Out with the old...

The days of the Newborn N size diapers are over.

Bathtime...

Lately, bath time has become a family affair.

So has bedtime.

Cowboy Day

Friday was Cowboy Day at Sam's preschool. He sported his cowboy hat, bandana and Wild West (D.I. special) vest. The instructions from his school said something to this effect, "Friday is Cowboy day at school. Please remember to dress your child in western attire, please no guns." I had to laugh at that one, they are definitely thorough at that school. :)

Sam's favorite thing about Cowboy day were the flour biscuits they baked in the oven...yum.

She knows...

Babies have a 6th sense...they know when they are being held and when they are not. Right now Sadie is being held and is sleeping...when i set her down, walla! she wakes up, magic eh!

I broke out the Baby Bjorn this week, rather, dug it out of a moving box in the basement, so I could make dinner. Sam helped me chop up the mushrooms and the peppers... I gave him a dull knife of course...he enjoyed every minute...what is it about boys and knives?!

Today I ventured out to visit my Grandma...she was so happy to see and hold our new little Sadie and couldn't believe how big Sam was. I enjoyed our visit together with her happy demeanor and witty nature. I promised her chocolate chip cookies when we come back next week and she added with such innocence, "Could you bring a little chocolate ice cream with those cookies?" This made me smile and then laugh when I got out to the car. Grandma is as sly as a fox...I love this about her.

It felt good putting on jeans today, the first I've been able to wear since before the c-section. It felt good getting out...and sadly, I have to admit that I am actually getting use to the constant tiredness.

Things...

Things I have forgotten:

I forgot to wear green to bed last night, so I got a 'Good Morning' pinch from Maggie.

I've forgotten how much newborns sleep during the day.

I've forgotten how much newborns poop during the night and spit-up.

I've forgotten that just because Baby has a few good nights of sleep, doesn't mean she won't have bad nights here and there and here again.

I've forgotten how little they are, all their tiny little parts, the toes and fingers and lips and ears.

Things I'm Remembering:

I am Irish...my maiden name is Irish. Fitzgerald

That fresh, after-a-bath, baby smell.

The smell of Spring, that freshness in the air as the snow starts to melt and the brown grass starts to green.

The joy of childhood as I 've watched Maggie learn to ride her bike without training wheels in the last few days, new found freedom for her, more worry for me.

The peace of holding a baby close, chest to chest, and having her fall asleep on me only to wake when I set her down.

The happiness in cuddling with my children after 3 weeks of recovery.

Being able to drive again...I took my first journey out yesterday with Sam and Sadie. Sam pushed her in the stroller, he was the happiest big brother ever. Sadie slept the entire time we were out.

The longer days of light. Sam and Maggie have reveled in the extra playtime outside after school.

Warm sunshine and knowing that Brian loves me.

2 Weeks

The days are flying by as I try to recover. Sadie turned two weeks on the 7th and yet I am still in awe of this little one and so grateful she arrived here healthy and safe. It is so strange having another little baby at home after what seems like forever. Her sweet little spirit has filled our home with the sweetness of heaven.

He must have...

He must have grown inches while I was in the hospital, or maybe he just seems bigger to me, now that there's a little baby at home. I love this little boy, he is growing up so fast. He poses for a photo before heading over to the neighbor's Mad Scientist Birthday Party.

The first

Just the first of many, Maggie begged to help with Sadie's first bath at home. The moments were sweet. I loved seeing the expression on Maggie's face as she gently bathed her new, baby sister. There has been an instant bond between them.

Bringing Sadie Home.

It was so nice bringing Sadie home. The kids were thrilled, Maggie had school off that day and so we had some nice family time without all the stress. The first time Sam met Sadie, he couldn't get over how funny she was, all her littleness was hilarious to him.

Sadie Jane

Before (6 days)

Our Little One.

Our little Sadie Jane came to us at 5:56 a.m. on Monday morning. She weighed 6 lbs. 8 oz and was 20 inches long. She is an angel baby, is curious and alert and loves to snuggle and be close to Mom and Dad. She has already figured out her Dad is a tease and she frequently teases back with her funny faces, her pursed lips and her lovable yawns.

Monday morning was a whirlwind and scary as I woke up out of bed with one hard contraction and a gush of blood. Brian and I went right in to the hospital as I was still continuing to bleed profusely. In the triage room, they determined that my placenta was tearing away from the uterus causing the large amounts of blood. The doctor told us that because I was barely dialated, they would need to do an emergency C-section and quickly in order to get Sadie and I through this safely. We arrived at the hospital a little after 5 and Sadie came into this world at 5:56 a.m. kicking and screaming. We are so grateful for her safe arrival and for the good doctors and nurses who have cared for us.

Buon Cumpleanno!

It's always nice to share a Birthday, especially with someone as wonderful as Mamma Theresa. On the day she turned 90 years young she got her 25th great grandchild. We are proud to have our little Sadie share her Birthday with our Italian Grandma. Mamma Theresa is always full of life and energy, she never misses the chance to get on the dance floor or have a good laugh. And I mean that as of today, her favorite dance partner is Sam, he never turns down a dance with Mamma. May we have many more years of eating, dancing and story telling! Buon Cumpleanno!

Ti Amo!

* This picture is from a few weeks ago, she looks fantastic!

And the Nursery...

Sure Signs

There are a few sure signs around the house that baby girl #4 is on the way. Here are just a few of them...

The dentist and heartburn

Today I took Sam in to have his chipped front tooth looked at, at least that's what I thought was going to happen, just a look, but the dentist decided he had the time to fix it and I decided since baby girl will be arriving shortly that I needed to just get the poor tooth fixed...so to my surprise, Sam agreed to having his tooth fixed. They let him wear the funny clown nose, i.e. laughing gas, and he chose root beer as his favored smell, he lay there on the chair for a few minutes, a smile shortly appearing on his little face as the gas took effect. Then Dr. Barney O. came in and administered the magic to put his gums to sleep...Sam was a trooper. After Dr. left the room, Sam was still rather smiley as he lay there staring up at the ceiling watching Shrek, dreamily smelling rootbeer. He leaned over to the hygenist and said with a little laugh, "I feel like I am flying." The way in which he said it, made me laugh.

The rest of the appointment was a breeze, it is the 'afterwards' that he hates, the numbness in his lips. I bought him a lightsaber to make up for the dental appointment and of course we had to get one for Maggie so they can practice their moves together.

Tonight, I watched them play together and was filled with gratitude again for these little ones who are so quickly growing into big people. My mom always says, "Don't blink your eyes" or they'll be grown and gone before you know it. I realize this more everyday. I miss Maggie when she is at school, there is just not enough time in the day to give them all the love and attention I wish I could...Sam will start kindergarten this fall...where has the time gone? Will I be able to stop my eyes from blinking long enough to fully enjoy them and all their childhood stages...I hope so.

P.S. On another note, I have the worst heartburn, my stomach feels like it's above my lungs most of the time...We are ready for you little baby girl. Do come soon. Nursery photos will be posted tomorrow.