Life with 3 kids!

Life with 3 kids is actually ok so far.  Winslow has been sleeping well at night which makes a huuuuuuuuuuuuge difference in how the days go.  I was pretty proud of myself for making it to the park for playing and a picnic, and even braving the store TWICE by myself with all 3 kids in tow.  It isn't leisurely, but it gives me confidence that it can be done! :)

Honestly the biggest challenge by far has been Eleanor.  She has the middle child syndrome and terrible two's rolled into one.  She is figuring things out and as frustrating as she can be, she can sure make us smile and laugh at the silly things she says and does.  Oftentimes Camille and Eleanor play great together, but they sure love to tease and push each other's buttons too.  We sure love our 3 kids, I can't believe we are a family of 5 now!  

Snuggled up and sleeping!

Glamour shots

Winslow and I were doing great after his birth, so the next day we got to go home after Win finished up his tests.

I read about a fun idea to have the baby "give" a gift to their siblings when they came home to help them feel special and a little more a part of things.  I found some cute little bracelets and had Winslow wear them home so the girls could each pick one.  They loved it and are so proud of their special bracelets from baby brother.

I was excited to take baby pics of Winslow.  He was very sleepy but never when I wanted to take pictures so it was a challenge. :)

He gets lots of lovin on by his sisters.

Eleanor loves to share babies and other toys.  I often find Elle and Win hanging out in this fashion.

Winslow is already into planking, go figure.

The girls keeping themselves entertained, thank goodness for sisters who like to play together!

My awesome mom crocheted several adorable props and Halloween costumes so I could take some fun pictures.  He doesn't like to lay on his tummy much, so we made do and still got some cute pics.

Very hungry little caterpillar.  Winslow looooved this little cocoon.  I kind of want one to sleep in too, it's so soft and snugly!

Little owl

Mommy's mummy.

love!

Winslow Bennet Harker

I have not been diligent with weekly "belly pics" of this pregnancy, shame on me!  I never wanted to let pictures slide on my younger children because I'm too busy, that's just sad for the kids that get forgotten.  So although I don't have a lot of belly pics, I made up for it by taking tons of pics once our baby was born.

38 weeks, just 6 days before our baby arrived!

This delivery was different than my other 2 because I had to be induced this time!  The baby had a 2 vessel umbilical cord (supposed to be 3) and in addition to possible problems with heart and kidneys associated with this, the baby might not receive adequate nutrition.  Because of this my dr didn't want the baby to go any longer and decided I should be induced since my body wasn't doing it on its own this time.  I went in at 7am October 10th, and by the time I got pitocin and my water broken, it was about  10:30.  Things progressed pretty slowly until my body finally kicked in around 12:00.  The Dr came in about 12:30, and by 12:43 our baby boy was here!  Being induced wasn't as scary as I thought it would be, but definitely a different experience.

Introducing Winslow Bennet Harker!  7 lbs, 5 oz and 20 inches of love.

It was so fun having so much family come visit us at the hospital this time.  My mom was able to be at the hospital when Camille was born, but other than that we haven't had any family visit us and our babies at the hospital.  It was a really busy day for babies at the hospital.  There were something like 7 or 8 other women being induced that morning, and the dr informed me that I "won the race" and was the first to deliver.  Wahoo!  As non-competitive as I am, I was definitely glad to have won that "race".  Winslow is such a sweet boy.  He was wide awake for 2-3 hours after being born and didn't make a peep.  Then he pretty much slept the rest of his hospital stay.  We can only hope the good sleeping continues (knock on wood), I keep waiting for it to end!