Summer Colds

In the prime of summer we have been struck down. Hattie started us out with a little cough and a sniffle. A few days later it was Bug, and now it's Leahs turn. It's a cough that starts out mild but within 2-3 days they sound like barking seals. And the runny noses are almost too much, YUCK! Of course this is the first week all month that we don't have temps in the triple digits. I'm bummed. We actually even had a birthday party on Saturday. I took Leah and Hattie because Leah wasn't sick yet, and Mitch stayed home with Bug. I felt so bad for Bug having to miss the party. I made Mitch take her out for a treat. They went to Wal-Mart to get groceries and Mitch got her a new Zhu-Zhu Pet, and then to Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone. My friend Andrea sent a special "Ariel the Mermaid" treat bag home for Bug and a princess coloring book...she was so excited!

On another note, I have to say how proud I am of Leah. She has been a good big sister these days, picking up the slack while Mommy is breastfeeding. I sent them out to play the other day while I was feeding the baby. Hattie finished up and I went in to the kitchen and saw Leah helping Bug on to the swing outside. Then she proceeded to push her. It was so sweet I grabbed my camera and went outside to snap a picture. They are such big girls and have adjusted to having a baby in the house so wonderfully. I'm a lucky, lucky momma!

Hattie at One Month

This past Saturday, July 21st my sweet Hattie was one month old. I weighed her on my own...the old I get on the scale, and then I get on the scale with Hattie and do the math trick says that she weighs 9 lbs and 10 oz. now. Well, we made an impromptu trip to the doctor today to check on a cough and I was pretty close. Today she was 9 lbs 11 oz. So she is gaining weight which is a good thing and not surprising since she eats so well.

So Yes, Hattie has her first "illness". Mitch noticed a small cough on Saturday night, I started to notice Sunday afternoon, but by Sunday night she was having coughing fits. We went to the pediatrician this AM and thankfully her lungs sound clear. She doesn't have any fever and the doctor thinks it may just be some nasal drainage issues. So run the humidifier, keep her elevated, saline drops in her nose and see how she does...of course if the cough gets worse, it could be the beginning of Bronch problems (just like Leah, perhaps) and then we would have to start her on Xopenex. Hoping that's not the case.

Anyway, yes...9 lbs 11 oz. and doing great. She is starting to be awake more and alert more and is tracking things (mostly mommy and daddy) with her eyes.  Still hardly fusses ever. Once in a blue moon when you are hungry or tired, but for the most part you are one of the most content, mellow little ladies that I have ever met. Your sisters are still fascinated by you and want to give you kisses constantly, especially when you are sleeping.

You've started having "tummy time" and don't hate it...but you don't always love it either. We have a play mat that we put on the floor and set you in the center. There are toys that attach to it, but more often than not Kiersten has run off with them. We can't complain about your schedule much. You are on a good 3 hour routine. You eat, play and sleep and repeat about every three hours. Except of course at night. For the most part you go down between 10/10:30 and you wake for your first feeding at 2'ish and then go back to sleep until 5'ish and wake for the day around 7:30...We are going to have to change up the schedule a bit when Leah starts preschool next month, but we will worry about that when the time comes. For the most part, we are in a routine and things are going well. What a wonderful addition you have been to our family. You bring us so much joy! Looking forward to the smiles that should be coming soon.

Nursery Redeux

Originally we had a gender neutral nursery, but since Hattie's arrival I've been dreaming of a girly room. I enjoyed doing bedrooms for the girls in New Jersey and here in Illinois, so really maybe this was just an excuse to update a little. Leah had a sweet little nursery in New Jersey. The walls were a coral pink, with Espresso furniture and Ivory Minky Dot bedding. The artwork on the walls was classic teddy bears. When we were expecting Kiersten I made Mitch paint over my beautiful coral pink nursery. We didn't know if baby #2 was a girl or boy. So we chose a soft buttery yellow hue for the walls and my mother-in-law made the nursery bedding...a nursery rhyme toile print that I LOVED then and still love today. My mom got the artwork for the walls, a print of "Jack be Nimble" and one of "Mary had a Little Lamb." It was precious, and  all set up in the mustard yellow nursery when we moved to Illinois. Yes, the nursery in Illinois was mustard yellow, but I didn't fret over it too much because I knew it was just going to be a few months before Kiersten moved out of the crib into her "big girl room" that is now pink with a cupcake theme.

Well, now that we have a third girl I NEEDED her to have a sweet nursery just like her sisters. Last Thursday night I told Mitch what I was thinking. Friday I picked up paint samples and Saturday he was painting. I went with a soft gray on the walls, pink ultra-suede curtains that I love, and some pretty pink and gray custom artwork that I picked out on etsy. I can't wait for it all to come together...and you can be sure I will post more pictures then.

There's No Denying It

They love each other, they are totally best friends and there is no denying it! The proof is in the pictures...and in the fact that this is a new nightly occurrence. Kiersten has been sneaking into her big sister's bed every night after we tuck them in. We have a good routine. They take a bath, come down stairs for a snack and a show, then we read a bedtime story together in Leah's room. They say their prayers, get a drink of water and we tuck them in to their OWN beds. Well, three nights in a row Kiersten has been climbing out of her bed and climbing into Leah's bed after Mitch and I go downstairs.

