This season has been both sweet and challenge-filled (Merry Christmas, by the way)!  First, our sweet baby boy came and then almost 4 weeks later, his daddy came home from Iraq.

… And a father met his son for the very first time…

… And lots of hugs and tears (and smiles) as our family learns to reintegrate.  –Which is darn hard, by the way… Taking expectations and what “used to be” and throwing them out the window and learning who each of us are now.  He’s changed.  The girls have changed.  I have changed…  Everything has changed.

He’s experienced a different lifestyle – something that almost resembled “single life” while being deprived of many other things…

He’s grown wiser in some ways but has forgotten other things that seem so simple to those of us who live them daily…

And, he’s been thrown into suddenly having an infant and middle-of-the-night feedings and changings and the craziness of 3 little ones 4 and under.

Rora no longer has a paci…and she talks in full sentences…

Rora also can use the potty some….

Lala has gotten BIG and is animated and curious and SO stinkin smart…

And me, I’m different too.  I’ve mostly been “on my own” and experienced some of worst fears, things I never wanted to do.  But, I did them anyhow.  And, now I know I can.  I’m stronger.  I’m more confident.  And…I’ve gotten used to doing things MY way.

As a couple, we’re re-learning how to be patient and understanding.  We’re re-learning how to work together and how to relax and just…be a couple.

It’s hard work.

And, it’s a challenge we all gladly accept.  <3

He’s here, he’s here!  Sweet baby Aidan came at 39 weeks and we feel so very blessed!

I may get around to publishing his birth story on here later, but for now I’m enjoying snuggling my precious newborn and trying to pull my very excited little daughters off the walls.  Sleep has become a hot commodity.  I miss it. 

I’m relearning the dance of breastfeeding and wondering why nobody has made infant ponchos during these first few weeks as mother’s milk readjusts to something that doesn’t resemble a horizontal Old Faithful.  That, and boy diapers.  Oh. Boy.  First I was terrified to even touch and once I got over the need for ointment and gauze, I quickly learned the uncertainty that comes with each change (Will I need a change or clothes or won’t I?).  And today I had my first miss overall – Changing a dirty diaper only to have him begin “dirtying” a new one mid-change as I scrambled to catch it all before it hit the bed.  Then, my premature breath of relief as I reached for the wipes to clean him up and pee began spraying EVERYWHERE!

What I’ve learned:

1.  Use a changing pad
2.  Make mom change all of his diapers
2.  Use a “shield” and stop being so darn leisurely!

Also, I forget how much laundry comes with having a newborn AND breastfeeding.  Sheesh.

Did I mention I need sleep?

Blog posts may get quite interesting over the next month or so with this whole sleep deprivation thing.

Today, apparently one of the top “news” items is the addition of the Duggars’ new baby (number 20).  I will admit that I’m in awe of how they do it.  I’m pregnant with my third baby and swear I could have an anxiety attack at any moment just from the stress on my body and just taking care of me and two kids.  But, today I actually saw a post that called the Duggars selfish for having another child.  Really?  Selfish?  Parenting is one of the LEAST selfish things a person can do.  What about laying down your personal wants and needs for that of someone else is SELFISH?

Second, if the Duggars want to have 20 children (or 40, for that matter) and aren’t cloning or abusing or whatever… what business is it of anyone else?  I mean, really… what are you, the uterus police?  Just because some folks actually want more than 2.5 children and are willing to do so, it doesn’t mean anyone else has the right to judge.  Do you think you have a right to weigh in on others’ fertility decisions – whether a family wants 4 kids or 24?  SHEESH!

That’s not the end of my thoughts, but I can stop there   Stepping off my soap box for now.

Not sure how long this will last, but here’s the LINK.

(Said as she pulled her little sister across the kitchen floor on a blanket.)

“remaining upright is apparently my latest challenge. rockin the flu.” — Dec 12

“Today was a rough one. Horizontal parenting is not easy. So ready to be done with being sick ” — Dec 13

“Find of the day: A mouth full of beads that my 3 year old gave to my 18 month old while they’re both supposed to be napping. SIGH” — Dec 14

“Mommy, you’re the super awesome most best mommy EVER! — Lorelei” — Dec 14

“?”No, Aurora, we DO NOT high five people’s faces.” – Me” — Dec 14

“Today was a good day. Tomorrow will be even better.” — Dec 16

“I love my life and the beautiful souls in it.” — Dec 17

“Ready for my body to kick back in gear. Needing this much sleep each day is not conducive to getting much done.” — Dec 20

“In an effort to get rid of any rumors – No, I am definitely not pregnant again. My body is just on the fritz. And yes, I’m sure.” — Dec 21

“thanks to the sweet secret santa who left goodies on our porch. You definitely brightened my Christmas Eve more than you can imagine.” — Dec 25

“is still enjoying her candy from her secret santa angel. –Sometimes even the simplest acts of kindness can bring the greatest joy and biggest smiles. Thank you again…whoever you are ” — Dec 25

“Just loaded 5 bags of recyclable paper and cardboard products into the van – which doesn’t count the stack of boxes in the washroom. Now, if only the recycling center would open!!” — Dec 27

“It makes me feel like I’m doing something right when my 3 1/2 year old turns around and says “you’re the best mommy ever” even after I just finish having to discipline her.” — Dec 27

“‘Mommy, I love this house.  (Me: Good.  Why do you love this house?)  Because I want to.’- Lorelei.   I need to be taking lessons from this kid.  We love because we choose to.”  — Dec 28