesterday for Ryan and Kate. Both are doing very well, and we couldn't be more proud. Poor Ryan has strep throat, so he has been home bound these first two days of vacation. We go to Olivia's conferences tomorrow. That will be interesting! Brady had his two week check up today. He is 8lbs 3oz, so he is thriving!

Here is a little video of Olivia singing some bizarre lyrics to Brady...

A little update

Brady is nine days old today. The first week is over. It is always the most difficult. When I brought him in to see the lactation consultant for one week weigh in, etc, he weighed 7 lbs 10 oz. I told her how the previous night--Monday--was a little rough for a few hours. I wasn't sure about my milk levels, he was so fussy, maybe it was a tummy ache, and Thad was getting upset because he couldn't 'fix' the problem. Anyway she said two things that resonated with me that I wish I had for perspective prior to the appointment.
1. Babies are mammals. We are the only mammal that sets our babies down to get other things done. She also said that mother animals constantly have their babies sucking their milk. They don't fuss because that is all the mother does and they are up close to her. Even in more primitive societies, the woman wears a contraption keeping the baby on her breast at all times. All they want is to be held, fed, and be warm.
2. Women seem to get amnesia regarding the first week post delivery. It's such a tough adjustment on our bodies, minds, and life in general. We tend to forget after it's over how difficult it really was. Thank god for that!
Anyway things have really improved since our rough Monday night. Brady is such a sweetheart, but then again, what baby isn't? I am in love all over again. The sounds, smells (well most), and all else outweighs the difficult moments.
He is a pretty good eater and sleeper. Of course, he ends up in our bed, but the lady also said there is no scientific proof of a connection with nursing babies in a home where the mother isn't drinking or smoking or using drugs and SIDS. So we get cozy as morning draws near. Lately what is waking him during the night is a wet onesie. I forgot how many outfits boys go through. They leak through everything!
The kids are adjusting well too. Ryan and Kate haven't been affected much. They are busy with school, activities, and friends. Olivia is my little helper. We are having fun together at home. I would say she has become more emotional, but I have had to scold her more often as she hovers over Brady, wants to give him a pacifier every ten seconds, and just gets too close.
I have to also thank some of Thad's colleagues. They called on Monday and informed us they would be bringing us dinner meals for the rest of the week. That has been a very kind gift!! A cooked meal each night has taken the pressure off of me to make something. We are humbled by their kindness.
That's it for now....I normally am on my computer while feeding Brady so I can never type more than a sentence or two. I guess I overdid it this time!

A few photos

Here are some pictures of my new baby boy....




I am not ready to say much else: too tired, too hormonal, and too weepy. You mothers (especially those who have nursed and dealt with all that stuff) get it.

I do have to say that Ryan called the hospital on Thursday night proudly telling me that he scored a touchdown for his new baby brother. It was very touching. He also sent me this email:

Brady likes to sleep in my arms realy comfterble!! He is very Cute!!!

Pics

My sister Erin posted pics on her blog. I almost teared up because I hadn't seen any photos. It could also be because I am so tired...but that's okay.
Her blog is posted on the side of mine.

Our baby is here!

Brady Joseph Stafford was born at 11:05am!!!!!!!!!!! It was a very fast labor/delivery. My doctor broke my water at 9am. By 10:15am, I got an epidural. It wasn't working very well, which was an indicator that I was moving fast. At 10:30 I was at a 6. I just kept feelng horrible pressure 'down there.' You can guess how fast things moved since he was born shortly thereafter.
I thought of AJ as I felt way more this time around...ouch! The doctor had to use the vacuum as his heart rate dropped. The nurse said that happens when it moves that quickly. Anyway it was painful, fast, and now he is here. The kids will be up in an hour or so to meet their brother.
Pictures to come in a few days. Thanks for all your love and support!