The  first time it happened I went upstairs and noticed Bug's door open. I went and put Hattie in the co-sleeper and walked back to Bug's room and was surprised to see that she wasn't there. The last two nights we have heard the pitter patter of two-year old feet. Last night Mitch went upstairs and busted her dragging all of her stuffed animals into Leah's room. Apparently, she wants to sleep in any bed but her own. Today I put her down for a nap, and she came back downstairs. I sent her back up to her room and twenty minutes later found her in Hattie's crib...and again, she had piled all of her stuffed animals into the crib and brought a few blankets along as well. Silly Bug...I'm hoping it's just a phase, but it sure is cute to see her cuddled up with her big sister.

Super Model!!!

I think I mentioned a few weeks ago, that Hattie was recruited by a friend to participate in a newborn photo shoot. Simply Baby, in Bement, Illinois was looking for a newborn baby girl (less than 2 weeks old) to photograph the last week of June. A friend informed the photographer about Hattie and we were happy to oblige. Especially after we saw some of Simply Baby's work and heard her prices. Right now she is not within our budget...but someday I WILL use her. We only got 3 pictures, but so worth the time that it took and the gas money to get it done. They are beautiful!

The shoot was actually at 7 pm on Thursday June 28th...so Hattie was only one week old and it was 104 degrees outside, but she was a trooper. We started at her family farm and she took the first few shots in the bed of an old Ford truck. It was interesting to watch the photographer work, she was so into the details and wouldn't click her camera if one little finger was out of place. After a while at the farm, we drove a mile or so away to the family clover field. There she shot some beautiful pictures of Hattie in the pram and a few on the little doll bed. The clover shots are so delicate and gorgeous to me. Just beautiful, and I'm not just saying that because they feature my baby :) I got an email from Melissa, the photographer, and the picture of Hattie in the pram is being featured in the August edition of "Her Style" magazine. I'm not familiar with the publication...I've been googling it, and trying to find out how I can get one online but am not having much luck. So if you know where I can get one fill me in. But for now, just enjoy the beautiful pictures. 

Silly Pirates

Today (July 12th) Hattie is 3 weeks old, and we ventured out for her first outing. We met my mom, Aunt Cynthia, Macy and Colby in Sullivan at the Little Theatre on the Square for the Children's Production of "How I Became a Pirate." It was dicey in the beginning. As you can see from the picture, Hattie was not a happy camper. She cried on and off the entire way there!!! I was just happy to have made it out of the house and arrived on time with all three kids in tow.And I FINALLY got a picture of all 5 grandkids together!!! Colby hasn't wanted any part of pictures the last few times we saw him. Today we told him that he needed to protect Hattie and make sure she didn't fall...he was happy to be her protector, YAY!  After we got seated I fed Hattie and she managed to sleep through the entire production. Such a good baby.

The kids LOVED it, and us grown-ups enjoyed it too. It was full of songs and had lots of dancing and the kids got a big kick out of the silliness. Kiersten kept saying all afternoon "silly pirates" and they HAD to get a picture with a Pirate after the show. The Pirate we saw first was Swill (I think), and the girls were super excited to pose. I think we are going to have to get the book now. There is actually a sequel to "How I Became a Pirate" called "Pirates Don't Change Diapers"...so appropriate, right?!?!?

After the production my mom ran through McDonald's drive-thru and grabbed some lunch for us all. We met at the park for a picnic and the kids were so well behaved. They sat and ate, and then they were off. Gigi was super Grandma and was pushing them on the swings, the merry-go-round and was spinning them on the tire swing. She was great and they were loving it. Cynthia and I sat on the park bench catching up, while she did all the hard work. It was a fun day! Next up is "The Princess and the Frog" in August.

Perfectly Pink

This house is ALL about Pink! For months I was telling everyone that I was indifferent about what we were having, girl or boy. I felt like it would be great to have a little boy. After all the third child in my nuclear family growing up was a boy, my brother Matt, and I love Matt. But on the other hand I knew that if we had a baby girl, I would have 3 girls that would be best friends for the rest of their lives. So either way...we win! I'm a firm believer in the idea that the greatest gift you can ever give your child/ren is a sibling. And with three girls our family is complete. Let me add that we did pick out a boy name while I was pregnant with Leah. We never got to use it: Jerrod Matthew. Jerrod is a combination of both Mitch's dad and my dad's names...Jerry and David, and Matthew is my brother's name. Do you think maybe someday I can convince one of my girls to use it, LOL!

For now, we are cherishing every minute we get to snuggle and cuddle with our little Hattie-cakes. Last night Mitch commented that he isn't getting much time to hold her. I feel the same way...and today my mom said the same thing. Leah and Kiersten keep us so occupied, and Hattie is just TOO good of a baby. She doesn't cry much and is content just hanging out on her own. Since she's our last I'm going to make the time. Hold her a little bit longer, rock her a little more often and all that good stuff. But I'm going to try to not focus on the fact that this is the last time. I'll never have a baby this small in my house again...she's 3 weeks old, it's already going too fast.

