Almost All Smiles!

Jacob decided today would be the day that he started to show off his smile! I really needed it.....It's been a long week! I haven't captured the perfect shot yet, but we are getting there. Here are some of Ben's favorites from today's photoshoot! Ben cracks up at the mad face and thinks its hilarious that Jacob is raising his hand.

2 months!

Jacob turned 2 months yesterday! Time has really flown by! I have been terrible at taking pictures of him (too busy either attempting to keep Kate out of trouble or cleaning up after her). David bought me a new camera for Mother's day so it was the perfect excuse to capture a few shots this week. So far, Jacob has been my easiest baby. He is a true joy. At his appointment on Tuesday, he was 8 pounds, 9 ounces and nearly 21 inches long. I can't believe how fast he is growing! I am excited to capture his smile one of these days. I have only seen it a handful of times, but it's beautiful.....chubby cheeks and deep dimples!

Thanks Uncle Mike!

Uncle Mike came to visit again! We really appreciate him taking the time away from his orthodontics conference in D.C. He even used public transportation so I wouldn't have to get stuck in D.C. traffic with 3 kids! We went to Baltimore's, "Five Guys" hamburger joint and out for ice cream. It was so refreshing to see family again, even if it was for just one night! Ben and Kate all but smoothered him while he was here and were very disappointed to see him go so quickly! Congrats to Mike and Christina on your lucky win! Good things happen when you visit!

For Sale: Two Year Old

Before you start your bidding there is one disclaimer I need to warn you about.....looks can be deceiving!

All in a days work for Kate:
1. Locked both her parents in the basement (good thing for us her big brother had just gone upstairs to use the bathroom)
2. Hid the lemonade filled pitcher in the crisper (It spilled everywhere and it literally took me several hours to find it. Originally, it was on the top shelf behind a gallon of milk).
3. Found the hidden black permanent marker and colored on the play table and ruined her brand new shirt the first time she wore it.
4. Got red and purple marker on the week old YELLOW couch. Thankfully, they were washable markers.
5. Has lost all interest in potty training but, hates wearing wet and poopy diapers.....yes that means she takes them off herself. She even gets out the wipes and changing pad and then practically floods the bathroom washing her hands afterwards.
6. Somehow manages to make me feel like I am the bad one.........
Karen: "Kate, I am sick and tired of it!"
Kate: "Mom, I am sick and tired of you yelling at me!"
7. Literally destroyed the laptop and somehow managed to put a password lock on it.



In her defense:
1. She does it all with a genuine smile
2. She never hesitates to say, "Sorry, Mom."
3. She now has to share her mother's attention with a pretty cute, new, little brother.





If anyone wants to visit........NOW........would be an excellent time. I could use the extra hands and eyes!
I have found myself in tears more than once this week.......and it's not because of the new baby or Ben.....they are angels.
I believe the saying should be, "Thank Heaven For Little Boys."

Any Similarities?

Jacob: The earliest! 5 pounds 3 ounces



Kate: The biggest! 6 pounds 6 ounces


Ben: The smallest! 4 pounds 5 ounces

Jacob William

Early Friday morning, March 12th our little boy decided he wanted to top both Ben and Kate and arrive at 34 weeks. I was literally awakened at 3 am to a popping sensation. After awakening our friends to come stay with the kids and packing those last minute things we headed to the hospital. We checked in with the triage nurse at 4:15 am and he was born at 5:10 am! He wasted no time. I only pushed 3 times. Fortunately, we live within a mile of the hospital. Jacob was taken to the NICU right away as a precautionary measure due to his prematurity. He received IV antibiotics for 48 hours and was monitored closely. His blood sugar dropped at one point, but was quickly corrected with a little formula. He never even required any supplemental oxygen. He was discharged Monday and is doing great. He is nursing, sleeping, peeing and pooping like a little champ! We are so grateful. My biggest struggle at this point is my enormous milk supply, so I can't complain. The NICU nurses teased me that I could feed the whole NICU. Their census was 32! Jacob reminds me a lot of Ben...wearing the same little preemie clothes, etc. I have found myself calling him Ben on several occasions already. Now I understand why at times my mother went through all my sisters names before she got mine right! David was given the week off so we are enjoying our time together. Ben and Kate are in heaven and doing quite well for such a big change. We are so grateful to our wonderful friends.....especially Ann, Kristen and Heather (you too Destry!). They took such great care of Ben and Kate, allowing both David and I to concentrate on the baby. They were in perfect hands and I never worried about them once. That was a great blessing to me. No matter where I have gone, my church friends have literally become my family. My mom will be coming on March 25th. We are looking forward to her visit. Several of my pregnant friends are jealous Jacob has arrived....hang in there. I have all but forgotten how uncomfortable I was. He was more than worth it all.

Sneak Peak!

Today we got to have a sneak peak at the baby! He was measuring right on....about 4 1/2 pounds at this point; 33 weeks. I think he looked like Ben, but David thinks it's all in my head. He does have David's widow's peak though! We will get a final report from the Doctor later about the fluid levels. Ben and Kate love looking at the new pictures! They seem so much more real to them in 3D. Kate is so excited for her, "little baby" to arrive and Ben wants to "rock him or something tomorrow!"