weekend rewind

Labor Day weekend is always one of the biggest weekends of the year.  Usually, we use it to get ready for school for both the girls and Carl and I. The only difference this year is that we added a baptism and took away one person going back to school (Me!! Yay!)

Grandma and Grandpa Adolphson and Dana and Ryan (Carter's Godparents) came down for the big event. Because Dana and Ryan hadn't had a chance to meet Carter yet, Saturday was filled with a lot of cuddling.

 

 

 

Of course, Grandma and Grandpa had to get in on the cuddling too.

Sunday morning was a busy one as we attempted to rotate everyone through our one bathroom and to church by 10:15 for 10:30 Mass. I am happy to announce that our attempt was a success, and we got everyone to the church on time (with 3 minutes to spare due to Carl's speedy race to church . . . it's something that is practiced every Sunday)!

The baptism went off without a hitch.  Carter only cried a few times for only a short period of time, and was welcomed into the Church with open arms. It's always really humbling to have over 500 people watch your child be baptised . . . it's just such a special moment. We were also excited because Carter's great aunt and uncle, Loren and Diane Adolphson decided to surprise us at church! :)

 (Carter wore the same baptismal garment that was made for and worn by Carl, all his siblings, all our kids and my niece, Annika!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

our first family picture since Carter's been born!

 

 

 

(cake made by great-aunt Joan - delish!!)

 

The only "hiccups" during church was Claire dropping the kneeler on my already aching feet (twice) and then deciding to lift up the back of my dress right before we walked up the isle to bring up the gifts . . . thankfully, I don't think anyone saw (except probably the people who were sitting in the lobby . . . I am sure it was quite a sight . . . yikes).

Labor Day weekend is also a time to soak up those last few moments of Summer. Since we can't do anything too wild and crazy because Carter's so little, we have been going on a lot of walks and bike rides with Claire's "big girl" bike. With my girls, no bike ride is complete without the right accessories . . . a purse, sequined flip flops trimmed in leopard print, a big sun hat, even bigger sun glasses, and their "cell phones".

 ( . . . she was "ready for her close-up")

 

 

"Mommy, look here! I am gonna take your picture" . . . I have created a monster!

 

 

We ended our weekend with a swim in Gary's (our neighbor's ) pool and two very excited girls having a hard time falling asleep before the big day - the first day of both 2nd and 8th grade! (more pictures to come).

Happy School Year everyone (happy meaning everyone going back to school and me staying right where I want to be - at home!!) :)

due date

Guess who's due date it was today? Go ahead . . . it's not a trick question.

Ding! Ding! Ding! You guessed right!

I can't believe that Carter is 6 weeks old today! I also can't believe that he is just now supposed to be coming into this world! I feel like he's already done so much living.

He still has some "preemie" hurdles to jump over, but we know he'll do it. He's still on a heart rate monitor, and he still has some apnea and low heart rate alarms, but they are getting fewer and farther between. He is also getting bigger. He's gained over a pound since delivery and is starting to grow out of his newborn sleepers already. I am happy to report that his second chin and cheeks are filling in nicely. He also had his first blow-out diaper today . . . which was fun.

In other news - Ella is becoming quite the little "mother". I always knew she would be a great helper with Carter, but honestly, if it weren't for the nursing aspect, I don't think I would be needed around here!

We're having a good time watching you grow, Carter! Keep up the good work.

Sip-n-See

Have you ever heard of a Sip-n-See? It's a fabulous little gathering of friends that happens after the birth of a friend's baby. It's kinda like a shower . . . without the awkward games and expensive gifts. It features favorite drinks to sip, yummy foods to nibble on and a beautiful baby to gawk at (insert Carter).

My wonderful friend, Nicole, threw me just such a party.  She totally out did herself by inviting my favorite local ladies, offering my favorite drinks (mimosa anyone?!), serving my favorite breakfast goodies and decorating like a Pinterest queen!

(breast) milk and cookie shots! (just kidding!)

 

 

 

 party favors!

 

 

the hostess with the guest of honor

Thanks, Nicole! I had such an awesome time!! And thanks to all the ladies who came.  It was so nice to finally be able to catch up after all of this delivery/surgery/NICU drama!

yes, I have other children

As I look back on my latest blog posts, I noticed I have hardly mentioned my other children in the past month! Shame on me. I assure you I am not neglecting them at home ( . . . much). Here is the haps with the Adolphson girls:

Jocie - is about to be an 8th grader . . . AN 8TH GRADER! Oh my lord, I have an 8th grader!! (okay - freak out, over) A few weeks ago, she took off with my Mom, Denny, Ali and Daysha and headed to Big Sky, Montana for my cousin's wedding.  I tried to guilt her into staying at home (i.e. "I am really going to miss you honey.  I mean, I have been away for 6 weeks, and am finally home, but I totally understand why you want to go . . . I guess".  Again, shame on me), but she stayed strong and went anyway. Yes, I did miss her, but she had a blast (other than getting sick) and made the right decision to go. She had worked so hard at home helping her grandparents with her little sisters while we were away, so she totally deserved a vacation! We recently went school clothes shopping, and even though she won't admit it to many, she is looking forward to school starting up again.

