Our Only Princess

A picture just because <3

Playtime!

Today Ryan turned two weeks old, and we decided it was time to bring out some fun toys for him.  He is starting to stay awake longer during the day and watching everything around him.  We pulled out the playmat, and of course the big kids were just as interested (if not moreso) in playing on it.

I'm not sure yet if it's a bonus for Ryan or a downside to being the third child, but he defintely does not have to worry about being alone.  Space he may have to worry about getting and there's a whole lot of sharing your toys as a third child, but he can count on at least one of his siblings being right by his side at all times! 

My Three Loves

Everyone keeps asking how it is having three kids.  I personally LOVE it!  I know it sounds completely corny (and I swear I never believed people when I heard them say these things before) but even though I was truly blessed with having Katelynn and Justin and could have been happy with life as a family of four, I didn't feel like we were complete yet as a family.  Since Ryan has arrived, we really feel complete as a family of five.  I have no doubts this is MY perfect family!  If only I could freeze time now.  Each one of my kids is at such a fun and cute age.. I don't want them to all grow up on me!  Having a preschooler, toddler, and newborn rocks!  Yes, it's a lot of work and some days I may not say life is easy with the three of them, but for the most part, I am loving life with my three little ones!

Fun Visit to Lazy 5 Ranch

One of the most common places we take all our out-of-town guests is the drive-thru zoo about 40 minutes from our house.   They have zebras, deer, pigs, lamas, long-horn cattle, giraffes, rhinos, emus, ostriches, and probably plenty more animals I'm missing that are all roaming free (well, with exception to the giraffes) and come up to your vehicle to feed.  We have such a fun time each visit. 

Finding things to do with a newborn and things I could do with a healing incision while Daniel was visiting were a little tough.  The boys ended up going four wheeling and to the white water center for rafting, kayaking, and zip line fun without us because I just couldn't do any of those things.  We finally realized we had never taken Daniel to Lazy 5 and it would be the perfect outing that everyone could enjoy.  We took two vehicles through and were able to keep Ryan in the air conditioned car while the rest of the gang was in the back of the truck to feed.

They also have a variety of animals that you can feed/pet after you drive thru.  Daniel made friends with the camel.

Justin was way more hesitant and afraid of feeding the animals.  He preferred to just watch from a distance.

The Whole Gang!

Meet "SuperStar" Minnie!

Katelynn decided today that she wasn't just going to dress up as Minnie Mouse but that she was going to be SUPERSTAR Minnie!  I guess it was the sunglasses that made her the superstar?? 

Super Stubborn Napper

You all know that my children love to sleep, right?  Ha, Ha -- Wouldn't that be the day if they actually did!  Justin went through a phase of not napping, but I found that without a nap, he would wake up several times a night versus only one or two at the most.  With a newborn waking constantly, I just can't afford to also wake up with Justin all night long.  I occassionally let him skip, but we can't skip naps consecutive days or it gets rough on me (waking with both of them each night is bad enough without it being multiple wakings for both of them).  Today, of course, he just had no interest in napping and was having a fit over it.   I finally just left him in his room because he wouldn't give in and went back in to find him asleep in this position.  He was so determined he wasn't tired that he refused to even lay down!

My Attempts at Newborn Photography

Do you ever browse photography sites and see those super cute sleeping infant photos they get?  I keep thinking I actually have some photography skills to be able to do those pictures myself (since I'm too frugal to spend the money and have them done -- haha), but after two days of trying to get those pictures of Ryan, I am pretty sure I need to hit the books (or the internet) A LOT more before I can call myself anywhere near a decent photographer.  (And all jokes aside, I would LOVE to learn more about my camera and photography but where do I find the time with three kids under 5 years of age?)

So, these are the best of my "outtakes" aside from the photo I picked for his birth announcement, which I'm not sharing until I figure out who I am mailing announcments to.  What is the normal these days for announcements anyway?  I only ordered 40, which is less than my Christmas card list because I am not sure who to mail them to.  I don't want people to think I am announcing it for a gift, but I love doing announcements.  So, anyway, we will see what I figure out for mailing the ones I have and then I will share it on my blog.