sunday phone dump and random news

Life feels like it's gotten a little crazy this week. And it is entirely self-inflicted. It has less to do with adding a third baby to the group, and more to do with the Christmas stress and trying to do far too many things. I feel like time is flying by and my baby is getting huge and I'm just barely able to take notice in between doing laundry and shopping for gifts and changing diapers. Lots of diapers. But I'm trying to keep track of it all photographically. I even pulled out the big camera a couple of times and have plans to sort pictures and order prints for the family today. Yet another thing that has been on my "to do" list for far too long. 

This week, we got our Christmas tree up and decorated. We were lazy this year and instead of heading up to the woods to find our own special tree, I sent Ryan to the Mountain Mike's parking lot where he picked the perfect silver tip with just enough character. I cussed at the lights as I put them on, ran out of lights, sent Ryan to the store for more, and then finished several hours after I had planned to be done. Ryan and the girls put on the ornaments and we are officially merry and bright. Ryan also hung up the rest of the lights outside, which makes me all giddy like a kid when I see them. 

It snowed on Friday night. Nothing stuck, but it dumped big pretty flakes on us as I drove home Friday evening. Call me a big cheese ball, but it felt pretty magical to drive home in the snow to a beautiful house with twinkling lights. Yes, I'm a sap and this time of year makes me feel like a kid again. In fact, I'm pretty sure I get more excited about seeing Christmas lights than my kids do. 

Noah had a doctor appointment on Tuesday, tipping the scale at exactly 10 lbs, which is in the 50th percentile, but compared to his tiny sisters at that age, he is a monster. That whole eating every two hours around the clock is paying off for him. And really, I can't complain much about his eating or sleeping because he does plenty of both. He even slept a solid four hours the other night, which felt pretty amazing. I love how you bring babies home and in no time at all, it's like they've always been part of your life, instead of just three and a half short weeks. He is our easiest baby so far, what I believe is a combination of his awesome, laid back personality (that he certainly doesn't get from me), and the fact that it's the third baby and there isn't much that gets Ryan or I riled up. It's much more relaxing this third time around, and I'm enjoying it very much. 

The girls are going stir crazy because it's been so stinking cold, we haven't been spending enough time outside. Mia has started screaming "No!" way too much, whenever we tell her to do anything. Her love for Noah just keeps growing and getting more forceful. She likes to put her face right up in his face and he gets really mad. I don't blame him, she IS all up in his personal space.  And Laci literally runs and jumps and screams around the house after dinner every evening because she's so full of energy. But they still make me laugh and smile regularly, which makes the craziness tolerable. I need to keep better track of the things they ask me and tell me because the minds of a four and two year old are never without surprises and usually quite entertaining. 

Wow, I never really intended to write this much. Once I get started, words just flow. It's a good thing I guess, to write it all out and save the hubby's ear from getting talked off. He's been off work since Noah was born and it has been an adjustment for everyone to have him with us all day, every day. I'm pretty sure we all drive him crazy sometimes, especially me. But I really love having him home and will be sad when he goes back to work. 

So, I'll end with some pictures and the hopes that I survive the crazy Christmas season. That I accomplish all the things I need to get done, and still have enough time left over to enjoy my family, and maybe have a minute or two to myself to regain small pieces of sanity.