 

 

Side note - school shopping with an almost 8th grader is SUPER expensive . . . trumped Ella's session by three-fold. Yikes.

Ella - is about to be a 2nd grader. She and I also went school clothes shopping, and is looking forward to school starting as well, but all of that doesn't hold a candle to her brother. She is in L.O.V.E. with Carter and she wants to do everything for him.  She is by my side at all times of the day . . . every diaper change, every feeding, every bath time, every time I rock him, every time he cries, Ella is there all. the. time.  I have said it before and I will say it again, she is an awesome big sister!

Claire - is the newest big sister.  Carl and I love the way she talks to Carter. She always says the same thing, "Hey, Bubba! Hi! Hi Bubba! Heeeyyy! (in a very creepy voice . . . we think she is trying to sound like Ella . . .) She finally has come around, and likes her little brother :) She also likes changing clothes . . . at least 8 times a day. She's turning into quite the fashionesta. Oh joy.

 

 

 

Carter - already has a nick name - Bubba. I am not sure why I call him this, but I have since the first time I met him.  Maybe it's foreshadowing and he's going to be a very big country boy? Who knows, but for right now, he's "Bubba" to us.

Carl - is SUPER busy with football and the start of teacher workshops.  He thankfully has been home by 7:00 p.m. for the past two weeks, but that is all about to change next week when he starts games . . . then two nights a week we won't see him until after 10:30 p.m. It's good that the good district of STMA pays him the big bucks for all he does . . . oh wait, he's only paid a fraction of what he's worth! Oh well. I guess we did take a vow of poverty when we decided to work in education!


Me - I feel like I am super busy all the time, but honestly, I am just spinning my tires.  I nursing most of the day and night (really . . . there is an eternal butt print in the chair that I nurse him in), and then other than that, I feel like if I am eating, I should be cleaning. If I am cleaning, I should be napping. If I am napping, I should be finishing my thank you's. If I am writing thank you's, I should be blogging. If I am blogging, then I should be eating . . . and on and on it goes.  Thankfully my dad and step mom Barb have been here to help with all the cooking, cleaning and child rearing.  THANKS GUYS!!

I can't believe school is just around the corner! Thankfully I won't be back for a while, but when the older kids head back, there will be a new schedule to adjust to . . . we shall see how that goes :)

no way . . .

I can't believe I am saying this . . . but Carter is one month old today.  I know! I can't believe it either.  I could feel this way because I was in the hospital the first whole week of his life (and completely out of it the first 4 days). It could be because he was in the hospital the first two weeks of his life. It could be because I am super sleep deprived and the days are just blurring together. It could be because kids just grow up too fast.  Whatever the reason, I can't believe it!

Carter's Favorites ~ One Month Old

nursing

pooping and peeing (preferably NOT in his diaper)

sleeping

cuddling

 . . . what were you expecting? He's only a month old :)

I promise to update you more on what's going on in our world in the days to come . . . but I have found that time is very limited at home. At the hospital, I would blog when Carter was sleeping. Turns out at home, I have three other kids to look after when he's sleeping. Didn't see that one coming :)

perfect man

Remember when . . .

(this photo was taken this past Mother's Day)

Fast Forward a few months - to my stay on the 5th floor of Abbott Northwestern. Because of my bed rest, I was having a lot of aches and pains. So, the good nurses ordered me a few acupuncture sessions (which I was nervous about, but turned out to be a pretty awesome experience). During the last session before I delivered, the acupuncturist asked, "Are you nervous about your delivery and surgery?".  I told him that I was ready for all of it to be over, but yes, I was pretty nervous about it all.
He replied, "My mother always told me that 'the only perfect man on this earth is the man you give birth to', so don't be nervous, you are about to meet the man of your dreams" . . .

Boy, was his mother right!

truth

Okay people . . . I know what your thinking.  Why is Anne acting like everything is all peachy-keen? All of her posts sounds like she's walking through a field of daisies, hand in hand with her loving husband and all 4 of her kids, singing the Barney song while smiling at each other.

The truth is, YES, I am very thankful for all the blessings we have received (and there are SO MANY).  However, this transition has been a b-word, and we are still trying to figure everything out.  My emotions are everywhere, Carl's trying to do the best he possibly can with me (whether he is waiting on me or running from me when my wrath surfaces) and with our kids (who are also emotional wrecks . . . 6 weeks without a mother in the house can cause some damage), and quite frankly, we are just trying to make it through each day without a major melt down.

I ran across this blog http://www.pregnantchicken.com/pregnant-chicken-blog/2010/9/23/happily-after-giving-birth-10-things-they-dont-tell-you.html and let me tell you . . . this woman tells the absolute truth about what it's really like after having a baby.  Now, if you are a guy . . . you may want to think twice about clicking on the link. She is a little graphic at times about "lady stuff". But ladies, whether you have had a baby or not, CLICK THAT LINK! It is hilariously true, and you will have a good belly laugh from it.

Enjoy!! I know I did :)