Fishing with the Boys

I would be lying if I didn't admit that part of me is sad for Mitch that he doesn't get to have a son, and really he is okay with it. He has said all along that 3 girls would be fine...we know how to do girls. And he LOVES his girls, so this made me super happy that he got to take 2 of his girls fishing this weekend. We knew that fishing would be a fun thing to do when Grandpa Dave was here, we just had no idea it would be SO HOT! 

Mitch and Grandpa went and bought bait and Grandpa even grabbed a second Barbie fishing pole for Bug...Leah got one for her 2nd birthday a couple years back. So two pink fishing poles and a pink bucket walked out the door off to catch some fish. They didn't go far, just down to the lake dock house. Mitch had taken Leah fishing there before and had good luck catching Sun Fish, so he figured it was worth another shot. Well, the heat must be getting to the fish too. Mitch said that Leah caught 3 and Bug caught 1. Leah was discouraged, but by the time she was on fish number three she hooked it and reeled him in on her own, YAY LEAH!!! She wasn't even scared to hold up her prize catch...Bug on the other hand didn't want to touch. When they got home, it was obvious that they had been handling fish. Their hands needed a good scrubbing. I'm just happy that Daddy will have some buddies to help partake in some of his favorite activities!

Special Visitors

As I mentioned in the previous post, Mitch's parents arrived on July 4th for a long weekend and to meet the newest member of the family. Their visit did not disappoint, and I think Leah and Kiersten had an especially good time. First they got the swimming pool, then fireworks, a trip to the Zoo, fishing and a trip to the Children's Museum. Oh, and dinner out at Dairy Queen one night while Mitch and I snuck away for a dinner date and they got to make cookies and had ice cream cones. What a treat!!! They are spoiled rotten, but I guess that's what grandparents are for. It was hard finding things to do to occupy the time with the temps up in the 100's the duration of the visit, but overall we all enjoyed our time together and there was never a dull moment. Thanks for making the long drive down from Minnesota...see you next month for baptism.

Celebrating America

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July! Ours was HOT...we're talking temps up in the triple digits for several days. But we survived. We had special visitors arrive, Grandma and Grandpa Schultz, so Leah and Kiersten were super amped. Even Hattie got in the spirit of the 4th...The first picture is of Leah, 4 years ago and the second picture is of Hattie wearing the same outfit. Sometimes I think they look so much alike and other times I just can't tell!!! No doubt about it, they are both cute :)

Grandma and Grandpa got to town around 5 PM. Just in time for some playing outside, dinner and then off to the fireworks. Grandma and Grandpa bought the girls a blow up pool for the backyard...perfect for the heat we are having and to say that it kept them occupied would be an understatement! The girls loved it and spent lots of time out there. Bug was so excited she was stripping down before the pool was even blown up. They even had festive Red, White and Blue swimsuits and dresses compliments of Uncle Brian and Aunt Lisa. Before the weekend was up, we had moved our little tikes slide over and created a water slide. What fun!

After dinner Daddy loaded up the wagon and they took the big sisters over to Lake Decatur for the fireworks...really nice that we live a block off the water, they didn't have to far to go. The girls loved the show, almost as much as fireworks that were lit off in our own backyard. And the sparklers were a big hit...aren't they always?!?!? We ended the night with mini-cupcakes that had red and blue star shaped sprinkles. Happy Birthday, America!

Meet the Family

On Sunday July 1st, Hattie took her first trip to Charleston. Kiersten and Leah are always super excited to go to Gigi's house and they were so excited to bring Hattie with us this time. My sister Laura was home for 2 days...she flew into Chicago to attend a friends wedding and then made a special trip South to see us. And we are so glad she did. It's always fun to see Aunt Laura with the kids. Laura doesn't have much experience with babies so its super fun to see my mom gasp and cringe when she holds the little ones. Mom acts like Laura is going to break them...funny stuff. But she did a great job holding Hattie, and Hattie had no trouble getting comfy. This was also Hattie's first time with Uncle Matt...Aunt Cynthia came to visit us in Decatur with the kids but this was Uncle Matt's first chance to see Hattie as well. He loves babies...and is much better at holding them than Aunt Laura. Just Kidding!

Mom always has lots to eat when we visit. I call her the food pusher...chips and dip, huge veggie tray...then there's dinner. Hot Dogs, Brats, Chicken Breasts, Fresh Green Beans from our garden, fruit salad, roasted potatoes...you can't leave without overeating. And did I mention dessert. A big tray of Lemon Cookies, Brownies and left over Dairy Queen Ice Cream Cake from mine and Colby's birthday. UGH, Too much to eat!!! But the company is what makes the day.

I wanted to get pictures of the kids with Aunt Laura, she taught the girls to make silly faces...shocking, right?!?! I also wanted to get pictures of Gigi and Papa with all 5 of their grandkids. Of course the kids had other ideas. I did the best I could...and will take what I can get. Love my family...all of them!